Dear readers
January is a low month for many academics and university departments, but not for the sex team!
We have been busy getting in touch with our students and making sure they all have their program for the year well planned.
We are also working on the Web CT sites - which have to be ready by the end of January.
In addition we are developing a Web CT "Mentors" site and getting a heap of research organised for 2008!
My dear program manager Lata Britto is a pillor of patience, and my colleagues Russell Shuttleworth and Gomathi Sitharthan so tolerant of my rantings and ravings....
I plan a 2 week holiday in February - so if any of you readers are in the wonderful land of the long white cloud, the Kiwi, the Haka and the Allblacks and want to talk - let me know.
Take care till we meet again
Patricia
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Looking forward to an exciting new year
Hello all and welcome to my first message for 2008.
I believe 2008 will be an exciting one for the Graduate Program in Sexual Health.
Why do I feel that way?
Firstly we have >30 students starting this semester in the coursework program. We are all thrilled at the diversity of their backgrounds both professionally and geographically. The on-line discussions and chats are going to be very interesting indeed. I can't wait for the 3rd March.
Secondly, this year (for the first time) we are setting up a mentoring system for new students. Our alumni and senior students have been very generous in signing up to be mentors. Bless you all......we need a few more - so if any of you are reading this blog, please contact me.
Finally this is promising to be a very productive year in terms of research. We have a couple of very interesting international initiatives happening. Also our students are doing some really good on-line research.
Check out:
http://www.usyd.edu.au/sexualhealth/online/index.shtml
I will keep you posted on our other research activities during 2008.
Keep well and happy
Patricia
I believe 2008 will be an exciting one for the Graduate Program in Sexual Health.
Why do I feel that way?
Firstly we have >30 students starting this semester in the coursework program. We are all thrilled at the diversity of their backgrounds both professionally and geographically. The on-line discussions and chats are going to be very interesting indeed. I can't wait for the 3rd March.
Secondly, this year (for the first time) we are setting up a mentoring system for new students. Our alumni and senior students have been very generous in signing up to be mentors. Bless you all......we need a few more - so if any of you are reading this blog, please contact me.
Finally this is promising to be a very productive year in terms of research. We have a couple of very interesting international initiatives happening. Also our students are doing some really good on-line research.
Check out:
http://www.usyd.edu.au/sexualhealth/online/index.shtml
I will keep you posted on our other research activities during 2008.
Keep well and happy
Patricia
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Open Access Information on Sexology
Professor Erwin J. Haeberle has produced an excellent open access information site on all things to do with sexology and sexual health. We use this site extensively in our courses.
We are grateful to Erwin for this outstanding contribution - do check it out via the link "Archive for Sexology" on the right of this page.
The staff and students (coursework and research) of the Graduate Program in Sexual Health wish all our readers a Blessed Christmas and a Fulfilling 2008
Patricia
We are grateful to Erwin for this outstanding contribution - do check it out via the link "Archive for Sexology" on the right of this page.
The staff and students (coursework and research) of the Graduate Program in Sexual Health wish all our readers a Blessed Christmas and a Fulfilling 2008
Patricia
Thursday, November 29, 2007
What is sexology?
This is a question I am repeatedly asked - so let me try to explain:
Sexology is the systematic study of human sexuality. Modern sexology is a multidisciplinary field which uses the techniques of fields including biology, medicine, psychology, statistics, epidemiology, pedagogy, sociology, anthropology, and sometimes criminology to bear on its subject.
It studies human sexual development and the development of sexual relationships as well as the mechanics of sexual intercourse and sexual dysfunction. Sexology encompasses all aspects of sexuality, including attempting to characterise "normal sexuality" and its variants. It also documents the sexuality of special groups, such people with a disability, children, and older adults, and studies sexual pathologies such as sex addiction and child sexual abuse.
Sexology is considered descriptive, not prescriptive: it attempts to document reality, not to prescribe what behavior is suitable, ethical, or moral.
Sexology is the systematic study of human sexuality. Modern sexology is a multidisciplinary field which uses the techniques of fields including biology, medicine, psychology, statistics, epidemiology, pedagogy, sociology, anthropology, and sometimes criminology to bear on its subject.
It studies human sexual development and the development of sexual relationships as well as the mechanics of sexual intercourse and sexual dysfunction. Sexology encompasses all aspects of sexuality, including attempting to characterise "normal sexuality" and its variants. It also documents the sexuality of special groups, such people with a disability, children, and older adults, and studies sexual pathologies such as sex addiction and child sexual abuse.
Sexology is considered descriptive, not prescriptive: it attempts to document reality, not to prescribe what behavior is suitable, ethical, or moral.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sex research in Sydney
I did promise to say something about our research!
Research in the Graduate Program in Sexual Health is based around the theme of "Healthy Sexuality in a lifespan perspective"
What does this mean?
It means that we believe that "all people irrespective of their gender, ability, state of health or sexual preference have the right to healthy sexuality - free of coercion, discrimination or violence"
We research in a number of areas:
1. Sexuality education
2. Sexual intimacy function and dysfunction.
3. Healthy sexuality in older adults.
4. Sexuality in people with a disability.
We would love to hear from you if you are working in these areas.
Patricia
Research in the Graduate Program in Sexual Health is based around the theme of "Healthy Sexuality in a lifespan perspective"
What does this mean?
It means that we believe that "all people irrespective of their gender, ability, state of health or sexual preference have the right to healthy sexuality - free of coercion, discrimination or violence"
We research in a number of areas:
1. Sexuality education
2. Sexual intimacy function and dysfunction.
3. Healthy sexuality in older adults.
4. Sexuality in people with a disability.
We would love to hear from you if you are working in these areas.
Patricia
Monday, November 26, 2007
Life in the Graduate Program in Sexual Health
I am the coordinator of the Graduate Program in Sexual Health. In this blog I will invite you to join me and my colleagues (Gomathi Sitharthan and Russell Shuttleworth) as we plan and agonise over how to best offer a great on-line learning experience and motivate students to research "Healthy Sexuality in a lifespan perspective".
You may know who I am - but for those who don't, I am a 60 year old academic, married for >34 years with one wonderful son and one wonderful hubby. I trained as a medic in Sri Lanka and then moved to sex when I did my postgraduate study in the University of Hawaii with Professor Milton Diamond.
I love what I do - my main joy is getting to know our students and watching friendships develop. We are planning a mentorship program in 2008. Do let me know if anyone has experiences in this.
Next semester should be a very interesting one - we have new students from South Africa, Malta, New Zealand and all over our lovely big brown land. I particularly enjoy the discussions on sexual rights.
More on sex research in another post.
Patricia
You may know who I am - but for those who don't, I am a 60 year old academic, married for >34 years with one wonderful son and one wonderful hubby. I trained as a medic in Sri Lanka and then moved to sex when I did my postgraduate study in the University of Hawaii with Professor Milton Diamond.
I love what I do - my main joy is getting to know our students and watching friendships develop. We are planning a mentorship program in 2008. Do let me know if anyone has experiences in this.
Next semester should be a very interesting one - we have new students from South Africa, Malta, New Zealand and all over our lovely big brown land. I particularly enjoy the discussions on sexual rights.
More on sex research in another post.
Patricia
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Sydney Morning Herald Sexperts Feature
SMH (Sydney Morning Herald)
Sexperts featuring sexologist Patricia Weerakoon
Sexperts featuring sexologist Patricia Weerakoon
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