On the contrary, Pellegrini says she discourages sexual identity affirmation in the classroom. She calls sexuality both "an entry into the course and a departure."

"It's not about coming out. It's about scrutinizing the construction of the identity. It's turning the gaze back on the entry into the classroom," Pellegrini says.

Students in English 197 disagree about the in-class ambience. Siclunov says he discerns a clearly social dimension alongside the academic pursuits.

"There is a little sense that it's social, but I don't think it exceeds the social atmosphere of any other course," Sulmers says.

However, the fact that many in the class of 40 are not heterosexual creates a common bond, students say.

"The vast majority are queer," says Andre K. Sulmers '99, co-chair of the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Supporters' Alliance (BGLTSA) and a student in English 197.

Class members note that the BGLTSA frequently makes announcements at the beginning of class. According to Sulmers, these updates concern guest visits and meetings relevant not to the course itself, but to the sexual minority community at Harvard.

"I am bothered that this classroom has become a tribune for certain groups and clubs. It compromises the pure academics of the classroom," says Nicolay I. Siclunov'00, a member of the BGLSTA.

Siclunov also says he perceives a gay majority in English 197 but notes that "everyone in the class is queer; [in the sense that] they are able to read in a queer way."

Another point of commonality is a glowing respect for Pellegrini's teaching.

"She's amazing," Fisher says, echoing the sentiment expressed by many of his classmates.

Pellegrini returns the approbation, saying, "The students seem terrifically smart and very motivated."