240076 AR Creating a feminist identity by challenging monogamy? (2025W)

Aim of the course:

The general aim of the course is to fit into the multidisciplinary courses of the “Feministisch kulturwissenschaftliches Angebot” at the University of Vienna.

The focus of the seminar lies on the topic (and question) of female identity construction by practicing relationships that are consensual non-monogamous. The reasons for living (in) a CNM-relationships are manifold, to name the four most common/popular ones: A western and urban trend that one needs to do in order to be part of the peer group; the attempt to live an ethical/moral multiple love relationship; the (neoliberal) idea to optimize everything in live including relationships to the maximum; and a self-determined sexual live by females, therefore interpret as feminist practice.

All those and further variations of consensual non-monogamous relationships are parts of people’s identity, for some a main factor how they see and understand themselves, and how the want to be perceived by others. We will look into that in detail.

At the end of the semester, the students should be capable of
• Being able to recognize identity building processes based on individual relationship constructions.
• Knowing the key concepts of consensual non-monogamy, namely swinging, open relationship, polyamory, and relationship anarchy.
• Being aware of the legal classifications of sexual orientation and identity (along supranational definitions like ICD-11 and national legislation implementations.
• Recognizing cultural and demographic preconditions and the according easier or more difficult acts for personal expression.
• Distinguish between legal norms and social acceptance.
• Relating to the economic dimensions of relationships.
• Understanding the political and social brisance of non-confirmative relationship models.
• Discussing sexual liberation and free choice as tool of female empowerment.

Content:
Monogamy is still the dominant relationship model in Western societies, yet not the only one. While alternative approaches based on open sexuality (such as swinging) have been around since the 1950ies, other models based also on emotional plurality only hit the academic and public stage some 20 to 30 years ago.

The societal norm of a monogamous heterosexual relationship between a woman and a man weakens, various forms of consensual non-monogamy are gaining popularity. Academia is relatively unified in the opinion that those alternative forms came to stay, and that living such a relationship became a key factor of individual identity.

Yet, the reasons why those models gained popularity are manifold. The four most discussed approaches are CNM as zeitgeist phenomenon of Western countries; an ethically determined ideology; a feminist practice; and also, an optimizing concept bases on neoliberal logics. So, what is it? And how do different approaches form individual identities, if so at all? Is age or other demographic factors like formal education an issue? This and related further questions are the topics of the seminar.