LGBTQ+ Courses

BIOL 323: Biology of Sex
This course explores sex, gender, sexual expression, and mating behavior in humans and non-humans from an evolutionary biological perspective. Why does sex exist? Why do genders exist? What are the alternatives? Why is sex expression so variable in nature? What explains the diversity of courtship and mating behaviors? The course emphasizes lessons gleaned from applying the principles of scientific inquiry toward the study of these and related questions. 

LEGL/MCGS 401W: Sexual Minorities, Law, and Politics (W)
Students examine how the law (made by judges, legislators, and voters) has influenced and continues to influence the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Students critically analyze how the rights of sexual minorities have developed or failed to develop. The class includes discussion of gay movements’ politics, accomplishments, and opponents. Finally, contemporary issues surrounding legal and political issues that impact sexual minorities are addressed.

MCGS 330: Sociology of Gender
This course examines gender as a social construct and its influences on men and women in families, school, work, politics, and culture. The focus is on how gender varies in relation to ethnicity, race, sexuality, and social class.

MCGS 380W: Gender, Science, and Society (W)
An exploration of how science and culture have affected people’s understandings of gender and sexuality, in both Western and non-Western cultures, from ancient times to the present.

MCGS 480: Sex Work, Queer Desire, and Transfeminism
An interdisciplinary and transnational study of sex work, sex tourism, pornography, queer desire, and BDSM, as well as an introduction to transgender history and transfeminist analysis. 

QTST 201: Queer and Trans Film
In this course we view and analyze the depiction of LGBTQ+ people's representation in film from its very beginning to today. We also view films that are created by LGBTQ+ individuals and groups who have used this medium to resist and challenge the stereotypes used to create oppression for the community. Queer film theory will be used to focus on how representation in film has changed and how that has shaped both the LGBTQ+ community and individual identities. Films include classics, contemporary films, popular and critical hits, and documentary films. Special attention is paid to intersections between race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socio-economic class, and other facets of LGBTQ+ identities. This course is a combination of lectures, film screenings, and discussion. Students are expected to attend and actively participate. 

QTST 310:Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Issues and Identities
An exploration of current scholarship in gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer theories, issues, and communities. Grounded in feminist scholarship, the course examines GLBTQ identity construction and formation through media, politics, sex/sexuality, science, and the law. Specific focus will vary from semester to semester.

QTST 320: Queer and Trans California
Queer and Trans California explores the history of the struggles endured by individuals and groups comprising LGBTQIA2S+ communities in the state of California (with substantive focus on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-BIPOC), as well as the myriad ways in which LGBTQIA2S+ -identified folks here have found and employed their power. As part of this, we study key ideology, legislation, institutions (political, economic, and social), events, leaders, cultural production, and conflicts in California that have shaped the way diverse LGBTQIA2S+ peoples perceive their communities and are perceived by general society. 

QTST 370: Coloring Queer: Imagining Communities
This course focuses on the hidden history of intersectional and internationalist queer and trans people of color activism, artistry, and scholarship. Course includes readings, films, videos, writing practice, and analysis; the latter half of the semester will focus on oral history texts and scholarship that uses oral history as a research methodology, which will serve as a guiding reference for students' own oral history projects. 

PSYC 391: Psychology of Prejudice, Hate, and Violence
Examination of the nature of prejudice and hate and their contribution to societal violence. How prejudice and hatred affect personal, family, and group behavior are considered in a context of understanding factors that contribute to their development. Strategies for reducing the prevalence of prejudice, hatred, and violence in our contemporary culture are evaluated.

RELS 402: Religion, Sex and Gender
This course studies the many ways religion shapes gender and sexuality in different cultures and historical periods. It examines how religion affects the social expectations and experiences of women, men, and other genders as well as how religion helps define and regulate sexual behavior, sexual identities, and sexual possibilities. 

SOCI 330: Sociology of Gender
This course examines gender as a social construct and its influences on men and women in families, school, work, politics, and culture. The focus is on how gender varies in relation to ethnicity, race, sexuality, and social class.

WMST 170: Introduction to Women’s Studies
This course explores the impact of cultural beliefs and practices on diverse women’s lives. Readings, films, and lectures analyze women’s challenges, struggles, and accomplishments. Specific topics include race and class, media images of women, the women’s movement, work, motherhood, and sexuality.

WMST 230: Women in Contemporary Societies
Taking an in-depth look, this course explores women’s lives in today’s world across categories of class, race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, and age. Students also discuss such topics as gender, body politics, violence against women, poverty, religion, and power as they relate to women. Special attention is given to social activism and emerging policies here in the U.S. and elsewhere.

WMST 326: Gender and Sexuality in Modern European History
This course explores major themes and developments in the social and cultural history of European women from the 1700s to the present, including changing gender roles, attitudes toward sexuality, reproduction, and the family. In particular, the course examines women’s struggle to define themselves and their roles in society and their impact on the social identities of men.