In this consent basics class, Sam will explore the importance of consent and introduce several models for understanding and practicing consent in everyday life. We will look at consent in the context of touch, relationships, work, communication, and other areas where boundaries and personal choice come into play, drawing inspiration from Betty Martin’s The Art of Giving and Receiving, with a focus on developing greater awareness of what we want, what we are comfortable with, and how we can communicate those things clearly.
There will be opportunities for group discussion and low-pressure practice using language around consent. Participants will be invited to explore how consent can be communicated and negotiated outside of explicitly sexual contexts, including in friendships, professional settings, social interactions, and everyday physical touch. The goal is to build practical tools and confidence for creating interactions that feel clear, respectful, and mutually agreed upon.