Sexual Diversity Studies
Why Study Sex Div?
The Sexual Diversity Studies Minor ("SDS" or "Sex Div" for short) grew out of an initiative by McGill's Queer Equity Subcommittee and is part of a burgeoning movement across North American campuses. It brings together into a coherent program much of the exciting new work and teaching in the study of sexuality across many disciplines. Fifteen departments or programs in five faculties now provide courses, ranging from “Gender, Deviance and Social Control” in the Department of Sociology, to “Women, Gender and Sexuality in the Middle East” in the Department of History, to “Gender and Sexuality in Hinduism” in the Faculty of Religious Studies, to “Music and Queer Identity” in the Schulich School of Music. The program is vigorously eclectic, drawing on feminist studies, queer studies, LGBT studies and a rich variety of other theoretical and empirical perspectives. In addition to creating the opportunity for dialogue among McGill's disciplines, the Minor enables students to explore the practical implications of findings concerning sexuality and gender, and lays the foundations for research at the forefront of investigative knowledge.
The required introductory course, SDST 250, routinely reaches its cap of 150. Here’s what some former students have had to say about this course:
“it encourages you to really think outside the box”
“the subject matter is fascinating and crucial to a complete understanding of our society”
“it challenged my ways of thinking, biases and assumptions”
“it was my most jolting class--I feel like it opened my eyes to the world more than any other class I've ever taken”
We invite you to join the students who enroll in Sexual Diversity Studies courses every year!
Please contact claire [dot] michela [at] mcgill [dot] ca (Claire Michela), the IGSF Administrative and Student Affairs Coordinator, to book an advising appointment.