About this Course

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In this course, you will explore the history of LGBTQ identities, experiences, and activism. We’ll study major events in global LGBTQ history, investigate local histories of queer and transgender people and communities, and consider how LGBTQ histories have helped shape broader conversations about civil rights, equality, and justice.

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 19 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 19 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.82/5 (281 Ratings)

Jacob McWilliams

Director

Gender & Sexuality Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus | Women & Gender Center, University of Colorado Denver

27,641 Learners

2 Courses

K. Mohrman

Clinical Teaching Track Assistant Professor

Ethnic Studies

25,022 Learners

1 Course

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(3,635 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

15 minutes to complete

Introduction to Queering Identities

15 minutes to complete

3 videos (Total 5 min), 1 reading

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Terminology and Key Concepts

This module provides an overview of the terminology and definitions we will be using throughout the course and establishes a plan of action for learning from and with each other as we put the terminology into practice. We will discuss regional and local variations in terminology and language use, and learners will research and identify local applications of LGBTQ+ terminology. Learners will draw on their knowledge to discuss the current state of LGBTQ+ inclusion in their context.

4 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 30 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

Introduction to Terminology6mSex Does Not Equal Gender3mWhat To Do When You Don't Know What to Do5mIdentities and Their Intersections3mIntersectional Oppressions6mWhat If We Told You That Gender is Made Up?4m

4 readings

Introduction to Terminology40mWhat To Do When You Don't Know What to Do10mIntersectionality1hWhat If We Told You That Gender is Made Up?20m

2 practice exercises

Sex Does Not Equal Gender30mTerminology and Key Concepts Assessment30m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

The Fiction of the Gender Binary

4 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 43 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Sexual Difference?

This module extends the exploration of social constructs to consider how sex and sexual identities have been socially constructed. We critically examine the common presumption that sex is biological, or natural. We draw on the experiences of intersex and transgender communities to consider an alternative approach to understanding sex. Then we introduce the idea of sex as a social construct that is intimately tied to, but is distinct from, gender.

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 31 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

Week5

Week 5

3 hours to complete

A Sexual History

This module considers sexuality and sexual identities as social constructs, exploring how cultural norms about sexuality and sexual attraction have been developed and used to regulate human behavior. We introduce queer theory as a framework for analyzing the impact of norms about gender, sex, and sexuality on our lives and communities, and we invite participants to practice applying a queer framework to their own lives and experiences.

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 25 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

Is Sexuality Hardwired In All Of Us? (Hint: Nope)4mThe Invention Of Homosexuality5mA Brief Queer History5mQueer Theory Part I: Challenging ‘Common Sense’ Assumptions5mQueer Theory Part II: When ‘Queer’ Became A Verb4m

5 readings

Is Sexuality Hardwired In All Of Us? (Hint: Nope)20mThe Invention Of Homosexuality20mA Brief Queer History50mQueer Theory Part I: Challenging ‘Common Sense’ Assumptions20mQueer Theory Part II: When ‘Queer’ Became A Verb30m

1 practice exercise

A Sexual History Assessment30m

Week6

Week 6

6 hours to complete

Queering Issues

In this module, we explore some contemporary LGBTQ+ issues, drawing on queer theory to understand and interpret those issues. This module takes on: The bathroom issue: how to (re)design public restrooms and locker room for transgender inclusion; Racism and whiteness in LGBTQ+ communities; Queer(ing) religion: A history of conflict and reconciliation; Queer parenting: A case study of one queer family; and Queering sex education: An LGBTQ+ inclusive approach to sexuality curricula.

6 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 43 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz

6 videos

#wejustneedtopee: The Bathroom Issue7mRacism In Queer Communities: The Pride Flag And Its Discontents4mQueer(ing) Religion4mQueer Parenting: An Interview With Ashe And Jaimie19mQueer(ing) Sex Education: Could Sex Be About More Than Procreation?6mThank You1m

5 readings

#wejustneedtopee: The Bathroom Issue1hRacism In Queer Communities: The Pride Flag And Its Discontents20mQueer(ing) Religion2h 10mQueer Parenting: An Interview With Ashe And Jaimie30mQueer(ing) Sex Education: Could Sex Be About More Than Procreation?50m

1 practice exercise

Queering Issues Assessment30m

Reviews

4.8

190 reviews

5 stars
82.78%
4 stars
13.74%
3 stars
2.05%
2 stars
0.78%
1 star
0.63%

TOP REVIEWS FROM QUEERING IDENTITIES: LGBTQ+ SEXUALITY AND GENDER IDENTITY

by MHSep 7, 2020

The best course about the LGBTQ+ community and gender on a broader scale. A huge thank you for the effort. I'm proud to be part of the community!

by TKJan 6, 2023

This was the first course I completed on Coursera. It really pushes to think outside the cis-hetro world we grow up in. And the material is also very non-overwhelming, and easy to understand.

by AVJun 14, 2020

This course gave me a clear idea about the terminologies and pronouns regarding queer people. and also about the issues queer people faces in our society.

by ALJan 4, 2022

Excellent, and very helpful to me, but the language/punctuation in the transcripts is sometimes very confusing. Often failed to make sense. Thank you for the education on LGBTQ+ issues.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Queering Identities: LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Gender Identity

Queering Identities: LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Gender Identity

About this Course