Sex and Sexuality in Healthcare

 

Semester & Location:	Fall 2026 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:	Biology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science, Public Health
Prerequisite(s):	One year of biology at university level
Faculty Members:	Liv Friberg (current students please use the Canvas Inbox)
Program contact:	Science and Health Department: shsupport@dis.dk
Program Director:	Susana Dietrich
Time & Place:	TBA

 

Course Description

Sexuality is a fundamental aspect of most people's lives and well-being. Within health care, sexuality and sexual risk factors must be considered and incorporated into the support of patients' feeling of satisfaction and fullfillment during and despite of illness. Sexual dysfunction can be a medical condition in itself, a co-morbidity, or consequence of medical treatment.

This course is designed for students pursuing a career in healthcare, providing you with foundational knowledge in the field of sexual health, clinical sexology and sexuality. The course consists of 3 main topics:  (1) Sexuality theory & Sex Research (2) Prevalent Sexual Challenges (3) How to Work with Sexual Challenges as a Health Care Provider.  

Sexual Theory and Sex Research will give an introductory understanding of the History of Clinical Sexology, significant sexological theories, models and instruments, the anatomy of sexuality and embryological genital development as well as sexual health public policy nationally and internationally.

Prevalent Sexual Challenges will explore the most common sexual challenges. These will include STI/contraception, sexual disorders as defined by DSM-5, and sexual challenges as a consequence of disease of medical treatment such as diabetes and cancer. Sexuality in relation to reproduction will also be covered.

How to work with Sexual Health will cover sexuality-informed communication, sex-education and sexuality across a lifespan, and how to support sexual health as a health care provider. In this topic, you will practice specific techniques to apply a sexuality-informed practice to your health care profession in a range of different areas.

 

Learning Objectives

After successful completion, students will be able to:

(1) Explain the Significance of Clinical Sexology within Health Care.

(2) Describe main Sexological Theories as well as clinically prevalent Sexual Challenges and Disorders.

(3) Apply Sexological Theory to Clinical Practice

(4) Actively discuss sexuality and sexual challenges within a Public Policy perspective.

(5) Have experienced and practiced the sexuality-informed consultation. 

 

Faculty

Liv Friberg BS Midwife, Professionshøjskolen Metropol, Copenhagen, 2009 MA Philosophy and Gender studies, Copenhagen University, 2014, MA Sexology, Malmö University, Sweden. StorkKlinik (midwife)2009-2020 Reden International (coordinator) 2015-2016 Klinik Hedegaard (midwife) 2018-2023 Jordemoderhuset (midwife) 2020-present UngMod 24-7 Herning (sexologist) 2021-2025. Checkpoint/Copenhagen (counsellor/tester) 2022-present Sexologiskolen (lecturer/teacher) 2022-present. 2025- present Midwifery education supervisor. With DIS since 2022.

 

Approach to Teaching

The Danish fairy tale writer H.C. Andersen said "To travel is to live", by which he refers to the spiritual and physical effect of being in motion, in development and transition. For me, learning is travelling! My ambition is, that my students get a robust knowledge about the topic, as well as an inner development, by internalising this new knowledge.

Topics close to our soul will be learned best by mind, heart and hand. Meeting clients and patients within health care is such a discipline generally, and sexuality issues very much so. For this reason, lecturing will only get us that far. Sound research and concrete information about clinical practice will give valuable "raw material" to work with. Actively relating to this with open discussion, acknowledging our diversity will precipitate each individual in a context of others' and offer perspective and humility. Also, practical exercises are an important part of learning about sexuality in health care, and role play and communication exercises will be a part of classes.

As we meet in a multicultural setting, teaching and learning will accompany each other and comparative information about the US and Danish health care practices will further inspire students to critically re-examine what they took for granted.

 

Readings

Sexuality and Illness A Guidebook for Health Professionals, Anne Katz, 2022.1st Ed.

Sexuality and Midwifery, Geuens, S., Mivsek, A.P, Wiat. L. Gianotten,  2023, Springer.

Sexual Health across the Lifecycle : A Practical Guide for Clinicians. Cambridge, Nusbaum, Margaret, and Jo Ann Rosenfeld.  UK ; Cambridge University Press, 2004

The first helping interview: Engaging the client and building trust. Fine, S. F., & Glasser, P. H. (1996). SAGE Publications, Inc.

Principles and Practice of Sex Therapy, Sixth Edition: edited by K. S. K. Hall and Y. M. Binik. New York and London: The Guilford Press, 2020

Sexuality and Our Diversity: Integrating Culture with the Biopsychosocial ; Author, Marcus Tye ; Publisher, Flat World Knowledge, 2014

Simon W, Gagnon JH. Sexual scripts: permanence and change. Arch Sex Behav. 1986 Apr;15(2):97-120. doi: 10.1007/BF01542219. PMID: 3718206.

Field Studies

There will be two field studies during the semester. The field studies are an integral part of the course where we get a chance to see how theory presented in the classroom translates into practice in the field. Details of the field studies will be provided at a later date.

