LGBT history will never be kept hidden in California now that three public colleges in the state are set to offer students an accredited LGBT Studies Program. City College of San Francisco was actually the first public college in the country to begin offering an LGBT Studies curriculum way back in 1978. The program evolved into a two-year degree program, approved just this year, with over 25 different electives. Students can study almost every aspect of the LGBT community from literature to the biology of HIV/AIDS. There are courses focusing on LGBT people in specific nationalities and ethnicities as well as courses that study specific periods of history. You aren’t likely to find a more comprehensive course of study at any other college.
This fall, Napa Valley College, located just one-hour north of San Francisco, developed the first LGBT Studies Certificate Program in a unique partnership with City College. Students from both colleges will be able to transfer to San Diego State University’s brand new four-year degree program in LGBT Studies. LGBT Studies Programs have been available at only a couple private colleges and a handful of colleges in California have offered related courses in LGBT Studies.
Greg Miraglia, a dean at Napa Valley College, said, “Our new LGBT Studies Program will serve both transfer students as well as working teachers who will be delivering new curriculum required by the Fair and Inclusive Education Act. This law requires public schools to include LGBT history and the contribution of LGBT people to society in their classes.” He added, “We know that, according to the Campus Pride Campus Climate Index, offering courses in LGBT Studies is one significant way of supporting LGBT students and we are all about that at Napa Valley College.” Miraglia said, “These courses are also important for the greater community in order broaden the understanding of the LGBT people working and living in our community.”
The LGBT Studies programs at Napa Valley College and City College of San Francisco are open and available to all members of the community as well as to students living out of state. Courses are available in traditional face-to-face formats and online. Most of the courses offer three units of college credit and will cost students only $138 per class plus books.
Both programs are being featured on Outbeat Radio on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 8:00PM PST only on KRCB Radio, locally at 91.1FM or worldwide at outbeatyouth.com. This show will be podcasted and available for download at www.outbeatyouth.com or on iTunes.