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Sex and the University

Written by Daniel Reimold

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257 pages, about 5 hours of reading

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About this book

Who would think that Monday morning's page-turning sports scores could be trumped by Sex on Tuesday? But, during the last decade or so, college newspaper sex columns and campus sex magazines have revolutionized student journalism and helped define a new sexual generation. They are the ultimate authorities on student social interaction, relationships, and sex at a time when sexual activity, sexual dangers, and sexual ignorance are prevalent and sex has become the wallpaper of students' lives. Daniel Reimold gives readers of all generations an inside look at this phenomenon. Student sex columnists and sex magazine editors are both celebrities on their home campuses. One columnist, echoing the sentiments of many, said he became an overnight rock star golden child of journalism. But, with celebrity comes controversy. These columns and magazines have sparked contentious and far-reaching legal, religious, and intergenerational debates about sex, the student press, and the place of both within higher education. They are also the most prominent modern student press combatants in the fight for free speech. And they have blurred journalistic boundaries between what is considered public and private, art and pornography, and gossip and news. Sex and the University explores the celebrity status that student sex columnists and magazine editors have received, the controversies they have caused, and the sexual generation and student journalism revolution they represent. Complete with a sexicon of slang, this book also dives into the columns and magazines themselves, sharing for the first time what modern students are saying about their sex and love lives, in their own words.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Sex and the University, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • informative
  • analytical
  • provocative

Daniel Reimold's "Sex and the University" meticulously explores the dramatic rise and impact of student sex columns and campus sex magazines within higher education over the last decade. The book posits that these journalistic endeavors have not only revolutionized student media but also significantly shaped a new sexual generation, becoming crucial authorities on student relationships and sexual dynamics. Reimold delves into the dual nature of this phenomenon, highlighting the celebrity status achieved by many student sex journalists alongside the intense controversies they ignite, particularly concerning free speech, journalistic ethics, and intergenerational debates. Ultimately, the book offers an inside look at how these publications reflect and define contemporary student sexual culture, complete with a unique 'sexicon' of slang.

"One columnist, echoing the sentiments of many, said he became an overnight rock star golden child of journalism."

Key themes

The New Sexual Generation
Central to the book's thesis is the idea that student sex journalism defines and is defined by a 'new sexual generation.' This theme explores the unique attitudes, behaviors, and challenges regarding sex and relationships among contemporary college students, characterized by both increased sexual activity and persistent ignorance/dangers.
Free Speech and Censorship
The book extensively explores how student sex columns and magazines become battlegrounds for free speech. Their controversial nature often leads to calls for censorship from various groups (religious, intergenerational, legal), forcing universities and the student press to defend their First Amendment rights and the principles of open discourse.
Celebrity and Controversy
This theme examines the paradoxical nature of student sex journalism, where individual columnists and editors gain 'rock star' celebrity status on their campuses for their candidness, but this fame is often inextricably linked to the intense controversies their content generates. It highlights the social dynamics of visibility and backlash.

Worth discussing

To what extent should university administrations regulate student-run publications, especially those dealing with sensitive topics like sex?

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