Adventures in Education

This column originally appeared on Sunday, June 1, 2008


“Monsignor Edward Deliman, the pastor of St. Agnes Church, said he was very disappointed that the borough allowed the shop to open. ‘It’s very close to our school in a highly traveled part of town, next to a pizza shop. It’s distressing to us.’ ...


“Owner Jill McDevitt has a Bachelor of Arts degree in sexuality, marriage and family and is pursuing a Master of Education degree in human sexuality. She gives workshops and seminars on human sexuality as well as other topics.”

-- From Daily Local News, “Residents pack meeting to protest adult store,” May 29, 2008

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SEMINAR TITLE: Current Topics in Human Sexuality and Selected Pizza Toppings.

INSTRUCTOR: J. McDevitt, B.A., Human Sexuality; M.E., Family Therapy (proposed); A.D., Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry.

CREDITS: 35

DESCRIPTION: Human Sexuality and Pizza Toppings is a 10-week classroom-and-kitchen course that presents the student with an overview of current issues in human sexuality and the correct approach toward choosing proper pizza toppings, focusing on behavioral, sociological, environmental and gastronomical factors.

Topics will cover the basics of human anatomy, sexual cycles/phases, the family life cycle, gender/topping identity, roles of meat versus vegetable toppings, an understanding of sexual research, sexual orientation, proper cooking times, and the importance of sauces and fresh mozzarella.

Students will be expected to have experience in the field at an introductory or intermediate level. Previous courses in Biology 101, Introduction to Family Therapy and/or Popular Italian Foods 301 would be considered sufficient for admission to the seminar, although Professor McDevitt will also consider as proper credentials any time spent working as dough prep assistant at Grimaldi’s or Lombardi’s pizza restaurants in Brooklyn and New York City, respectively. Evidence of frozen pizza entree cooking experience will not be accepted.

OBJECTIVES: Students will learn to have a greater understanding about the social and biological implications of the sexual life/cycle in social and behavioral contexts, from childhood to adulthood; to be aware of the social complexities of human sexuality in modern life; to witness firsthand the obstacles of locating sexual novelty stores in formerly rural city-centers; and to discuss openly their choices of pepperoni, sausage and mushrooms over more advanced pizza toppings, such as raw eel, chicken tikka or roasted cauliflower.

While understanding that the way to a lover’s heart may be through the stomach, there should be a recognition by graduates that various modern, nontraditional forms of sexual behaviors — including homosexuality, bisexuality, transgendered sexuality, “lonely guy” syndrome, having a nice quart of ice cream before bedtime and cold-shower obsessive compulsive disorder — can work within the current structure of having the pizza crust soft but still crunchy enough to accommodate multiple toppings and extra cheese.

In addition, focusing on types of love, attraction, roles, relationships and delivery times will be essential for course success. It will be important for the student to understand the relationship between sex and love, to be aware of white versus red sauces, to grasp the importance of letting the pizza cool down enough so it does not burn the roof of your mouth, and to explore the different dynamics that couples have in selecting toppings for an intimate dinner for two with some salad and Chianti on the side, as opposed having the gang over for the Super Bowl party or Fantasy Baseball League get-together.

Ultimately, the graduate will search for and discover a personal definition of love that best suits his/her/their personal values and favorite blend of crust, cheese, and topping. Bon appetit!

REQUIRED READING: Hyde, J. S. & DeLamater, J. D. (2000). Understanding Human Sexuality (7th Ed.). Boston; McGraw-Hill; Steig, W. (1998). Pete’s A Pizza (Hardcover Ed.), New York City; HarperCollins.