At Mount Royal University, I teach introductory and advanced courses in queer, trans, and sexuality studies, transnational feminisms, global gender issues, critical masculinity studies, and Indigenous/decolonial feminisms.
International Feminist Debates (4000-level)
An investigation of transnational feminist activisms. The course compares concerns about the global situation of women, as articulated by international bodies such as the United Nations, with concerns articulated by feminists in different parts of the world. With the gendered dynamics of global restructuring as our focus, topics of inquiry include: development and human rights, the politics of sex work and sex trafficking, ecofeminism, and religion. Colonization/Decolonization (3000-level) A examination of the global processes and politics of ongoing imperial conquest and subsequent decolonization efforts. Among the key themes explored in the course are the gendered characteristics of colonialism, white supremacy, racial fetishism, technologies of violence, and gender and nationalism. Gender, Race, and Representation (3000-level) Uses a combination of Indigenous feminist as well as feminist critical race and post-colonial theoretical approaches to examine how sexism, racism, classism, and colonialism have been — and continue to be — mobilized by/in popular and political culture. The goal is to understand the settler colonial contexts out of which these stereotypes have emerged and continue to operate. Introduction to Women's & Gender Studies (1000-level) An interdisciplinary, intersectional study of some of the major gender-based issues confronting women, LGBTQ2S+ folx, and other historically marginalized groups. |
Queer Theories (3000-level)
Interrogates the development and consequences of the sex/gender binary system and explores the various arguments made by feminist, queer, and trans theorists against that system with the goal of expanding contemporary human rights discourse to include all gendered bodies -- which are never only gendered. Global Gender Issues (2000-level) An interdisciplinary, intersectional study of gender issues in a global context. Through course materials, activities, and projects, we discuss a variety of topics, including: the gendered impact of economic globalization and environmental degradation; the lack of safe, affordable health care for poor women, women of colour, and the LGBTQ2S+ community; gender-based violence (including missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls); and transnational feminist and LGBTQ2S+ alliances for social change. Women and Health (2000-level) Explores women’s experiences of physical and psychological health, perceptions and treatment of women and other gender and sexual minorities in health care systems, and the role of women as un(der)paid health care providers in families and society. The course focuses on three main themes: the politics of health care and its affect on women and other gender and sexual minorities, topical issues in women’s and trans health, and the activist and advocacy work of feminist and queer health practitioners. |
Special Topics Courses
Men & Masculinities in Alberta (3000-level)
Explores how masculinities are constructed and performed in Alberta, and the consequences of petro-masculinity as it relates to the cowboy of the nineteenth century "frontier." Particular focus is on the connection between the province's male-dominated extraction-based economy and Alberta's high gender wage gap, the feminization of poverty, and rates of gender-based violence.
Calgary's $ex Industry (3000-level)
Investigates the long history and complex politics of Calgary’s thriving sex industry within the context of 1) the ongoing inter/national debate between criminalization, legalization, and decriminalization, 2) Calgary’s notoriety as the “Man Capital of Canada” (Calgary Herald, July 18, 2007) and 3) as one of Canada’s worst urban places to be a woman according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Sex Work in Local and Global Contexts (2000-level)
Explores various issues related to sex work and the global sex trade industry, including prostitution, trafficking in women and children, sex tourism, mail order brides, and erotic performances. The goal is to understand sex work as work and as a significant political, economic and cultural issue.
Explores how masculinities are constructed and performed in Alberta, and the consequences of petro-masculinity as it relates to the cowboy of the nineteenth century "frontier." Particular focus is on the connection between the province's male-dominated extraction-based economy and Alberta's high gender wage gap, the feminization of poverty, and rates of gender-based violence.
Calgary's $ex Industry (3000-level)
Investigates the long history and complex politics of Calgary’s thriving sex industry within the context of 1) the ongoing inter/national debate between criminalization, legalization, and decriminalization, 2) Calgary’s notoriety as the “Man Capital of Canada” (Calgary Herald, July 18, 2007) and 3) as one of Canada’s worst urban places to be a woman according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Sex Work in Local and Global Contexts (2000-level)
Explores various issues related to sex work and the global sex trade industry, including prostitution, trafficking in women and children, sex tourism, mail order brides, and erotic performances. The goal is to understand sex work as work and as a significant political, economic and cultural issue.
Other Courses
Gender, Nationalism, and International Relations
Feminist Theories and Methods Feminist Theories Beyond Gender (graduate) Gender, Technology and Human Rights |
Gender, Sexuality and Popular Culture
Women, Art and Culture Cultural Politics of Gender and (Imagi)Nation |