The Summer Institute on Sexuality, Culture and Society at the Graduate School of Social Sciences , University of Amsterdam, is an intensive four-week summer course, which focuses on the study of sexuality across cultures and is taught by an international faculty team.

The Scientific Directors for 2012 are:

• Diane di Mauro, PhD
• Niko Besnier, PhD

Testimonials

"The Summer Institute of Culture, Sexuality and Society July 2009 was a life changing experience."
Nancy Onyango, Nairobi, Kenya - Attended Summer 2009

"The Summer Institute has become an annual high spot for all those engaged in the serious discussion of sexuality in a broad social context. The relaxed but engaged atmosphere, the commitment of faculty and students, the informal discussions and well thought out programme - all these make the Institute a model for the development of a critical involvement with issues of sexuality. I warmly recommend it."
Professor Jeffrey Weeks, South Bank University London

Objectives

The 2012 SI will provide students with a unique opportunity to explore the social and cultural dimensions of human sexuality, and to gain knowledge of cutting-edge research on sexuality as conceptualized and practiced globally, pertaining to both theory and methodology.

Each year, the SI is comprised of a, multidisciplinary international faculty and student body from a range of social and cultural backgrounds, offering a rewarding and challenging learning experience.  Students engage with faculty and guest lecturers via a specialized program of course modules (twice daily), weekly get-togethers, and informal conversations during daily group lunches.  Students benefit from an exceptional networking opportunity through the sharing of experiences, works in progress, research plans and diverse perspectives.

As the host city for the SI, Amsterdam is an ideal location.  The open atmosphere and small scale of the city offers a refreshing setting for engagement and discussion of sexuality, culture and society.

This year, the module topics include: Men, Manhood, Masculinities; Sex and the City; Sexuality, Society and Culture; Sexuality in Art and Media, Seminar in Proposal Development; Sex Trafficking; Religion and Sexuality;  and Professional Identities in the Sexuality Field.

Background

The Summer Institute on Sexuality, Culture and Society was founded in 1995.

The idea for the Summer Institute was sparked by a collaboration between Dutch and American scholars, during the conference Culture, Sexual Behavior, and AIDS in 1992 (see: ten Brummelhuis and Herdt, Culture and Sexual Risk, New York: Gordon & Breach 1995).

In 1995, the programme was offered for the first time through a cooperative effort between Han ten Brummelhuis of the Universiteit van Amsterdam, Bill Leap of the American University in Washington and Gilbert Herdt from the University of Chicago. In 1997, the Summer Institute became part of the International School for Humanities and Social Sciences, Universiteit van Amsterdam.