fandomhigh | Sexual Anthropology, Tuesday, Period 2

A brunette in a business suit waited by a lectern for the class to assemble. She wasn't smiling; her demeanor was that of someone with a serious task to do who expected to do it well.

"Welcome to Sexual Anthropology," she began, once everyone seemed to be in a seat. "I am Dr. Temperance Brennan. I'm the lead forensic anthropologist at the Jeffersonian, but I am taking leave this summer to finish a novel and teach this class. For anyone who doesn't know, a forensic anthropologist is an anthropologist who specializes in identifying the dead through skeletal clues."

"That said, this class has nothing to do with bones, as it were. We are going to be talking about sexual relations and sexuality from an anthropological point of view. That means we're interested in what sex means in the broader social context, rather than in the medical and physical side of things; if you want instructions on using condoms, I suggest you go to the clinic." She handed a stack of syllabi to a student in the first row and gestured for them to be distributed.

"We're doing introductions this week." Booth had suggested as much, and Brennan had decided it was only logical to do that here, even if she never did it at the college level. "I would like each of you to state your name, age, and one message about sexuality that you got from your culture while growing up. It can be anything, no matter how illogical you now think it is. For example, I am an American and I grew up in the late 20th century; I might say that I was given the message that women have to be slender to be physically attractive, or that I was raised to believe married couples should avoid divorce at all costs. Feel free to talk about each other's contributions, but I ask that you respect any cultural differences we undercover. We are here to discuss, not to judge."

"I will need two TAs, so if you're interested, please stop by and see me after class. Otherwise, I am in office number eight Fridays during business hours, and my phone number and email address are on the syllabus. And, um, hi, Angela ~~assuming you're here~~." No, she still wasn't used to the 'my best friend is here and 17' thing.

She nodded to a student. "You can begin."

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"Dr. Brennan?" Eric said, as he approached after class. "I was interested in the TA position, if there's still an opportunity available?"

"Mr. van der Woodsen," Brennan nodded. "I'm allowed to have two, so I think there's definitely an opportunity open. Why are you interested?"

Eric took a moment to actually think about that before responding. "Mostly because I'm interested in the subject matter," he replied. "I've been doing some reading on my own, so I have some background in the subject, too."

Brennan nodded rapidly. "Excellent. What kind of thing have you been reading?"

"Mostly stuff on Western gender theory," Eric explained, "and how it relates to sexual orientation. I've been reading a bit lately, too, on how sexual orientation is treated in modern societies."

"Pretty serious reading for high school," Brennan commented approvingly. "It sounds as if you might be a good resource for other students, too, if I'm ever not around."

Eric blushed a bit at that. "Than you. It's... partly personal interest," he admitted. "It's nice to have something solid to back you up when coming out to your parents."

"It's not an experience I've had, but I understand that can be difficult," Brennan said. "Anything in particular help them understand?"

"I, ah, haven't told them yet," Eric said. "But that's partly because I haven't really been home very much since I started school here. There's not as much need to tell my mother right away."

"You should tell them before bringing home a serious partner," Brennan opined. "But that's just an opinion. Is there anythign else I can tell you about the TA position?"

"Well, what are the duties, exactly?" Eric asked. "What would I be expected to do?"

"Show up," Brennan said, starting with the obvious. "Bring any materials I ask you to -- for example, if I ask for help with posters, signs, or hand-outs. Possibly do some research if I assign anything. Cover class, with Valentine, if I'm called away. It shouldn't be too strenuous."

Nodding, Eric replied, "Yeah, I can definitely handle that." A pause. "Does that mean I definitely have the position?"

"I think it does," Brennan said. "Congratulations, Eric."

Sexual Anthropology, Tuesday, Period 2

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Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]

Re: Talk to Brennan [Sexual Anthropology, 5/12]