Bohan, Janis S., Psychology and Sexual Orientation. NY: Routledge, 1996.

Kaahumanu, Lani & Hutchins, Loraine, eds., Bi Any Other Name. Boston: Alyson Publications, 1991.

Tucker, Naomi, et al, ed. Bisexual Politics: Theories, Queeries & Visions. Ithaca NY: Haworth Press, 1995.

Weise, Elizabeth Reba, ed. Closer to Home: Bisexuality and Feminism. Seattle: Seal Press, 1992.

Ochs, Robyn, ed. Bisexual Resource Guide (2nd edition). Boston: Bisexual Resource Center, 1996

All other readings are available on reserve in the Tisch Library.

LOGISTICAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS COURSE:

This full-credit, letter graded seminar will meet Wednesday evenings from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. The criteria for grading will be regular attendance (no more than one absence will be allowed without permission of the instructor), and timely and thoughtful completion of the required readings and writing assignments. Participation in class is STRONGLY urged, and will be considered as part of the grade, though students who have difficulty speaking in class should talk to me about this.

Students may also be invited to attend selected lectures, discussions, or films on related topics during the fall semester, although attendance at these events will not be considered part of the final grade.

OFFICE HOURS: I plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to class every week. I can also meet with students after class on Wednesday, or by appointment. Please feel free to telephone me if questions arise during the week, or to schedule an appointment.

GRADING will be determined as follows: paper #1 (5%); paper #2 (10%); reflection papers (25%); paper #3 (30%); presentation(s) (5% each); participation (20%). There will be a 5% penalty for each unexcused absence.

ABOUT THE PAPERS: Papers are required of all students, as follows:

1) Due every week, beginning week #2: reflection papers (1-2 pages)

4) Due week #8: Outline of final paper

5) Due week #13: Final paper (10-12 pages)

PRESENTATIONS: Students will be asked to make three brief presentations: 1) Topic Presentation: Each student will be asked to introduce one week's topic, summarizing the main points of the readings and raising issues for discussion by the class. 2) Film presentation: During the 5th week of class, students will discuss their film paper. 3) Book report: Beginning in the 8th week, each student will select one book from the Bi-bliography (in the Bisexual Resource Guide), read it, and discuss it in class. All presentations should be 5-10 minutes in length. Assistance in preparation is available, as is feedback after the fact.

WEEK # 1

TOPIC: Introductions; overview of course; definitions of bisexuality; theories of sexual identity; models of sexuality; issues in sexuality research.

WEEK # 2- PAPER DUE

TOPIC #1: Bisexual identity: what's in a name?

TOPIC #2: Bisexual stories

WEEK # 3

TOPIC: The research on bisexuality and sexual orientation: what do we know?

WEEK # 4

TOPIC: Human nature, group dynamics, oppression and liberation theory; biphobia

WEEK # 5 - PAPER DUE

TOPIC: Images of bisexuals in popular culture: myths & stereotypes

WEEK # 6

TOPIC #1: How it looks depends upon where you re standing: Bisexuality, race and class (guest speakers)

TOPIC #2: Issues facing lesbian, gay & bisexual youth

WEEK #7

An anthropological perspective on bisexuality

WEEK # 8- PROPOSAL DUE

TOPIC #1: Legal, social and public policy issues for bisexuals in the US (guest speaker)

WEEK # 9

TOPIC: Bisexuality and feminism: through the lens of the women's movement

WEEK # 10

TOPIC: History of the bisexual movement: The formation of a bisexual political identity

WEEK #11

TOPIC: Bisexuals in lesbian/gay communities: open arms or up in arms?

WEEK # 12 - PAPER DUE

TOPIC: What is a bisexual politic?

WEEK # 13

TOPIC: Selected presentations of final papers. What all this has to do with anything else: conclusions and projections.

ADVANCE READINGS: None

ADVANCE READINGS:

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT DUE: Tell me about yourself. Who are you? What are your hopes and expectations for this course? Are there any particular issues you would like to see addressed? Have you done any reading on bisexuality or gay/lesbian/bi studies in the past? Is there anything you would like me to know about you? (2 pages)

Bohan, "Introduction," (1-5) and chapter 1 (13-30).

Lucy Friedland, "The BLAS," from Bi Women (Oct/Nov 1989) - retyped.

Maria Maggenti, "Falling for a Guy: A Lesbian Adventure," in Village Voice, 6/27/95.

Kate Bornstein, "My Girlfriend is Becoming the Man of My Dreams," in 10 Percent (issue #?), 1993.

