PSY 325A Human Sexuality

Spring Semester, 1999 at Houghton College

Paul Young, Department of Psychology

Office: Academic Building N - 324

Phone: 567-9308

e-mail: pyoung@houghton.edu

Office hours: 10- 10:50 a.m. daily or by appointment Professor's schedule

To load a printable copy of the syllabus, click here.

Catalog Description

General Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Course Arrangement

Textbooks

Explanation of Assignments

Links to Internet Sites and Student Projects

E-discussion

Newsletter and Reminders

PowerPoint Slides

Review Sheet 1 2

Catalog Description

Examines sexuality as a component of our personalities, an aspect of our behavior, and an element in our environment. Considers how elements of sexuality interact with other aspects of our thought and behavior, and the role of sexuality in normal and abnormal development across the lifespan.

General Objectives

To fulfill the catalog description.

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Learning Outcomes

1. Ability to answer all reasonable questions about the birds and the bees.

2. Ability to discuss issues relating to sexuality from an accurate and broad information base.

3. Discuss sexual issues and make decisions about sexual expression with sensitivity to the human experience.

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Course Arrangement and Calendar

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Reading

Learning Objectives

Date

Readings

Francoeur 17, 19

Academic sex: Know the contributions of the key researchers in sexuality

Assess the ethical character of research methods in sexuality

Compare representative cross-cultural views of sexuality

Evaluate selection and use of research results

1/12, 14
Readings

Francoeur 10

Parts is parts: Know the structure and functions of the sexual organs of men and women

Understand the health benefits of various forms of self-examination

Assess the controversies about male and female circumcision

Evaluate the conflicting claims about PMS

1/19, 21, 26
Francoeur 14 Parts in action: Compare two models of human sexual response

Compare the sexual response cycles and dysfunctions of men and women

Predict the effects of hormones and of aging on sexual response

Explain what is disordered in the response cycle of so-called sexual addicts.

1/28, 2/2
Francoeur 3

Reading

Us and them: Know the causes and effects of various forms of intersexuality

Explain the development of sexual differentiation

Compare different theories of gender role development

Evaluate the role of the brain in gender differences

2/4, 9
All my life: Identify the typical characteristics of sexuality at each stage of life 2/11
Francoeur 1, 4, 5 Star wars: Develop a script connecting love, communication, and sexuality

Evaluate the predicted effects of infidelity in a marriage

2/16, 18
First Examination 2/25
Reading handout

Francoeur 6, 7, 11

What's love got to do with it? Explain the sources of sexual values in individuals and societies

Know the sexual interests and expression of people with disabilities

Identify the key components of successful sex education

3/2, 4
Havin' my baby: Assess the ethical issues surrounding fertility, infertility, and pregnancy 3/9
Francoeur 9 Can't we all just get along? Develop a thorough understanding of the abortion controversy

Assess the advantages and disadvantages of the various forms of birth control

3/11, 16
...about the 50 ways? Understand the range of typical heterosexual behaviors

Evaluate attitudes toward various sexual behaviors

3/18, 23
Francoeur 2, 13, 16

Stott

Is the homosexual my neighbor? Know the terminology of gender orientation

Evaluate various attitudes toward causes and effects of same-sex gender orientation

3/25, 4/6
Francoeur 3 Different strokes? Know about sexual variations, gender identity disorders, and paraphilias 4/8, 13
Francoeur 12 & 15 "...but I know it when I see it." Define pornography and distinguish it from art 4/15
Francoeur 8, 17, 19 "It depends on what the meaning of the word is is." Compare the legal, social, and popular definitions of rape and sexual harrassment 4/20
Francoeur 18 Ouch! Outline the causes, preventions, and treatments of STDs and disorders of the sex organs 4/22
Second examination 4/27
5/5

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Textbooks

Francoeur, R.T. (1998). Taking sides: Clashing views on controversial issues in human sexuality, 6th ed. Guilford, CT: Dushkin.

Stott, J. R. W. (1998). Same-sex partnerships? A Christian perspective. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.

Explanation of Assignments

1. Read the books and Web materials as assigned in the calendar, keeping ahead of the class topics. That is, read the assignments before the class meeting. Once a quiz is given on a reading assignment, the reading credit may not be made up.

Use your reading to contribute to class discussion. Expect in-class writing assignments and quizzes and electronically-posed questions to draw on your reading much more than on class material. You may expect a quiz or in-class writing assignment weekly. .................15%

2. Two examinations:

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3. Term project ........................20%

4. Electronic discussion.............10%

I intend for the class to have ongoing discussion through electronic means during the semester. The main channel is to be the shared folder set up in Groupwise. Alternatively, you may use direct e-mail on occasion. I prefer the folder, since that permits everyone to benefit from your wisdom and experience.

Electronic discussion is designed to continue class discussions after meeting times, to raise issues that have come up in your readings, conversations, or thinking, and to give a voice to people who do not have the opportunity to speak in class.

For each substantive contribution you make in electronic discussion, I will record 1/2 point toward your final grade, up to a maximum of five points. Check the discussion folder at least twice per week.

5. Class projects will be assigned several times throughout the semester. Sometimes they will be assigned in class, and sometimes by e-mail or in the course newsletter. These will involve additional research and reading, small group discussions, interviews, and conversational reports. You will not be required to compromise your values or your confidences. Your participation and reports on these projects will be worth 15%.

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Links to Internet Sites

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Student Projects

Child Abuse, a PowerPoint presentation by Jodi Stiegelmeyer, investigates the causes of child abuse and the effects on both the victims and the perpetrators. A sensitive and balanced treatment.

Endometriosis, a PowerPoint presentation by Allissa Barnett, covers the various ways this disorder is manifested and the disruption it produces in people's lives. Includes case study material.

Etiology of homosexuality, a PowerPoint presentation by Bethany McIntyre, presents and evaluates the different theories for the sources of homosexual orientations. Like the published research, her presentation focuses on the etiology of male homosexuality.

Transsexualism, a PowerPoint presentation by Kari Whitaker. It deals with the reasons people consider sex-change surgery, the research about the outcomes of a sex change, and the reactions of family and friends of people who undergo a change in gender.

Narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder, is explained in this Website by course students Gregory Bayse and Lori Scott. This is a good sample of a Web page developed for a course project.

SIECUS is the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States. This site has a great deal of useful information, but offers a particular bias. Discern.

AASECT is the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. If the direct link to the left is blocked, try this intermediate link: Braveman.

Internet Mental Health website. This site does not have information on sexual disorders, but it does provide helpful models of sound website design in the field of psychology.

Human genetics of sexual differentiation are surveyed in this NIH site, with links to the latest information in this rapidly-developing field.

E-discussion

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PowerPoint Slides

1/12 1/14 1/19 1/21 1/26 1/28
2/2 2/4 2/9 2/11 2/16 2/18
2/25 3/2 3/4 3/9 3/11 3/16
3/18 3/23 3/25 4/6 4/8 4/13
4/15 4/20 4/22 4/27 5/5

*There were no PowerPoint presentations for these days.

*Exam dates

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First posted 8 January, 1998. Last update 22 April, 1999

Copyright Paul D. Young