Academic Programs Catalog

College of Arts and Letters

Program in Women, Gender, and Social Justice

Undergraduate Programs
Minor in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Sexuality Studies

The Minor in Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Sexuality Studies is designed to provide opportunities for undergraduate students to obtain a comprehensive, global, cross/interdisciplinary academic experience in sexualities, gender identity and expression, and queer identities and activism. The minor complements a wide range of majors and is especially suited for students who plan to work with and advocate for issues of diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural understandings. The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University and administered by the Program in Women, Gender and Social Justice.

With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. At least 9 credits counted towards the requirements for this minor must be unique. Unique credits must not be used to fulfill another university, college, or major requirement in the student's program. College of Social Science students completing this minor to meet the College of Social Science Interdisciplinary Minor Requirement should refer to the section below for the Social Science Track.

Requirements for the Minor in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Sexuality Studies

Students must complete 15 credits, with a minimum of five courses, from the following:
1. The following course (3 credits):
WS 304 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) and Sexuality Studies 3
2. Two of the following courses (5 to 8 credits):
ENG 355 Readings in Sexuality and Literature 3
ENG 448 Seminar in Gender and Literature 3
HA 491 Special Topics in History of Art 4
HDFS 445 Human Sexuality 3
HST 420 History of Sexuality since the 18th Century 3
MC 388 Sexual Politics: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives 4
MUS 424 Music, Sexuality, and Gender 2
PSY 310 Psychology and Biology of Human Sexuality 3
WS 102 Navigating Sex and Gender in Everyday Life 2
WS 424 Seminar in Queer Studies 3
Students must consult with the minor advisor prior to enrollment in English 448 and History of Art 491 to ensure that these courses contain adequate LGBTQ studies content as the content varies by instructor.
3. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
ANP 220 Gender Relations in Comparative Perspective 3
FLM 452 Studies in Film, Gender, and Sexuality 3
LIN 225 Language and Gender 3
TE 448 Issues of Diversity in Children’s and Adolescent Literature 3
THR 336 Sex, Sexuality, and Theatre 3
WS 201 Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies 3
WS 202 Introduction to Contemporary Feminisms and Gender Theories 3
WS 492 Advanced Seminar in Women’s and Gender Studies (W) 4
Students must consult with the minor advisor prior to enrollment in Teacher Education 448 to ensure that these courses contain adequate LGBTQ studies content as the content varies by instructor. A list of other courses that may be appropriate as electives is available from the specialization advisor. Students who select WS 492 to fulfill this requirement may not use that course to fulfill the capstone requirement in item 4. below.
4. One of the following capstone courses (3 or 4 credits):
WS 424 Seminar in Queer Studies 3
WS 490 Independent Study 3 or 4
WS 492 Advanced Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies (W) 4
WS 493 Internship 3 or 4
Students must consult with the advisor prior to enrollment in a capstone course to ensure that the course contains adequate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Studies content as the content varies by Instructor. A list of other courses that may be appropriate as a capstone course is available from the advisor. Students who select WS 424 to fulfill this requirement may not use that course to fulfill requirement 2. above. Students who select WS 492 to fulfill this requirement may not use that course to fulfill requirement 3. above.
Students who are also completing the Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies may only use WS 201, 202, or 304 in fulfillment of the requirements for both minors.
 
Social Science Track
The following option is available to students enrolled in a College of Social Science major, to meet that college’s
minor requirement for graduation.
1. Both of the following courses (6 credits):
HST 420 History of Sexuality since the 18th Century 3
WS 304 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) and Sexuality Studies 3
2. One of the following courses (3 credits):
ANP 220 Gender Relations in Comparative Perspective 3
HDFS 445 Human Sexuality 3
PSY 310 Psychology and Biology of Human Sexuality 3
SOC 216 Sex, Gender, and Sexuality 3
3. Two of the following courses (6 or 7 credits):
ENG 355 Readings in Sexuality and Literature 3
THR 336 Sex, Sexuality, and Theatre 3
WS 201 Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies 3
WS 301 Sexual Violence Against Women and Children: Theory and Response 3
WS 424 Seminar in Queer Studies 3
WS 492 Advanced Seminar in Women’s and Gender Studies (W) 4
Students who are also completing the Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies may only use WS 201, 202, or
304 in fulfillment of the requirements for both minors.