Prostitution & the Sex Trade 

Prostitution is legal in Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands, but each country has vastly different approaches and policies regarding sex work. Explore how national cultures construct their own narratives about sex, gender, and rights, and how they grapple with conflicting views on sex for sale. 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Use Copenhagen as your case study with guest lecturers and class visits to the city’s Red Light District and organizations such as Reden (The Nest), a drop-in facility for Danish sex workers 
• Travel with your classmates and DIS faculty on course-integrated study tours to talk with former sex workers, customers, and NGOs to examine the differences, legally and socially, in how prostitution is approached in comparison to Denmark 
• Mirror decision makers within the Danish government in a final panel debate on controversial topics such as prohibiting prostitution, legalizing it, and the criminalization of the customer 

STUDENT PROFILE
This program is right for you if study gender studies, women’s studies, sociology, anthropology, human rights, international relations, and/or are interested in a career in law, academia, or social work. 



CORE COURSE
Prostitution and the Sex Trade in Europe
Fall/Spring, 3 Credits 
This course focuses on prostitution as a parallel or grey economy in Europe. You will gain insight into the historical, cultural, and political aspects of prostitution in Scandinavia and Europe. You will also examine prostitution from various perspectives – from sex workers, customers, and anti-trafficking advocacy groups, to law enforcement officials and politicians.