Mar 29, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

SOC 371 - Sociology of Human Sexuality


This course explores the social construction of sexual ignorance and the social accomplishment of sexual repression. Sociologically we will address how conventional sex education reinforces sexual ignorance and how, even in this most private and intimate of spheres, the fingers of society are relentlessly present. It addresses our sexual socialization and our current schizophrenic culture of puritanism and pornography. Simultaneously we will attempt to promote greater realism, greater skillfulness and greater literacy regarding our lives as sexual beings, as gendered beings and as romantic beings. One of our guiding ‘mantras’ will be, “It’s a lot easier to have sex than it is to talk about it.” We will inquire into the barriers to sexual communication and also promote cross-gender understanding and appreciation. We will explore the distinction between conditioned, habitual sexuality and conscious sexuality. We will examine the achievement of intimacy, the labor of romance and relationship, and the spiritual aspects of eroticism. (Offered every semester.) 3 credits