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Queer Studies Minor

The Queer Studies (QS) minor is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary program whose goal is the study of sexuality as a complex historical and cultural formation. Rather than understand sexuality as merely a feature of private intimacy or as a result of unchanging biological forces, the QS minor approaches the study of sexuality in relation to the social construction of gender, race, ability, class, and citizenship.

As a program committed to critical thinking and social analysis, the QS minor introduces students not only to the complex histories, cultures, political activities, and expressions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people, but it also raises questions about larger social and institutional formations. For instance, QS is particularly interested in the assumptions, language, and power of science, medicine, law, and religion to explain and regulate sexuality and the social relations based on it. In this way, QS places emphasis on the knowledge and activism generated by sexual minorities, as it explores the social construction of sexual identities and their connections to practices and discourses accepted as normal. Queer Studies focuses on the social and political forces shaping norms (particularly those pertaining to sexuality, gender expression, and family formation) and conversely how these norms come to be challenged either through their own internal contradictions or through pointed interventions of activists seeking social justice.

NEW Requirements – Effective Fall 2018

Students must apply for the WGSS or QST minor in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies office well in advance of graduation for transcript evaluation. In order to be eligible for the minor, students must complete all degree requirements and a major of their choice.

Students declaring a major prior to Fall 2018 have the option to follow the old requirements.

Queer studies Degree Worksheet
24 Credits

Take: WGS 201 (4 credits total)

WGS 201

Introduction to Queer Studies

Take one: WGS 200 level course (4 credits total)

Students may choose any WGS course at this level when taught with a queer focus (50% queer content).

Examples may include:

WGS 211

Black Feminist Histories

WGS 221

Bodies and Power

WGS 250

Gender, Literature and Culture

WGS 251

Transnational and Indigenous Feminisms

WGS 261

Gender and Popular Culture

        Take one: Queer Theory or Sexuality Studies (4 credits total)

WGS 322 

Queer Theory

WGS 422

Sexuality Studies (repeatable)

Take one: Queer Studies course at any level (4 credits total)

Students may choose any approved course at this level when taught with a queer focus. Queer-focused classes can be found by searching the subject QST on the UO class schedule and courses may also be approved upon request to the academic advisor.

QST  1XX/2XX/3XX/4XX  

Take two: Queer Studies courses at 300 or 400 level (8 credits total)

Students may choose any approved course at this level when taught with a queer focus. Queer-focused classes can be found by searching the subject QST on the UO class schedule and courses may also be approved upon request to the academic advisor.

QST  3XX/4XX 

 

QST  3XX/4XX  

 

Additional requirements:

  1. No more than 8 credits may be taken pass/no
  2. All graded courses in the minor must be completed with grades of C- or
  3. At least 16 credits applied to the Queer Studies minor must be taken at the University of Oregon.
  4. No more than 8 credits from another major or minor may count toward the Queer Studies minor.