Academics
The Queer Studies (QS) Program at CSUN is a vibrant and growing minor launched in 2008. QS is an interdisciplinary minor that questions normative constructions of sexuality and gender. It is a flexible program that allows students to double count courses in GE as well as with their major. Students take 3 core courses, and 3 elective courses to complete the minor, which prepares them to work with LGBTQIA+ communities and issues.
The earlier students declare the minor, the easier it is to complete alongside their major courses and GE.
For more information on the minor, visit: www.csun.edu/qs
The Human Sexuality minor at CSUN is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with a comprehensive approach to understanding human sexuality. Students can select from a range of human sexuality courses that cover three years of:
- Health and Clinical Components
- Social and Psychological Components
- Gender, Cultural and Humanistic Components
Six units of coursework from each category and an additional 3 units of approved field study comprises of 21 units needed to complete the minor. The Human sexuality minor is intended to prepare students for graduate programs with a sexuality emphasis and for careers in a variety of settings including clinical mental health, social work, public health, education, public policy, and sexuality research.
For more information visit their website: https://www.csun.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/minor-human-sexuality
The University Library’s collection of LGBTQIA+ books and periodicals are a wonderful resource to the community and are available both in print and electronic formats to support research on LGBTQIA+ issues and research topics. Books, periodicals, and articles can be searched for on OneSearch
- To assist in LGBTQIA+ Research you can visit the Queer Studies Library Guide
- Prominent LGBTQIA+ databases are:
- Archives of Sexuality & Gender
- Genderwatch
- LGBT Studies in Video (Alexander Street Press)
- Independent Voices
- Google Scholar
- WorldCat.org
The University Library also holds the distinction of housing rare, unique, and primary source LGBTQIA+ research materials in Special Collections and Archives. The Vern and Bonnie Bullough Collection on Sex and Gender documents social attitudes and studies of sex and gender from ancient times to the present through a combination of books, periodicals, manuscripts, and archival materials. The collection was established in 1973 with the acquisition of scholars Vern and Bonnie Bullough’s research collection and includes materials that support the study of prostitution, cross-dressing, transvestia, homosexuality, abortion, laws relating to sexual behavior, sex education, and dozens of other topics.
Nayereh & Mahnaz Tohidi Scholarship Endowment
Established by Gender Women’s Studies Professor Emeritus Nayereh and her spouse, Kazem Alamdari, a retired Professor of Sociology who are both tireless defenders of human and women’s rights.
Shannon L. Hamm Memorial Gender & Women’s Studies Scholarship
This award was established by Dr. Amir Hussein in memory of his wife Shannon L. Hamm who believed strongly in furthering feminist education.
Tanni Block Memorial LGBTQIA+ Scholarship
The Tanni Block Memorial LGBTQIA+ Scholarship serves to honor the memory of Tanni Block, an extraordinary student leader at CSUN, by recognizing on-campus leadership, involvement and advocacy efforts that support inclusivity on campus, particularly with and for the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Elizabeth Berry Gender & Woman’s Studies Scholarship
Established by Professor Elizabeth Berry, co-founder of the Department of Gender & Woman’s Studies and longtime supporter of women’s causes.
Offered through the Queer Studies Program. Ronora Sayaman, a CSUN alumnus working in the private sector, began the award for students. Her vision is to provide support to students from any academic major who are committed to a leadership role in Queer, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Communities. The award is given out at the Queer Studies Rainbow Graduation in May each year.