Everyone has been really interested in having the curriculum or at least an outline of what I am teaching for my classes. I was not sure at first how best to do this, but I have put together an outline of the topics for each week of class and I am happy to share them here and now.
Class One — Who Am I? This class will cover: Gender vs. Sex, Gender Expression, Gender Roles, Relationships (of all kinds, romantic & non-romantic), Body Image, Sexual Orientation, and Personal Values.
1.) Who Am I? — Social Group Profiles 2.) Gender Expression & Gender vs. Sex — What is the difference & how do we express it? 3.) Gender Roles — Gender Roles Case Studies 4.) Gender Stereotype BINGO 5.) The Girl with No Name — understanding & empathising with Transgender people 6.) Sexual Orientation — It is not just about being “gay” or “straight” 7.) Relationships — All of the kinds of relationships in our lives. 8.) Body Image — How we feel about our bodies shapes how we express our gender, sexual orientation, and how we make decisions about our sexuality. 9.) Personal Values — What is “right” & important to us? 10.) Open Forum — Your questions about gender, sexual orientation, & other topics from this class get answered.
Class Two — Sex & Sexuality This class will cover: Sexuality Throughout Life, Sex vs. Sexuality, What is Sex?, Reproductive & Sexual Anatomy, Basic Reproduction, and Myths, Facts, Feelings, & Values About Sex.
1.) Sex vs. Sexuality — What’s the difference & what are the Circles of Sexuality? 2.) Sexual Development Through the Life Cycle 3.) What is Sex? — What it is and isn’t. 4.) Myths & Facts About Sex — They told you what? 5.) Reproductive & Sexual Anatomy (Female) 6.) Reproductive & Sexual Anatomy (Male & Intersex) 7.) Basic Reproduction — How are babies made? 8.) Masturbation — What it is, why we do it, & why some people think it is wrong. 9.) Feelings & Values About Sex — How do you feel about it? 10.) Open Forum — Your questions about sex, reproduction, & other topics from this class get answered.
Class Three — Sexual Health This class would explore Reproductive Health, Contraception, STDs/STIs (including HIV/AIDS), Consent, and Sexual Abuse, Assault, Violence, & Harassment.
1.) Reproductive Organ Review (male, female, & intersex) 2.) Contraception – various forms & how they are used 3.) Sexually Transmitted Infections – symptoms & treatments 4.) HIV/AIDS – symptoms, treatments, long term care, & disease history 5.) Abortion – scientific explanation & cultural perspective 6.) Consent & Sex – communicating with sexual partners 7.) Sexual Abuse & Rape – seeking medical/legal care & victim survivor support 8.) Sexual Harassment – dealing with it & how to report it 9.) General Sexual Health – seeing the doctor, visiting a clinic, & getting important tests 10.) Open Forum – your questions about sexual health & other topics from this class get answered
Class Four — Pregnancy & Perinatal Care This class will explore Menstruation, Cycle Charting/Fertility Awareness, Getting Care When Pregnant, Choice in Care Providers & Places of Birth, Childbirth & Breastfeeding Basics, and Postpartum Recovery & Transitioning into Parenthood.
1.) Menstruation – function & cultural perspectives 2.) Cycle Charting/Fertility Awareness – how to chart a menstruation cycle to stay healthy & avoid/achieve pregnancy 3.) Pregnant: Now What? – how, when, where, & why to get prenatal care 4.) Choices: Care Providers & Place of Birth – who to see for care & where to give birth 5.) Childbirth – normal physiological childbirth & variations (twins & breech) 6.) Postpartum Recovery – physical, mental, & emotional recovery & care after giving birth 7.) Breastfeeding – basics in newborn/infant feeding & care for breasts while breastfeeding 8.) Parenthood – transitioning into parenthood (singled & partnered parenthood) 9.) Adoption – what happens when you make the decision to put a baby up for adoption 10.) Open Forum – your questions about menstruation, pregnancy, birth, & other topics from this class get answered
Class Five — Sex, Society, & Culture This class will explore Sexuality and Society, Sex & Body Politics, and Sexuality in Law, Religion, Media, and Art (yes, including Erotica/Pornography).
1.) Sex & Society – a look at sex in America & Western Societies at large 2.) Body Politics – practices/policies used by institutions, government, & society to regulate human body & bodily autonomy 3.) Sex & The Law – a look at legislation & sex in America (age of consent, prostitution, etc.) 4.) Sex & Religion – perspectives on sex from Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, & Christianity 5.) Sex in the Media – from marketing to movies to teen magazines 6.) Sex in Ancient Art – how sex & sexuality were depicted in ancient art 7.) Sex in Modern Art – how modern artists depict sex & sexuality in their work 8.) Erotica & Pornography – from ancient times to modern times & it’s appeal 9.) Sex Around the World – a global perspective on sex & sexuality 10.) Open Forum – your questions about the topics featured in this class get answered
Class Six — Queer Sex & Sexuality This class will explore Queer Sex & Relationships, The Queer Community, Coming Out, Support Networks/Organisations, Transphobia & Trans* Issues, and Self-Care in Hostile/Non-tolerant Families/Communities.
1.) Queer Culture – a look at what it is like to be queer in a heteronormative America 2.) Coming Out – how/when to tell friends, family, church, & co-workers you are not “straight” 3.) Queer Teens – navigating relationships during the teen years 4.) Queer Support – where to go & who to call on for support when it’s needed the most 5.) Phobias – queer & trans* phobia & exclusion and how to deal with it 6.) Self-care – tips to keeping yourself safe, healthy, & sane when your environment is not 7.) Queering Sex – how do queers have safe & satisfying sex? 8.) Queering The Law – legislation that effects queers & their families 9.) Queering Religion – you do not have to be “straight” to be religious or spiritual 10.) Open Forum – your questions about queer sex & sexuality get answered
—–
The last two classes are not essential to a sex & sexuality course, but they do have a certain humanities & culture + health combination that I find intriguing as an adult and would have loved to have been exposed to as a young person. I am thinking that I may combine classes 1-3 and then offer classes 4, 5, & 6 as stand alone supplemental classes for those who are interested in them.
—–
And there you have it. That is what I am up to and how I found myself teaching sex & sexuality education.
#sexeducation #sexandsexuality #teens #teensandsex #safersex #transinclusive #bodypositive #sexpositive #lgbtq #sexeducationteacher
If you liked this post or found this post informational or useful, please share it. If you want to recognise my labour and support me in creating future posts like this one, please leave me a tip.