SEX IN THE CITY: A Global History of Work and Sex from Antiquity to Present

This course examines "the world's oldest profession": sex work. Students will be introduced to the historical phenomenon of prostitution across time and space relating to class, sex, and migration from antiquity to present. The cities explored in this course provide a solid basis for a global history of prostitution and for bettering our understanding of the world of work. Case studies include ancient Roman brothels; Istanbul harem architecture; morality politics in Lagos; sex work under socialism in Havana and Moscow. Students will engage with primary sources (including film, folksong, newspapers, maps) and culminate the course by conducting original historical research.