The first thing that jumps out at me is that it says that the demonstrators are exhibitionists, so this entire classroom has just participated in their sex life. That's just wrong.
What educational value? If there was educational value, couldn't a video have been shown?
I'm sure it's not that easy just to walk out if you're uncomfortable in these circumstances. It's rude to walk out in the midddle of class. The professor is a figure of authority and nobody wanted to seem immature/prudish/etc in front of the professor and classmates. Also when you're shocked, it's not like your brain is operating at peak efficiency. You don't really think through everything you could have done and all your options until afterwards.
What educational value? If there was educational value, couldn't a video have been shown?
I'm sure it's not that easy just to walk out if you're uncomfortable in these circumstances. It's rude to walk out in the midddle of class. The professor is a figure of authority and nobody wanted to seem immature/prudish/etc in front of the professor and classmates. Also when you're shocked, it's not like your brain is operating at peak efficiency. You don't really think through everything you could have done and all your options until afterwards.
Northwestern University sex toy show 'disturbing'
Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro Mr Schapiro pledged to investigate and to clarify what teaching methods were appropriate
A US university president has said he is "disturbed" that a psychology professor allowed a demonstration of a motorised sex toy in a lecture hall.
Morton Schapiro of Northwestern University called the decision to allow a naked woman to demonstrate use of the device last month "poor judgement".
About 100 students observed the proceedings following a lecture session for a class on human sexuality.
Attendance was voluntary and students had been warned what to expect.
Controversial topics
On 21 February, psychology professor Michael Bailey held a lecture on sexual arousal, with a focus on certain aspects of female physiology, according to a statement he released on Wednesday.
Prof Bailey said another guest lecturer, Ken Melvoin-Berg, had proposed the demonstration and he could not think of a legitimate reason why the students should not have that opportunity in the name of inquiry.
"Student feedback for this event was uniformly positive," Prof Bailey said.
The demonstrator, Faith Kroll, told the Chicago Tribune she enjoyed the attention.
"I was more than happy to," she said. "We had fun with it. I'm an exhibitionist."
On Thursday, Mr Schapiro said in a statement it was in the nature of a university to teach and research controversial topics.
But he said the demonstration "represented extremely poor judgement on the part of our faculty member" and said he was "troubled and disappointed".
"I simply do not believe this was appropriate, necessary or in keeping with Northwestern University's academic mission," he said.
He promised an investigation and to clarify "what constitutes appropriate pedagogy".
Thoughts?
Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro Mr Schapiro pledged to investigate and to clarify what teaching methods were appropriate
A US university president has said he is "disturbed" that a psychology professor allowed a demonstration of a motorised sex toy in a lecture hall.
Morton Schapiro of Northwestern University called the decision to allow a naked woman to demonstrate use of the device last month "poor judgement".
About 100 students observed the proceedings following a lecture session for a class on human sexuality.
Attendance was voluntary and students had been warned what to expect.
Controversial topics
On 21 February, psychology professor Michael Bailey held a lecture on sexual arousal, with a focus on certain aspects of female physiology, according to a statement he released on Wednesday.
Prof Bailey said another guest lecturer, Ken Melvoin-Berg, had proposed the demonstration and he could not think of a legitimate reason why the students should not have that opportunity in the name of inquiry.
"Student feedback for this event was uniformly positive," Prof Bailey said.
The demonstrator, Faith Kroll, told the Chicago Tribune she enjoyed the attention.
"I was more than happy to," she said. "We had fun with it. I'm an exhibitionist."
On Thursday, Mr Schapiro said in a statement it was in the nature of a university to teach and research controversial topics.
But he said the demonstration "represented extremely poor judgement on the part of our faculty member" and said he was "troubled and disappointed".
"I simply do not believe this was appropriate, necessary or in keeping with Northwestern University's academic mission," he said.
He promised an investigation and to clarify "what constitutes appropriate pedagogy".
Thoughts?
Have you all heard about the Northwestern University Sex Toy Demonstration?
- 05/03/2011 01:20:06 AM
1437 Views
Why would this be inappropriate? The lecture was on human sexuality. *NM*
- 05/03/2011 04:19:46 AM
324 Views
If this was at my school, I would feel...weird.
- 05/03/2011 05:22:15 AM
750 Views
It was optional. So the mortified students presumably weren't confronted with it. *NM*
- 05/03/2011 08:02:31 AM
308 Views
Isn't education supposed to expand your mind?
- 06/03/2011 07:38:02 PM
733 Views
No it is supposed to fill it with knowledge
- 07/03/2011 04:02:17 PM
967 Views
To quote Philip Pullman and Archbishop Rowan Williams...
- 09/03/2011 02:23:51 AM
947 Views
Finally, someone at least had the guts to name the sex toy. A chainsaw cock.
- 05/03/2011 05:01:11 AM
849 Views
Not really my thing but there must be a pretty big audience for it. I see those toys all the time.
- 05/03/2011 06:43:32 AM
873 Views
The reaction would make sense if these were schoolchildren.
- 05/03/2011 09:02:13 AM
781 Views
I think it is pretty easy to question the value and the wisdom
- 05/03/2011 11:57:55 AM
722 Views
From the information given, I do not see the problem
- 07/03/2011 03:05:01 PM
984 Views
would you be OK with a proffesor leading the Lord's Prayer and Pledge of Allgience?
- 07/03/2011 03:32:19 PM
694 Views
If it was part of a theology class and a demonstration rather than a regular event sure. *NM*
- 07/03/2011 03:35:44 PM
431 Views
why the limits? They are adults after all and they can sit down *NM*
- 07/03/2011 04:03:00 PM
331 Views
If religon was the subject of the lecture,
- 07/03/2011 04:18:05 PM
834 Views
I don't thinik there is any reason to feint in horror over this
- 07/03/2011 04:33:25 PM
712 Views
You are assuming that there is no educational value
- 07/03/2011 04:46:03 PM
721 Views
I agree with the uproar.
- 08/03/2011 03:52:29 PM
843 Views
Re: I agree with the uproar.
- 08/03/2011 10:03:33 PM
818 Views
true but they were not told there would be a live sex show until after it started
- 08/03/2011 10:50:01 PM
765 Views
True. In that case, I'd have called everyone who left and told them to come back.
- 09/03/2011 01:09:00 AM
840 Views
I think it depends on the level of the class and the major of students in said class.
- 09/03/2011 12:56:08 PM
799 Views