Minor in LGBT Studies

Coordinator: Kristen Myers, Director of Women’s Studies

The interdisciplinary minor in LGBT Studies is recommended for all students interested in examining historical and contemporary issues related to identity, power, citizenship, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people. Complex problems surrounding gender and sexuality are explored in depth, in a variety of contexts. Such exploration should broaden students’ understanding of current societal expectations for both gay and straight people, thereby increasing their effectiveness and sensitivity in a variety of interpersonal and professional settings. The minor is particularly appropriate for students preparing for advanced study in a variety of disciplines or careers in business, communications, sciences, education, health, humanities, and human services.

Elective courses for the minor are chosen to complement the student’s background, interests, and career plans and, in some instances, also help satisfy distributive studies area requirements in the general education program. Faculty members from a wide variety of departments participate in the core and special topics courses of the minor. Students interested in declaring this interdisciplinary minor should contact the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program, Reavis Hall 103, early in their college careers for information and advisement.

Students may enroll in a variety of internships combining their professional interests with their preparation in LGBT studies. Independent study and topics courses in a variety of departments may meet the minor requirements, with the approval of the coordinator of the LGBT studies program, when substantial treatment of LGBT studies is included in the course.

Students must complete 18 semester hours for this minor and are urged to complete LGBT 350, LGBT 400, and WGST 101 as early as possible.