top ten reasons to attend the NSRC Summer Institute!

In past summers, we've had participants attend our annual Summer Institute from just about every state in the U.S. and from a number of countries around the globe. And every year, we hear all sorts of stories about why they decided to attend, and we hear even more stories about what they got out of the experience once they've returned to their homes.  We decided to put together a compilation of the top ten reasons you should consider attending this year's Summer Institute on Race, Gender, and Sexuality in the United States.   

10. Spend a month in San Francisco! Often touted as one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S., San Francisco is a cosmopolitan city with never a dull moment.  From the world-class restaurants, incredible museums, eclectic and diverse neighborhoods, walking tours, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, Golden Gate Park (and all the smaller parks throughout the city!), lectures, screenings, and the infamous club and nightlife scene, you'll never have a hard time finding something to do anytime of day or week.

9. If you do find yourself bored with life in the City, the rest of the Bay Area will surely have plenty to offer to keep you occupied.  Scout a tech job in Silicon Valley. Don your swimsuit (or less) on one of the dozen or so beaches.  Take a tour and then a tasting at one of the wineries in Napa Valley or Sonoma County. Or take the ferry or BART over to the East Bay where you'll find hundreds of more cultural and artistic happenings.

8. The Castro is probably one of the most well known neighborhoods in SF, and it is the gay capitol of the universe.  There are bars, shops, and restaurants catering to the LGBT crowd (with a sizeable number of hetero folks in the mix).  Or you can wander over to The Mission to shop at one of the locally-owned, independent stores or grab a burrito with all the hipsters at one of the dozens of taquerias in the area.  Or maybe you're looking for something a little more Janice Joplin and Grateful Dead, then head over to The Upper Haight to buy some incense and tie-died t-shirts. 

7. Yeah, so you came to study about sex and sexuality.  You'll probably want to do some "research" in some of the incredible clubs and shops that cater to all of your sexual and fantasy needs.  If you can dream it up, you can find it in San Francisco. I suggest making a trip to the Center for Sex and Culture to ask Carol Queen what she recommends. 

6. While you're out researching, you might come across the Vibrator Museum on Polk Street.  It is just one of the many examples of the unique sexual history that makes San Francisco such a great city for studying sexuality.  Summer Institute participants will get the opportunity to participate in several walking tours where you'll learn about some of the more interesting historical facts about the City by the Bay.

5. You may have heard that San Francisco has a few gay and lesbian residents, but to be more accurate, you'd have to say that it has the highest concentration of LGBTQ folks in the U.S. In 2009, the Summer Institute coincides with the annual Pride Celebrations (and this is the mother of all pride celebrations - don't tell NYC).  You won't want to miss the main parade and festival at the Civic Center or the many parties, lectures, demonstrations, you name it, taking place the last week of June. 

4. Another annual event during Pride is the Frameline International LGBT Film Festival! This year, Summer Institute participants will receive passes to attend a limited number of screenings.

3. Have lunch with luminaries in the field of sexuality studies.  This year, we're excited to have Cathy Cohen, Lisa Diamond, Hector Carrillo, along with a number of other leaders in the field giving lectures, facilitating seminars and workshops, and, yes, having lunch with participants.

2. Year after year, one of the things that we hear was the very most important thing for some people was getting to meet other like-minded individuals who share their interest in sexuality.  We know it can be lonely out there and can sometimes feel as though the world is against you.  At the Summer Institute, you'll find peers, faculty, and staff who support and encourage your work.  You'll make connections and friendships that will last a lifetime!

1. Most importantly, by attending the 2009 Summer Institute on Race, Gender and Sexuality in the United States, you'll get high-quality training in sexuality research and education from some of the leading scholars in the field through San Francisco State University's Department of Sexuality Studies, the only one of its kind in the country. We offer graduate and undergraduate courses in healthy sexuality, history, theories, and research methods, as well as some great electives in creative writing, popular culture, film making, and global issues as they pertain to sex and sexuality in the United States. 

APPLY NOW!

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 1 WITHOUT A LATE FEE!(U.S. residents only)