S1317 Homosexual Families
Coester Michael
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The course aims at giving the students a better understanding of a new and possibly irritating phenomenon in modern (or: post-modern) western societies: the “coming-out” not only of individuals as being homosexual, but of homosexuality itself as an officially accepted lifestyle, and the opening of socio- legal institutions to homosexuals which have previously been strictly reserved to heterosexuals: partnerships, marriage, families. The phenomenon of homosexuality will be investigated in its historic, cultural, and religious dimension, including the legal reactions to recent changes of perception . The course will then introduce to the main scientific theories about homosexuality (especially psychology and biology) and the empirical evidence known today.
Based on these foundations, we will concentrate on the fundamental change, which has taken place in the Western world since the end of the 19th century: the fight for the decriminalisation, the move from tolerance to acceptance, the legal recognition and protection of homosexual family life, finding its utmost expression in homosexual marriage and parenting. In a first step, these developments will be studied from a bird's eye view, taking notice of the accompanying change of ideas, which were influenced by the social, political, economic and scientific environment of the last century. These developments have led not only to greater tolerance, but also to a different concept of homosexuality. In the next chapter, the course will deal in detail with the various forms of legal recognition of homosexual partnerships in different countries, up to the hotly debated issue of homosexual marriage (or: the gender-neutral definition of marriage). Some thoughts about the possible future, including recent counter-movements against same-sex-relationships, and the shortcomings of present regulations will conclude this chapter.
The last chapter will concentrate on the relatively unexplored issue of the “homosexual family”, starting with the question, how homosexual partners can get children at all. At this point, the students will get basic informations about various forms of modern artificial reproduction techniques, and their relevance for homosexual couples. They will also be introduced to the main roads to legal parenthood for two homosexual partners (including adoption), and the (not identical) issue of joint parental responsibility for a child of the family. In this context, the course will take up the disputed issue of the welfare of a child, which grows up with same-sex parents: prejudices, fears, empirical evidence, and the trend of modern legal regulations in this respect.
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Learning Outcomes
The students should achieve a better and well-founded understanding of homosexuality as a biological, psychological, social and cultural phenomenon. They are expected to learn about the various historical perceptions and realities and the influence of religions on social and legal responses. They should know and understand the actual developments in (predominantly) Western societies, as the result of a fundamental change in these societies in the last 150 years. The course should enable them to form an opinion about possible future developments. Last, but not least, the students should become acquainted with the family dimension of homosexuality, especially the problems in physically getting children, in becoming legal parents and in becoming entrusted with the care and upbringing of children.
Teaching and Evaluation Methods
My lecture will apply elements of the “ socratic method”: The students are expected to have read the reading assignments, to answer questions relating to the reading materials, to participate actively in class discussions, and to develop own ideas about the proper solution of problems. The oral lecture will be supported by some PowerPoint presentations. The mandatory and the suggested reading materials will be made known to the students week per week via the blogging platform of the VIU.
Preliminary knowledge is not required.
-Mid-term exam (last week of March): Each student will have to write a take-home paper ( essay, approximately 5-6 pages) on a selected issue dealt with in class. The subject of the papers will be communicated to each student March 13 or 14; the students will have to deliver their papers on Monday/Tuesday, 25./26.3., and give presentations of their papers the same week. The subject of the papers will depend on the number and the background of students enrolled in class. -Final exam (exam week): Written in-class ( open book) exam, covering central problems of the course subject.
Evaluation
Readings