SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
Introduction to Sexual & Gender Diversity
GNDS 215/3.0
This course is an introduction to studies in sexuality and gender diversity. It will survey the field and include topics such as classical inquiries into sexuality, contemporary theories on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer indentities, sexual movements, human rights, sexual morality, pornography, global sex trade, and queer cultural production. This course is open to all students but required for students enrolled in the Certificate in Sexual and Gender Diversity. It is designed to introduce SXGS students to the field and prepare them for selecting future courses.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the fall term
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- Critically analyze some of the ways that sex, gender, and sexual diversity have been theorized;
- Explain diverse gender and sexual identities, practices, and experiences; and the role of power and context in shaping our understandings of sex, gender, and sexual diversity
- Apply an intersectional approach to analyze the ways that race, class, (dis)ability, and nationality interact with experiences of gender and sexuality;
- Identify and discuss strategies for social justice and social change.
Topics
- Theorizing Diversity: Sex, Gender and Sexual diversity
- Power, knowledge, discourses, intersectionality
- Topics in Sex/Gender Diversity Studies: Diverse bodies; diverse practices; feminist debates in the field
- Towards social change: social justice; social change
Description
This course is an introduction to studies in sexual and gender diversity and is designed to familiarize students with a myriad of theories and topics in the field. Students will learn about classical and contemporary theories of sex, gender, and sexuality; explore the spectrum of sex, gender, and sexual identities including lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, asexual, and intersex; examine the intersection of these identities with other social identities such as race, class, age, (dis)ability, and nationhood; and consider strategies for social change. Students will furthermore delve into issues about rape culture, kink and BDSM practices, sex work and the global sex trade, and pornography.
Terms
Fall 2020
Course Dates:
Sept. 8 - Dec. 7, 2020
Exam Dates:
Dec. 10 - 23, 2020
Evaluation
20% - Writing Exercises
20% - Quizzes
10% - Critical Response
15% - Film Response
35% - Final Paper
20% - Quizzes
10% - Critical Response
15% - Film Response
35% - Final Paper
**Evaluation Subject to Change**
Live Sessions
This course has optional live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities).
Instructor
Professor Melissa Houghtaling (m.houghtaling@queensu.ca)
Textbooks and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Required Textbook
- Ferber, Abby L., Kimberly Holcomb, and Tre Wentling. 2016. Sex, Gender, and Sexuality. The New Basics. 3rd edition. New York: Oxford University Press.
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend approximately 10 hours a week (120 hours per term equivalent) in study/reading and online activity for GNDS 215.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
| Letter Grade | Grade Point |
| A+ | 4.30 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.70 |
| F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.
