Our strategic aim for this programme is to provide the first Irish Level 9, taught programme in Sexuality and Sexual Health Education. The objectives are to:
- Train a generation of educators in sexuality and sexual health
- Elaborate on sexuality-related literary, artistic and cultural discourses
- Advocate for the implementation and where necessary the creation of social policy on sexuality, sexual health education, and sexual education promotion in relation to human rights that shape social justice and diversity
For these reasons, the aims of this programme are to enable students to:
- Develop knowledge regarding the working and diversity of sexuality, sexual identities, gender identities, sexual orientation and formation of sexual cultures
- Engage in socio-political and ethical debates regarding the interaction of cultural, health, historical, and social influences with human sexuality, at personal and societal levels
- Provide a challenging environment where initiative and creativity will be fostered and where students will be encouraged to share experiences and learn from each other
- Equip students with the skills and sexual literacy to devise and implement work related strategies
- Develop in students the necessary competencies to measure and evaluate sexuality and sexual health education related initiatives
- Emphasise in its content and delivery the need to exercise critical judgement in order to select relevant sexual health promotion tools
- Develop negotiating skills to give participants the confidence to promote solutions in the sexuality and sexual health environment
- Develop lifelong learning skills
This one-year, part-time, dual delivery programme begins in September, and comprises three core modules. The course is currently offered fully online.
The subjects currently taught on this course:
Language, Sexuality and Culture
Topics include: Socialisation process; History and theories underpinning sexuality studies; Intellectual disability: Heterosexuality; History of Irish sexuality; Social institutions; Language, media and communications; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQI); Power and intimacy
Sexual Health and Sexual Health Promotion
Topics include: Perspectives on sexual health e.g. bio-medical, behavioural and social; Health promotion theory; Safer sex; Contraception; Impact of sexuality on sexual health; Communicating about sexual health and methods of promoting sexual health
Pedagogy and Sexual Health
Topics include: Theoretical perspectives on teaching and learning; Theories of learning; Lesson plan development; Facilitating teaching sessions creatively and RSE policy development
