3rd Year Module: Philosophy of Sex
by Laurence Georgin
Philosophy of Sex is a third year module open to both philosophy and non-philosophy students exploring some major philosophical questions related to sex. We begin by considering the ethics of sexual behaviour, discussing issues such as monogamy, prostitution and rape. In the second half of the module, we look at a range of general theories about the nature of sex including the traditional view of sex as essentially connected to reproduction and “plain sex” theories that emphasise sexual pleasure. Read more …
Major new work on Czech homosexuality
by Laurence Georgin
A major new work on homosexuality in the Czech lands has just been published in Prague by Argo press. The title, which can be translated as ‘Homosexuality in the History and Society of the Czech Lands: I Love Those of My Own Sex‘, completes a trilogy of books which have recently appeared on modern Czech homosexuality and which set out in a range of academic articles the culture and historical context of queers in central Europe. This particular volume concentrates on historical development from the 18th century through to the years of communist Czechoslovakia. It is especially important in breaking through the (usual) focus of such historical studies employing only American or western European examples, and sets out a new basis for research on the history of homosexuality in East-Central Europe. The volume includes a chapter by Mark Cornwall (Southampton) about homosexuality among the nationalist Sudeten Germans in the first half of the 20th century.
The Life and Trial of Maria Duran
by Laurence Georgin
One of Dr Francois Soyer’s research interests focuses on ideas about gender and sexuality in the early modern Iberian world (Spain, Portugal and their respective empires). He is particularly interested in the responses and reactions to female homosexuality. Read more…
Antiquity, Sexuality and Film Stardom
by Laurence Georgin
Southampton’s Dr Michael Williams has been working on film stardom, and its relationship to the myth and iconography of ancient Greece and Rome for over fifteen years. Sexuality has a consistent theme of his ongoing research and publications, which includes work on gay stars and directors, as well as sexuality in the heritage film. Read more…
Geographies of carework in contemporary England: the domestic lives of LGBT couples
by Laurence Georgin
Traditionally, unwaged carework has been thought of as a female activity that belongs within the spaces of the family home. Social research into unwaged carework has tended to focus on gendered divisions of labour within heterosexual couples. Carla Barrett’s project considers unwaged carework in contemporary England, with a focus on the experiences of cohabiting LGBT couples.
Treason and Sex: The Case of Colonel Redl
by Laurence Georgin
The case of Colonel Alfred Redl, who betrayed Austrian military secrets to the Russians before the First World War, is one of the most notorious cases of high treason. Despite this, and despite numerous academic and popular works about Redl, the homosexual dimension of the case has received little treatment (or has constantly been distorted and simplified by commentators). This research project of Mark Cornwall is part of his larger project about Loyalty and Treason in the late Habsburg Monarchy.
Women travellers exploring gender in the Canadian North at the beginning of the 20th century
by Laurence Georgin
Laurence Georgin’s PhD research looks at British women who travelled to the Canadian North at the beginning of the 20th century, particularly women who travelled on their own or with a female companion. Very much like their male counterparts had done for centuries, these women travelled to Canada in order to discover new territories and explore unfamiliar places.
Sodomy and Dishonour in Eighteenth-Century Hampshire
by Laurence Georgin
The history of homosexuality eighteenth-century England has been so far dominated by fascinating studies of the rich array of London resources. Perceptions of same-sex sexual activity in the provinces, in contrast, has been relatively overlooked. Dr Julie Gammon’s study takes a case study of trials and court martials for sodomy and attempted sodomy in the county of Hampshire over the long eighteenth century to consider whether sexual behaviour and attitudes towards gay sex in port cities such as Southampton and Portsmouth and county towns such as Winchester and Salisbury differed from the models traditionally constructed through metropolitan sources.
“Exiles of Love”: LĂda MerlĂnová and the World of the Czech Lesbian
by Laurence Georgin
Homosexuality in Czech culture and society is only recently being explored by Czech historians and usually the focus is on the homosexual male. Prof Mark Cornwall’s research project focuses instead on Czech lesbians during the period 1918-1945 and especially the work of the popular (yet now largely unknown writer) LĂda MerlĂnová.
The Pet Shop Boys, Gay Sexuality and the Knowingness of Popular Culture in 1980s and 1990s Britain
by Laurence Georgin
Dr Eve Colpus’ project is an attempt to rethink gay culture in late twentieth century Britain, moving away from the notion of gay community towards an understanding of how gay sexuality and culture was both part of mainstream popular culture and took it in distinctive directions. Political narratives of gay life in this period have tended to focus on the concept of marginalisation. By exploring messages about gay sexuality in the Pet Shops Boys’ music and videos and in the contemporary music press, I suggest an alternative story: that gay sexuality and culture was knowingly explored in 1980s and 1990s popular culture, which was a space where a range of sexualities were interrogated and commemorated.
If you are interested in finding out more about the project, please contact Dr Eve Colpus