Gender and Sexuality in Western Canada

3 credits · Undergraduate

In this seminar course, we will consider how social, political, economic, and environmental conditions particular to northwestern North America (territory now known as British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) have affected the perception and construction of gender roles and intimate relations in indigenous and settler communities, from the 18th to the 20th century. We will use primary sources in an effort to uncover and understand how Plains and Pacific peoples defined male, female, and genderqueer identities, as well as how they viewed short- and long-term sexual relations. We will also consider recent historiography on this subject in an effort to understand how exploration, trade, colonization, immigration, labour, and social activism have influenced Western Canadian expressions of gender identity and sexuality over time.