2018-10

Arizona State University
University Senate

Senate Motion #2018-10

Motion Introduced by: Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee, Caroline Harrison, Chair

Date of First Reading: September 25, 2017

Date of Second Reading: October 30, 2017

Title of Motion: Request from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences - School of Social Transformation – for the establishment of a graduate certificate- Sexuality Studies

Action Requested: This curricular proposal has received all college, school, unit and university administrative approvals, and is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision.   

Rationale:There is a strong interest from graduate students in humanities, social science, and interdisciplinary graduate programs, across the university for a graduate certificate. Sexuality Studies explores the social construction of sexualities, sexual identities, and cultures. ASU does not offer sexuality studies courses consistently, which also can discourage students who are interested in sexuality in relation to their graduate programs. Sexuality Studies interrogates heterosexuality and institutionalized heterosexism. Sexuality Studies also addresses Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ-TS) identities and expressions as well as non-normative sexual identities that are not captured by LGBTQ-TS categories (some of which pre-date LGBTQ-TS formations).

Students will gain theoretical and analytic tools to examine future gender and sexual formations, and how social issues and state institutions impact and are impacted by sexuality as a social norm.

There is a need for this knowledge in a variety of fields, and an increasing number of academic positions in humanities and social sciences are asking for people with this knowledge base.