Marjorie Garber, quote from Vice Versa: Bisexuality and the Eroticism of Everyday Life in The Chronicle of Higher Education 11/24/95, p. B2.

from BAON:

--Sheilah Mabry, "Conflicts," pp. 299-302.

--Ann Fox, "Development of a Bisexual Identity," pp. 29-36

M.S. Montgomery, "Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl… A Bi Chronology," in Anything That Moves, Issue 16, 1998, pp. 12-15.

ADVANCE READINGS:

from BAON:

--Lani Kaahumanu, "Hupa Haole Wahini," pp. 306-323.

--David Lourea, "Just another lingering flu," pp. 99-102

--Leonard Tirado, "Reclaiming heart & mind," pp. 117-123

--Elizabeth Reba Weise, "Bisexuality, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Me," pp. 134-139

--Bobbi Keppel, "Gray-haired and above suspicion," pp. 154-158

--Billy & Peaches Jones, "Growing up with a bisexual dad," pp. 159-166

--Susanne, "I have always been," pp. 198-200

--Cliff Arneson, "Coming out to Congress," pp. 233-239

--Sharon Hwang Colligan, "One...," pp. 240-243

from Bisexual Horizons:

--Eileen O’Connell, "Coming out," pp. 100-104

--Karen Arden, "Dwelling in the house of tomorow: children, young people and their bisexual parents," pp. 284-257

Steven Heimoff, "The Kindness of Strangers" in Outlook, Summer 1989, pp. 72-78

ADVANCE READINGS:

Bohan, chapter 3 (63-91).

Loraine Hutchins, "Research on Bisexuality," in BiNet USA media packet, 1995

In Firestein, Bisexuality: The Psychology and Politics of an Invisible Minority: Ron C. Fox, "Bisexuality in Perspective: A Review of Theory & Research."

"Monkey Love," by Chris Bull, in The Advocate, 6/10/97, pp. 47-58

"Biphobia in full-swing," says survey" from InNewsweekly, 7/6/97, p. 10.

"Hunting Homosexuality," in The Advocate, 6/1/96, p. 35.

TOPICS: Human nature, group dynamics, oppression and liberation theory; biphobia.

ADVANCE READINGS:

Bohan, chapter 2 (31-59), and part of chapter 4 (92-100).

Audre Lorde, "There is no Hierarchy of Oppressions" (source unknown)

Peggy McIntosh, "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack," in Peace & Freedom, July/Aug 1989, pp. 10-12.

Suzanne Pharr, "Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism," in Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism. Little Rock: Chardon Press, 1988, pp. 1-26.

in BAON: Susan Carlton, "This poem can be put off no longer," pp. 14-16.

In Firestein:

Robyn Ochs, Biphobia: It goes more than two ways" pp. 217-239.

Paula Rust, pp. 127-132.

ASSIGNMENT DUE: Select and view a film from the list in the Bisexual Resource Guide. Write a 3-4 page paper: Summarize plot, and discuss which character(s) you believe to be bisexual, and why. What assumptions are made? (How) is this person's bisexuality relevant to the plot? How would you evaluate this depiction of a bisexual? Does the era in which the film was made have any relationship to the way in which the "bisexual" character(s) are portrayed? !!Remember to address ALL of these questions!!

ADVANCE READINGS:

book covers from: The Bisexuals: The King of Deviations, by George Bishop (Los Angeles: Century Publishing, 1964); The Sexual Variants, by Carlson Wade (Hollywood: The Genell Corporation, 1965); The Bisexuals, by Bernhardt J. Hurwood (Greenwich, CT: Fawcett Publications, Inc., 1974); Bisexual Living, by Julius Fast and Hal Wells, Ph.D. (NY: Pocket Books, 1975).

Joshua Gamson, Freaks Talk Back (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998) assorted pages.

Ann Landers, "Can marriage work if husband is bisexual?" (Boston Globe 7/85); "Reader says: Run if man ‘doesn’t know’ if he’s gay" (September 1992).

"The New Bisexuals" from Time 5/13/74.

"Bisexual Chic: Anything Goes," from Newsweek, 5/27/74.

"A dating dilemma," Alan Richman in Boston Globe, 7/26/84.

"Bisexuals and AIDS: The Dangers of a Double Life," in Newsweek 7/13/87.

"The Risky Business of Bisexual Love," in Cosmopolitan, 10/89.

"Bisexuality: What is It?" in Time, 8/17/92.

"Till Death Do Them Part," in Newsweek (Latin American edition), 9/27/93.

"The breadth of bisexuals' experience," in USA Today, 2/24/94.

"Dating Game Today Breaks Traditional Gender Rules," in Wall Street Journal, 4/26/95.

