Courses

The courses listed below are provided by Student Information Services (SIS). This listing provides a snapshot of immediately available courses within this department and may not be complete. Course registration information can be found at https://sis.jhu.edu/classes/.

Please consult the online course catalog for cross-listed courses and full course information.

Column one has the course number and section. Other columns show the course title, days offered, instructor's name, room number, if the course is cross-referenced with another program, and a option to view additional course information in a pop-up window.

Course # (Section) Title Day/Times Instructor Room PosTag(s) Info

Column one has the course number and section. Other columns show the course title, days offered, instructor's name, room number, if the course is cross-referenced with another program, and a option to view additional course information in a pop-up window.

Queer Theory, Western Philosophy and Identity Politics
AS.191.321 (01)

The course focuses on sympathetic links between Western philosophers and queer theory in order to illuminate contemporary understandings of (gender or sexual) identity. The course identifies three strands of queer theory each with its specific understanding of identity and, consequently, each with its specific political solution to issues of persisting structures of patriarchy, homophobia, racism and capitalist exploitation. We begin in Ancient Greece with Plato’s seminal dialogue on Eros - the Symposium, which we will use to explore ancient Greek sexuality as a set of norms, practices, and identities that differ quite significantly from their modern counterparts. Thereafter, the course proceeds in three parts, each analyzing a specific strand of queer theory inspired by different thinkers from the Western philosophical canon: 1. Queer theory inspired by psychoanalytic thought of Freud and Lacan 2. Theories of performativity inspired by Foucault and Derrida 3. Affect and assemblage theory inspired by Deleuze and Guattari.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
  • Instructor: Skerjanec, Blaz
  • Room: Maryland 104
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 7/18
  • PosTag(s): POLI-PT, INST-PT

Theorizing the Age of Enormity: Social Theory and the History of the 20th Century
AS.100.408 (01)

We will read and analyze key works of social and critical theory produced in relation to 20th and 21st century problems of state and society, nationalism, empire, totalitarianism, genocide, capitalism, political order, gender, race, sexuality, secularism, religion, environmental catastrophe. Possible readings include Weber, Du Bois, Adorno, Arendt, Foucault, Balibar, Beck among others.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: Th 1:30PM - 4:00PM
  • Instructor: Moss, Kenneth
  • Room: Mattin Center 161
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 3/15
  • PosTag(s): INST-GLOBAL, INST-PT

Freshman Seminar: Gender, Health and Aging
AS.230.154 (01)

In this course students will develop an understanding of the ways in which gender structures health and well being through adulthood and later life. The experience of sexual minorities and the ntersection of gender with class and ethnicity will also be discussed. Students will be expected to participate actively and lead discussions on specific topics.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 3:00PM - 4:15PM
  • Instructor: Agree, Emily
  • Room: Gilman 277
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 15/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Simone de Beauvoir
AS.150.400 (01)

Seminar on Beauvoir’s moral philosophy, covering the major works of the 1940s. Readings will include selections from The Blood of Others, Pyrrhus and Cineas, All Men are Mortal, The Ethics of Ambiguity, and The Second Sex. Open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates. (Beginning undergraduates should contact Professor Kosch.) No prerequisites.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 4:00PM - 6:30PM
  • Instructor: Staff
  • Room: Gilman 288
  • Status: Approval Required
  • Seats Available: 6/15
  • PosTag(s): PHIL-ETHICS, GRLL-ENGL

Human Sexuality
AS.200.204 (02)

Course focuses on sexual development, sexuality across the lifespan, gender identity, sexual attraction and arousal, sexually transmitted disease, and the history of commercial sex workers and pornography. Please note that the use of electronic devices is not permitted during this class, in order to promote the full interactive potential of this engaging seminar-style offering. Open to Juniors & Seniors within the following majors/minors: Behavioral Biology; Biology; Cognitive Science; Medicine, Science & the Humanities; Molecular & Cellular Bio; Neuroscience; Psychological & Brain Sciences; Public Health; Sociology; Study of Women, Gender, & Sexuality.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 4:00PM - 6:20PM
  • Instructor: Kraft, Chris S
  • Room: Croft Hall G02
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/20
  • PosTag(s): BEHB-SOCSCI

