A public university in Arkansas has introduced a course within its English department called “Queer Childhood.” The focus of this class seems to be on assessing and creating scholarly arguments, alongside writing academic papers that utilize various sources, according to details provided on the University of Central Arkansas’s website. The course is described as thematic, with the instructor selecting a particular topic accompanied by relevant interdisciplinary readings.
However, there’s no specific information available regarding the actual curriculum, nor is there a syllabus accessible for review.
Christine Case, who is noted as a visiting assistant professor of English, will be teaching the course. Her profile highlights her specialization in children’s and young adult literature. She completed her Ph.D. in Critical Cultural Studies at the University of Pittsburgh in 2023.
Her doctoral dissertation focused on the intersection of race, gender, and disability in fairy tale performances, which she describes as exploring how these factors impact the interpretation of such stories and their characters.
Case mentions that her work draws from “queer critiques of color and contemporary girlhood studies,” emphasizing interdisciplinary and intersectional perspectives regarding performance, race, gender, and popular culture, particularly within the U.S.
In light of a new law that restricts certain ideologies like DEI and critical race theory, the University of Central Arkansas conducted a review of over 3,000 courses. The result is that this particular course will no longer be offered. A university spokesperson noted that there have been no student complaints about the course. They reaffirmed their commitment to academic rigor, transparency, and compliance, while still aiming to provide a comprehensive liberal arts education that cultivates essential writing, research, and analytical skills for all students.
