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Human Sexuality
Family Studies 253
Fall Semester 2008
T 11:45-1:10; TH 12:45-2:05
Rm. 501 Holland Hall

General Overview: This course explores the varied dimensions of human sexuality as they relate to, affect, and are affected by past and present human relationships. Sexual problems and issues are examined for the development of a value framework and for the enrichment of family life.

Instructor: Sharon E. Powell, Ph.D.
213D Holland Hall
Phone: (507) 646-3130 (w); (612) 729-7459 (h)
Email: powell@stolaf.edu
Office hours: MW 11:00-1:00 or by appointment

**A word about e-mail: During the semester I check my e-mail frequently while I am at work. I usually check it last thing before I leave work at the end of the day and again when I arrive in the morning. I am very likely to NOT check it when I am home on weeknights and, maybe, weekends. If you really need to contact me during those times, give me a call- it’s not long distance!

Course Objectives:

• To appreciate the functions of the human reproductive system and to develop a better understanding of birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual dysfunctions and disorders, and social issues related to sexuality
• To enhance the development of a value framework by providing opportunities for students to explore and discuss personal attitudes and values
• To think critically about the influence of cultural and societal attitudes on the development of an individual’s values, attitudes, and patterns of behavior
• To understand how human sexual behavior relates to, affects, and is affected by past and present human relationships and by the social context in which it occurs

Required Reading:

• Text: Crooks, R. & Baur, K. (2008).  Our Sexuality, 10th Edition.  Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
  
• Articles: In addition to the textbook, some scholarly and popular articles have been assigned. The reference list is located on the last page of your syllabus.

Course Format:
During class periods there will be several instructional strategies used: (1) lecture, (2) large group discussion, and (3) small group discussion of the assigned readings, videos, case studies, etc.

Course Requirements:

• Class participation and attendance: Attendance will be taken through intermittently assigned questions or comments. An unusual number of absences will reduce one’s grade.

• Three Exams: The exams will be objective. They will cover the assigned readings, class lectures, videos, & class presentations.

• Thought Papers:­ Two thought papers will be required throughout the course of the semester. These papers are designed to help you begin to think critically about the role of human sexuality within our society. Each paper will consist of your thoughts about a topic covered in class and should be 2 pages maximum. You may choose to write from five topics:  1) gender issues; 2) sexual behaviors; 3) childhood and adolescent sexuality; 4) sexual difficulties; 5) sex for sale. Due dates for the papers are listed on the course schedule.

• Group Paper and Presentation: This project will give you an introduction to ways that research and theory development can apply to practical issues in the area of human sexuality. A minimum of twelve sources will be required for your paper and presentation. Your group will submit a 10 page maximum paper (12 point font, double-spaced). Your presentation will last 20 minutes and should incorporate a report on the topic and some form of interactive activity for the class. Additional information will be handed out in class.
  

Schedule

DATE	TOPIC	READINGS	ASSIGNMENT DUE
9/04/08	Classes begin
9/09/08	Introduction and History of sex in America	Book: Ch. 1 Articles: Reading exercise #1
9/11/08	Sex Research	Book: Ch. 2
9/16/08	Sex Research	Book: Ch. 2
9/18/08	Gender Issues	Book: Ch. 3 Articles: Reading exercise #2
9/23/08	Gender Issues	Book: Ch. 3
9/25/08	Sexual Anatomy (Female)	Book: Ch. 4
9/30/08	Sexual Anatomy (Male)	Book: Ch. 5
10/02/08	Sexual Arousal and Response	Book: Ch. 6
10/07/08	Sexual Arousal and Response	Book: Ch. 6
10/09/08	Exam 1	Exam 1	Exam 1
10/14/08	FALL BREAK
10/16/08	Sexual Behaviors	Book: Ch. 8
10/21/08	Sexual Behaviors	Book: Ch. 8	Thought Paper #1
10/23/08	Love, Attraction, and Attachment	Book: Ch. 7
10/28/08	Sexual Orientation	Book: Ch. 9
10/30/08	Sexual Orientation	Book: Ch. 9 Articles: Reading exercise #3
11/04/08	Childhood and Adolescent Sexuality	Book: Ch. 12
11/06/08	Exam 2 (Sharon’s at NCFR)	Exam 2	Exam 2
11/11/08	Childhood and Adolescent Sexuality	Book: Ch. 12
11/13/08	Childhood and Adolescent Sexuality	Book: Ch. 12
11/18/08	Sexual Difficulties	Book: Ch. 14
11/20/08	Sexual Coercion	Book: Ch. 17
11/25/08	Sex for Sale	Book: Ch. 18	Thought Paper #2
11/27/08	THANKSGIVING BREAK
12/02/08	Presentations
12/04/08	Presentations
12/09/08	Presentations		Research Paper
12/11/08	Reading Day
12/16/08	FS 253 Final Exam: 9-11

