HUMAN SEXUALITY (PSYC 470 -01):

 

Fall 2005

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12:00am-12:50am

Bowman Hall Room 314

 

Instructor:                  Dr. Randall C. Young

 

Office Hours:             TR  9:00 am - 10:00 am; WF 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

(or any other time if I am in my office and free)

 

Office & Phone: 215 Bowman Hall    ex. 5438

                                    Home Phone: (to be used judiciously): 828-0486

 

e-mail:                         rcyoung@bridgewater.edu

website:                      http://www.bridgewater.edu/~rcyoung/

 

Final Exam Date & Time:             Friday December 9th, 2005 @ 10:30-12:30

 

Required Text:   Hyde, J. S. & DeLamater, J (2003). Understanding Human Sexuality,9th ed., New

York: McGraw-Hill

                                    Taverner, W. J. (2006). Taking Sides: Clashinh Views on Controversial Issues in

Human Sexuality, 9th ed., Iowa: McGraw-Hill

 

Course Objectives: This course is a survey course of the field of human sexuality as taught

from a scientific/psychological perspective. The psychological focus means that sexuality and topics of sexuality will be examined as they relate to human behavior and relationships. Students will learn practical information about the biological, psychological, and social aspects of sexuality that will be of use for daily living (e.g., information about contraception, stds, & variations in sexual behavior). Students will also learn about the methodology of the scientific study of sex in order to be able to determine the usefulness of information about which they hear or read. And, students will become comfortable with the topic of sex to assist them in communicating with their romantic relationships, their doctors, and someday, their children. Content topics include: sexuality anatomy & physiology; sexually transmitted diseases; conception, pregnancy & infertility; methods of contraception; prenatal gonad/hormonal differentiation; sex research; attraction & love; sexual orientation; sexual dysfunction & therapy; and Sex, ethics, and the law.

 

Assignments: Four (4) non-cumulative exams during the semester (the fourth exam will be given during the scheduled final exam period) will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the material. Three (3) 2-3 page position papers based on readings from Taking Sides will enable you to articulate your views and your thinking on controversial issues in the realm of human sexuality. A group project in which you and your group will make a commercial for condoms will give you a chance to persuade the class in a manner you see fit. Lastly, due to the nature of the course, regular participation/attendance will be considered an “assignment”.

 

More Info on the Commercial Project: Your group will make a commercial (using the Psychology Department’s video facilities) between 30 and 60 seconds in length. You may use either a) humor or b) eroticism to sell your product and persuade the class.  It may focus on contraception, preventing (some) STDs, both, or neither (if you feel strongly that Condoms promote unsafe, casual sex, your commercial can take that stance as well – this would be an “anti-condom” commercial like the “anti-smoking” or “don’t do drugs” commercials). Your group should provide a brief introduction for each of the videos explaining why you approached the topic as you did, why you believe your commercial would be effective, and so on. (Each individual in the group will also be responsible for a 1-2 page INDEPENDENT analysis of the commercial’s effectiveness)

 

Evaluation:

Point Earning Opportunity                             Date                Number of Points Possible

EXAM #1                                                       9/23                 100

Position Paper #1                                            9/30                   20

EXAM #2                                                       10/24               100

Position Paper #2                                            11/4                   20

EXAM #3                                                       11/21               100

Position Paper #3                                            12/5                   20

Group Project                                     12/7                   75 (50 for group; 25 for each individual)

EXAM #4                   FINAL EXAM DATE: 12/9                 100

Attendance/Participation                                                       50 (10 pts for each “activity day”)

                                                                                                -----

Total Points                                                                            585

 

Determination of your Final Grade:

Your final grade will be determined by the number of points you earn in the course.

 

Grade Breakdown

Grade              % of points received                       # of points received

A                     92.5% or better                      541 or better

A-                    89.5 - 92.4%                         524 - 540

 

B+                   86.5 - 89.4%                         506 - 523

B                     82.5 - 86.4%                         483 - 505

B-                    79.5 - 82.4%                         465 - 482

 

C+                   76.5 - 79.4%                         448 - 464

C                     72.5 - 76.4%                         424 - 447

C-                    69.5 - 72.4%                         407 - 423

 

D+                   66.5 - 69.4%                         389 - 406

D                     62.5 - 66.4%                         366 - 488

D-                    59.5 - 62.4%                         348 - 365

 

F                      59.4%            or below               347 or below

 

The Class Exams

-The four (4) exams you take in for this course will be worth 100 points each.

 

-No one will be admitted to any exam after the first person has completed his/her work.

 

-Make-up exams will be given only due to EXTRAORDINARY circumstances.

 

- Students missing exams due to athletic events or other approved performances will be given the exam at a special time.  All students who will miss a class for athletics, etc… MUST tell me of their absences in advance!

 

If you miss an exam for an invalid (or undocumented) reason, you will receive a 0 for that exam. Accepted documentation includes doctor’s notes, funeral notices, etc. In exceptional cases, with fair warning, I may choose to give a student an exam earlier than its scheduled date.

