Is curriculum in the closet? Instructors' perceptions about gay and lesbian content in Alberta university gender courses

This study focuses on the nature of university instructors' beliefs and attitudes toward gay and lesbian content in the university Gender course curriculum. It was intended to provide a better understanding of factors such as academic freedom, societal influences, personal opinions, curriculum, and institutional influences that might affect attitudes and thus undermine the inclusion of discussion about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) issues. Participants in the study were seven instructors from the faculties of Social Sciences, Faculty of Education, Applied Psychology, and Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge, in the province of Alberta, Canada. The study revealed that although there was only a slight diversity of beliefs and attitudes about the topic among the participants, a majority of them felt positively toward inclusion of information in the university curricula. the positive attitudes were expressed as a willingness to teach about the subject matter, and a belief that LGBT content should be integrated throughout the general curriculum. The implications and the challenges of incorporating LGBT issues into the curriculum were also discussed. Participants discuss that LGBT issues are not adequately represented in the curriculum, that there is a need for more public awareness and education about homosexuality, a need for greater inclusion of gay and lesbian issues in university programs, a desire for less marginalization of the LGBT topic, and a vow to provide more respect for LGBT persons.

Authors

• Healey, Norma M.
• University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education

• Dissertations, Academic
• Homosexuality and education -- Alberta
• Universities and colleges -- Curricula -- Alberta
• College teachers -- Alberta -- Attitudes
• Education, Higher -- Social aspects -- Alberta
• Gay and lesbian studies -- Alberta

Identifier

hdl:10133/223

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/223