HLPE2541 Sexualities and Sexual Health

This topic introduces students to the concepts of sex, gender, and sexuality and how they relate to contemporary sexual education and sexual health promotion. This topic will critically examine the notions of sex, gender, and sexuality with a particular interest in how embedded interests and power systems may influence the ability of particular social groups - including Indigenous peoples, GLBTQ peoples, and disabled peoples - to access relevant and appropriate sexual health education and promotion. Students will develop and present their own health education/health promotion program related to a contemporary issue in sexual health and well-being.

This topic aims to:

• Examine the notions of sex, gender, and sexualities as social constructions embedded in time and place
• Examine current best practice in sexuality education, and relevant policy documents related to sexuality education in South Australian schools
• Assist students in clarifying their values and educational philosophy with regards to issues related to sexual health
• Examine the status of sexual health in Australia and examine current strategies and programming in sexual health promotion both in Australia and internationally
• Examine the diverse sexual health needs of historically silenced peoples

1. Critically analyse policy documents, media, and peer-reviewed literature with regard to issues of sex, gender and sexualities
2. Differentiate and describe the concepts sex, gender, and sexualities and their relationship to individual and public health
3. Apply best educational practice in the presentation of concepts related to sexual health
4. Apply principles of social justice and equity to health education and health promotion programming in the field of sexual health