In her recent book, What IS Sex? (2017), Alenka Zupančič presents an intriguing reflection on the ontological status of sex. Instead of formulating a conclusive theory of sexuality, she claims that the sexual cannot be conceptualized as an entity, but has at its core a constitutive negativity that destabilizes any identity from within. In this light, she explores the contradictions of sex in various fields, such as religion, literature, ethics, philosophy, and economics. In the seminar, we will focus on the relevance of this theoretical stance for theories of gender and for feminism as a political movement. What is the difference between a theory of gender and the Lacanian notion of sexual division? How is subjectivity related to sexuation? And how does the asymmetry of masculine and feminine subjectivities – understood as different ways of managing castration – play out within political struggles of the past and present?

Reading material is provided upon registration. Seminar language will be English.
We also offer a preparatory meeting on October 26, 2020, 4–6pm at the Freie Universität for seminar participants who are interested in receiving more information about the book What IS sex?, in clarifying basic concepts and in preparing questions or comments for the seminar.

Space is limited due to Coronavirus regulations. For participation, advance registration via email is required: bernadette.grubner@fu-berlin.de
(Please specify if you register for the seminar only, or for the preparatory meeting as well.)