San Diego State University will begin offering an undergraduate degree in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies next year.
School officials say SDSU will become only the second college in the nation to offer a major in the field.
“It’s definitely a growing area of scholarship and is taken very seriously, especially at the graduate level,” said Jennifer Ruark, a deputy managing editor at the Chronicle of Higher Education, who has tracked the evolution of LGBT studies.
“At many places, these classes are part of the gender studies or women’s studies majors at the undergraduate level.”
SDSU has offered a minor in LGBT studies since 2009.
The university received approval late last week from the Chancellor’s Office of the California State University system to offer the major. It will begin accepting students into the program in spring 2012.
“We had about 30 students minoring in LGBT studies every year,” said Esther Rothblum, professor of women’s studies and the LGBT studies academic adviser. “We had so many courses on LGBT issues in so many departments, a group of us got together to put together a major.”
The only other institution of higher education in the nation to offer such a major, according to Rothblum, is Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, N.Y. The school has offered the major for a little more than a decade, according to Susan Henking, a professor of religious studies and co-chair of LGBT studies at Hobart and William Smith.
“I congratulate San Diego State,” Henking said. “We have been studying what it means to be human, in different ways, for a long time. This is just another way to study what makes us who we are, how we care for each other, how we care for our families.”
Ruark said some state-funded institutions efforts to expand LGBT studies have faced resistance from some state legislators.
Calls to several San Diego County legislators were not returned Tuesday. Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Carlsbad, issued a written statement in response to a reporter’s call.
“I question the decisions to expand programs and departments at a time when our education system is dealing with cutbacks. There are already thousands of students who are struggling to get the classes they need to fulfill the requirements for their degrees,” the statement said. “Our focus should be on retaining programs and classes that prepare students for the workforce.”
The Rev. Chris Clark, pastor of East Clairemont Southern Baptist Church, objected to the new major.
“I haven’t agreed with a lot of what our state has been doing to use taxpayer funds to advocate this particular agenda. It sounds very similar to Senate Bill 48,” he said, referring to the recently enacted law that requires K-12 textbooks and other instructional materials to include the contributions of “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.”
The law also bans materials that “contain any matter reflecting adversely upon persons on the basis (of) sexual identity.”
“It’s always two-pronged,” Clark said. “First is the part normalizing the behavior, but then there’s the part that tries to eliminate any kind of criticism. My my first reaction is it’s going to be the Christian groups on campus in the cross hairs.”
Just over a year ago, SDSU was recognized as one of the 20 best colleges in the country for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students by Campus Pride, a nonprofit group focused on making college campuses safer and more inviting for LGBT students.
“San Diego State has always been a progressive-minded institution,” said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride.
“For a long time, (universities) have had LGBT classes,” he said, “but for some students — straight or gay — having a major would be very attractive.”
Rothblum, the SDSU professor, said adding the major put no extra burden on the university which, like all public higher education institutions in California, is dealing with a sharp reduction in state funding.
“The fabulous thing about this is isn’t costing the university a dollar,” she said. “The classes and the faculty are all there.”
LGBT-themed courses are taught in various departments, including English, history, women’s studies and linguistics, she said.
Rothblum said that the major will be a good background for students aspiring to medical for law schools or hoping to work in the corporate or nonprofit worlds.
“Everybody wants employees these days who have a focus on diversity,” she said.
Ma Rae Aurea, who has completed most of her requirements for the LGBT minor at SDSU, said she is considering switching from her biology/zoology major or perhaps pursuing a double major.
“I just find LGBT studies more interesting,” said the 22-year-old. “I think there should be more awareness going on for the (LGBT) community. And since it’s a pioneer program, I’d like to be a part of it.
“The only thing that gives me pause is the career path. Other than research, I’m not really sure what I would do with it.”
Richard Muir, on the other hand, said adding the LGBT degree to his theater major is perfect for his planned career as a marriage and family counselor.
“After graduate school,” said the 33-year-old, “I’d love to specialize in LGBT couples counseling around parenting.”
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