Teaching Human Sexuality

The teaching of human sexuality at the college and university levels usually falls to the psychology and/or sociology faculty. The class is most often offered at the lower division level and usually as an elective. Most human sexuality texts, and therefore classes, tend to focus on the following topics: history of human sexuality, human sex research, sexual anatomy, gender, sexual orientation, contraception, pregnancy and pregnancy options, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual behaviors, and sexual coercion. When teaching human sexuality, there are many obstacles and considerations that need to be addressed in order to be an effective instructor. This entry reviews those considerations, which include the knowledge level of the students, instructor qualifications, and controversial topics that may be discussed.