Think for a moment about your goals for taking this course. Are you here because you want to learn more about sex? Could it be that you’ve had a less-than-ideal sex life so far and you want to improve it? Is it because you want to learn to be a good lover? Students come to sexuality courses for a variety of different reasons. What are your reasons? Like you, instructors have goals for this course. They want you to:
• develop a broad and accurate knowledge base about sexuality
• be willing to examine your own beliefs, assumptions, and opinions, and compare and contrast them to relevant facts using a critical thinking paradigm
• understand the various influences on the development of your sexual knowledge, attitudes, relationships, and behaviors
• have a clear understanding of society’s attempts to regulate your sexuality
• identify trends and changes that have influenced your sexual attitudes and values
• understand the biological basis and the complex political, media-related, and ethical issues of sexuality
• become more comfortable talking about sex
As you go through this semester, keep these goals in mind to help you understand the rationale for some of the activities, lectures, guest speakers, and videos you’ll see.