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 |
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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: |
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WGS 211 Black Feminist Histories |
WGS 221 Bodies and Power |
WGS 250 Gender, Literature and Culture |
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WGS 251 Transnational and Indigenous Feminisms |
WGS 261 Gender and Popular Culture |
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Take one: Queer Theory or Sexuality Studies (4 credits total) | |||
WGS 322 Queer Theory |
WGS 422 Sexuality Studies (repeatable) |
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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. |
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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. |
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QST 3XX/4XX
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QST 3XX/4XX
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Additional requirements:
- No more than 8 credits may be taken pass/no
- All graded courses in the minor must be completed with grades of C- or
- At least 16 credits applied to the Queer Studies minor must be taken at the University of Oregon.
- No more than 8 credits from another major or minor may count toward the Queer Studies minor.