Human Sexuality
AS.200.204 (01)

Course focuses on sexual development, sexuality across the lifespan, gender identity, sexual attraction and arousal, sexually transmitted disease, and the history of commercial sex workers and pornography. Please note that the use of electronic devices is not permitted during this class, in order to promote the full interactive potential of this engaging seminar-style offering. Open to Juniors & Seniors within the following majors/minors: Behavioral Biology; Biology; Cognitive Science; Medicine, Science & the Humanities; Molecular & Cellular Bio; Neuroscience; Psychological & Brain Sciences; Public Health; Sociology; Study of Women, Gender, & Sexuality.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 3:50PM
  • Instructor: Kraft, Chris S
  • Room: Croft Hall G02
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/20
  • PosTag(s): BEHB-SOCSCI

Critical Knowledges: Black, Feminist, Postcolonial, Queer and Other
AS.211.362 (01)

Is it clear what “knowledge” means? Does it have the same meaning historically, across different academic disciplines and in daily life? Rather than posing questions about the nature of knowledge explored in the branch of philosophy known as epistemology, this course will propose a minoritized critical inquiry into the matter of knowledge/s. Through works by Black, feminist, queer, and postcolonial theorists such as Patricia Hill Collins, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick and Donna Haraway, we will address alternative epistemologies that operate with “partial” or “unfinished” models. Understanding knowledge as unfinished rather than universal enables consequential dialogue to take place: no longer focused on judgments, thought remains open to the ideas of others.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: M 1:30PM - 4:00PM
  • Instructor: Nitis, Maya
  • Room: Maryland 217
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 14/15
  • PosTag(s): GRLL-ENGL

Demons of Democracy
AS.191.348 (01)

This course examines how a political discourse of deviancy, which produces a suspicion and a demonization of the Other, has legitimized the subsequent marginalization of specific groups from the democratic sphere. How has democracy, which promises a universal inclusivity of all its citizens, justified the historical and ongoing exclusion of certain marginalized groups from participating in political life? In this course, we will gain deeper insight into the logics of “demon-making” by turning to Black, feminist and queer critiques of democracy’s core tenets, particularly the values of inclusion, representation, and diversity. We will pay special attention to these scholars’ critiques of the Rational Man, conceived by Enlightenment thinkers to be the ideal subject of political life.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Instructor: Najjar, Stephanie Hanna
  • Room: Mattin Center 160
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 8/18
  • PosTag(s): POLI-PT, INST-PT

Freshman Seminar: Feminism
AS.150.191 (01)

Historical and contemporary readings in feminist philosophy.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 9:00AM - 11:30AM
  • Instructor: Staff
  • Room: Gilman 288
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 15/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Women & Modern Chinese History
AS.100.424 (01)

This course examines the experience of Chinese women, and also how writers, scholars, and politicians (often male, sometimes foreign) have represented women’s experiences for their own political and social agendas.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
  • Instructor: Meyer-Fong, Tobie
  • Room: Maryland 202
  • Status: Reserved Open
  • Seats Available: 5/17
  • PosTag(s): INST-GLOBAL, HIST-ASIA

Gender and International Development
AS.230.324 (01)

This course employs a comparative perspective to examine the gendered impact of international development experiences and policies. Students will discuss the historical evolution of how the concept of gender has been constructed, conceptualized, and integrated into international development theory and practice. The course will also examine how greater international development. In particular, we will examine structural theories of poverty reduction, individual theories of power and processes of stratification at the household and family level. Specific issue areas will include the globalization, class and work political participation and social movements. Cross-listed with International Studies (CP, IR). Fulfills Economics requirement for IS GSCD track students only.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: F 3:00PM - 5:30PM
  • Instructor: Agarwala, Rina
  • Room: Gilman 217
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/15
  • PosTag(s): INST-CP, INST-IR

Housing and Homelessness in the United States
AS.230.370 (01)

