Sex & Shame

This course will explore ways to break cycles of sexual shame and strategies for leading sexually healthy lives that embrace sex, sexuality, gender, bodies, pleasure, and desire. Emphasis will be placed on the nexus between shame liberation, LGBTQ+ issues, reproductive rights, gender equity, and sexual health. Using a seminar format, we will discuss readings and other course materials to explore how shame manifests itself around sex, then examine how that shame is intertwined and perpetuated within our history, laws, religion, media, education system, and society. We will explore methods for ending shame cycles in order to find liberation and affirmation. Books, articles, podcasts, art and films will aid exploration of course topics. Peer to peer dialogue will ensure engagement and knowledge sharing. The course will include small projects that correspond with each week's topic. For the final project students will create a shame liberating project that addresses a topic we covered in the course. After presenting the project to the class, students will find ways to share their project with their community outside of class.