Um Drops Class On Gay Literature Not Enough Students Signed Up For The Course, Dean Says

Citing a lack of interest among students, the University of Montana has canceled a planned class on gay literature.

Only five people signed up for the course; at least 16 were required.

“This is a self-supporting class,” said Sharon Alexander, dean of UM’s Center for Continuing Education. “We had to bring in enough money to pay for the instructor and marketing of the class. With only five students, we’re not even close.”

Controversy flared earlier this month when Sen. Daryl Toews, R-Lustre, complained about the university’s decision to offer the course, “Queer Stories: Literature of Sexual Differences.”

According to a course description, the three-credit course would examine “literature by and about gay males, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals ….”

Toews said offering the class could jeopardize legislative support for higher education. He is chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

UM President George Dennison defended the offering, saying the university must offer a curriculum to broaden understanding on a wide range of issues, and a class examining homosexuality as a theme in literature is appropriate.

The class is offered to educate students, not to convert them, Dennison said.

Alexander said the decision to cancel the class had nothing to do with Toews’ complaints.

“For us, it was simply a business decision,” Alexander said.

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THE COURSE The three-credit course, “Queer Stories: Literature of Sexual Differences,” was to examine “literature by and about gay males, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals.”