Undergraduate Minors
The Department of Sociology and Sexual Studies offers three minors from which to choose: the minor in Sociology, the minor Queer and Trans Studies and the minor in Sexuality Studies.
To learn how to add or change your minor online click here: https://registrar.sfsu.edu/change_major_minor
Minor in Sociology
The minor in Sociology instills a way of seeing inequalities in the world as products of social structures and forces. The recognition that social structures and forces shape a person’s beliefs, values, norms, and identities lie at the heart of sociology.
- Understand how contemporary inequalities are a part of American society and a part of the world system, both of which rely on inequalities.
- Understand how contemporary social identities and solidarities are formed from the organization of domestic social structures and the world system.
- Understand how the mobility of people, resources, and ideas is central to reproducing inequalities throughout a given society and also among a global network of institutions.
At least half the units making up the minor must be taken in residence and at least half must be upper division. Students must be assigned letter grades for all courses taken towards the minor. Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Required Courses
| Course Number | Course Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 105 | Introduction to Sociology or | 3 |
| SOC 245 | Social Problems | |
| SOC 272 | Social Inequality | 4 |
| SOC 483 | Global Sociology | 4 |
| One additional upper division Sociology elective | 3-4 | |
| Total Required Courses | 14-15 |
Sociology Upper Division Electives
| Course Number | Course Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 330 | Comparative Race and Ethnicity in the US: Class Gender, and Nation | 3 |
| SOC 362 | The Social Construction of Deviance and Conformity | 4 |
| SOC 400 | Variations in Human Sexuality | 3 |
| SOC 410 | Grassroots Organizing for Change in Communities of Color | 3 |
| SOC 420 | Media and Dissent | 4 |
| SOC 424 | Social Movements | 4 |
| SOC 451 | Criminological Theory | 4 |
| SOC 452 | Juvenile Justice | 4 |
| SOC 455 | Punishment and Social Control | 3 |
| SOC 461 | Ethnic Relations: International Comparisons | 4 |
| SOC 464 | Families & Society | 4 |
| SOC 467 | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Cultures and Society | 4 |
| SOC 468 | Social Aspects of Human Sexuality | 4 |
| SOC 469 | Gender and Society | 4 |
| SOC 471 | Societal Change and Development | 4 |
| SOC 477 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 480 | City in a Global Society | 4 |
| SOC 481 | Sociology of Brazil | 3 |
| SOC 482 | Global Immigration and Immigrants | 3 |
| SOC 490 | Sociology of Popular Culture | 4 |
| SOC 552 | Comparative Employment Relations | 3 |
| SOC 553 | Labor Standards and Corporate Social Responsibility | 3 |
| SOC 554 | Themes in Comparative Employment Relations | 3 |
| SOC 555 | Labor Rights in the Global Economy | 3 |
| SOC 580 | Educational Equity | 3 |
| SOC 640 | Sociology of the Latino Experience | 3 |
| SOC 645 | Identities, Inequalities & Struggles in Latin America | 3 |
Minor in Queer and Trans Studies
The minor in Queer and Trans Studies delineates and analyzes meanings that have been associated with varying sexual and gender orientations in various artistic, biological, cultural, educational, ethical, historical and literary contexts and examine the related issues of mixed-gender and cross-gender roles and practices.
This minor is exceptional for the way in which it attracts those students who express a desire to obtain a learning experience that informs their own life challenges and rewards as LGBT individuals. Furthermore, the students who complete this minor express a deep sense of pride in a curriculum that acknowledges the full range of their personalities, interests and sexualities. The Department of Sociology & Sexuality Studies responds by offering courses in which they can learn the depth of LGBT perspectives. This minor has more educational value than introducing students to a body of knowledge alone. It fulfills an emancipatory function that many students have come to expect at SF State. It supports the building of a community of LGBT students who use that cohesion to build stronger communities on campus and off campus, now and in their future careers. The minor is interdisciplinary including courses from anthropology, biology, cinema, counseling, english, ethnic studies, history, human sexuality studies, psychology, sociology and women and gender studies, among other disciplines.
These forms were created to help our minor program students in planning their enrollment in classes. The listed semesters for the class offerings are based on our class schedule in recent years. (You must have a declared major to sign up for minor.)
- LGBT Studies Minor Form: Courses CANNOT be double counted to fulfil more than ONE requirement within the Sexuality Studies Minor. Courses can be double counted to fulfill requirements in your Major, in General Education and for a Second Minor.
- Declare Minor Form: Fill out form and bring to department office in HSS 370 for undergraduate advisor approval.
- Minor Substitution Form: Please print form, fill out and take with you when meeting with undergraduate advisor when substituting your required classes for the minor.
