SOAN0315A-S11
Sociology of Freakishness
Sociology of Freakishness
P.T. Barnum taught us that freaks are always made, not born. A freak is a performance of otherness for fun and profit. In this course we will explore how the freak show gave birth to American culture and how American culture continues to organize itself around the display of freakishness. We will ask what configurations of power are at play in the performance of freaks. How do gender, race, nation, sexuality, and class come into play, and how are those forms of power translated into a performance of otherness that forces us to watch it over and over again? 3 hrs. lect./disc.
P.T. Barnum taught us that freaks are always made, not born. A freak is a performance of otherness for fun and profit. In this course we will explore how the freak show gave birth to American culture and how American culture continues to organize itself around the display of freakishness. We will ask what configurations of power are at play in the performance of freaks. How do gender, race, nation, sexuality, and class come into play, and how are those forms of power translated into a performance of otherness that forces us to watch it over and over again? 3 hrs. lect./disc.
- Term:
- Spring 2011
- Location:
- Axinn Center 104(AXN 104)
- Schedule:
- 2:50pm-4:05pm on Monday, Wednesday (Feb 7, 2011 to May 9, 2011)
- Type:
- Lecture
- Instructors:
- Laurie Essig
- Subject:
- Sociology/Anthropology
- Department:
- Sociology/Anthropology
- Division:
- Social Sciences
- Requirements Fulfilled:
- NOR SOC
- Levels:
- Undergraduate
- Availability:
- View availability, prerequisites, and other requirements.
- Course Reference Number (CRN):
- 21993
- Subject Code:
- SOAN
- Course Number:
- 0315
- Section Identifier:
- A