Porn Class Heats Up Spring Registration

Just as students are scrambling to register for next semester's classes, word is getting out about a new communication course to hit the rolls this spring: Cyber Porn and Society.

Assistant Professor Alexander Halavais, who will teach the COM 497 class, said despite the class's evident titillating content, it is extremely relevant to his field of study.

"A class about pornography could seem silly to do, but it's such a huge part of society, technology and communications that it is also extremely obvious that it's something that should be taught," he said.

Of those students who have heard about the new class, many said they are unsure what to expect from it.

"I am thinking about taking this class next semester and I am just curious as to whether or not we are just going to watch pornography or if we are going to analyze it in some way," said sophomore Andrew Koppmann.

Halavais said the class consists of much more than just passively watching pornography, but that viewing actual samples of pornographic film will certainly take place.

"You have to be 18 years old to take this class because there will be clips of pornography to show an example of something I am teaching," he said. "To teach a class about pornography and not watch any pornography at all would simply not be possible."

Halavais said that in addition to viewing pornography, the class tackles several substantive issues, comprising three main categories.

Primarily, the class will focus on pornography's advancement through technology, especially the Internet. The second section will draw heavily on social science aspects, such as how society deals with pornography. The last portion will address pornography as it relates to policy legislation. According to Halavais, many universities have classes in progress that deal critically with pornography.

"I have gotten a few jokes about the class, but I am really shocked that UB doesn't already have a class about pornography," he said.

So, when his advisor asked him about new classes he might be interested in teaching, this was the first one that came to mind.

"I teach other communication classes and we always spend at least one day talking about pornography and the Internet because it is such a huge part of communications," he said. "Pornography has had a huge impact on the Internet."

Many students have expressed interest in openly studying a subject that has been regarded as taboo for so long. They said the class's inception is a step in the right direction for future classes at UB.

"I think that a class about the social science of pornography sounds really fun and actually something that would be interesting learning about because it is completely different than any other class offered here at UB," said Tracy Hinman, a sophomore communication major.

There are some students who believe that devoting a class to pornography is degrading and dangerous.

"Pornography is derogatory and it promotes violence against women," said Shira Kochman, a member of the Feminist Action Group. "Pornography takes away women's identities and makes them into sexual objects. When people start thinking like that they start thinking they can do whatever they want to women and it promotes violence against them."

The sophomore psychology major said she also believes that people will be taking the class as a joke and less for the potential to learn.

"Porn itself is wrong and I don't think we should dedicate a class to it unless it's identifying what it does to women and saying this is not OK."

Some prefer to wait until they learn more about the contents before deciding if a class focusing on pornography will be worthwhile.

"I guess I just haven't heard enough about the class to know if I could take it seriously," said Maureen Flood, a sophomore nursing major. "It sounds like it could be a fun and interesting class, but I would have to look more into the details of the class before signing up for it."

There are no prerequisites required for COM 497, which is scheduled to take place Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3 to 4 p.m. The class is still open, though Halavais hopes to see every seat filled.

"I am so excited to teach this class," he said. "Pornography is something that is controversial but is also something that can't be ignored."