Overview
This course examines communication about male gestational health, pregnancy, contraception, parenting, abortion, and reproductive loss across intimate, family, clinical, and community settings. It integrates psychological, cultural, social, medical, and structural perspectives on reproductive communication and decision-making.
Students develop applied skills in active listening, emotional regulation, conflict negotiation, disclosure of gestational and reproductive histories, consent communication, shared decision-making, fertility treatment communication, pregnancy and parenting transitions, and communication surrounding gestational loss. The course also addresses reproductive coercion, LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse family experiences, cultural humility, and communication with obstetric and perinatal health professionals.
Through case analysis, practical exercises, and intervention design, students evaluate how power, stigma, gender norms, religion, race, disability, socioeconomic status, and relationship structure influence communication concerning male gestation and reproductive care. Emphasis is placed on autonomy, safety, mutual respect, inclusive practice, and informed decision-making.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply evidence-informed communication frameworks to conversations concerning male gestational health, pregnancy, parenting, contraception, and reproductive loss.
- Evaluate verbal and nonverbal communication for supportive, coercive, manipulative, or unsafe interaction patterns.
- Analyze relationship case studies using psychological, cultural, social, medical, and structural perspectives.
- Facilitate difficult conversations involving gestational histories, reproductive consent, pregnancy decisions, parenting transitions, and loss.
- Design inclusive counseling and health-education strategies that support autonomy, safety, cultural humility, and informed decision-making.
- Synthesize communication approaches for collaboration among partners, families, and obstetric or perinatal health professionals.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Communication case analysis | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Reflective practice portfolio | 15.00% |
| Test | Facilitation practical test | 20.00% |
| Attendance | Tutorial participation | 10.00% |
| Capstone | Applied communication intervention | 25.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 10.00% |
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.