The Proseminar in Homophile Studies, one of the first courses in the United States about homosexuality, was held in the fall semester of 1970. It was taught at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln by professor Louis Crompton and others. The class was interdisciplinary, and used elements of the social sciences and the humanities.
The course was controversial; criticism was leveled at it before the semester began. It drew intense political scrutiny but attempts in the state legislature to restrict it and similar classes failed. The course was offered for only one semester but Crompton, his associates, and other faculty later devised related classes about homosexuality—including one about lesbian novelists. Course instructor James Cole later won recognition for defending the course to the legislature; he said academic freedom remained in jeopardy 20 years later. The university commemorated the 50th anniversary of the course throughout 2021 and 2022.