About the program

Since the 1960s, spurred by the “Sexual Revolution,” second wave feminism, and the lesbian and gay liberation movement, the study of sexuality has become one of the most exciting and challenging areas of intellectual and artistic inquiry. The Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, offered at Concordia since 1998, provides students with an innovative interdisciplinary program. Studies draw from disciplines as varied as anthropology, art history, cultural studies, film studies, fine arts, history, literature, philosophy, psychology, religion, sociology and women’s studies in order to investigate empirical, theoretical, and creative aspects of sexuality.

History of sexuality curriculum at Concordia

• 1985   The first lesbian studies curriculum is introduced at the world-renowned Simone de Beauvoir Institute.
• 1989   First gay studies course on literature and film.
• 1992   Concordia co-hosts La Ville en rose, 1st Quebec Lesbian and Gay Studies Conference, which brings together 1500 researchers from around the globe.
• 1993   Concordia appoints a task force on gay and lesbian life.
• 1994   Concordia inaugurates its highly acclaimed course on the AIDS pandemic.
• 1998   The Minor starts up; international interdisciplinary “Sex on the Edge” conference at Concordia.
• 2006   Concordia hosts “Hypervisibility: Homosexualities in Contemporary Francophone Cinemas” conference.
• 2010   Concordia works to develop a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality.

Coordinating Committee

Rachel Berger, Assistant Professor, History
Danielle Bobker, Assistant Professor, English
Donald Boisvert, Assistant Professor, Religion
Tagny Duff, Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
Gilbert Émond, Associate Professor, Applied Human Sciences
Evergon, Associate Professor, Studio Arts (Photography)
Marcie Frank, Professor, English
Brian Gabrial, Assistant Professor, Journalism
Vince Graziano, Reference Librarian, Concordia Libraries
Ross Higgins, Part-time Instructor, Sociology & Anthropology
Wilson Jacob, Assistant Professor, History
Marc Lafrance, Assistant Professor, Sociology & Anthropology
Edward Little, Professor, Theatre
Shannon McSheffrey, Professor, History
Viviane Namaste, Associate Professor / Concordia University Research Chair, Simone de Beauvoir Institute
Kat O’Brien, Associate Professor, Design Art and Computation Arts
Jim Pfaus, Professor, Psychology / CSBN
Genevieve Rail, Principal, Simone de Beauvoir Institute
Hilary Rose, Associate Professor, Applied Human Sciences
Frances Shaver, Professor, Sociology & Anthropology
Shirley Walker, Lecturer, Applied Human Sciences
Thomas Waugh, Professor / Concordia University Research Chair, Cinema
Sandra Weber, Professor, Education

Anne Whitelaw, Associate Professor, Art History