E-Book Overview
This interdisciplinary thesis examines the concept of sexuality through lenses provided by economic history, anthropology, and queer theory. A close reading reveals historical parallels from the late 1800s between concepts of a desiring, utility-maximizing economic subject on the one hand, and a desiring, carnally decisive sexological subject on the other. Social constructionists have persuasively argued that social and economic elites deploy the discourse of sexuality as a technique of discipline and social control in class- and gender-based struggles. Although prior scholarship discusses how contemporary ideas of sexuality reflect this origin, many anthropologists and queer theorists continue to use "sexuality" uncritically when crafting local, material accounts of sex, pleasure, affection, intimacy, and human agency. In this thesis, I show that other economic, political, and intellectual pathways emerge when sexuality is deliberately dis-ordered. I argued that contemporary research aspires to formulate new ideas about bodies and pleasures. It fails to do so adequately when relying on sexuality as a master narrative.
E-Book Content
Transgressing Sexuality: An Interdisciplinary Study of Economic History, Anthropology, and Queer Theory
by Jason Gary Damron
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
Thesis Committee: Michele R. Gamburd, Chair Mary C. King Leerom Medovoi DeLys Ostlund
Portland State University 2012
UMI Number: 1534451
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©2012 Jason Gary Damron
Abstract
This interdisciplinary thesis examines the concept of sexuality through lenses provided by economic history, anthropology, and queer theory. A close reading reveals historical parallels from the late 1800s between concepts of a desiring, utility-maximizing economic subject on the one hand, and a desiring, carnally decisive sexological subject on the other. Social constructionists have persuasively argued that social and economic elites deploy the discourse of sexuality as a technique of discipline and social control in class- and gender-based struggles. Although prior scholarship discusses how contemporary ideas of sexuality reflect this origin, many anthropologists and queer theorists continue to use “sexuality” uncritically when crafting local, material accounts of sex, pleasure, affection, intimacy, and human agency. In this thesis, I show that other economic, political, and intellectual pathways emerge when sexuality is deliberately disordered. I argued that contemporary research aspires to formulate new ideas about bodies and pleasures. It fails to do so adequately when relying on sexuality as a master narrative.
i
Dedication
This thesis is dedicated to Kevin J. Klein, my friend and domestic partner-in-crime.
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Acknowledgments
An education is an intricate collaboration among scholars, professors, peers, and friends. I offer my sincerest gratitude to all those who helped me, and encouraged me, and struggled with me along this path. I sincerely hope I was able to offer you equal support, or a