The LGBT Studies minor consists of 18-20 units of undergraduate study. Students can double-count courses they take for General Education (both lower and upper division) as a part of completing the LGBT Studies minor. Additionally, students cannot take courses for the minor as CR/NC. All coursework used to satisfy the requirements of the minor must be completed for a letter grade and with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
| Student Last Name | Minor Advisor | Office | Hours |
| A - L | Rita Melendez | HSS 378 |
Signup on Calendly. For forms, please email to rmelende@sfsu.edu |
| M - Z | A. Ikaika Gleisberg |
HSS 369 |
All drop in office hours are held via Zoom. Book office hours by appointment. |
The minor in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies consists of a minimum of 18 units of undergraduate study. It is possible to use these courses to meet requirements in some undergraduate majors, in other minors, and in the General Education program.
All coursework used to satisfy the requirements of the minor must be completed for a letter grade and with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Introductory Course (3-4 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| SXS/SOC 110 | Sexuality in Society | 3 |
| SXS 301 | Perspectives in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies | 3 |
| SXS 667/SOC 467 | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Cultures and Society | 4 |
Core Area Elective Courses (12 units)
Biological and Health Aspects of LGBT Experience
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| BIOL 322 | Human Sexuality: Integrative Science | 3 |
| BIOL 327 | AIDS: Biology of the Modern Epidemic | 3 |
| BIOL 330 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PH 303 | Health Disparities and Sexual and Gender Minority Communities: LGBTQI Health | 3 |
| SXS 601 | Sexuality, Ethnicity, and Health | 3 |
Social Scientific Aspect of LGBT Experience
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| SXS 314 | Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual History | 3 |
| SXS 400/PSY 450/SOC 400 | Variations in Human Sexuality | 3 |
| SXS 421 | Homophobia and Coming Out | 3 |
Cultural, Ethnic, Racial, and Sexual Diversity and LGBT Experience
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| AIS/SXS/WGS 440 | Native Sexualities and Queer Discourse | 3 |
| ANTH 569/SXS 567 | Cross-Cultural Aspects of Sex and Gender | 3 |
| LTNS/WGS 505 | Gender, Sexuality, and Latino Communities | 3 |
| RRS/SXS 380 | Coloring Queer: Imagining Communities | 3 |
| RRS 460/COUN 450/SXS 460 | AIDS and People of Color in the U.S. | 3 |
| SXS 458 | Introduction to Transgender Studies | 3 |
| WGS 552 | Transgender Identities and Communities | 3 |
Arts & Humanistic Aspects of LGBT Experience
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| ARTH 403/SXS 405 | Queer Art History | 3 |
| CLAS/SXS 530 | Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome | 3 |
| ENG/SXS 633 | Queer(ing) Narrative Literature | 3 |
| HIST 475 | History of Sexuality in the United States Before 1900 | 3 |
| HIST 485 | History of Sexuality in the United States Since 1900 | 3 |
| PHIL 445/SXS 469 | Sex and Morality | 3 |
| SXS 314 | Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual History | 3 |
| SXS 635 | Queer Masterpieces | 3 |
| WGS/SXS 551 | Queer Literatures and Media | 3 |
| WGS 612 | Queer Theory | 3 |
Colloquium (3 units)
Students cannot enroll in the colloquium course until completing all other minor requirements.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SXS 680 | Colloquium in Human Sexuality | 3 |
Minor in Sexuality Studies
The minor in Sexuality Studies provides students with knowledge about human sexuality including basic knowledge about sexual behavior, human reproduction, intimate relationships, sexuality and evolution, sexual attraction, arousal and response, sexual dysfunction, sexually-transmitted infections and diseases, contraception and safer sexual practices, sexual and gender orientations, sexual and intimate partner violence, as well as sexuality across the life course.
The minor also provides students with an interdisciplinary approach enabling students to appreciate the importance of biological, cultural, ecological, economic, historical, psychological, and sociological contexts for understanding human sexuality. Students can use the minor in Sexuality Studies to complement their majors. The program provides an opportunity to gain basic knowledge; develop an awareness of attitudes and to acquire skills for counseling, teaching and conducting research. The minor is unique because there are few others like it in the U.S., but also because it takes a multi-disciplinary perspective on human sexuality. With proper advising it is possible to use these courses to fulfill some undergraduate major, minor and General Education requirements.
These forms was created to help our minor students in planning their enrollment in classes. The listed semesters for the class offerings are based on our class schedule in recent years.
- Sexuality Studies Minor Form: Courses CANNOT be double counted to fulfill more than ONE requirement within the Sexuality Studies minor. Courses can be double counted to fulfill requirements in your Major, in General Education and for a Second Minor.
