About this course: In the last decade transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals have become increasingly visible in our families, culture, and public discourse. This course explores the concept of gender identity for people who are curious about the nature of gender, the process of gender affirmation, or changing social dynamics. Participants will learn the unique challenges faced by the TGNC population as well as develop the skills to build inclusive spaces in all spheres of their life. This course was developed under the Joycelyn Elders Chair in Sexual Health Education at the University of Minnesota.
Created by: University of Minnesota
Taught by: Rebecca Graetz, EdD, Instructor
University of Minnesota - Progam in Human Sexuality
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Welcome!
In the last decade transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals have become increasingly visible in our families and culture. This course explores the concept of gender identity for people who are interested in the nature of gender, the process of gender affirmation, or changing social dynamics. Participants will learn the unique challenges faced by individuals within the TGNC population as well as develop the skills to build inclusive spaces in all spheres of their life. Each module will contain original video content, readings, and other multimedia to enhance the learning experience. Throughout the course, participants will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge via short multiple choice quizzes and/or discussion sections that challenge you to reflect on your learning experiences. This course was developed under the Joycelyn Elders Chair in Sexual Health Education at the University of Minnesota.
1 video, 1 reading
- Video: Welcome Message - Dr. Eli Coleman
- Reading: Pre-Assessment
WEEK 2
Introduction to Gender Identity
Gender identity is a wide spectrum beyond the binary of male and female. Each and every one of us has a gender identity innate to our experience as humans. While gender is all around us, much remains unknown about the development of gender identity. This module introduces the basics of gender and explores how gender affects our daily lives.
11 videos, 18 readings
- Video: Introduction to Gender Identity - Nova Bradford
- Reading: Gender and Sexuality
- Reading: The Language of Gender
- Video: Gender Identity - Dr. Katie Spencer
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Reading: An Introduction to Transgender People
- Reading: Understanding Transgender People
- Reading: Understanding the Transgender Community
- Reading: Understanding Non-Binary People
- Video: Gender Queer - Dr. G. Zachariah White
- Video: Pronouns - Nova Bradford
- Reading: Gender Pronouns
- Reading: Why Pronouns Matter for Trans People
- Video: Importance of Language - Dr. G. Zachariah White
- Reading: Questionable Questions
- Reading: Pronoun Game
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Video: Evolution's Rainbow - Dr. Joan Roughgarden
- Reading: Nature and sex redefined – we have never been binary
- Reading: Between the (Gender) Lines
- Video: "Should research focus on the genetic basis of transgender identities?" - Dr. Brian Rood
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Video: Introduction to Dysphoria and Mental Health - Nova Bradford
- Video: Gender Dysphoria - Dr. Katie Spencer
- Video: History of TGNC People and Mental Illness - Cei Lambert
- Video: Working with Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Populations - Dr. G. Zachariah White
- Reading: American Psychological Association
- Reading: Probing the Complexities of Transgender Mental Health
- Reading: Additional Resources
Graded: Terminology and Language
Graded: Science of Gender
Graded: Science of Gender and Mental Health
WEEK 3
Digital Stories
A collection of first-person narratives exploring the ups and downs of daily life as a transgender or gender nonconforming (TGNC) individual from several points of view.
14 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Introduction to Digital Stories - Nova Bradford
- Video: This is Ben
- Video: This is Leonardo
- Video: This is Paula
- Video: This is Maya
- Video: This is Samwise
- Video: This is CeCe
- Video: This is Anne
- Reading: Transgender Oral History Project
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Video: Our Story as Parents - Chris and Sarah
- Video: Parenting, Family and Divorce - Paula Overby
- Video: This is our family - Ben and Katrina-Marie
- Video: Losing Friends and Keeping Friends - Chris, Sarah and Maya
- Reading: Parenting Non-Binary Kids
- Video: Dating before Transition - Maya
- Video: My Spouse - Ben
WEEK 4
Understanding the Process of Gender Affirmation
Developing a healthy gender is a lifelong process. For individuals that identify as transgender or gender nonconforming, the process of gender affirmation can take many forms as they age from children to older adults.
