|
Professor Tamara Bowman
Human Sexuality Teacher
for Psychology and Sociology 165
at Orange Coast College
 
Ms. Bowman runs her class a little like the Oprah
Show…
 
For impact, Tamara encourages student
participation in learning…
Ms. Bowman begins
each class answering the student's anonymous questions from the
Famous Sex Bucket!
As a Professor, Tamara Bowman sets the mood at the beginning of each
class with music by Marvin Gay. All her students chuckle when
hearing the first song; “Let’s Get it On.”
She opens the semester with a quote from the Tao te Ching… “The sign
of a great master teacher is not one with the most students, but one
who facilitates the most masters…
You are all masters…masters of your own education. I will be
providing you with a plethora of insightful information on Human
Sexuality in an entertaining format and non-judgmental atmosphere,
but it’s up to you how much you learn. In your highest interest, I
support you in learning as much as possible with full participation.
You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions openly and anonymously
in this sex bucket I’ll be passing around.”
Ms.
Bowman hold’s up a silver bucket with sparkling stickers on it that
read, Love in a bucket; Sex in a bucket; Kink in a bucket. “If
you’ll notice, as you reach your hand inside, I’ve taped some soft
tickling feathers to the inside of the bucket for your pleasure.
I’ll begin each class answering your questions. So get ready…We are
going to have a great semester learning together.”
As the bucket is passed around, Ms. Bowman displays a cackling
fireplace scene on the big screen behind her, “Sex can be like fire.
In the right context…in the fireplace where it’s warm, glowing,
enchanting and romantic…it’s beautiful. We are going to be talking
about how great sex can be.
That same fire can catch a hold of your curtains and burn your house
down. We are going to be talking about how sexual abuse can be used
to violate.
As we know, fires can sweep through and destroy everything in its
path. But, I want to encourage you with the fact that many times
there are seedlings inside of foliage and trees that can be
re-birthed through intense heat. And sometimes the foliage and trees
will come back more beautiful and stronger than they ever were
before the fire.
So, if you have been hurt by sexual abuse, there are opportunities
to re-establish new memories and neuropath ways to what was
originally intended to be awesome. No one consciously chooses to be
a victim, but you can choose whether you stay one.
If we were to look at Human Sexuality like a diamond…it’s important
to look at it from many different facets. I like to present a well
rounded view, whether each facet reflects my personal opinions or
not.
Through a survey of sexual knowledge we are going to dispel some
myths, as well as expose the complexities of intimacy in
relationships. I urge you to hold true to your values, while
allowing for another’s standards to be different.
I use a
format that has been proven to bring the text book alive by
including my lecture with some video and guest speakers who share
from their personal experience. Who better to present on the topic
of transgender or transvestite, than a transgender and transvestite.
Who better to convey the prevention of HIV/AIDs than someone who is
living with the disease?
We’ll be exploring how life is created and practices in childbirth.
We’ll be talking about pregnancy prevention and how to protect
yourselves; sexuality transmitted infections and treatments
available, alternative lifestyles, sexual anatomy and much more.
You’ll see DVD’s on the beauty of tantra love making, learn where
your G-spot is and how important pleasuring yourself and your
partner can be. You’ll also hear from our sex toy expert on the
latest stimulating devises on the market.
I have an extraordinary detective who tells of his experience
tracking down sexual predators on the internet, as well as an
undercover police officer who presents the realities of prostitution
on the streets. You’ll learn what constitutes sexual abuse and hear
from an expert at our local rape crisis center.
We’ll have a panel on sado-masochism as well as an incredible
ex-porn star who shares what the porn industry is really like and
who runs it. We’ll hear from a Vietnam veteran who is paralyzed from
the chest down share how the disabled are still able to enjoy an
active sex life.
My
mentor and friend Dr. Mona Coates will share with us a study by
Masters and Johnson that attempts to answer some of the causes for
future sexual dysfunction. The study found there are three things
that prevent healthy sexual function: a lack of knowledge, comfort
and choice. By the time this semester is over, you will have the
knowledge to make better informed decisions with a greater level of
comfort regarding your sexuality.
Tamara Bowman with Legendary Dr. Mona Coates
(Former Sex Ed Teacher of 35 years)
At the
end of Tamara’s first semester one of her students approached,
“Thank you Ms. Bowman for being the mom we wish we’d always had. You
gave us the facts about sex and so much more without any
judgment…thank you for teaching us.”
Many shared their traumas of being sexually abused and Ms. Bowman
always honors their pain and refers them to different therapists.
She also address’ the deeper gnawing anguish some of her students
bury inside.
For example: One student anonymously wrote in the question bucket:
I’m having a really hard time getting over the fact I had an
abortion. How do I live with myself knowing I was a murderer?
Ms. Bowman conveys, “Abortion is often times a very difficult choice
to make and I’d like to offer another interpretation for you to
consider. I’m going to paraphrase a powerful statement I heard Gary
Zukov make one time…and that is… No one person on this entire planet
has the power to stop life from happening on this earth. You may
divert life from coming through your body, but life will continue.
Whether it’s in your womb or another’s…life will go on. It doesn’t
serve anyone for you to walk in judgment over decisions made at one
point in time. Don’t condemn yourself now or ever…just because you
find you’re in a different place to make another choice.”
Silence permeated the forum for a moment, until one voice spoke out,
“Thank you Ms. Bowman.”
“Your welcome. See me after class if anyone here needs further
discussion.” Tamara appreciates the serious questions, and yet
assures the momentum of her class with…more often than not, humorous
inquiries.
One student anonymously asked, If I get semen in my ear will I go
deaf?
When Tamara read the question out loud she said, “Huh?”
The students laughed as Tamara again said, “Huh? I can’t hear
you…wait; I think I have semen in my ear. What the hell are you
doing with semen in your ear?!” Ms. Bowman is also grateful for the
comic relief and encourages her students to see a doctor anytime
there is a question of unusual sex practices.
When another semester of teaching was coming to a close…a reporter
named Gwendolyn Driscoll at the local Orange County Register
newspaper was made aware of Professor Bowman’s popular Human
Sexuality class, “Would it be alright if we sat in on your class
today and took some pictures?” The reporter asked.
“Sure…I’ve got our S&M panel joining us a little later. They are a
great group! It will give you a good idea of how interactive our
class is. We cover a wide variety of topics in Human Sexuality.”
“It sounds like it.” Gwendolyn raised her eyebrow.
After the interview Ms. Bowman asked, “Where shall I look for this
article…any particular section of the paper?”
“Oh, this is going to be on the front page of the newspaper.”
Gwendolyn answered.
“What? Really?” Ms. Bowman was surprised.
“Every month we like to highlight people who are making a difference
in Orange County.”
“Should I be nervous?”
“Not you.” Gwendolyn assured.
“Let me introduce you to another teacher who’s been teaching this
subject here a lot longer. I’d also like to give you Mona Coates
number who taught Human Sexuality for thirty-five years. You might
like to talk with both of them as well.”
“O.K. Ms. Bowman, but this story is really on the work you’re doing
and the impact you have with the students.”
“But, I’m not the only one.”
“It will be fine…really.”
Sure enough…a couple weeks later the article came out on the front
page of the newspaper…
[Read Article]
Click here to sign up for next class at Orange Coast College
top
|
