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Continuing Professional Development: MSc Programme Modules (London-based)

SEXUAL HEALTH (1804)

ORGANISERS: Martine Collumbien, Professor Kaye Wellings

22 February – 23 March 2012 (Wednesdays 2pm to Fridays 5pm)


AIM
To acquaint students with the theoretical and empirical aspects of the study of sexual health, and their application to public health practice.


OBJECTIVES
By the end of the module students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate understanding of social influences on sexual behaviour and their implications;
  2. take account of specific issues relating for the classification and measurement of sexual attitudes and behaviour, including political, ethical and research issues;
  3. appraise a range of interventions designed to improve sexual health, including broad spectrum and community based approaches.


CONSTITUENCY
This module is intended to introduce students to issues involved in working in the area of sexual health, whether as researchers, practitioners or evaluators.


CONCEPTUAL OUTLINE

  1. The nature of sexual behaviour: theoretical and empirical issues: definitions of normal, diversity and conformity, and implications for sexual health.  The regulation of sexual conduct.
  2. Historical and anthropological approaches to the study of sexual behaviour (i.e. variations through time and across societies).  Trends in sexual mores and their implications for public health.  Influences on sexual attitudes and lifestyles - psychological, biological, cultural, religious, political, technological, etc.
  3. Political aspects of sexual health; treatment of sexual issues in society,  implications of stigma, sensitivities and taboos for practice of sexual health medicine and provision of services.  Communication about sexual matters.  Gender issues in sexual health.
  4. Researching sexual behaviour: pitfalls and possibilities; appropriate and inappropriate methodologies; examples of qualitative and quantitative research.
  5. Public health priorities in sexual health.  Designing, executing and assessing sexual health interventions.


TEACHING STRATEGY
Formal lectures will be interspersed with practical group work.


LEARNING TIME
The module is made up of 150 Notional Learning Hours – 30 hours contact time, 35 hours directed self-study, 35 hours self-directed learning, and 50 hours assessment, review and revision.


ASSESSMENT
Formal assessment will be by a timed test on the last day of the module, or alternatively a written assignment on the social influences on sexual behaviour and their implications for sexual health.

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