8 videos, 10 readings
- Video: Introduction to Gender Affirmation - Nova Bradford
- Video: Gender Creative or Expansive Children - Dr. Dianne Berg
- Reading: Supporting Gender Independent Children and Their Families
- Video: Informed Consent and Adolescents - Dr. Dianne Berg
- Video: Gender Affirming Medical Care for Youth - Dr. Eric Meininger
- Reading: The K-12 Binary
- Reading: Additional Resources (Children)
- Reading: Additional Resources (Youth)
- Video: Gender Dysphoria and Gender Affirmation - Dr. Brian Rood
- Video: Medical Transition - Cei Lambert
- Reading: Here’s What Trans People Who Aren’t Medically Transitioning Want You To Know
- Video: Aging and Transgender Populations - Phil Duran
- Reading: Truth and Transgender at 70
- Reading: The Challenge of Being Transgender in a Nursing Home
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Reading: The Why, When, and How of Coming Out
- Video: Coming out to Family - Ben
- Reading: Coming Out Again, 10 Years Later
Graded: Gender Affirmation: Children and Youth
WEEK 5
History and Culture
From advocacy to sports, transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals have made significant contributions to our culture. Learn about the history of prominent TGNC individuals and movements while contributing to the discussion of how these figures (and many others) have been portrayed by the media.
7 videos, 13 readings
- Video: Introduction to Historical Roles, Media and Culture - Nova Bradford
- Video: Black Excellence Tour - CeCe McDonald
- Reading: Transgender History in the United States
- Reading: S.T.A.R
- Video: Brief History of Medical Care - Dr. Katie Spencer
- Video: Personal Interest in History of LGBT Community - Anne
- Reading: Jenner: 40 Years After Gold
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Video: Theater as Therapy - Dr. G. Zachariah White
- Reading: Andrea Jenkins
- Reading: Lee Mokobe
- Reading: Julia Serano
- Reading: Rae Spoon
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Video: Media - Ben
- Video: Trans Visibility - Samwise
- Reading: Transparent
- Reading: Janet Mock - "Revealing Caitlyn Jenner"
- Reading: Sense8
- Reading: Economics and the transgender community
- Discussion Prompt: Visibility of Transgender Populations
Graded: History
WEEK 6
Society and Public Policy in the United States
Anti-transgender policy discussions from "Bathroom Bills" to open participation in the military have been on the forefront of national conversation for the last decade. This module will delve into the disparities that transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals face in society at large from healthcare to incarceration and discrimination.
21 videos, 29 readings
- Video: Introduction to Society and Public Policy in the United States - Nova Bradford
- Reading: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
- Reading: 2015 U.S Transgender Survey
- Video: Discrimination and Bathroom Policies - Dr. Joan Roughgarden
- Video: Employee Benefits and Access to Care - Phil Duran
- Video: Youth, Schools and Legal Issues - Phil Duran
- Video: Legal Barriers and Identity Documents - Phil Duran
- Video: Title IX - Phil Duran
- Video: Insurance and ACA - Samwise
- Video: Policy and Patients - Dr. Eric Meininger
- Reading: Intersectionality Fact Sheet
- Video: Intersectionality - CeCe McDonald
- Reading: It's Incredibly Scary to Be a Transgender Woman of Color Right Now
- Video: Machismo - Dr. Leonaro Candelario
- Video: Puerto Rico and Gender - Dr. Leonardo Candelario
- Reading: Transgender Latina Immigrants in U.S. Societies
- Reading: Being Disabled and Transgender
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Reading: Housing & Homelessness
- Video: Culture Competency and Working with Homeless Transgender Youth - Avenues for Homeless Youth
- Video: Transphobia, Homophobia and Discrimination - Avenues for Homeless Youth
- Reading: "I Can't Keep Living Like This"
- Video: Transphobia - Phil Duran
- Reading: The Transgender Crucible
- Reading: Violence Against the Transgender Community in 2017
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Reading: 'That's my sister': transgender life in jail and on the street
- Video: Prison Industrial Complex - CeCe McDonald
- Reading: CeCe McDonald and A Roadmap for Change
- Reading: Is A Georgia Prison Trying To Cover Up The Rape Of A Transgender Woman?
