Sexualities, Relationships, and Families (SRF) - formerly Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies - provides students with opportunities to explore the research and theory about human sexuality and relationships from a wide range of disciplines and across the humanities and social sciences.
Many courses in SRF promote interdisciplinary scholarship, and adopt a social justice perspective that challenges students to think critically about often overlooked subjects: human interactions within relational, sexual, and societal contexts;Ìý basic anatomical knowledge and sexual health; the formation and maintenance of relationships; parenting skills; the impact of culture on sexual and family-related values, ideas, and attitudes; the impact of media on our understanding of gender, sexuality, and relationships; sexuality education; attitudes toward sexualities; the effects of pornography on societal attitudes; family conflict and its escalation to violence; sexual problems or difficulties; and couple, family, and sex therapy.
This provides an excellent foundation for historical, theoretical, and ethical discussions around many exciting topics, such as the role of major discourses (e.g., media, law, medicine, religion) in shaping our perspectives on sexuality and relationships, the ways that our identities are formed and how these shape our interactions in the world, and the role of education around sexuality and relationships in Canada and the broader global context.
Sexualities, Relationships, and Families undergraduate studies
The department of Sexualities, Relationships, and Families offers the following programs and academic plans, includingÌýFour-Year General Sexualities, Relationships, and Families; Honours Sexualities, Relationships, and Families; Counselling Specialization; Human Services Practicum Specialization; Intensive Research Specialization; Sexualities, Relationships, and Families Minor; and Diploma in Sexualities, Relationships, and Families.
The courses offered by the St. Jerome's University SRF department are listed below.
For information on academic plans please visit Sexualities, Relationships, and Families on the Programs and Plans section of the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar.
Faculty
Carm De Santis, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream (Definite Term)
Carl Rodrigue, Assistant Professor
Siobhan Sutherland, Assistant Professor
Denise Whitehead, Associate Professor (on leave)
Rhea Ashley Hoskin, Adjunct Assistant Professor
James Kim, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Contract academic staff
Courses
The following courses are offered at St. Jerome's University in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Fall 2025
Course | Course title | Campus | Instructor |
---|---|---|---|
SRF 101 | Introduction to Sexualities, Relationships, and Families | BLNDJ | TBD |
SRF 208 | Introduction to Systemic Therapies and Anti-Oppressive Practices | STJ | De Santis |
SRF 220 | Introduction to Research Methods | STJ | Rodrigue |
SRF 301 | Communication and Counselling Skills | STJ | Serafini |
SRF 304 | Human Sexuality in Relationships | STJ | Serafini |
SRF 490 | Practicum and Professional Ethics | STJ | De Santis |
View the complete listing of SRF courses in the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar