This class traces the history of the world’s oldest profession from ancient times to today. The earliest known records date to Sumer around 2400 BC, but the profession of sex worker has existed throughout history, although those involved may have held different social positions and been called a variety of names-- goddesses, concubines, mistresses, madams, streetwalkers. In the U.S., prostitution was legal until between 1910 and 1915 and is still legal in rural counties of Nevada and areas outside of Las Vegas. We will examine cultural perceptions of prostitution across time.