Same-Sex Relationships and Human Rights
LSH 195 (E)
This is a GLI course, and also fulfills the Ethics component of General Education
3 credits
Dr. Vanita, Professor, Liberal Studies
Tuesday, Thursday 9.40-11.00
Room: LA205
Office: Liberal Arts 146-A. Office Phone: 243-4894.
Office Hours: Tuesday 3.00-4.00; Thursday 11.00-12.00
Email: ruth.vanita@umontana.edu
Mailbox in the Liberal Studies Program Office, LA 101
Course Description
In this multidisciplinary seminar we examine the history of and debates around the human rights
of people who engage in same-sex relationships. We study the status of these rights in countries
around the world and in different states of the U.S. We consider the legal and ethical issues that
arise in relation to these rights, with particular emphasis on Hindu ethical traditions, with
reference also to the virtue ethics of Greek philosopher Plato, and paying attention to the
philosopher Nussbaum’s arguments regarding the role of reason and of emotions in making
ethical judgments. We employ perspectives from law, philosophy (ethics), literature and history.
Learning Goals
1. Correctly apply the basic concepts and forms of reasoning from the tradition of virtue ethics
and the tradition of Hindu ethics ethical issues that arise within the Western and Indian
literary traditions.
2. Analyze and critically evaluate the basic concepts and forms of reasoning from these two
ethical traditions.
Learning outcomes
1. to acquire basic information about the history of the human rights of people who engage in
same-sex relationships, and the present-day status of these rights in different states of the U.S.
and in the world
2. to develop an introductory-level understanding of the ethical issues that arise and the forms of
reasoning developed in relation to these issues, in the traditions of Hindu ethics and Platonic
virtue ethics
3. to develop an introductory-level understanding of the debates around the legal and ethical
ramifications of these rights and their deprivation
Texts
Martha Nussbaum, From Disgust to Humanity: Sexual Orientation and Constitutional Law
Photocopied and online materials
Brokeback Mountain directed Ang Lee
Dedh Ishqiya (One and a Half Loves) directed Abhishek Chaubey
Brother Outsider: the Life of Bayard Rustin
Requirements
Students are required to
(a) attend classes regularly. More than three absences not explained to my satisfaction will
result in halving your grade for attendance and class participation, and more than four
absences will result in a zero for attendance; leaving early or coming late without
explanation will be treated as an absence. Explanations (preferably in advance of the
absence) must be backed up with documentation, communicated to me in writing and
accepted by me.
(b) keep up with the assigned reading, bring the text to class, and participate in discussion
(c) write a thoughtful typed question or comment on each text you read, use it in class
discussion and hand it in at the end of the class. Handwritten questions will not receive
credit. Attendance may sometimes be given on the basis of these questions. If you are
ever unable to hand in a question, it is your responsibility to tell me this and to have
yourself marked present.
(d) Undertake individual research on a topic chosen from a list, and make a presentation in
class
(e) Undertake research in a small group on a topic given by me and write up a short report
(f) take quizzes. Quizzes can be made up within the week (not more than twice in the
semester), but not later. To make up a quiz, contact me in person or on email to make an
appointment.
(g) take mid-term and final exams
(h) write a short paper. Except in the case of a life and death situation demonstrated to my
satisfaction, papers handed in late, without prior permission from me, will result in a
decreased grade.
(i) Check UM email regularly, especially the day before class. I send out notifications and
changes by email. UM policy forbids me to write to you on any email address other than
the UM one. The best way to communicate with me is by email.
Grades
Class attendance and participation will be worth 25%, responses to texts 10%, quizzes 15%, the
individual class presentation 5%, the group presentation 5%, the mid-term exam 15%, the short
paper 15%, the final exam 15%.
The paper and exam essays must (a) address the topic (b) have a clear thesis/argument (c)
support the argument with textual evidence (d) and adhere to the conventions of academic
writing, including correct grammar and syntax.
Quizzes are designed to test (a) knowledge of the prescribed texts (b) assimilation of information
communicated in class and plenary lectures.
Plagiarism or academic dishonesty of any kind, in any assignment, will result in your
failing the class and may also result in other penalties such as expulsion from the
University (for further details, refer to the section on Academic Misconduct in the Student
Conduct Code).
If you have any condition, such as a physical or learning disability, that will make it difficult for
you to complete the work as I have outlined it, please notify me in the first week of class.
Reading Schedule
This schedule is tentative. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with any changes and
to obtain any hand-outs given in class in her/his absence. Readings indicated for a certain
class are to be read in advance of that class, e.g. come to class on August 29, having read “A
Brief History of the Idea of Human Rights” and bring with you a typed comment/question on it.
August 27 Introduction
Law
August 29
Read “A Brief History of the Idea of Human Rights.”
September 3 From Disgust to Humanity, xii-xix; 1-20.
September 5
Read Leviticus 20 (Bible) and extracts from John Boswell, Same-Sex Unions in
Pre-Modern Europe
September 10 Read “Indian Law”
September 12 Read “Same-Sex Marriage & Hindu Traditions”
Student Presentation
Quiz
September 17 Read “Time Line for England”
Student Presentation
Film Wilde to be viewed at home
September 19 Read From Disgust to Humanity, 61-84
Student Presentation
September 24 Film, Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin
September 26 Read From Disgust to Humanity, 85-89, 126-40 and “Extracts from
Justice Scalia’s Dissent in Lawrence vs. Texas”.
Quiz Student Presentation
October 1
Read From Disgust to Humanity, 141-55
October 3
Read “Marriage and the States”
2 Student Presentations
2 Student Presentations
Ethics
October 8
Note on Hinduism
Student Presentation
October 10
“A Second Self: Rituals of Romantic Friendship” Quiz
Student Presentation
October 15
Review
October 17
Mid-Term Exam
October 22
Extracts from Plato, The Symposium
October 24
Plato continued
October 29
Andrew Sullivan & Tiffany Wayne essays Quiz
Student Presentation
October 31
Dennis Prager, “Judaism’s Sexual Revolution”
Student Presentation
November 5
“The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage”
Student Presentation
Student Presentation
2 Student Presentations
Imagination
November 7 Sappho’s poems; ancient Greek partners
Quiz
Student Presentation
November 12 Film: Dedh Ishqiya
November 14 Film: Dedh Ishqiya continued, and discussion.
November 19 “Bhagiratha’s Birth to Two Women”
November 21 Vijay Dan Detha, “A Double Life.” Reading poetry in class: “To G”;
Shakespeare’s Sonnets;
November 26 Reading poetry in class: Emily Dickinson; Walt Whitman
November 28 Thanksgiving
December 3
Film: Brokeback Mountain
December 5
Brokeback Mountain continued, and discussion. Read “The Men and Message of
Brokeback Mountain.”
December 12 The Times of Harvey Milk dir. Rob Epstein
Paper due in class