Sexually speaking

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies will begin the new-year by launching a lecture series focusing on sexuality, scheduled for January 12.

The first of the speakers to be invited to Carleton is Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Dr. Ruth, a psychosexual therapist, is renowned for the forthright manner in which she discusses sexual behaviour.

In addition to providing thought-provoking speakers, the IIS 2006 Lecture Series is also intended to raise both visibility and support for a longer-term goal – the creation of a sexuality studies minor.

Currently the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies offers a fourth-year course, Sexuality Studies that examines the subject matter from an historical, psychological and gender perspective. Other B.A. programs offer courses that focus on sexuality from a variety of perspectives, however there are dispersed among a number of departments with in PAM and FASS.

Among the faculty responsible for the courses are Pauline Rankin, director of Canadian Studies, Katherine Arnup, director of IIS, Jodie Medd and Barbara Leckie, professors in the Department of English, Jennifer Evans, professor in the Department of History, as well as researchers from the Department of Law, Schools of Social Work and Journalism and Communication. They also comprise a committee that is spearheading what they hope will become a minor in sexuality studies.

In the interim, Arnup and her colleagues are planning a series of events, of which Sexually Speaking with Dr. Ruth is one, to heighten awareness.

Candis Steenbergen, faculty at Concordia University is the next speaker in the IIS Lecture Series scheduled for Friday, March 3, 2006.