Sexuality, Gender, and LGBTQ+ Studies

Program Code: SAC.SOS.CA

Program Control Number: 45907

The LGBTQ+ Studies Certificate program offers an interdisciplinary exploration of LGBTQ+ identities, histories, and experiences. Through a diverse range of courses, students will critically examine the social, cultural, and political challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities, while gaining skills in communication, analysis, and advocacy. The program emphasizes the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, and race, providing a comprehensive understanding of how these factors shape individual and collective experiences. This certificate equips students with the knowledge and tools needed to promote inclusivity and equity in a variety of professional and community settings.

Learning Outcome(s):

1. Students will develop a foundational understanding of LGBTQ+ identities, histories, and experiences, with particular emphasis on intersections with race, gender, and class, through sociological, historical, and interdisciplinary lenses.
2. Students will critically evaluate how LGBTQ+ individuals and issues are portrayed in media, considering the impact of race, gender, and other social factors on representation, as well as the role of media in shaping public perception and discourse.
3. Students will analyze the dynamics of LGBTQ+ experiences within family structures and community contexts, with a focus on child development and the support systems that foster inclusivity and well-being in diverse environments.
4. Students will demonstrate effective communication strategies that acknowledge and bridge gender differences, with particular attention to how gender and sexuality influence communication patterns in various social, personal, and professional settings.
5. Students will explore significant historical events, movements, and figures that have shaped the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in America, while critically engaging with how these historical developments inform contemporary advocacy and social justice efforts.