This course will examine the role of housing, or the absence thereof, in shaping quality of life. It will explore the consequences of the places in which we live and how we are housed. Consideration will be given to overcrowding, affordability, accessibility, and past and existing housing policies and their influence on society. Special attention will be given to the problem of homelessness.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
  • Instructor: Greif, Meredith
  • Room: Hodson 213
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/18
  • PosTag(s): INST-AP, SPOL-UL

The Russian Novel
AS.300.317 (01)

This course introduces students to the nineteenth century Russian novel and considers its lasting impact on world culture. We will read classic masterpieces of the psychological and philosophical novel, and their experimental forerunners. Short lectures on historical and cultural context and on methods of literary analysis will be combined with intensive group discussion. Novels include Anna Karenina, Crime and Punishment, Eugene Onegin, Dead Souls, and Hero of our Time.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
  • Instructor: Eakin Moss, Anne
  • Room: Gilman 208
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 11/15
  • PosTag(s): INST-GLOBAL

Feminist and Queer Theory: Race, Class, Gender, Sexuality-Intersectional Feminist Theory
AS.363.306 (01)

In this course, we will get to know intersectional feminist philosophy through the lens of a Black feminist epistemology. What does this mean? That means that we will focus on how the contributions of Black feminist authors can bring out the specific political and philosophical nature of an intersectional theoretical framework.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: M 4:00PM - 6:30PM
  • Instructor: Hussein, Rima
  • Room: Gilman 288
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 3/18
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Introduction to the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality
AS.363.201 (01)

This course offers an introduction into the fields of Women’s Studies, Gender Studies, and Sexuality Studies. It explores why we need these fields of inquiry, how they have emerged historically, what some of the major and most interesting contributions are and where we might go from here. The course is meant as a preparation for the other WGS core courses.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: T 1:30PM - 4:30PM
  • Instructor: Shepard, Todd
  • Room: Ames 218
  • Status: Reserved Open
  • Seats Available: 34/40
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Reproductive Physiology
AS.250.351 (01)

Focuses on reproductive physiology and biochemical and molecular regulation of the female and male reproductive tracts. Topics include the hypothalamus and pituitary, peptide and steroid hormone action, epididymis and male accessory sex organs, female reproductive tract, menstrual cycle, ovulation and gamete transport, fertilization and fertility enhancement, sexually transmitted diseases, and male and female contraceptive methods. Introductory lectures on each topic followed by research-oriented lectures and readings from current literature.

  • Credits: 2.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 3:00PM - 4:45PM
  • Instructor: Zirkin, Barry R
  • Room: Jenkins 107
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/100
  • PosTag(s): BIOL-UL, BEHB-BIOBEH

Population, Health and Development
AS.280.225 (01)

This course will cover the major world population changes in the past century as well as the contemporary situation and projections for this century. Topics include rapid population growth, the historical and continuing decline of death and birth rates, contraceptive methods as well as family planning and child survival programs, population aging, urbanization, population and the environment and the demographic effects of HIV/AIDS. This course is restricted to Public Health Studies majors. Students minoring in Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality can register with instructor approval.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
  • Instructor: Becker, Stanley
  • Room: Shaffer 303
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/72
  • PosTag(s): ENVS-MAJOR

Poetics and Politics: Eros & Literature
AS.363.333 (01)

What does it mean to love? From Antiquity to now, from Plato to Jeanette Winterson, writers have staged conversations on love and sex. In this way, they provide us with a “science of sex” (to use Foucault’s notion) that, though fully attuned to the power differentials that inhabit our most intimate physical experiences, gives free range to the imagination of desires. With Plato, the legend of Tristan and Isolde, and the study a few Renaissance love lyrics as a backdrop, we will delve into stories of desire that chart new configurations and break away from “normative heterosexuality.” Readings involve novellas by Balzac, George Sand, Colette; stories by Woolf, by Proust, and selected from Gender Outlaws as well as two films M. Butterfly and Call Me by Your Name. Meshing such stories with fundamental concepts in gender theory will enable us to chart ever changing configurations of desire from the double perspective of queerness and of sexual politics.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 3:00PM - 4:15PM
  • Instructor: Ender, Evelyne
  • Room: Bloomberg 178
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 14/18
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Human Sexual Orientation
AS.290.420 (01)