Grading:

Assignment	Possible Points
Thought Papers	15 points
Research Project	15 points
Exam 1	20 points
Exam 2	20 points
Exam 3	20 points
Class participation and attendance	10 points
TOTAL	100 points

Incompletes will be given in this course only for documented emergency situations with approval of the appropriate dean of students.  Course grades will be assigned in terms of the percentages listed below:

 

Letter Grade	Percentage
A	93-100		C	73-77
A-	90-92		C-	70-72
B+	88-89		D+	68-69
B	83-87		D	63-67
B-	80-82		D-	60-62
C+	78-79		F	less than 60

 

Class Expectations:

Students are expected to attend every class. Students are expected to attend every class. Attendance is not taken but your presence in class will enhance both your own and your classmates’ experience. Additionally, you (or someone) have paid a lot of money for you to take this class. You’ll get the best value by attending.
Assigned readings are to be read in advance of the class for which they were assigned, and students should be prepared to engage in discussion. If class is missed, participants are responsible for obtaining missed materials and information from another class member.

In order to optimize the learning environment in this class, students are asked to honor the following:
           

• Be on time for class and stay until the end. We will start promptly at the designated start time and end promptly at the designated end time.
• Do not read the newspaper or chat during class.
• Turn cell phones and pagers off during class. If an emergency page or call is expected, set the device to “vibrate” rather than to “ring.”
• If you must enter late or leave early, do so quietly.
• If class is missed, participants are responsible for obtaining missed materials and information from another class member.
• “Extra credit” assignments are not given, so please do not ask.
• Exams will be given during class time as noted on the class schedule. Only rare exceptions will be made for scheduling an alternative time to take the exam.

 

Grading Definitions:

A:         Achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements.

B:        Achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements.

C:        Achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect.

D:        Achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements.

S:         achievement that is satisfactory, which is equivalent to C- or better

F:         Work that was completed but at a level of achievement not worthy of credit; or work that was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student that the student would be awarded an incomplete.

I:          Assigned at the discretion of the instructor when, due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., hospitalization) a student is prevented from completing the work of the course on time. Requires a written agreement between the instructor, the student, and the appropriate dean of students.

Other Concerns: If you have other concerns that you think may affect your performance in this class, please let me know ASAP so that we can work together to find a solution.

Reading Exercises

Three times during the semester, you will be assigned several articles on a certain topic (e.g.- gender). Rather than reading each article, you will be assigned one of the articles to read. In class, you will meet briefly with others who have read the same article and devise a brief presentation highlighting the main points of the article. You will have about 7 minutes to present your article to the class. These exercises will take place for the following topics: history of sex in America; gender; and sexual orientation.

Reading exercise #1 articles (History of Sex in America):

Kinsey, A.C., Pomeroy, W.B., & Martin, C.E. (1948). Sexual behavior in the human male. Philadelphia: Saunders Company.

Masters, W.H., & Johnson, V.E. (1966). Human sexual response. Boston: Little, Brown, & Company.

Newton, R. (1942). How to improve your personality. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Riessman, F. (1998). Help for the addict-in-chief. Social Policy, 29, 6-8.

Sanders, S.A. & Reinisch, J.M. (1999). Would you say you had sex if...? JAMA, 281, 275-277.

Sanger, M. (1969). My fight for birth control. New York: Maxwell Reprint Company.

Thayer, F.C. (1998). Clinton as sexual addict? A false traditional argument. Social Policy, 29, 18-26.

Walling, W.H. (1902). Sexology. Philadelphia: Puritan Publishing Company.

 

Reading exercise #2 articles (Gender Issues):

Buss, D.M. (1995). Psychological sex differences. American Psychologist, 50, 164-168.

Colapinto, J. (1997). The true story of John Joan. Rolling Stone, 775, 1-24.

Fausto-Sterling, A. (1993). The five sexes: Why male and female are not enough. The Sciences, 33, 20-27.

Hamson, S. (2004). The passive/active divide: What the village is teaching our children about gender. Siecus Report, 32, 14-16.

White, E. (2002). Fast girls: Teenage tribes and the myth of the slut. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Reading exercise #3 articles (Sexual Orientation):

Adams, H.E., Wright, L.W., & Lohr, B.A. (1996). Is homophobia associated with homosexual arousal? Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 105, 440-445.

Bower, B. (1996). From exotic to erotic. Science News, 150, 88-89.

Cotten-Huston, A.L., & Waite, B.M. (2000). Anti-homosexual attitudes in college students: Predictors and classroom interventions. Journal of Homosexuality, 38, 117-133.

Reading exercise #4 articles (Sex for Sale):

Articles to be announced.