Topics in History –Trans History

Topics in History –Trans History
HIST 4915A
Professor Jennifer V. Evans (she/her/they)
Fall 2026
How do we historicize lives that institutional archives historically erased, criminalized, or pathologized? This advanced seminar bridges transgender history, queer theory, visual culture, and critical museology. Moving beyond mere “visibility,” we will treat the exhibition space, the art object, and the material fragment as primary sites of historical production. Students will examine the concepts of “shimmering” trans embodiment, affective shadow archives, and the politics of institutional critique.
Ultimately, this course shifts the focus from simply reading trans history to actively curating it.
The coursework will center around a group project with a focus on the role of artistic creation in creating a space for trans/trans* livability in the contemporary moment. Working together with trans artists, the Ottawa Trans Library, and either the Carleton University Art Gallery or MacOdrum Library, students will curate an exhibit. This will include liaising with the artists and gallery workers, conceptualizing the exhibit, promoting it, and follow up work in the form of a future grant application to the City of Ottawa art fund.
Structure and Expectations
This course meets synchronously for one 3-hour block per week and will be run as a seminar, with students taking turns presenting ideas from the readings and facilitating the overall discussion. A good discussion includes a plurality of diverse, well-informed voices. To that end it is absolutely imperative that students come to class prepared, having read the readings thoroughly. Students should be prepared to be active members of class, contributing to discussion on a weekly basis. The participation grade will be based on active participation. If for any reason a student struggles with participation, please come see me to discuss workarounds.