Queer Studies

• Coordinator: Sheena Malhotra
• Jerome Richfield (JR) 253
• (818) 677-6762
• www.csun.edu/qs

Requirements for the Queer Studies Minor

Minor students must take QS 301, QS 302, and three elective courses for a letter grade. QS 490 can be taken for a letter grade or for credit/no credit for all students.

1. Upper Division Required Courses (9 Units)

• QS 301 Perspectives in Queer Studies (3)
• QS 302 L.A. in Transit: Communities, Organizations and Cultures (3)
• QS 490 Queer Studies Senior Capstone (3)

2. Upper Division Electives (9 Units)

• AAS 455 Asian American Sexuality (3)
• ENGL 368 Gay Male Writers (3)
• ENGL 369 Lesbian Writers (3)
• PHIL 406 Philosophy of Sex, Gender, Sexuality (3)
• QS 401A-Z Advanced Topics in Queer Studies (3)
• QS 499 Queer Studies Independent Study (3)
• SOC 452 Sociology of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Communities (3)
• GWS 410 Sex, Lies and Media (3)
• GWS 430 Global Sexualities (3)
• or other elective courses as approved by the Program Coordinator.

Total Units in the Minor: 18

Course List

QS 301. Perspectives in Queer Studies (3)

This course introduces students to the current theories and histories in Queer Studies, including closely related fields such as transgender studies. The course also introduces students to the scope of Queer Studies, to scholarly, community-based and activist resources, and to the varied interdisciplinary, methodological, and theoretical paradigms in the field.

QS 302. L.A. in Transit: Communities, Organizations and Politics (3)

This course provides students with a broad understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexed, and queer communities, organizations and politics in Los Angeles, with attention to how these are shaped by nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, class and other identifications.

QS 401A-Z. Advanced Topics in Queer Studies (3)

Intensive study of selected topics in queer studies, such as queer theory, transgender theory, queer issues in education, queer popular culture, the queer diaspora and globalization, and the medicalization of sex and gender. Topics change from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit with instructor’s consent.

QS 490. Queer Studies Senior Capstone (3)

Students develop and complete theoretically-informed individualized research projects in Queer Studies in a structured setting. The project will include peer and instructor feedback and guidance on selecting an appropriate topic, conducting research, drafting and revising, and presenting the completed project. Course may be offered online or in a classroom setting.

QS 499. Queer Studies Independent Study (3)

Queer Studies Independent Study is for advanced students who are interested in working on an independent project with a faculty sponsor. The student needs to complete an Independent Study form with the approval signature from the faculty sponsor and the Queer Studies Coordinator.