DIS Accommodations Statement 

Your learning experience in this class is important to me.  If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support academicsupport@dis.dk

 

Expectations of the Students

The course will be a mix of interactive lectures, class discussions, group work, student presentations, and feedback sessions. While the faculty is responsible for the overall structure of the class, all of us will contribute to the production of knowledge. All students are expected and encouraged to engage actively in class sessions.

Attendance and Participation

Attendance will be noted at every class and excused absence must be communicated prior to the class. Participation will be through the students' engagement in the class room, actively reflecting on course material, asking questions, actively contributing to group- and class discussions and activities.

A safe learning environment

All students are responsible to contribute to a safe learning environment for each other. This is done by a non-judgemental, open attitude towards differences in attitudes and feelings about sexuality. This is also, a learning space, where trying out new thoughts and ideas before having settled on them is expected and appreciated. Trying, failing and trying again is encouraged. This requires a great deal of empathy and patience, that we all must show each other.  In addition, some attitudes might be critically explored and developed during the course. Alongside attitudes and feelings, scientific information about sexuality is the foundation for development and will be the basis of well-founded attitudes. 

In order for the class to be a safe learning space, confidentiality is expected of students, to allow personal sharing. What is said in the class room is considered confidential and must not be passed on. Your own reflections and experiences are ok to share.

Potentially upsetting content in this course

Sexuality as a topic can feel troubling or even triggering (i..e, victimization and parafilia) . Although the canvas calendar and course description will guide you to what to expect, it might be difficult to completely foresee when material will challenge the individual student. If you need a break you are welcome to leave for at moment, and you are allways welcome to approach faculty if you find material challenging for you.  However, before signing up for the class, consider if you generally feel able to engage in sexuality issues, regardless of your own standpoint. If not, you should consider whether another course might be better for you.

A professional perspective

This course is not aimed at working with individual, personal sexuality or sexual issues, and will focus on the professional and academic aspects of sexology. There will be, as is custom in sexological studies, a Sexual Self Acknowledgement assignment to support you. You are encouraged to speak to faculty if any personal difficulties arise. However, in the class room you are expected to bring up issues, only of interest for everyone. 

Etiquette in the classroom

To establish a positive learning environment it is important that everyone is present (in body and mind) and not distracted by technology or other disruptive behaviors. Please observe the following simple rules:

1. Use of laptops or tablets in class is accepted for note taking, and prohibited for any other use except when expressly stated by the teacher. Please silence your cell phones before class.  Use of your cell phone for talking or texting will negatively influence your participation grade.

2. You are welcome to bring food and drinks to class. Please remember to clean up after yourself.

3. Please stay in the classroom during class. You can take care of bathroom visits and such before class, so as not to disturb the learning environment.

Students are expected to:

1. Complete all reading assignments prior to coming to class

2. Contribute to class/small group discussions and group activities

3. Write down reflections when you are reading, and throughout the course

4. Be punctual and attend all classes; missing classes without a legitimate excuse will result in a lower final grade

5. Be responsible for checking emails generated from Canvas.

    

Evaluation and Grading

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class all of the assigned work must be completed.
The factors influencing the final grade and the proportional importance of each factor is shown below:

Assignment	Percent
Attendance/Participation	15%
Essay	25%
Exam	30%
Podcast	25%
Sexual Self Acknowledgement Assignment	5%

 

Policies

Attendance

You are expected to attend all DIS classes and activities when scheduled, and I will monitor attendance. Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Excused absences include only serious illness and participation in religious holidays.

If you miss multiple classes, the Director of Academic Support, and the Director of Student Affairs will be notified and they will follow-up with you to make sure that all is well. In the case of multiple absences, you will need to provide a doctor’s note.

Missing class: You must always notify your instructor about an absence a reasonable time in advance. Each failure to notify your faculty of an absence in advance will result in a deduction of 2 points off your final participation grade.

 

Class room etiquette

A good learning environment requires that everyone is present, prepared, and participating. Out of respect for both faculty and fellow students, we expect you to be on time and to participate in the full duration of the class.

Laptops and phones in class: Use of phones and computers are not allowed during class, unless prompted by the professor. Usage of laptops or phones not related to the class is always unacceptable, and will reduce your participation grade significantly.

Make-up classes: There are a few open slots for make-up classes in the syllabus in case of unexpected cancelled classes. Please note that there may be organized mandatory classes during these time slots.

 

Assignments

Assignments and tests are submitted via Canvas. Submissions exceeding the word limit will be penalized by a third of a grade per additional page or part thereof (A- becomes B+, B becomes B- etc.).

Late assignments will be accepted within reason, if you notify your faculty in advance. However, your grade will be reduced by 2 thirds of a grade for each day or part thereof that it is late (A- becomes B, B becomes C+ etc.).

 

Academic Regulations

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

• Course Enrollment and Grading
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code

 

 

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