This semester, I’m once again offering my Honors seminar on the early modern period. I haven’t changed much about this course this semester and the syllabus is available here. As always, one of my main goals is providing some space for addressing the global context within the constraints of what remains a great books curriculum. I did add some extra in-class research and writing time, in many respects in response to the rise of ChatGPT and other tools.
My other course is one I am always excited to teach, though I do not do so very often. What began as my dissertation class, “Sex and the City,” always changes quite a bit from semester-to-semester. This year, again partly in response to AI tools, I moved some of our assignments into the classroom. I continue to use the 3-2-1 model (three things you learned, two things you didn’t understand, one discussion question for the class) to structure a discussion board assignment, but we will be doing our response papers as mini essay exams in class. I also simplified the final project. While in previous incarnations of the course, students could choose the format of their project, this year all students will complete a poster presentation at the end of the semester.
The course continues to focus primarily on my two areas of research expertise: queer history and the history of sex work. On the one hand, this is an advantage because we can trace these two themes throughout the semester and get into some real depth. On the other hand, it remains a disadvantage insofar as there are so many other aspects to urban sexual histories that are left out. Fortunately, the broad research project will allow students to pursue their own interests.
As always, feel free to use my syllabi for your own course development. Acknowledgement is always appreciated.