ANTH

187: SEX AND CULTURE

Course Syllabus / 2ND Semester, AY 2014-15
Department of Social Sciences
University of the Philippines Mindanao


Class schedule: TTh 4:00-5:30pm
Course credit: 3
Prerequisite: none

Instructor: Jessie G. Varquez, Jr.
Email: jgvarquez1@up.edu.ph
Consultation hours: TTh 1-4PM and WF 11:30-1, 2:30-4PM
Online classroom: FB group to be named ANTH 187 2015


COURSE DESCRIPTION
Comparative survey of sex phenomena in their cultural context. This course explores how social
structures and cultural practices construct, inform, and challenge the biological distinctions of sex. By
discussing various anthropological studies as well feature films; this course intends to provide students
with critical and comparative perspectives on sexuality.


COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Class exercises (30%)
- Include quizzes, reflection papers, film review and a workshop; in case you missed any of these
activities for whatever reasons, requests for make up or special project will not be granted
2. Article presentation (25%)
- See course outline for the article to be presented and the schedule; provide a hand-out of your
assigned readings to the class
3. Exam (20%)
- See course outline for its schedule; bring a bluebook
4. Mini-ethnography (25%)
- A 3000-word ethnographic essay; topic should be consulted first with the course instructor


CLASS POLICIES
Note: For a comprehensive reference of our class rules and policies, refer to UP Mindanaos Primer on Academic
Policies (to be uploaded to our FB group).

On Attendance. Tardiness will not accumulate into an absence but there will be no make up for the
activities missed. You are already absent if you are thirty minutes late. Students who have incurred more
than seven (7) unexcused absences automatically get a failing grade (5.0). We will always abide to the
university rules regarding attendance in class.

On Intellectual Dishonesty. Students who commit any forms of intellectual dishonesty, e.g.,
cheating and plagiarism, will be sanctioned. Consequences of which may range from getting a failing grade
or expulsion from the university. As UP students, it is always expected that you uphold academic honor
and excellence.


POINT SYSTEM
1.0 = 98-100 2.0 = 81-85 3.0 = 60-65
1.25 = 95-97 2.25 = 76-80 4.0 = 55-59
1.5 = 91-94 2.5 = 71-75 5.0 = 0-54
1.75 = 86-90 2.75 = 66-70
COURSE OUTLINE

Week TOPICS / READINGS / ACTIVITIES

1 INTIATIONS: the basics of sex and culture

27,29 Jan Readings: Les Beldos Concept of Culture

2 Readings: Emily Martins The Egg and the Sperm and

03, 05 Feb chapter on sex and gender in any anthropology textbook

3 Class exercise: Sex ID Profile / symbolic object

10, 12 Feb Readings: Clellan Stearns Fords Coitus
LOCATIONS: bodily and social practices
4 Readings: Anne Fausto-Sterlings Dueling Dualisms
17, 19 Feb
Readings: Donnan and Magowans Beautiful Bodies

5 Feature film: Stephen Daldrys Billie Elliot (English)

24, 26 Feb

6 Readings: Leonard Glicks Real Men: Foreskin Cutting and Male Identity in the Philippines
03, 05 Mar Readings: J. Neil Garcias Precolonial Gender-crossing and the Babaylan Chronicles

7 AP1: Maria Mangahas Scandal in Filipino popcyberculture

10, 12 Mar AP2: Gilbert Herdts Semen Transactions in Sambia Culture

8 Feature film: Nagisa Oshimas In the Realm of Senses (Japanese)

17, 19 Mar

9 AP3: Sonia Ryangs Sovereign and love

31 Mar AP6: Fenella Canells Beauty and the idea of America

10 Long exam
07, 09 Apr

11 Feature film: Lino Brockas Insiang (Filipino)

14, 16 Apr

NARRATIVES: Case studies on Sex and Gender

AP4: Serena Nandas The Hijras of India: Cultural and Individual Dimensions of an
12 Institutionalized Third Gender Role
21, 23 Apr
AP5: Evelyn Blackwoods Tombois in West Sumatra: Constructing Masculinity and Erotic
Desire

13 AP7: Leiba Faiers Filipina Migrants in Rural Japan and their Professions of Love
28, 30 Apr AP8: Rosario Cruz-Luceros Judas and his Phallus: The Carnivalesque Narratives of Holy Week in
Catholic Philippines
14 Feature film: Alfonso Cuarns Y Tu Mam Tambin (Mexican)
05, 07 May

15 Research break
12, 14 May

16 Course integration
19, 21 May