The University of Central Arkansas has introduced a new interdisciplinary course titled “Queer Childhoods” within its English department. The course, described in the catalog as writing-intensive and thematic, invites students to engage with scholarly arguments and produce analytical papers drawing from multiple disciplines.
The instructor, Visiting Assistant Professor Christine Case, earned her Ph.D. in critical and cultural studies and specializes in children’s and young adult literature. Her dissertation explored “Composite Bodies: Race, Gender, and Dis/ability in Fairy Tale Performance,” signalling her scholarly interest in how fairy tale traditions intersect with race, gender and identity.
According to university officials, the course underwent review as part of a broader audit of more than 3,000 offerings to ensure compliance with state educational standards in Arkansas. The school confirmed that no formal complaints have been filed regarding the class, and emphasized its commitment to rigorous education and academic freedom.