History: Sex Week 2008 Events
NU's second annual Sex Week drew over 1,500 students to events! Check out the events below.Sexual Health Fair
Co-sponsored by Health Ed at Searle
A comprehensive fair with representatives from NU such as Searle, SHAPE, Rainbow, College Feminists, University Police, and others along with community advocates such as Howard Brown Health Center, Planned Parenthood, and others, with booths distributing information regarding sexual health, sexual assault, etc.
Premiere Screening of Mekong Butterflies and Expert Sex Trafficking Panel
Never shown before in the United States, Mekong Butterflies is a documentary exposing true stories of trafficking that occurs in the Mekong River region in Asia. The event will also feature two speakers from Prevent Human Trafficking Institute, one of the beneficiaries of One Voice 2008. Pierre LaRoux, a human trafficking expert visiting the United States in April, will facilitate a discussion about the film. To provide students with outlet through which to channel awareness, Christina Arnold will be giving a special presentation on the ways in which students can get involved in helping, including a special student program which studies human trafficking issues in Thailand. Co-Sponsored by One Voice.
Rock Your/Her/His World Tonight: The Ins and Outs of Great Solo and Partner Sex
In this fun and informative workshop, a sexpert from Early to Bed, Chicago's premier adult store, will discuss the still-taboo topic of masturbation, why it is good for you, and simple tips for enjoying your solo sex even more. We then move onto what makes partner sex happy and healthy - covering issues like orgasm, communication and safer sex. Throughout the workshop we'll point out sex toys that can make solo and partner sex more exciting. We'll also have plenty of time to answer any of your questions.
Secrets of The Kama Sutra with Stuart Sarbacker: What's Your Position?
Okay, we've all heard of the Kama Sutra. But how much do you really know about it? If everything you know about the Kama Sutra comes from last month's edition of Cosmo, come listen to NU's very own Dr. Sarbacker tell us what the famous text really says. Co-Sponsored by OM Hindu Cultural Council
Sexual Ethics: A Conversation with Kelby Harrison
Do you ever wonder about the morality of your sex life? Do you find you lack a secular framework from which to analyze just how ethical your last sexual relationship was? Kelby has answers, or at the very least, ways to get you thinking. She is a doctoral candidate in the philosophy department who is currently working on a dissertation on LGBTQ passing and ethics.
Trembling Before G-d: Can Homosexuality and Religion Coexist?
Can homosexuals lead religious lives or are they doomed to be outcasts of the religious world? With the assumed schism between leading a religious life and leading a homosexual life, many homosexuals choose to live as atheists. However, the startling documentary Trembling Before G-d explores the dilemma of gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews who refuse to renounce their faith. After the documentary, members of religious communities, including religious leaders from the University Christian Ministry and Hillel, will lead discussion and answer questions from the audience regarding the coexistence of homosexuality and religion. All students and community members are welcome to watch and participate, regardless of sexual orientation or religious affiliation. Co-Sponsored by Hillel, University Christian Ministry, Rainbow Alliance, NUCOR, and A&O Films.
The Economics of Sex with Zelder and Zielinski
You don't have to be an econ major to know that sex sells. But how does it work? Professor Zelder from the Department of Economics and Professor Zielinski from the Business Institutions Program talk about where the seemingly polar topics of economics and sex meet. Topics to be discussed include sexual industries, the use of sex in marketing, and the rationale behind our decision-making. A reception and discussion will follow the lecture.
Dr. Sprinkle is in!
Meet and greet artist/sexologist, Annie Sprinkle, Ph.D. Stop by and visit with this unique wise woman in an intimate, informal setting.
You can:
-Receive a quickie sex life tarot reading from Annie
-Ask Annie any questions you have about sex, art, love, or whatever. No questions are off limits!
-Interview or just chat with Annie
-Just come say hello
-Have a cup of tea and peruse her books and DVDs
-Bring your work to share with her
-Ask Annie for advice
For over a quarter of a century, Annie Sprinkle has explored sexuality in all of it's most glorious (and inglorious) forms. From her beginnings as a sexually curious sex worker to her evolution as a groundbreaking performance artist and sexologist, she has shared what she has learned through filmmaking, writing, photography, visual art, teaching workshops. She's done theater and performance art about her life around the world for twenty years.
You're Worth It: Movie Night with Annie Sprinkle
Annie will screen her latest film, Annie Sprinkle's Amazing World of Orgasm. It's an experimental documentary and poetic homage to the Big O featuring interviews with 26 orgasm experts. READ: Artistic sexually explicit documentary. This film explores how to tackle a subject such as orgasm as an artist, and is a collage of artistic work otherwise known as edu-porn or as an alternative sex film. The film is one hour, then there will be a fun and informative conversation. After you see this colorful, educational, thought provoking, sometimes sexy, film, you will very likely see your own orgasms in a new light!
Sex Week Carnival
Come one, come all to the Sex Week Carnival. Step under our big top and try your hand at fun, kinky games cooked up by the fraternities… you might just win one of our many prizes from local sex toy shops or our sponsor, Trojan. Student groups will also compete against each other: the group with the most carnival-goers will win our grand prize! The Sex Week Carnival: all the fun of a sexually-charged circus… minus the carnies.
