Psychology 134 -- Grossmont College -- Human Sexuality

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Explicitness

Please tell me...

...if you find something offensive! This will let me explain its use in the course and help me determine its appropriateness for the future.

Sexually explicit and/or offensive materials

This is a course in human sexuality. During the course we will view several films and other materials which will contain a fair amount of nudity and sexually explicit content. Verrrrrry occasionally there will be other items (footage of a live birth; a close-up of a medicinal leech; etc.) which may offend some people.

Because this is an online course, you will be viewing these materials in the privacy of your own home or chosen environment. Whether you actually look at such materials is, obviously, not something which can be monitored. I would suggest that if you are troubled or offended by anything, just close your eyes if you wish to avoid exposure to such stimuli. But you should watch as much of the item as you feel comfortable doing. Typically there is a reason why I included it, and understanding the main point of the item as a whole will help you understand that.

For example, the ending of the “Paul and Frank” video (chapter 11) is rather strong. It’s quite a surprise, and most people find it extremely funny (and often vote it the most popular video in the semester). It’s not going to give anyone a heart attack, but some people might find it a bit offensive. You don’t have to watch the ending if you don’t want to, but you should watch the video as a whole in order to understand why I am including it in the course. I would not ask you about that ending on an exam, but I might ask you about the rest of the video. Even though the people who made “Paul and Frank” made it to be humorous, I did include it in the course for a non-humorous reason.