Biography

The label of “freak” is a culturally relative term, marbled with overtones ranging from fascination to hatred, repulsion to titillation, and even from fear to camaraderie and celebration. In American culture, the spectacle of the freak show has a long, rich history, full of sociological and psychological implications. This course will explore the ways in which American artists have used the freak character as a means of celebrating our country’s diversity while interrogating and challenging a deep-seated collective fear of ‘deviance’ or ‘the other.’ We will begin by establishing a sense of the historical and sociological context of the freak show in America, and look at the freak character as depicted and promoted through the circus. Then, we will explore the nuanced character of the ‘freak’ in texts that challenge us to question our understanding of issues such as race, ability, gender, sexuality, age, and disease. We’ll interact with a variety of materials: texts outlining key sociological lenses, essays, novels, films, podcasts, and documentaries. With luck, we’ll also host speakers and activists from the Bay Area.