Certificate Program

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Studies Certificate Program, housed administratively in the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program (WGSS), is a campus-wide program open to students in any major. Consistent with UWGB’s problem-focused, interdisciplinary traditions, course work is available across a broad range of fields, including, but not limited to WGSS, Art, History, English, and Sociology. The certificate also includes the development of a participant-directed, high-impact practice such as an internship, research project, WGSS research lab, or other practicum.

The LGBTQ Studies Certificate Program provides participants with a background in the history and lived experiences of the LGBTQ community. The Certificate is participant-driven, allowing those enrolled to select courses and experiences directed by areas of interest. As such, the Certificate allows participants to work with a faculty mentor and/or academic advisor to cater the Certificate to their interests. For some, this could involve completing coursework across a number of different program areas; others will find that clustering coursework within a narrow field is most appropriate.

The certificate is available to current students majoring in any field and members of the community who wish to think informatively and critically about the lives and contributions of LGBTQ people, to respect the dignity of LGBTQ people, and to understand and interact with a culture that contributes to the diversity of our world.  A defining feature of this Certificate is completion of a participant-directed, high-impact practice, some examples include activities such as a(n):

• WGSS research lab: contribute to building the UWGB digital collection "Our Voices: LGBTQ+ Stories of Northeastern Wisconsin"
• independent study: organize a Queer Theory symposium; create lesson plans in LGBTQ history for a high-school social studies curriculum
• honors project: stage a public reading of a play by Oscar Wilde
• internship: volunteer at a local organization working with at-risk LGBTQ youth; develop and promote LGBTQ-themed programs for the Student Union
• research assistantship: assisting a faculty member on relationship study with same-sex couples

Participants completing an LGBTQ Studies Certificate should demonstrate knowledge of the following concepts and issues:

1. The socio-cultural and historical construction of gender and sexual identities.
2. Intersectionality of gender and sexuality with race/ethnicity, religion, class, and nationality.
3. How to effectively challenge bigotry, inequality, and systems of oppression, including those based on gender and sexuality.
4. Major issues pertaining to the lives of LGBTQ people, historically and in contemporary societies (e.g. representations of LGBTQ individuals; the impact of queer culture on the dominant culture; violence; relationships between LGBTQ individuals/communities and institutions such as the medical and mental health professions, the law, religion, the media, education, and the military; family; and the LGBTQ Community and work.)

Ally Training I and II strongly recommended before completion of the certificate.

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 Students may work with their certificate advisor to substitute other relevant student-directed high impact practices such as independent studies, research assistantships, etc.

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 Students may work with their certificate advisor to substitute other courses relevant to their content area and area of interest.