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SMF 204Introduction to Human Sexuality

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies

Not in the current Undergraduate Calendar. Shown as it appeared in 2024–25.

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course provides a broad interdisciplinary overview of theories and research on human sexuality. Topics may include human anatomy, sexual health, sexual response cycle, sexual orientation, gender, sex work, sexual practices, fetishes and paraphilias, and attraction/intimacy/love.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • PSYCH236 - A Psychological Analysis of Human Sexuality (0.50)

Leads to

Reviewed on UW Flow

80% liked it45% easy74% useful

From 61 ratings and 16 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • If you want a course that gives you no opportunities to succeed then this is the course for you. Unnecessarily difficult and confusing. BJ tests on personal matters such as her own pregnancy and expects people to spend every waking moment studying for this course, even though most people take it as an elective. I am a social science / AHS student and this course has brought my whole term average down. There is a midterm every other week as well as a final exam and the questions are made to throw you off. The main assignment is a critique about her own research that she asks you do talk about the pros and cons of it, but when you say anything wrong about the survey you get marks taken off…

    Mar 2021 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • In my experience, this course is unnecessarily complicated. Tests are written in a way that is confusing and many questions are of a personal nature (to the professor). Many questions on tests are also seemly irrelevant to course information. The main assignment in the course is a critique of the professor's personal research and was therefore marked from an extremely biased perspective. Politically incorrect language was used in this course and the text that could be triggering to some. The textbook is full of mistakes and misinformation. As a science student (with a background in social science) I took this course as an elective, it brought my term average down.

    Mar 2021 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Way to hard for an intro course... tested on specific science and statistical questions and a 60% final. Not recommended.

    Dec 2017 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course is a great elective for any bio student because it focuses a lot on physiology (all reproductive organs, parts and functions, also hormones, intersex conditions). Her multiple choice I found very easy, they did not contain tricks or misleading things. Can also often find hints to other questions thoughout the exam. Go to class because BJ is so funny and interesting. She also does ask questions directly from lecture that you will never find in the textbook or on the slides...like "What did BJ say about her friend Susan....". Also do the readings, seriously.

    Mar 2015 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Basically just sex ed. Multiple choice tests were fairly easy if you pay attention in lecture. There was also group paper was also pretty easy. Requires a bit of effort to keep up with but content is more fun than other bird courses which might require less effort

    Apr 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

38 posts and comments in 37 threads mention SMF 204, January 2012 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2024

Fall 2023

Spring 2023

Bird courses 1 point, 10 comments

“Can anyone pls recommend fall 2023 bird courses? I am an incoming first year biomed sci student. Pls help me out. THANK YOUUU”

u/Fluffy_State_5360: “SMF 101, EARTH 121, SMF 204, SCI 250, SCI 201, SMF 213, SCI 206, CLAS 202”

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Fall 2020

Birddd courses 0 points, 5 comments

“So any bird courses for 1b? I’m hoping to boost my average next term, I mean I don’t know what it is now but between learning from my failures (not submitting assignments because of time zone …”

u/wwxquest4ever: “any course in SMF. I took smf 204-the dark side of sexuality. my favourite unit was the incest unit.”

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What is the coolest, most interesting elective you've taken at UW? 3 points, 15 comments

“Going into my last term in Winter and I only need to take 4 credits to graduate, two of which are electives with no restrictions on what I can take. …”

u/username43556: “I liked smf 204 but only take it if the course description interests you. It's basically a thorough sex ed course that covers anatomy and other topics relating to sexuality and sexual health”

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Winter 2020

smf courses 4 points, 4 comments

“saw this sexuality marriage and family courses. is it easy to get high marks as electives or? thank you, plz, anyone know.”

u/anfleming: “I took SMF 204 which had two midterms and an exam - easy if you actually study tho sometimes the classes can be a bit boring. LOTS of content so I wouldn’t say it was a bird course. SMF 205 was pretty good too - midterms, a paper - no final!! It was interesting! …”

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Fall 2019

Dropping 1 point, 11 comments

“Hi guys I just started my course online and I was wondering if I can drop the course and change it to another? If so, can anyone recommend bird courses?”

u/flyingginge: “The SMF courses are a good choice. If you just show up to class and do the readings (they're so easy) then you should be fine. I did SMF 204 and SMF 213, and they were honestly the most chill classes ever.”

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Spring 2019

Have you ever taken a class or had a prof where you're just real sad the term is over? 127 points, 44 comments

“Like damn, it feels real sad. I absolutely LOVED this course I'm taking and love the professor even more. I would gladly take the course again for the sake of being in this class again. …”

u/anflemin: “SMF 204 with Stacey Jacobs. A WONDERFUL prof, an awesome woman and an even better true model of a teacher and friend. Literally the best course I’ve ever taken through any school years and totally make me decide on what I’m gonna do with my life.”

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Useful non-math courses? 9 points, 7 comments

“I'll be going into 2B math next term, and I'm looking for an elective. I want to take a course that's interesting and useful in real life, not necessarily birdy. Any suggestions?”

u/12345goose: “If you're interested in family studies or sexuality studies then check out SMF 101, 204, or 215. Descriptions: http://www.ucalendar.uwaterloo.ca/1920/COURSE/course-SMF.html”

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Winter 2019

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar