1006029 - Critical Approaches to Sexuality
Course Description
Explore a variety of perspectives on sexuality across the lifespan from mainstream and alternative sexualities in childhood and adolescence to adulthood and senior years. You will be introduced to theory, research, and clinical interventions that will prepare you to engage with diverse clients in a thoughtful manner.
Note: The content covered in this course may be challenging at times and involve exposure to sexually explicit materials, either in readings, video, online materials and/or class discussions. As sexuality often intersects with violence in most cultures, sexually violent and disturbing materials may also be covered as required to appropriately teach course content. You are expected to interact with the material in a mature manner, to engage in practices that allow you to care for yourselves as needed, and to seek support from the instructor if distressed.
This course is designed for counsellors, therapists, social workers, mental health workers, and pastoral care/faith-based and other practitioners seeking to build or enhance their practical skills and theoretical foundation in couple and family therapy, as well as those exploring therapy as a career.
This course is typically recognized by CAMFT and AAMFT as a human development course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Examine multiple theoretical perspectives on diverse human sexualities across the lifespan, analyzing the impact of political, religious, cultural, familial, biological, and social forces
- Critique and challenge assumptions about human sexualities
- Identify central issues about sexuality in theory and research and explain the application to therapeutic conversations about intimacy, sex, and sexuality
- Analyze how one’s social locations, values, beliefs, and experiences regarding sexuality shape one’s professional identity and work with clients
- Demonstrate sensitivity to issues of power, privilege, and marginalization in the social construction of genders and sexualities and the interconnections of these to other dimensions of social location such as ethnicity, race, class, ability, and age
- Address issues of sexual diversity, marginalization, discrimination, and abuse in therapy with clients
Course Topics
- Gendered and Transgendered Identities
- #MeToo and #TimesUp Movements
- Queer Sexualities
- BDSM
- Polyamory
- Infidelities
- Sexual Violence
- Sexuality in Seniors' Residences
Additional Requirements
- As well as the in-class instruction, you can expect to spend approximately five to ten hours per week on course readings, activities, and/or assignments.
- Course assignments are completed up to four weeks following the final day of the course.
Assessment
| Assessment Item | Weight |
|---|---|
| Questions About Readings | 45% |
| Dialogue of Diversity | 55% |
| Total | 100% |
Please note that the course assessment is subject to change.
Sponsoring Partner
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
Technical Requirements
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*Course details are subject to change.