We cannot take for granted that people know what we mean when we talk
about "the body."  For some, it evokes experiences of illness, pain,
or shame.  For others, it seduces us to indulge in fantasies about
desire, love, or pleasure.  For most, "the body" moves us in different
ways depending upon the context and the manner in which it is
presented.
In these times, however, the body is undeniably important to questions
of gender, communication, and power.

This course will begin by exploring what reimagining the body from a
rhetorical perspective might mean.  From that foundation, we will be
invested in exploring how gender/sexuality intersect with politics of
"the body" through three themes: (1) practices, such as female
circumcision and plastic surgery; (2) representations, such as movie
stars and magazines; and (3) resistance, through venues such as
carnivals and writing.  Although the examples discussed in class
primarily will focus on the United States, we also will engage
similarities and differences in countries such as Egypt, Sudan, and
Mexico.

As an upper level Communication and Culture course designed to fulfill
the Intensive Writing (IW) requirement at IU, C450 will require:
engaged and thoughtful participation; theoretically and politically
informed readings; and eloquent and provocative writing.


Required Texts:

IU Coursepack, available on ereserves.

The Gender/Sexuality Reader: Culture, History, Political Economy.  (
1997)
Roger N. Lancaster and Micaela Di Leonardo, Eds.  London: Routledge.
	ISBN: 0415910056


Course Assignments:
Attendance/Participation: 10 %
Group Presentation: 20%
2 Discussion Papers (5 pages each): 40% (20% each)
Final Paper Proposal (1 page): 5%
Final Paper (15 pages): 25%