 

Classroom Policies

1) Academic Dishonesty Policy:

Just so that we are all clear, Academic dishonesty will NOT be tolerated! Students must work individually on all writing assignments and exams.  All written work MUST be your own. This means you are not to copy ideas from other students or sources (including the internet).  I sincerely hope that you are discussing the issues from this class when you are outside of class, but on original work for papers and exams, please refrain from discussing your theses or conclusions with other students to prevent the appearance of impropriety. If you want constructive criticism, you should get a draft to me or meet with me before the due date.  All cases of academic dishonesty (e.g., cheating on an exam, plagiarizing sources) will result in an honor council hearing.

 

2) Attendance and Participation Expectations:

Of course attendance at all of my classes is expected (and to your benefit!) Students who miss class

are responsible for all material covered in that class. As you are all adults, you can make your own decision about attending, but without fail, students who miss any of my classes perform more poorly on the exams! Ignorance of class material or of changes to this syllabus covered in class is NOT a valid excuse for anything.  I expect my class to be energetic and full of participation.  I will do my part, but you should do yours as well, including reading that assigned material prior to class so that you can answer my questions and raise your own. IN ADDITION, during the semester, there will be 5 specific “activity” days. Each of these days is worth 10 points toward your final grade, if you miss any of these days (unless the reason is EXTRAORDINARY – meaning beyond just a head cold, etc), you will lose those 10 points for the day.

 

3) Written work policy:

All written work must be typed and must meet the following guidelines:

1 inch margins all the way around

12-point font

Double-spaced

Left-margin justified

Stapled (please do NOT use any plastic covers)

 

Any violation of these simple rules will cost you 5 points on the assignment.

 

 

                 

      Note: This syllabus is subject to change!

   Any changes will be announced in class

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE

Week & Dates                                     Topics                                                              Readings

 

1)         8/31                                         Welcome! – Let’s talk about sex!

            9/2                                           Sexual Anatomy                                              Ch. 4

 

2)         9/5                                           Sexual Anatomy                                             

            9/7                                           Sexual Physiology                                            Ch. 9

            9/9                                           Sexual Physiology                                           

 

3)         9/12                                         ACTIVITY DAY: Early Ideas & Experiences

            9/14                                         Prenatal Differentiation                         Ch. 5

            9/16                                         Prenatal Differentiation                        

 

4)         9/19                                         Prenatal Differentiation & Transexualism            Ch. 14 (pgs 374-381)

            9/21                                         Review Session for Exam #1

            9/23                                         *****EXAM #1*****

 

5)         9/26                                         Sex Research                                                          Ch. 3

            9/28                                         Sex Research                                                         

            9/30                                         ACTIVITY DAY: “Master of your Domain”

            NOTE: POSITION PAPER #1 is due 9/30 (Taking Sides Issues #14 & #15)

 

6)         10/3                                         Attraction, Love, & Sexual Relationships            Ch. 11 (pg 292-308)

            10/5                                         Attraction, Love & Sexual Relationships            Ch. 12 & Ch. 13

            10/7                                         Attraction, Love & Sexual Relationships               

 

7)         10/10                                       FALL BREAK – NO CLASS                                   

            10/12                                       Attraction, Love, & Sexual Relationships   

            10/14                                       *****EXAM #2*****

           

8)         10/17                                       Conception & Pregnancy                                Ch. 7   

            10/19                                       Conception & Pregnancy                               

            10/21                                       Finish Conception & Pregnancy; ACTIVITY DAY: Condoms!

 

9)         10/24                                       Contraception                                                 Ch. 8

            10/26                                       Contraception

            10/28                                       Contraception & Intro to Sexual Arousal

 

10)       10/31                                       Sexual Arousal                                                Ch. 1 & Ch. 10

            11/2                                         Sexual Arousal

            11/4                                         Sexual Orientation                                           Ch. 15

            NOTE: POSITION PAPER #2 is due 11/4 (Taking Sides Issues # 2 & #5)

 

11)       11/7                                         Sexual Orientation

            11/9                                         ACTIVITY DAY: GUEST SPEAKER

            11/11                                       Discussion about Speaker

 

 

SCHEDULE

Week & Dates                                     Topics                                                              Readings

 

12)       11/14                                       *****EXAM #3*****

            11/16                                       Variations in Sexual Behavior                       Ch. 16

            11/18                                       Variations in Sexual Behavior

 

13)       11/21                                       ACTIVITY DAY: MALE / FEMALE Q & A DAY                   

            11/23                                       NO CLASS – Thanksgiving

            11/25                                       NO CLASS – Thanksgiving

 

14)       11/28                                       Finish Variations & Intro to STDs               Ch. 20

            11/30                                       STDs                                                              

            12/2                                         STDs

 

15)       12/5                                         STDs

            NOTE: POSITION PAPER #3 is due 12/5 (Taking Sides Issues #18 & #19)

            12/7                                         LAST DAY – wrap up & Evals

 

FINAL EXAM: FRIDAY DECEMBER 9th, @ 10:30 am