Cross Listed with CIMS 0001, GSWS 0001. FULFILLS SECTORS OF KNOWLEDGE 1: SOCIETY
Instructor: Sarah Kelly (she/her) skelly@sas.upenn.edu. Office hours: Wednesdays, 11:45-12:45 and by appointment. Teaching Assistant: Emma Watts ewatts@sas.upenn.edu
A note: This course is designed to follow the National Sexuality Education Standards and the CDC Sexual Health Education Standards. The syllabus is based on the University of Michigan’s Sexual Education curriculum within its School of Social Work and the following University of Pennsylvania courses: Trauma Porn To Title IX: 50 Years Of Anti-Violence Activism At Penn, Intro to Trans Studies, and Intro to Sexuality Studies.
Welcome to SEX TALKS, your comprehensive guide to understanding and navigating the intricate landscape of human sexuality. In this course, we embark on a journey of discovery, dialogue, and empowerment as we delve into the myriad aspects of sexual health, relationships, and identity. Sex education is not just about biology; it encompasses a rich tapestry of topics ranging from consent and communication to pleasure and sexual diversity. Our aim is to foster a safe, inclusive environment where questions are encouraged, myths are dispelled, and everyone can develop a deeper understanding of sex and sexuality.
“It’s a story that we hear day in and day out: “My sex ed was atrocious — we saw a pregnancy video and then they told us not to have sex!” or “A speaker came to our class and told us we’d be like ‘chewed up gum’ if we ever had sex…” and even worse still, “I never had sex ed. Everything I learned, I learned from the internet” (Sex Ed For Social Change).
Unfortunately, this is the stark reality confronting millions of young individuals nationwide. Based on data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fewer than 40 percent of high schools and less than 1 in 6 middle schools in the United States provide instruction on all 19 essential sexual health education topics identified by the CDC (Sex Ed For Social Change). Thus, to no surprise, many students come to colleges, a time of sexual exploration, with little to no comprehensive sex-education. This course, the first of its kind at the University of Pennsylvania aims to reverse this. Students will engage in an exploration of diverse perspectives, evidence-based information, and practical strategies to both learn and adopt healthy sexual practices. Students will also have access to the numerous resources on Penn’s campus as they navigate their time at Penn beyond this course. Our hope is that you leave this course with the expertise to make informed decisions about your sexual health and relationships.
– Professor Kelly
Link to Modules: this will provide a detailed description of course readings and in class activities throughout the semester.
Trauma Porn to Title IX: Gender Based Violence at Penn 