Co-Sponsored by the Interfraternity Council and Trojan Brand Condoms
Talk Sex at the Rock
Everyone has an experience with sex in some way, whether it is something they have done or something they have seen. Maybe your experiences have been private in the past, but we are giving you a chance to make them public anonymously. The many poems and stories you have secretly dropped in our boxes or written on the banners will be read OUT LOUD because you should be PROUD to be the sexual being that you are.
Lisa Douglass: The Art and Science of Orgasm
Orgasm. What exactly is it? For a word that's thrown around a lot, little discussion actually revolves around it. Dr. Lisa Douglass, a local expert on sex and gender, and author of The Sex You Want: A Lover's Guide to Women's Sexual Pleasure, will explain the all-too mysterious "O" in what's bound to be one of the most intriguing and enlightening lectures of the year. Douglass will present both about the science on orgasm and the "art," or practice of orgasm. Check out her website here.
Co-Sponsored by SHAPE
Annie Sprinkle, PhD: My Life and Work as a Feminist Porn Activist
Annie Sprinkle will present an intimate, informal, show and tell evening. Sprinkle has devoted the past 35 years to passionately researching and exploring sexuality, from the sacred to the profane. She has documented and shared her findings through explicit films, photography, and sexuality workshops. For the past twenty years she has toured her controversial one-woman theater shows internationally to great acclaim. Annie will share some of her life's work, do mini-performances, and stimulate discussion with the audience. Annie was the first porn star to get a PhD, which she got at the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, in San Francisco, making her a certified sexologist.
Sprinkle was one of the movers and shakers of the sex positive feminist movement of the '80s. Her work is often studied in performance art history, gender studies, and film studies. Currently her work is about love, queer relationship, breast cancer, aging and it explores alternative kinds of sexually oriented media through conceptual art.
Co-Sponsored by NU Choices, Women's Center, Gender Studies, SHAPE, and Panhellenic Association.
X-Rated: The Truth About Porn
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a porn star? Admit it, you have. Come find out what it's really like to work in the adult film industry with the people who really know. We've assembled an expert panel of directors, producers, business owners, and even active film stars to come talk and debunk myths about the industry, including Annie Sprinkle acting as facilitator. The panel will be available to answer questions from the audience, so now's your chance to find out the truth about porn.
Staging Sex: Two Performances
These two NU student plays portray facets of sexuality which really put sex in the spotlight. The performances will be followed by a Q and A with the actors and directors.
"Etch: Stories of Love, Sex, and Desire"
Etch, Stories of Love, Sex, and Desire is a show which questions the internal and external influences that shape young adult desire through story and movement. Inspired by graffiti and the idea that intimate secrets can be shared so publicly, the ensemble uses real pieces of graffiti found around Evanston and Northwestern's campus to frame stories.
"On the Erotic: Nymphs, Muses and Mothers"
For as long as sexual images have existed in the media, popular culture has used them against women. The adage, sex sells, pervades female spaces and psyches now more than ever. This commercialization of sex takes power from women by placing them in various marginal positions including the nymph, the muse, and the mad mother. This short performance attempts to fuck the nymph, fuck the muse (so to speak) and embrace the power of the mother and the sexual female body.
Sex Week 2007 Events
Forbidden Love
Lane Fenrich 'The Sin of Sodom'
Eli Finkel 'Should I? The Effect of Sexual Arousal on Decision Making'
Co-Sponsored by the UPA Two fantastic NU professors discussed topics regarding sexuality in their fields. Fenrich talked about views of homosexuality in the media, and Finkel relayed a recent study regarding sexual arousal and its effects decision making.
Sexpots: How Hollywood is Using Sexuality and the Ancient Art of Seduction to Entice You.
Jules Law, Acclaimed NU English Professor and Author
Law spoke about how sexuality is used to manipulate the viewer's awareness in film.
Spotlight on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): 'Fire Eyes'
Co-Sponsored by GLOBE
This was a powerful documentary followed by discussion with a history professor, a PhD student specializing in the history of circumcision, and a nurse who has worked with victims of FGM in Africa.
Get the Truth Before You Get Naked
Sponsored by Pure Romance
A representative specializing in public health from Pure Romance dispelled myths regarding sexuality and informed the audience on topics regarding sexual health.
Pure Romance Ladies Night
Sponsored by Pure Romance
Founder and CEO of Pure Romance Patty Brisben hosted a Pure Romance Party, featuring her story of housewife to millionaire CEO, and talked to a packed house about sexual health and the gave hilarious sex toy presentations.
KAMA SUTRA: The Musical
Co-Sponsored by Wave
The actors from the wildly successful Chicago production of Kama Sutra: The Musical, presented students with a revue of musical numbers from the show. Afterward, there was a Q & A session with the actors and Grammy award winning director, Terry Abrahamson.
Sex on the Rock(s):
An educational fair with game about sexual health and lots of condom give-aways.