Multicultural Queer Studies Minor

What is Queer Studies?

Over the past 30 years, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender / Queer Studies has emerged as an interdisciplinary field of study, incorporating scholarship from sociology, anthropology, law and politics, science and technology studies, history, literature, communications, rhetoric, and the arts.

The concept of “Queer,” through both theory and activism, encourages us to ask questions about the social construction of identity, including the construction of heterosexuality as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex. It helps us to examine how sexuality, sex, and gender have been, and continue to be, regulated and controlled. Queer Studies focuses our attention on relations of power and privilege -- from the hundreds of privileges that those who identify as heterosexual and gender-conforming receive, to the discrimination against LGBT/Q individuals. It helps us to analyze the social relations that enable hate crimes as well as non-consensual genital surgeries. The concept of queer challenges us to radically rethink the interrelations of sex, gender, and sexuality. “To queer” means to disrupt norms, and Queer Studies asks us to interrogate the very notion of the “norm” itself.

Some of the questions our courses address:
How is queer activism distinct from and/or intertwined with lesbian, bisexual, gay, trans, and intersex activism? How can it speak to anti-racist and anti-sexist activism?

How have sex, gender, and sexuality been conceived of in different cultures
and historical periods, and how have colonialism, nationalism, and globalization reshaped conceptions of sex, gender, and sexuality?

What is a “multicultural queer” approach to literature? How can these diverse writers help us read literature, culture, and society differently?

What diverse issues do LGBT/Q students, staff, and teachers face in public schools? How can we create queer-friendly schools?

Do we still need a LGBT/Q movement? What social and political issues remain unresolved?

Why Multicultural Queer Studies?

We have chosen the title “Multicultural Queer Studies” for this minor based upon the insights and contributions of people of color within the debates of queer theory and politics. Drawing upon this ground-breaking scholarship and activism, we embrace the critical analysis that the concept of queer has forwarded, and we also explore the ways race/ethnicity is both formative of and informed by sex, gender, and sexuality. Our minor places intersections of privilege and oppression at the center of our curriculum in order to analyze socially constructed bodies and their political effects.

Student Perspectives

“For those of you who are queer, for those of you who know queers, for those of you who dislike queers, and for those of you who are wondering what the hell queer means....a minor in Queer Studies will broaden your perspective on the issues involved and open your eyes to the realities that surround you” Jessica Miguel, Psychology graduate

”Queer studies must give due attention to the multiplicity of identities because, in reality, queer folks find ourselves positioned in many different cultures. I believe it is crucial to view queer studies through the multiple lenses of race, class, gender, age, ability, and religion because queer people bridge all these identity categories and more. A multicultural approach to Queer Studies allows us to fully examine a diverse range of queer experiences.” Holly Grace Palmer, Women’s Studies major

“I thoroughly enjoyed the information I took home from my Queer Studies course. Every day I would come home to my family, friends or co-workers and go into detail about what I learned in class. I’m a much more open-minded person now. The Human Sexuality teach-in was such a proud moment for me. It was so awesome to stand in front of my peers and educate them on homophobia.” Fatima Harvin, Psychology major

Requirements for the Minor

Core courses required of all students (6 units)
Political Science 437/Psychology 437: Sexual Diversity (3 units)

Women’s Studies 108/Ethnic Studies 108: Power/Privilege: Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality (3 units)

Elective courses (7 units)
Education 318/Women’s Studies 318/Psychology 318: Gay and Lesbian Issues in Schools (3 units)

Psychology 436/Women’s Studies 436: Human Sexuality (3 units)

Women’s Studies 370: Queer Women’s Lives (4 units)

Psychology 236: Choice and Changes in Sexuality (1 unit)

Women’s Studies 480: Sexuality and Gender Across Cultures (4 units)

Theater 465/565: Queer Film (2-3 units)

Women’s Studies 480: Transgender Lives and Experiences (1 unit)

* Various special topics courses may apply, subject to advisor approval
Service Learning & Internship Courses (2-3 units)

Women’s Studies 410: Internship (2-3 units)
Education 313/Women’s Studies 313/Ethnic Studies 480: Education for Action: Skills Building for Community Organizers (3 units)

* A minimum of 6 upper division units of coursework is required for the minor