Queer Studies, Minor
Women's and Gender Studies Program
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
You will learn concepts to understand queer lives and how to apply this understanding in your careers and through citizenship to advance social justice. In addition to direct advocacy, professions such as non-profit, human resource personnel, or government jobs ensuring non-discrimination and so forth, this minor will also prepare you with the skills necessary to contribute to teamwork across diversity and thus increase workplace productivity and understanding. For example, there is a growing demand for counselors and social workers that can address the needs of LGBTQI clients as well as friends and family. Civil rights for LGBTQI individuals also make this a timely minor for those who might pursue political, legal and criminal justice careers. Furthermore, there are tours oriented toward LGBTQI clients. In short, the needs are multiple in the government and the marketplace.
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A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.
To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 18 |
| Major GPA | 2.0 |
Purpose Statement
This minor examines issues in the lives of LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and allied) individuals in the context of gender, race, class, nation, ability, and age. In Queer Studies you will gain academic knowledge of local, national, and global experiences concerning LGBTQI lives and Queer theory. You will learn about social movements, artistic and cultural contributions, political oppression and resistance, medical issues, and literatures across time and place.
You will learn concepts to understand queer lives and how to apply this understanding in your careers and through citizenship to advance social justice. In addition to direct advocacy, professions such as non-profit, human resource personnel, or government jobs ensuring non-discrimination and so forth, this minor will also prepare you with the skills necessary to contribute to teamwork across diversity and thus increase workplace productivity and understanding. For example, there is a growing demand for counselors and social workers that can address the needs of LGBTQI clients as well as friends and family. Civil rights for LGBTQI individuals also make this a timely minor for those who might pursue political, legal and criminal justice careers. Furthermore, there are tours oriented toward LGBTQI clients. In short, the needs are multiple in the government and the marketplace.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Understand key concepts and issues in Queer Studies.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Queer studies and social movements that differ historically, geographically, and culturally.
- Understand the intersectionality of queer identities along with other hierarchies of domination (e.g. race, gender, ethnicity, ability, class, nation) institutionally.
- Demonstrate knowledge of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex peoples’ differential experiences in relation to material and discursive systems of power.
- Analyze queer experiences critically and comparatively within gender systems of power and privilege.
- Apply theoretical frameworks of Queer studies to current events, politics, and issues in local communities, at a statewide, national and global level.
Minor Requirements
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Take the following 18 units with Grade of "C" or better in each course:
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Be advised that if you take the other minor in WGS, then you will need to take 12 additional units including the required core courses in that plan.
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Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.