In this time of global capitalism, travelling between countries for work and leisure is common. Global mobility has blurred the boundary between strangers and changed the meaning of intimacy.

This course will develop your understanding of how our notions of intimacy have been changed by the intersection of money, mobility, and power with gender, love, and sex.

Discover the socio-cultural impact of migration, from domestic work to sex work

Through an exploration of common migration practices in society today, you’ll explore the shifting meaning of intimacy.

As you explore ideas on gender migration and domestic service, you’ll consider the millions working abroad in intimate settings as nannies or caretakers, as well as those in cross-border marriages, and living in transnational families.

You’ll also discuss LGBTQ+ migrants, sex tourism, and overseas surrogacy as you examine how global mobility is challenging traditional ideas of femininity and masculinity.

Explore feminism, queer and gender studies, globalisation, and migration studies concepts

You’ll be introduced to scholarly approaches to gender and queer studies, as well as ethnographic case-studies on globalisation and migration.

You’ll analyse how capitalism and its resulting economic disparity is challenging our concept of love, labour, and sex and ponder the agency of the individual in a capitalist society.

Learn with cultural anthropology and gender studies expert, Francisca Y K Lai

Holding a PhD in cultural anthropology with an emphasis on gender studies from Purdue University, Francisca is highly experienced in the intersection between gender, sexuality, and migration.

Francisca has also published an academic book as well as multiple international journals on the topics of gender, sexuality, and migration.

1) Examine the changing notions of intimacy in a globalizing world.

2) Topics will include: (a) domestic work, (b) LGBT migrants, (c) sex tourism, (d) cross-border marriages, and (e) overseas surrogacy.

3) Approaches of feminism, queer studies, globalization, and migration studies will be examined.

4) Learning materials will be provided with a focus on ethnographic case studies.