- Declare Minor Form: Fill out form and bring to department office in HSS 370 for undergraduate advisor approval.
- Minor Substitution Form: Please print form, fill out and take with you when meeting with the advisor when substituting your required classes for the minor.
The Sexuality Studies minor consists of 18-20 units of undergraduate study. Students can double-count courses they take for General Education (both lower and upper division) as a part of completing the Sexuality Studies minor. Additionally, students cannot take courses for the minor as CR/NC. All coursework used to satisfy the requirements of the minor must be completed for a letter grade and with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
| Student Last Name | Minor Advisor | Office | Hours |
| A - L | Rita Melendez | HSS 378 |
Signup on Calendly. For forms, please email to rmelende@sfsu.edu |
| M - Z | A. Ikaika Gleisberg |
HSS 369 |
All drop in office hours are held via Zoom. Book office hours by appointment. |
The Minor in Human Sexuality Studies consists of 18 – 20 units of undergraduate study. With proper advising, it is possible to use these courses to fulfill some undergraduate major, minor, and General Education requirements. Written declaration of the pursuit of the minor is not necessary prior to enrollment in any of its required or elective courses.
All coursework used to satisfy the requirements of the minor must be completed for a letter grade and with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Introductory Courses (3 units)
Select one:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SXS/SOC 110 | Sexuality in Society | 3 |
| SXS 300 | Introduction to Human Sexuality | 3 |
Core Courses (15-17)
Students are required to complete requirements in each of the four areas listed below.
Biological and Health Aspects of Human Sexuality (3 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| BIOL 322 | Human Sexuality: Integrative Science | 3 |
| BIOL 327 | AIDS: Biology of the Modern Epidemic | 3 |
| BIOL 330 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PH 303 | Health Disparities and Sexual and Gender Minority Communities: LGBTQI Health | 3 |
| SXS 601 | Sexuality, Ethnicity, and Health | 3 |
Social Scientific Aspect of Human Sexuality (3–4 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| PLSI 381 | Political Theories of Sexuality | 4 |
| PSY/SXS 320 | Sex and Relationships | 3 |
| PSY/SXS 436 | The Development of Femaleness and Maleness | 4 |
| PSY/SXS 456 | Psychology of Human Sexual Behavior | 3 |
| SXS 400/PSY 450/SOC 400 | Variations in Human Sexuality | 3 |
| SXS 421 | Homophobia and Coming Out | 3 |
| SXS 455 | Sex, Power, and Politics | 3 |
| SXS 678 | Disability and Sexuality | 3 |
Cultural, Ethnic, Racial, and Sexual Diversity & Human Sexuality (3–4 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| AA S 584 | Asian American Sexualities | 3 |
| AIS/SXS/WGS 440 | Native Sexualities and Queer Discourse | 3 |
| ANTH 569/SXS 567 | Cross-Cultural Aspects of Sex and Gender | 3 |
| LTNS/WGS 505 | Gender, Sexuality, and Latino Communities | 3 |
| RRS 380 | Coloring Queer: Imagining Communities | 3 |
| SXS 400/PSY 450/SOC 400 | Variations in Human Sexuality | 3 |
| SXS 458 | Introduction to Transgender Studies | 3 |
| SXS 667/SOC 467 | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Cultures and Society | 4 |
| WGS 552 | Transgender Identities and Communities | 3 |
Arts & Humanistic Aspects of Human Sexuality (3 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| ARTH 403/SXS 405 | Queer Art History | 3 |
| CINE/SXS 332 | Representation and Narration of Sexuality in Hollywood Cinema | 3 |
| CINE 541 | Race, Sex, and Identity Online | 3 |
| CLAS/SXS 530 | Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome | 3 |
| ENG/SXS 633 | Queer(ing) Narrative Literature | 3 |
| HIST 313 | Comparative History of Love and Sexuality | 3 |
| HIST 475 | History of Sexuality in the United States Before 1900 | 3 |
| HIST 485 | History of Sexuality in the United States Since 1900 | 3 |
| HUM 390 | Images of Eroticism | 3 |
| SXS 314 | Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual History | 3 |
| PHIL/SXS 369 | Philosophical Issues in Sexuality | 3 |
| PHIL 445/SXS 469 | Sex and Morality | 3 |
| PHIL 455/SXS 569 | Sex and the Law | 3 |
| WGS/SXS 551 | Queer Literatures and Media | 3 |
| WGS 611 | Theories of Female Sexuality | 3 |
Colloquium (3 units)
Students cannot enroll in the colloquium course until completing all other minor requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SXS 680 | Colloquium in Human Sexuality | 3 |
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