Consumption, Modernity and Global Queer Identities (NEW)

Since its first episode aired in 2009, RuPauls Drag Race has become a global phenomenon. Not without criticism, the show has been at the center of many debates surrounding the conversation about queerness, authenticity, and the commodification of queer identity. In an age where queerness, like the show, is as ubiquitous McDonalds corporatized branding of its various products for mass consumption, what radical politics does a category like queerness still hold, and to what extent is this reflected by global trends and the myriad of modernities? Indeed, for many activists, it might be said that RuPaul is as radical as McDonalds is gourmet. In this class, we will attempt to think through this question by analyzing a broad selection of cultural products across the globe ranging from film, music, to literature and social media that deals with queerness. Along the way, we will also cover current theories and discourses in order to provide a critical lens and tools for our inquiry.