A new core exploration course titled “The Biology of Sex and SEX” will be offered this spring.
The class, co-taught by biology faculty Susan Murray and Glenna Clifton, will explore sex’s role in biology across different environments, tracking how it evolved and examining its part in society.
“We’re determined to prepare people to have a really deep, multifaceted understanding of what sex is,” Clifton said.
Murray says homework for the course will be “non-traditional,” with podcasts and “unexpected” readings assigned.
Students can also expect a discussion-based class with occasional lectures. Some classes will include guest lectures from UP professors in gender, women and sexuality studies, history and psychology, along with speakers outside of UP from areas of public health, according to Clifton.
Biology Associate Professor Susan Murray and biology Assistant Professor Glenna Clifton smile and laugh while standing behind potential course textbooks and male and female anatomy models in the UP AMP Lab on Nov. 12.
Clifton says the course was created from her observation that students come to UP with a diversity of perspectives on sex.
“Our students come from so many different backgrounds and may not have had exposure to discussions about what sex is and how it interacts and intersects with their life,” Clifton said.
Clifton and Murray say they are aiming to provide a non-judgmental space to explore the difference between sex and gender, how sex evolved, understanding sex as intercourse and more.
Clifton says there are no limits to the class’s topics and even suggested including a content warning.
To create a diverse environment for discussing these topics, the pair are looking for “anyone from any walk of life” to take this class, according to Clifton.
“From when [the students] leave this class, the word sex will have a totally different connotation and meaning for them,” Clifton said.
Darcy Boss is a news reporter at The Beacon. She can be reached at boss29@up.edu.
