catholicsphere

DePaul University has begun offering a minor in Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender and Queer Studies.

College student Eric Oliver sits in the classroom’s front row, ready to learn about Italian poet Dante and Catholic theologian St. Thomas Aquinas and their views on morality and sin.

But this isn’t a religion, philosophy or literature class. It’s an introductory course in queer studies, and for the next 90 minutes, Oliver and his classmates study the history of same-sex desire, the biology of gender identity and government reactions to homosexual behavior. It is no longer remarkable that the subjects are taught, but on this day, it is notable where the discussion is taking place.

The classroom is on the campus of DePaul University, the country’s largest Catholic university and, it is believed, the first Catholic school to offer an undergraduate minor in queer studies. The minor became available in January.

Perhaps it is true that there should at least be some education in the issues, since they are at the forefront of the issues being addressed in America. However, at a Catholic university in particular, the issue needs to be handled in line with Catholic teaching. Examination of the issues is important, so long as Catholic doctrine is taken into account. I would agree with any who say that college is about study, but it must take on the topic fairly. Obviously, there isn’t a neutrality because public opinion and “social norms” are not the only standard. There is also the “God standard”, which should underlie such study at a Catholic university. So long as DePaul does this, I don’t see the harm … particularly since it should serve to reaffirm the Church’s teaching, and equip students to properly discuss these issues in society.