Race, Sex, and Biology: A Cultural History of Differences

Are your race, gender, and sexual orientation biologically pre-determined? This course traces the history and cultural implications of theories of racial and sexual differences. We examine three "scientific" theories -- Darwinism, eugenics, and genetics -- in popular culture, public policies and social movements, and consider how these social constructs both empowered and disempowered women, homosexuals, and racial minorities. Enrollment limited to 19 first year students.