Most students have experienced a moment during class when they’ve wondered if their professor was crossing the line, whether that be with their behavior or subject matter.
A girl who lives down the hall from me once explained how her professor used more profanity in one sentence than a dirty sailor would in an entire day.
Professors are not limited in the way a high school Spanish teacher would be.
Someone in that position could potentially get fired for too many slips of the “f word.” A lot more freedom accompanies a Ph.D. when it comes to how they teach their subject of expertise.
But when I heard that a sex toy was used on someone in front of an audience at Northwestern University, I was surprised to learn that this would take place in a classroom.
Maybe a dorm, maybe a party, but a lecture hall filled with over 100 students?
Professor John Michael Bailey, instructor for Northwestern University’s human sexuality course, often organizes optional events for his students to attend, which usually include a guest lecturer.
In the past, he has recruited “swinger” couples, convicted sex offenders and an expert in female sexual health and pleasure.
This particular lecture was focused on kinky sex.
One of the speakers asked if it would be okay to demonstrate the use of a sex toy on his female partner. After brief consideration, Bailey agreed.
The woman removed her clothing and laid on the stage, where her partner operated the toy (known as a “f—saw”) on her in front of the students. I’m surprised only 100 people showed up.
According to Bailey, students were warned numerous times about the graphic nature of the demonstration and had multiple opportunities to leave. Some did, but most stayed, probably eager to witness an event that would undoubtedly make waves, not to mention national news.
The question raised here concerns controversial topics in general and how they are taught.
Was Bailey within his rights to allow a demonstration of such graphic nature?
“I believe that professors should be able to have flexibility in how they teach a course,” said UT junior Janelle Torres.
“Having an optional presentation about sexuality is just that: optional.
“I would hope that college students understand their own sensitivities and not attend demonstrations that would personally affect them.”
The university itself has a similar belief. In The Daily Northwestern, Al Cubbage, a spokesman for the institution, released the following statement:
“Northwestern University faculty members engage in teaching and research on a wide variety of topics, some of them controversial and at the leading edge of their respective disciplines. The university supports the efforts of its faculty to further the advancement of knowledge.”
Still, many argue that the demonstration took things too far.
A talk on kinky sex at a college campus brings quite a bit of controversy on its own.
Any discussion involving sex (or even the absence of it) will surely get more than one person’s panties in a twist.
“It crosses the line,” said freshman Leanne Ballering upon hearing about the demo.
“I guess if people knew what they were getting into, it’s understandable, but that leads into how sexual society is. Too much exploitation.”
The decision to let the guests take their presentation beyond what most consider “normal” may not have been fully thought out by Bailey.
He apologized for the incident, saying he made a quick decision and shouldn’t have done so.
Though the university may not be enjoying this type of publicity, there is no talk of punishment for the popular professor, nor do I think there should be. The classes I’ve always enjoyed the most are the ones that utilize unexpected and unusual teaching methods.
It keeps the students engaged and eager to walk into a classroom where they will finally say “what are we doing today?” with excitement, rather than dread.
I doubt a decision will ever be reached on whether it was morally right or wrong, but I wouldn’t be surprised if enrollment for the human sexuality course goes up next semester. As Bailey reportedly said after the controversy erupted,
“Sticks and stones may break your bones, but watching naked people on stage doing pleasurable things will never hurt you.”
Hannah Webster can be reached at hannahkarine31@gmail.com.
Thats nothing want to see someting shaky go to youtube and type in sex dolls lol
See this is exactly the problem with UT professors. There are no optional lectures with F— Saws. This would make Accounting soooo much more interesting because the professor could use the F— saw on someone else and remove it from my brain.