"A New Generation Seems Ready to Give Bisexuality a Place in the Spectrum," in The New York Times, 6/12/95.

"Bisexuality emerges as a new sexual identity," in Newsweek, 7/17/95.

(Guest speakers)

ADVANCE READINGS:

Bohan, chapter 5 (122-139)

in BAON:

Obie Leyva, "Que es un bisexual?," pp. 201-202

Alan Silver, "Worth the balancing," pp. 27-28

Joe Rios, "What do Indians think about," pp. 37-39

in CTH: Brenda Blasingame, "The Roots of Biphobia," pp. 47-53.

in BP: Dajenya, pp. 235-236.

Lakshmi & Arka, "Extended Family," in Lotus of Another Color, ed. Rakesh Ratti (Boston: Alyson, 1993), pp. 265-278.

M.L. Luong, "My Mother's Eyes," in North Bi Northwest, April/May 1993, p. 5.

Barbara Smith, "Blacks and Gays: Healing the Great Divide."

Laura Perez, "Here I Am," in Bi Women, August/September 1995, p. 8.

Gloria Anzaldua, "Del otro lado," in Compañeras: Latina Lesbians. Ed. Juanita Ramos. New York City : Latina Lesbian History Project, 1987, pp. 2-3.

ADVANCE READINGS:

Bohan, part of chapter 6 (140-155).

"Back to School 1993," in The Advocate, 9/7/93, p. 43.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "An Act to Prohibit Discrimination Against Students in Public School on the Basis of Sexual Orientation," in House #3353 (January 1993).

"The Gay and Lesbian Students Rights Bill," information packet produced by the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, Boston.

"Anguish and anger at Arlington High," in Bay Windows, 11/24/94, p. 3.

"17 year old battling hate in Maryland high school," in Bay Windows, 4/21/94, p. 8.

"Bloodlove," by Christine Doza. From Listen Up: Voices from the Next Feminist Generation., pp. 249-257.

ADVANCE READINGS:

Margaret Mead, "Bisexuality: What's it All About,"in Redbook, Jan. 1975.

Hubbard, Ruth, "There is no natural human sexuality," in Sojourner (April 1985)

Esther Newton, "Of Yams, Grinders & Gays: The Anthropology of Homosexuality," Outlook (Spring 1988), 28-37.

in BAON: Kei Uwano, "Bi-loveable Japanese feminist,"pp. 185-187.

"Egypt: In the Realm of the Polymorphous Perverse," in Neil Miller, Out in the World. NY: Random House, 1992, pp. 67-92.

J.M. Carrier, Ph.D., "Mexican Male Bisexuality," in Two Lives to Lead: Bisexuality in Men and Women. NY: Harrington Park Press, 1985, pp.75-85.

in Tielman, et al, Bisexuality & HIV/AIDS: Tade Akin Aina, "Patterns of Bisexuality in Sub-Saharan Africa," pp. 81-90; Dédé Oetomo, "Patterns of Bisexuality in Indonesia," pp. 119-125; and part of "A Thematic Survey of Bisexuality and HIV/AIDS," pp. 198-209.

(Guest speaker from Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders)

ADVANCE READINGS:

Warren Blumenfeld and Diane Raymond, from chapter Sexuality and the Heritage of Western Religion, (pp. 168-215) in Looking at Gay & Lesbian Life. NY: Philosophical Library, 1988.

in BAON:

Christopher Alexander, "Affirmation: Bisexual Mormon," .pp. 191-195.

C.K. Ferrier, "Points of Reference," pp. 66-68.

"Panic in the Pentagon: Will Queers Demoralize the Military?" by Scott Tucker in Z Magazine, June 1993, 44-53.

"Supreme Court Refuses Ohio Bisexual Appeal," from Gay Community News, 3/9/85.

"Bisexual deputy forced out of job," in Gay Community News, 6/4-10/89.

"Former Air Force officer billed for schooling because she is bisexual," in Bay Windows, 7/23/92, p. 8.

"More gays seeking US asylum," in Boston Globe, 11/7/92, p. 13.

"Commonly Asked Questions with Answers Regarding Homosexuality and Homosexual Legislation," handout produced by Citizens for Family First, 12/4/89.

ADVANCE READINGS:

Carla Golden, excerpt from "Our Politics and Choices: the feminist movement and sexual orientation," paper presented at American Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, 1990.

Loretta Ulmschneider, "Bisexuality," in Lesbianism & The Women's Movement, Nancy Myron & Charlotte Bunch, eds. (Baltimore: Diana Press, 1975), pp. 85-88.

Adrienne Rich, "Compulsory Heterosexuality & Lesbian Existence," in Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 1980, V. 5, No. 4.