- Reading: A Grim Reminder: Solitary Confinement is Deadly for Trans Folks
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Video: Introduction to Healthcare Disparities for Transgender Populations - Nova Bradford
- Reading: Transgender Healthcare Equality
- Reading: Transgender People Still Experience Barriers to Healthcare
- Reading: Southern Comfort
- Video: HIV in Transgender Populations - Dr. Brian Rood
- Video: Medical Transition and Mental Health - Samwise
- Video: Out of Pocket Costs - Phil Duran
- Video: Healthcare Disparities for Youth - Dr. Eric Meininger
- Reading: Transgender health care horror stories
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Reading: Being Transgender in the Military - Aaron Belkin
- Reading: Transgender, at War and in Love
- Reading: Transgender National Guard Troops - Minnesota
- Video: Military Experience - Anne
- Reading: Transgender Service Members Can Now Serve Openly, Carter Announces
- Reading: Transgender Military in the United States
- Reading: The VA Just Dealt a Big Blow to Transgender Veterans
- Reading: Additional Resources
Graded: Pop Quiz!
Graded: Legal Policy
Graded: Intersectionality
Graded: Homelessness
Graded: Incareceration
Graded: Transgender Healthcare
Graded: Military Personnel
WEEK 7
Creating Inclusive Spaces
Creating inclusive spaces for transgender populations can be done with positive awareness. From becoming an actionable ally to helping workplace and school transition spaces to promoting transgender awareness and acceptance will bring the inclusiveness all populations and not just those who are different from ourselves.
13 videos, 9 readings
- Video: Introduction to Creating Inclusive Spaces for Trans People - Nova Bradford
- Video: Being an Ally and Advocate - Dr. Katie Spencer
- Reading: Supporting the Transgender People in Your Life: A Guide to Being a Good Ally
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Video: Transition in the Workplace - Ben
- Video: Transition in the Workplace - Paula Overby
- Reading: Transgender Visibility in the Workplace
- Reading: At Work in Two Genders
- Reading: Trans Toolkit for Employers
- Video: Gender Inclusive Spaces in Schools - Phil Duran
- Reading: Gender Inclusive Schools Toolkit
- Video: Host Home Experience - Avenues for Homeless Youth
- Video: Inclusive Spaces for Homeless Transgender Youth - Avenues for Homeless Youth
- Video: Inclusive Clinics - Samwise
- Reading: 10 Things: Creating Inclusive Healthcare Environments for LGBT People
- Video: Public Inclusive Spaces - Cei Lambert
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Video: Looking Forward - Paula Overby
- Video: TGNC Rights - Phil Duran
- Video: Thinking Outside the Box - Avenues for Homeless Youth
- Video: Uplifting Others - CeCe McDonald
- Reading: Post-Assessment
Graded: Allydom
Graded: Gender in the Workplace
Graded: Inclusive Spaces
Graded: Creating Inclusive Spaces and Enviroments
FAQs
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Coursework
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Creators
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
Ratings and Reviews
Thank you so much to all persons, professor, students, family, groups, transgender and non conforming people like me, for this great oppurtunity! A lot of information and sources. I would like all people to attend this course! Thank you.
Eu amei!
Amazing course, the best online one that i have seen, as a brazilian trans man i feel very happy with great information been teached like that.
Adorei este curso pelo olhar amplo e por tantas informações técnicas, depoimentos e abordagem variada.
Muito importante para ampliar nosso olhar para os transgêneros, tema que geralmente desconhecemos na profundidade .
I loved this course due to the wide seeing and due to so many information, testimonies and its diverse approach.
It is very important to extend our view to transgender people, which we usually ignore .
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R
This course was amazingly informative. I have learned many new thoughts and ideologies. This new understanding will help me to help my students feel a sense of belonging, inclusion and understanding.