Associate Professor and Chair of Social Sciences Tonia Salvini says her Human Sexuality class busts a lot of myths college students still have about sex.
“An open dialogue is important,” she said. “Each class takes on a different personality. If there are specific things the class wants to talk about, we focus on that.”
Salvini thinks the topic of sex is often ‘skirted around’ because people don’t know how to talk about it.
“It’s something the school system and communities need to emphasize,” she said. “There’s no information out there. It needs to start in adolescence and continue through young adulthood. This education could affect students for the rest of their lives.”
Senior Jill Francis thinks students enroll in Human Sexuality for different reasons.
“I think the younger students choose to enroll in the class because they have a lot of questions,” Francis said. “The older students seem to look for the more scientific answers of why things happen. I think it’s a good self discovery class. I’m learning a lot from it.”
Sophomore Cristina Uribe is enrolled in the class because she knew it would be interesting.
“It’s a beneficial class because people need to be aware of what they are doing,” she said.
The first project in Human Sexuality requires students make the male and female anatomy out of food. This project includes labeling and describing each part. It must be made of 90 percent food or recycled materials. Students in the class choose teams and also work together on a presentation to go along with their project.
“A good way to break the ice is to go through these exercises,” Salvini said.
Francis agrees that it is a good ice breaker that helps aid discussion in class.
“People were more willing to talk after this project,” Francis said. “I like it because it’s a fun and interesting way to explain anatomy. People get really creative.”
Salvini says she teaches Human Sexuality from an interdisciplinary inclusive view.
“We talk a lot about obstacles and barriers like sexual assault, rape and unintended pregnancy,” Salvini said.
Francis thinks Salvini makes this class a memorable one.
“Salvini is really interactive in class,” she said. “It makes students more relaxed and willing to talk.”