This course will examine the historical and current theories of sexual orientation and sexual variation development by examining the biological, psychological and social contributing factors that influence the development of sexual orientations and variations along with treatment and modification of problematic sexual behaviors. Students may enroll in both AS.200.204 and AS.290.420, but cannot do so in the same semester. Priority given to Behavioral Biology majors. Note: For credit towards a Psychology major, students should register for AS.200.204 Human Sexuality, rather than this course.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 6:30PM - 8:50PM
  • Instructor: Kraft, Chris S
  • Room: Croft Hall G02
  • Status: Approval Required
  • Seats Available: 11/30
  • PosTag(s): BEHB-SOCSCI

Course # (Section) Title Day/Times Instructor Room PosTag(s) Info
AS.191.321 (01)Queer Theory, Western Philosophy and Identity PoliticsTTh 12:00PM - 1:15PMSkerjanec, BlazMaryland 104POLI-PT, INST-PT
AS.100.408 (01)Theorizing the Age of Enormity: Social Theory and the History of the 20th CenturyTh 1:30PM - 4:00PMMoss, KennethMattin Center 161INST-GLOBAL, INST-PT
AS.230.154 (01)Freshman Seminar: Gender, Health and AgingTTh 3:00PM - 4:15PMAgree, EmilyGilman 277
AS.150.400 (01)Simone de BeauvoirW 4:00PM - 6:30PMStaffGilman 288PHIL-ETHICS, GRLL-ENGL
AS.200.204 (02)Human SexualityW 4:00PM - 6:20PMKraft, Chris SCroft Hall G02BEHB-SOCSCI
AS.200.204 (01)Human SexualityW 1:30PM - 3:50PMKraft, Chris SCroft Hall G02BEHB-SOCSCI
AS.211.362 (01)Critical Knowledges: Black, Feminist, Postcolonial, Queer and OtherM 1:30PM - 4:00PMNitis, MayaMaryland 217GRLL-ENGL
AS.191.348 (01)Demons of DemocracyTTh 10:30AM - 11:45AMNajjar, Stephanie HannaMattin Center 160POLI-PT, INST-PT
AS.150.191 (01)Freshman Seminar: FeminismW 9:00AM - 11:30AMStaffGilman 288
AS.100.424 (01)Women & Modern Chinese HistoryW 1:30PM - 4:00PMMeyer-Fong, TobieMaryland 202INST-GLOBAL, HIST-ASIA
AS.230.324 (01)Gender and International DevelopmentF 3:00PM - 5:30PMAgarwala, RinaGilman 217INST-CP, INST-IR
AS.230.370 (01)Housing and Homelessness in the United StatesTTh 1:30PM - 2:45PMGreif, MeredithHodson 213INST-AP, SPOL-UL
AS.300.317 (01)The Russian NovelW 1:30PM - 4:00PMEakin Moss, AnneGilman 208INST-GLOBAL
AS.363.306 (01)Feminist and Queer Theory: Race, Class, Gender, Sexuality-Intersectional Feminist TheoryM 4:00PM - 6:30PMHussein, RimaGilman 288
AS.363.201 (01)Introduction to the Study of Women, Gender, and SexualityT 1:30PM - 4:30PMShepard, ToddAmes 218
AS.250.351 (01)Reproductive PhysiologyW 3:00PM - 4:45PMZirkin, Barry RJenkins 107BIOL-UL, BEHB-BIOBEH
AS.280.225 (01)Population, Health and DevelopmentTTh 9:00AM - 10:15AMBecker, StanleyShaffer 303ENVS-MAJOR
AS.363.333 (01)Poetics and Politics: Eros & LiteratureTTh 3:00PM - 4:15PMEnder, EvelyneBloomberg 178
AS.290.420 (01)Human Sexual OrientationW 6:30PM - 8:50PMKraft, Chris SCroft Hall G02BEHB-SOCSCI