One person who isn't a fan, however, is Iowa House Speaker Chris Rants, who is questioning whether tax dollars should be spent on the elective class. The one-time course is being offered by the communications program at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences -- and it's already full with 20 students, and a growing waiting list.
Clarkson said his goal is to get people to think about how pornography has moved from the adult bookstore to everyday advertising. Chuck Hurley, head of the Iowa Family Policy Center in Des Moines, said he does not see a problem with the course as long pornography isn't shown.
The Christian group works to strengthen families by presenting what it believes to be a traditional foundation of principles and values. Jesse Koolbeck, who will be a senior at Iowa this fall, said studying how pornography has influenced advertising, media and our culture will help to better understand its impact.
University of Iowa Provost Michael Hogan said similar classes are becoming more popular across the country. The University of Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls, has offered courses on pornography as far back as spring The first course was "Erotic Literature and Pornography. At Florida International University, in Miami, a fall class titled "Sociology of Sexuality" included topics such as pornography, prostitution, and incest.
The Sioux City Community Schools have made changes to their school calendar due to the recent weather cancelations. Nic Scandrett has been appointed the new superintendent of Siouxland Christian School effective July 1, the school said in an announcement Tuesday.
