SOC 371 - Sociology of Human Sexuality

This course explores the social construction of sexual ignorance and the social accomplishment of sexual repression. Sociologically students 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 human sexual socialization and the current schizophrenic culture of puritanism and pornography. Simultaneously students will attempt to promote greater realism, greater skillfulness and greater literacy regarding their lives as sexual beings, as gendered beings and as romantic beings. One of the guiding ‘mantras’ will be, “It’s a lot easier to have sex than it is to talk about it.” Students will inquire into the barriers to sexual communication and also promote cross-gender understanding and appreciation. The distinction between conditioned, habitual sexuality and conscious sexuality will be explored and the achievement of intimacy, the labor of romance and relationship, and the spiritual aspects of eroticism will be examined. Letter grade. (Offered as needed.) 3 credits