Majors, minors & more
Queer Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
- Offered as:
- Minor
Overview
Queer studies examines the intersections between gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and class, focusing on structural inequalities and queer resistance to those same inequalities.
A minor in queer studies helps students understand the complex negotiations and processes beneath our assumptions about what is "queer" and what is "normal" and to intervene in those social systems that marginalize queer people, queer institutions, and queer futures.
The fundamental premise that informs queer studies curriculum is the idea that "sex," "gender," and "sexual orientation" are not just private experiences or categories, but are profoundly political and public issues that have important implications in social, legal, economic, and cultural spheres.
Students examine sexual orientation and gender identity as they intersect with culture, ethnicity, class, and community, examining, for instance, how queer politics and activism is fundamentally linked to the struggles against globalization, anti-immigration, privatization of health care, or racial and gender oppression.
- Strengths of the program
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- Our faculty work in a number of exciting new research areas, including queer theory, cultural production, LGBT histories, national identity and queer resistance, queer Chicana/o studies, and critical race feminism.
- Queer studies is an interdisciplinary minor offerd through the program in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, which maintains a close working relationship with the Gender Identity Expression & Sexual Orientation Resource Center and the Women’s Resource Center.
- The annual InQueery program showcases the research of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and renowned guest scholars in queer studies.
- Queer studies students tend to be people who want to make a difference in the world. Their personal goals and intellectual development are of major importance to our faculty.
- Emphasizes collaborative learning and critical thinking in a global and activist context, one that gives students ownership over their education.
- Signature courses
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The queer studies minor requires 16 credit hours (5–6 courses). You can choose from courses like these:
- Gender and Power: Introduction to Women's Studies
- Queer Identities in Contemporary Cultures
- Lesbian and Gay Studies
- Theoretical Issues in Lesbian and Gay Studies
- Diverse Sexualities and Cultural Production
- Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality
- Theoretical Issues in Women's Studies
- Independent Study (explore a special issue of your choice)
There are also opportunities to get course credit for internships with various campus and community organizations.
Detailed requirements for the queer studies minor.
Note: See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.
- Scholarships and financial aid
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Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.
To get all the financial help WSU can provide, start by doing these two things:
- Complete the WSU General Scholarship Application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need.
In addition, students in Queer Studies can apply for more than $50,000 in scholarships awarded by the College of Liberal Arts.