Combining cultural and literary history, Genders examines one of the most controversial terms in contemporary academic debate. Aimed at the student new to the field, this guide traces our concepts of genders at least as far back as the eighteenth century, then maps out the major lines of debate since that time. The authors survey such key movements as sexology, psychoanalysis and second-wave feminism, as well as work on masculinity, queer and gendered identities, readership and spectatorship. With constant reference to the impact of these debates upon the study of literature, Genders is an ideal introduction to a complex, controversial subject and a springboard into advanced literary and cultural studies.