In today's college classrooms, more attention is paid to the sullied flesh than to the soaring mind. In English departments, entire courses are devoted to the study of certain sexual practices. Readings and lectures will focus on situating queer sexualities relative to dominant organizations of sex and gender.
Many great books contain heady discussions of sex.
The point is not that sex does not merit scholarly attention in Anthropology, Biology, and Sociology departments. It is that in English departments, where students are supposed to be learning practical skills in analysis and communication, prurience is replacing the study of plot, character, ideas, and even books themselves, turning everything into grist for the sex and gender mill. The trend is clear. Yale's Women's Studies program recently changed its name to the Women's and Gender Studies program. To indicate that focus has shifted away from the role of women in society to sex.