History

A survey of the history of changing ideas, identities and practices associated with sexuality in the modern era, c. 1750 - present. Rather than an unchanging biological force, sexuality is a historical and social construction that involves conflict and contestation. Sexuality is also mediated by gender, class, race and ethnicity and has been subject to considerable regulation over time. Topics include religious attitudes and beliefs in pre-industrial and modern times; science, medicine and sexuality, courtship and marriage, contraception and abortion, sexual exploitation; violence and abuse, sexuality and leisure, the regulation of sexuality, the “sexual revolution” of the 1960s and the construction of alternative sexual identities.