SUNY Potsdam professor publishes two human sexuality textbooks
Patrick Harris
Issue date: 5/8/09 Section: News
Regarding her long association with Dr. Bolin, Dr. Whelehan explained that the initial draft of Perspectives on Human Sexuality was to be co-authored by three anthropologiststwo at SUNY at the time, one in South Dakota-but once the project was underway, two were forced to leave the project due to other commitments. The editor at the time, familiar with Dr. Bolin's work, put them in touch. Dr. Whelehan recalled, "We actually communicated via phone and letter, then email once email became available, for about ten years before we actually met."
On having taught "Human Sexuality" here at SUNY Potsdam for thirty years, Dr. Whelehan confessed, "I love it. It's not static, it's constantly changing. It's almost weekly that I can bring something in that has happened locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally, that has bearing on the class, to connect whatever we're talking about in class with the real world out there. So it's not boring at all, and student input has been wonderful."
Asked to comment on the rising expenses students face in acquiring textbooks, Dr. Whelehan stressed that prices are set by the publishers, not the authors. She did acknowledge that current prices can present a problem for some students, especially those in regions such as India, China and sub-Sarahan Africa. "I think that the buy-back policy that exists on [this] campus helps students," she added, pointing out that most books are available used, and those that are not will often be used in subsequent semesters.
"I know this comes from the fact that I'm an academic, and I spent most of my life somehow connected with school, with classes...I like books. I think books are important," Dr. Whelehan noted. "And I also think, particularly for books in somebody's major or minor, that they're an investment in your education." She also noted that Clarkson University has several book drops available throughout Potsdam, where textbooks can be donated to less fortunate students.
On having taught "Human Sexuality" here at SUNY Potsdam for thirty years, Dr. Whelehan confessed, "I love it. It's not static, it's constantly changing. It's almost weekly that I can bring something in that has happened locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally, that has bearing on the class, to connect whatever we're talking about in class with the real world out there. So it's not boring at all, and student input has been wonderful."
Asked to comment on the rising expenses students face in acquiring textbooks, Dr. Whelehan stressed that prices are set by the publishers, not the authors. She did acknowledge that current prices can present a problem for some students, especially those in regions such as India, China and sub-Sarahan Africa. "I think that the buy-back policy that exists on [this] campus helps students," she added, pointing out that most books are available used, and those that are not will often be used in subsequent semesters.
"I know this comes from the fact that I'm an academic, and I spent most of my life somehow connected with school, with classes...I like books. I think books are important," Dr. Whelehan noted. "And I also think, particularly for books in somebody's major or minor, that they're an investment in your education." She also noted that Clarkson University has several book drops available throughout Potsdam, where textbooks can be donated to less fortunate students.
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