Queer Studies Minor

Co-Coordinator: Dawn M. Goode
Phone: (540) 568-3754
Email: goodedm@jmu.edu

Co-Coordinator: Kristen Kelley
Phone: (540) 568-2881
Email: kelle8km@jmu.edu

This is an 18-credit hour interdisciplinary program that focuses not only on LGBTQ+ experiences, histories and perspectives, but more broadly on the social production and regulation of sexuality and gender. Queer studies offers a critique of normative models of sex, gender and sexuality, arguing for the validity and significance of various marginalized identities and practices as well as identifying the mechanisms and structures of power fundamental to systemic oppression. Along with sexism, homophobia and transphobia, queer studies examines racism, capitalism, imperialism and ableism, among other forms of inequality. Students in the minor will acquire knowledge and skills that prepare them for careers in advocacy, communications, health and social services, and education. Students are limited to no more than nine (9) credits in a single discipline.

Required Course: 3 Credit Hours

QUST 200. Introduction to LGBTQ+ and Queer Studies Credits: 3.00

Restricted Elective Courses: 6 Credit Hours

Choose two of the following:

ENG 370. Queer Literature Credits: 3.00
or
WGSS 370. Queer Literature Credits: 3.00
ENG 423. Advanced Studies in Gender and Sexuality in Literature Credits: 3.00 ¹
or
WGSS 423. Advanced Studies in Gender and Sexuality in Literature Credits: 3.00 ¹
JUST 386. Sexual Orientation, Law and Justice Credits: 3.00
or
WGSS 386. Sexual Orientation, Law and Justice Credits: 3.00
QUST 300. Special Topics in LGBTQ+ / Queer Studies Credits: 3.00 ²
SOCI 347. Queer Theories of Gender and Inequality Credits: 3.00
or
WGSS 347. Queer Theories of Gender and Inequality Credits: 3.00
SOCI 367. Sociology of Sexuality Credits: 3.00
or
WGSS 367. Sociology of Sexuality Credits: 3.00
WGSS 300. Special Topics in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Credits: 3.00 ^{3, 4}

Elective Courses: 9 Credit Hours

Choose three of the following:

No more than nine total credits may be taken in a single discipline for this minor.

EDUC 305. Critical Studies in Education, Race, Culture and Politics Credits: 3.00 ¹
EDUC 310. Teaching in a Diverse Society Credits: 3.00
ENG 402. Advanced Studies in British Literature Before 1700 Credits: 3.00 ^{3, 4}
ENG 423. Advanced Studies in Gender and Sexuality in Literature Credits: 3.00 ^{1, 5}
or
WGSS 423. Advanced Studies in Gender and Sexuality in Literature Credits: 3.00 ^{1, 5}
GEOG 377. Feminist Geography Credits: 3.00
JUST 301. Advanced Level Special Topics in Justice Studies Credits: 3.00 ^{1, 3, 4}
JUST 365. Justice in Literature, Film and Art Credits: 3.00
JUST 385. Disability and Justice Credits: 3.00
JUST 387. Gender Identity, Law and Justice Credits: 3.00
or
WGSS 387. Gender Identity, Law and Justice Credits: 3.00
LAXC 252. Introduction to Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean Studies [C2HQC] Credits: 3.00 ³
LAXC 300. Topics in Latinx Studies Credits: 3.00 ³
POSC 341. Social Movements in the U.S. and Abroad Credits: 3.00
POSC 377. Global Black Feminist Politics: On Power, Resistance and Transformation Credits: 3.00
QUST 300. Special Topics in LGBTQ+ / Queer Studies Credits: 3.00
QUST 400. Advanced Topics in LGBTQ+ / Queer Studies Credits: 3.00
QUST 410. Independent Research in LGBTQ+ / Queer Studies Credits: 3.00
QUST 425. Internship in LGBTQ+ / Queer Studies Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
REL 306. Gender and Sexuality in Islam Credits: 3.00
SCOM 302. Third Wave Ecofeminism Credits: 3.00
or
WGSS 302. Third Wave Ecofeminism Credits: 3.00
SCOM 313. Topics in Communication Studies Credits: 1.00 - 3.00 ^{3, 4}
SOCI 347. Queer Theories of Gender and Inequality Credits: 3.00 ⁵
or
WGSS 347. Queer Theories of Gender and Inequality Credits: 3.00 ⁵
SOCI 367. Sociology of Sexuality Credits: 3.00 ⁵
or
WGSS 367. Sociology of Sexuality Credits: 3.00 ⁵
THEA 303. Topics in Theater Credits: 1.00 - 3.00 (Queer Theory and Performance - must be taken for 3.00 credit hours) ³
WGSS 200. Introduction to Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies [C5SD] Credits: 3.00
WGSS 300. Special Topics in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Credits: 3.00 ^{3, 4}
or
ENG 302. Special Topics in Literature and Language Credits: 3.00 ^{3, 4}
WRTC 420. Feminist Rhetorics Credits: 3.00
or
SCOM 420. Feminist Rhetorics Credits: 3.00
or
WGSS 420. Feminist Rhetorics Credits: 3.00

Total: 18 Credit Hours

Footnotes

¹Final project must pertain to queer topic or apply queer methodology.
² QUST special topics course. Can be repeated once for credit if topic changes. Only one will count toward the core requirement; the second will count toward required electives.
³ When pertaining to queer topics/approaches, it may count towards minor. Contact minor advisor for approval.

⁴May be repeated as topic varies (LAXC 252 is not repeatable).
⁵ Can be taken for this category if not already taken in the “select two” from the previous category.