"My ex now has a boyfriend," letter from Lesbian Connection, March/April 1998, and responses from May/June issue.

in CTH:

Rebecca Kaplan, "Compulsory Heterosexuality & Bisexual Existence," from Closer to Home.

Robyn Ochs, Bisexuality, Feminism, Men & Me" in Closer to Home, pp. 127-132..

Amanda Udis-Kessler, "Closer to home: bisexual feminism and the transformation of hetero/sexism,"

JeeYeun Lee, "Beyond Bean Counting," (pp. 205-211), and Anastasia Higgenbotham, "Chicks going at it," (pp. 3-11) in Listen Up: Voices from the Next Feminist Generation, ed. Barbara Findlen. (Seattle: Seal Press, 1995).

Kay Leigh Hagan, "Orchids in the Artic: The Predicament of Women Who Love Men," in Ms. (Nov/Dec 1991), 31.

ADVANCE READINGS:

in BP, Udis Kessler, Donaldson, Tucker, Ka'ahumanu, Highleyman & Raymond (pp. 17-68, 331-335).

In Firestein: Loraine Hutchins, "Bisexuality: Politics and Community" pp. 240-259.

in BH:

Kevin Lano, "Bisexual History: fighting invisibility," pp. 219-226.

Liz Highleyman, "Thoughts of a bisexual activist," pp. 269-273.

Wouter Kaal, "A History of the Bi-Movement in the Netherlands," pp. 289-292.

Francis Hüsers, "Bisexual Associations in Germany," pp. 293-297.

Clare Bear, "BAD (Bisexuals Affirming Diversity) Bistory," pp. 298-302.

in BAON: bisexuality insurance cartoon and BiVocal response, pp. 224-225.

"Three Bisexual Ideologies: What Route Will Our Movement Take?" Robin E. Margolis, in Bisexual Centrist: The Newsletter of the BiCentrist Alliance (V.1, No.1) Fall 1991, p. 1.

Letter from BiCentrist Alliance 4/3/93.

Michael Szymansky, "My Second Coming Out," in Genre (Oct/Nov. 1992), p. 36.

Lindsy Van Gelder, "The 'Born That Way' Trap," Ms. (May/June 1991), pp. 86-87.

Maxine Wolfe and David Robinson, "Don't Buy the Bi Agenda: Reasons Why the Word 'Bisexual' (or 'Transsexual' or 'Transgender') Should Not Be Added to Lesbian and Gay Events and Organizations," 1992 (unpublished).

Luke Adams, "The Case for Inclusion: A Response to the Case Against and a Reiteration of First Principles," 1992 (unpublished).

Wade Baker, "The Bisexual Agenda," in Out in Black (May/June, 1997), V. 2/3.

Jim Gilbert.... with responses by Robyn Ochs and Pete Chvany, 5/21/98, 5/28/98, and 6/5/98.

Amy Agigian, "Who cares if JoAnn Loulan sleeps with men?" in Bay Windows 5/28/98.

Alison Bechdel, Dykes to Watch Out For strips #149, 155, 160, 278, 280, 283 .... +++.

Eric Orner, The Mostly Unfabulous Life of Ethan Green, from Bay Windows, 6/19/92.

in CTH: Stacy Young, "Breaking silence about the "B-word: Bisexual Identity and Lesbian Feminist Discourse," 75-87.

Clare Hemmings, "Bisexual Theoretical Perspectives; Emergent and Contingent Relationships," in The Bisexual Imaginary, ed. Bi Academic Intervention (London: Cassell, 1997), pp. 14-31.

Topic: What is a bisexual politic?

ADVANCE READINGS:

Videotape: speech by Elias Farajajé Jones at the Creating Change conference 11/95.

in BP: Highleyman, 73-92; Som, 93-97; Gonsalves, 115-118; Farajajé-Jones, 119-130; Dajenya, 195-197; Trnka, 289-292; Tucker, 315-317; Sunfrog, 318-324; Starhawk, 325-330.

in CTH:

Kathleen Bennett, "Feminist Bisexuality: A both/and option for an either/or world," pp. 205-232.

Paula C. Rust, "Who we are and where do we go from here: Conceptualizing bisexuality," pp. 281-310.

in BH: Sharon Rose, What are bisexual politics?" pp. 215-218; June Jordan, "A New Politics of Sexuality," pp. 11-15.

Elise Mattheson, speech given at 3rd International Conference on Bisexuality, NYC, 6/25/94.

In Firestein: Lani Ka’ahumanu, "That Naked Place," pp. xv-xviii.

ADVANCE READINGS: none.