Minor in
Sexuality & Queer Studies

Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies
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About

In the Sexuality & Queer Studies Minor, you’ll be introduced to the study of women, gender, feminism, and systems of oppression and privilege. You’ll also explore interdisciplinary scholarship on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender identities and histories, as well as queer and emerging identities. You’ll examine the emerging field of queer theory and choose from electives that cover gender in the context of popular culture, health, communication and more.

This specific focus is contrasted with the broader consideration of gender, sexuality and women in the Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies Major. This minor is an excellent complement to most majors. It prepares students to be leaders in community organizing, nonprofit organizations, education, social services, youth development, entrepreneurship, and new industries.

Curriculum & Requirements

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What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Sexuality & Queer Studies Minor

Required Courses
GWSS/HUMN 101INTRODUCTION TO GENDER, WOMEN'S AND SEXUALITY STUDIES5
GWSS 220INTRODUCTION TO LGBTQ+STUDIES5
GWSS/PHIL 420QUEER THEORY5
Intermediate Courses–choose one5
GENDER, REPRESENTATION AND POPULAR CULTURE
GENDER, HEALTH AND MARGINALIZATION
BODIES, SOCIALIZATION AND CULTURE
TOPICS: ISSUES IN GENDER
TRANSNATIONAL FEMINISMS
SEX, SEXUALITY AND COMMUNICATION
Total Credits20

Sample Courses

GWSS 420. QUEER THEORY. 5 Credits.

Cross-listed: PHIL 420.
Pre-requisites: any upper division GWSS or PHIL course.
This course examines the emerging field of queer theory. Queer theory questions the stability of various identity categories, suggesting instead that all performances of sex, gender, and sexuality are influenced by cultural, historical and political factors.

Catalog Listing

GWSS 266. GENDER, HEALTH AND MARGINALIZATION. 5 Credits.

Cross-listed: DSST 266, ANTR 266.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201 or equivalent.
Satisfies: a BACR for social sciences.
This interdisciplinary course explores personal, social, and political concerns regarding gender and health, including public health practice, epidemiological research, health policy, and access to health services. It includes discussion of health and reproductive justice activism.

Catalog Listing

GWSS 340. TRANSNATIONAL FEMINISMS. 5 Credits.

Cross-listed: INST 340.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201 or equivalent.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–global studies.
This class challenges notions of “global sisterhood” by centering decolonial, Indigenous, post-colonial, queer of color, immigrant, and anti-imperialist feminist activism and theorizing. We employ a gendered lens to global politics, exploring transnational themes such as nationalism, fundamentalism, migration, neoliberalism, representation, “development” and global economies, war and militarism, human rights, and solidarity.

Catalog Listing

GWSS 419. SEX, SEXUALITY AND COMMUNICATION. 5 Credits.

Cross-listed: CMST 419.
Pre-requisites: one WMST course or CMST course.
This seminar examines the construction of sexuality and sexual identity through communication, with a focus on the relationship between public policy and private sexuality.

Catalog Listing