Queer Spaces

How do queer populations form communities and locate those communities in urban space? How do urban governance structures support and/or regulate these communities? How do these communities intersect and interact with the rest of the city? What might be more radical queer futures, including those more inclusive of trans communities, or communities of color, or a more global perspective?

The course focuses on the ways in which queer space—seen broadly–intersects with the work of planners, designers, and policy makers. It draws on a variety of sources including urban planning, queer geography, law, and history to examine neighborhood formation, housing and homelessness, community safety, nightlife and cruising culture, tourism, and preservation.  The course will be primarily a discussion-based seminar that also includes guest speakers, a tour, film, and video. Grading will be based on short reading responses and a final project/research paper inspired by the topics discussed in class.

By the end of the course students will be able to:
– Identify the range of issues and theories relevant to understanding queer spaces.
– Appreciate the strengths and limitations of current research and practice related to queer spaces.
– Understand how planners, designers, and policy makers can make a difference.

This is a student-initiated course