The evolution of a course in human sexuality University of Edinburgh, 1972-1978

A short undergraduate course in human sexuality has been developed over a period of 7 years. The objectives, initially concerned with cognitive learning, shifted to affective aspects of the topic, introduced through a format of sexually explicit films and small-group discussions. Continuing evaluation of successive courses by students has been particularly valuable in identifying helpful and unhelpful behaviour in group leaders, and has been used in their training. The evaluations also demonstrated that students saw a need to develop their interviewing skills. The course, therefore, now seeks to combine affective learning with other topics of direct relevance to clinical practice.