The goal of the Department of Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies (SMF) is to promote interdisciplinary scholarship and research in fields such as gender, reproduction, and relationships. A solid, scientific understanding of sexuality and the social institutions linked to intimate relationships provides an excellent foundation for historical, theoretical, and ethical discussions.
SMF addresses human interactions within relational and sexual contexts. It examines not only basic anatomical knowledge and sexual health, but also the formation and maintenance of relationships, parenting skills, and the impact of culture on sexual and family-related values, ideas, and attitudes. Issues that are rarely discussed in secondary education are studied in-depth; some examples include the effects of pornography on societal attitudes, family conflict and its escalation to violence, and sexual dysfunctions.
The interests of SMF faculty reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the department and include attitudes toward sexual minorities and non-traditional parenting, HIV/AIDS prevention, sexual ethics, women and Christianity, feminism and ecology, and relationship trust, to name a few. SMF faculty come from various home disciplines, such as Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Family Studies.
Acting Chair: Dr. Cristina Vanin
