HUMAN SEXUALITY SYLLABUS

Summer Second Session, 2014

as of June 1, 2014

 

This summer course has been approved for GE credit.
 
 

Adjunct Professor: Dr. David Hall
dhall (at) pacific.edu

No office hours will be maintained. The best way to contact me is on line via email to <airsafe1 (at) comcast.net > or Skype david.hall75

TEXTBOOKS

Crooks, R., & Baur, K. (2013). Our Sexuality (12th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Wadsworth. (referred to as C&B throughout syllabus). Purchase in the bookstore or online. You can also rent an electronic version for 180 days from coursesmart.com. However, I suggest you buy a copy since it will be useful as you become known as a sexuality expert for years to come.

Joannides, Paul, (2013). Guide to Getting it On! (7th Ed.). Walport, OR: Goofy Foot Press (referred to as GG). Purchase in the book store or online. It is also available as an iBook from iTunes for $9.99. This book is a fun read, you will really enjoy it, and you can keep it.
(Earlier versions of both texts are not acceptable, as the new editions are significantly changed.)

COMPUTER USE
This course will be taught on line using the Sakai system. When you are registered for the course, you will then be enrolled on Sakai. Enter <https://pacific.rsmart.com> use your Pacificnet ID and password and this class should be in your workspace. If not, select "Membership" and then find it in "joinable sites".

You will need Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher, Firefox works great. A high speed connection is essential.  Cache must be set to refresh the page each time it is accessed.  If you do not have Powerpoint, you will need to download a Powerpoint Viewer (free from Microsoft) and have an Acrobat Reader (free from Acrobat) to access parts of the course.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. To move you toward becoming an expert on the subject of human sexuality, i.e., to assure that when you complete this course you will have an accurate and extensive knowledge of human sexuality.

He who knows nothing doubts nothing.     French proverb

2. To help you understand the importance of using scientific research methodologies to study sexuality, and to help you sharpen your general critical thinking skills in the process.

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.     Aldous Huxley

3.  To help you learn to navigate the uncharted Internet for valid and useful sexual information.
Sex is one of the nine reasons for reincarnation.... The other eight are unimportant.      Henry Miller

4. To help you understand that, although scientific knowledge is one critical component in studying human sexuality, attitudes and choices regarding sexuality also have critical dimensions involving values and ethics.

Sexuality is a good gift from God and is a fundamental means of realizing life in community. This gift includes all that it means to be male and female and is not limited to coital behavior. All expressions of human sexuality affect the emergence of genuine personhood and should reflect a concern for personal integrity, relational fidelity and the equality of men and women.     United Methodist Church

5. To help you appreciate the value of the many perspectives brought to the study of sexuality by people of different genders, cultures, ethnicities, and sexual orientations.

The only unnatural sex act is the one that can't be performed.     Alfred Kinsey

6. To assist you in identifying and developing positive attitudes about sexuality.

Parents should be taught to bless, honor, dignify, conserve, and celebrate their children's sexuality.
    Committee report to the Sex Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) by interfaith group of clergy

7. To help you better understand the many ways in which sexuality affects yourself and others, both female and male.

The war between the sexes is the only one in which both sides regularly sleep with the enemy.     Quentin Crisp

8. To create an atmosphere in this class where we are open, nonjudgmental, tolerant, and supportive as we learn and discuss information about sexuality.

Nothing is so firmly believed as that which is least known.     Michel de Montaigne

9. To explore the material we study with a sense of humor that adds enjoyment and enlightenment to what we learn.

Don't do unto others as you would they should do unto you. Their taste may be different.     George Bernard Shaw

10. It doesn't matter what you've got in your pants if there is nothing in your brain to connect it to.

Guide to Getting It On. Paul Joannides

Introduction to the online class

This online version of Psych 66 is a challenging class. There is a lot of material in the text books and the online lecture material in Power Point format and an amazing amount of information on the web that you can access. There is a lot to read, and there is a lot you don't have to read but will probably want to read. All this material is covered in only 5 weeks. Our experience with the previous summer classes is that if you don't keep up, you will drop or fail. But those who keep the pace give the class a good report at the end, indicating they learned a lot and enjoyed the interaction with other students. The value of the material and the text books will stay with you and you can refresh your knowledge during the rest of your life. You will probably find yourself giving copies of the Guide to Getting It On to your friends for gifts. (They offer a neat gift pack mailed directly to your giftee.) You will also find that your friends ask you a lot of questions about sex when they find you are taking, or have taken, this class. We can guarantee this class will be a lot of work and a lot of fun.

COURSE SCHEDULE

DATE TOPIC READING
6/16
Introduction to the course. Take Trueblood survey GG Warning and Changes, Chapters 1, 66-69
6/17
Perspectives on sexuality. Post personal biography C&B About the Authors, Preface, 1
6/18
Sex research C&B 2 GG 39
6/19
Female sexual anatomy and physiology C&B 3 GG Chap 7-8
6/20
Male sexual anatomy and physiology C&B 4 GG Chap 5-6
6/23 Gender issues Test 1 on Chap. 1-4 C&B 5 GG 77-80
6/24 Sexual arousal and response C&B 6 GG Chap 9-10
6/25
Love and Communications C&B 7
6/26
Love and Communications  
6/27
Sexual Behaviors C&B 8 GG 2-4
6/30
Sexual Orientations - Test 2 on Chap. 5 - 8 C&B 9 
7/1
Contraception C&B 10 GG 58-59  
7/2
Conceiving children: Process and choice C&B 11 GG 60-61
7/3
Sexuality during childhood and adolescence C&B 12 GG 63-64
7/7
Sexuality and the adult years - Test 3 on Chap. 9 -12 C&B 13
7/8
Sexual difficulties and solutions - C&B 14
7/9
Sexual difficulties and solutions C&B 14
7/10
Sexually transmitted diseases C&B 15
7/11
Sexually transmitted diseases C&B 15  Last day for movie reviews
7/14
Atypical sexual behavior -Test 4 on Chap. 13-15 C&B 16 GG 43-47
7/15
Sexual coercion - C&B 17
7/16
Sex for sale C&B 18
7/17 Test 5 Chapters 16-18 must be complete by 5 PM Friday
7/18 Take Trueblood survey and course critique by 5 PM Friday

General

This class schedule requires that we usually study one topic a day so it is really hard if you get behind. You can get ahead some because each week's work will be available on Sunday and you can turn in work early. Some things, of course, cannot be done in advance, like the weekly tests and comments on other student's discussion submissions. If you need a day off, plan far enough ahead so that you can complete the work in advance.

Grading Policy. Grades will be based on:

Discussions found in "Forum"

Discussion group participation is required. This is our primary way of studying together and learning from each other. After reading each assignment, you are required to submit your personal comments (300+ words) to one of the discussion questions for that day. There will be 3 or more specific questions or items to choose from each day. Your comment must include reference to text or lecture material as part of your answer. Begin your comment by starting a new thread under the question.

You must comment at least twice more after reading the comments of others which should show new insight that their comment for that day brought to you. These response comments can be shorter, but must be more than "I agree" etc. It is usually a good idea to pick a question different from the one you made your main comment on. Use the "reply" button for these responses.

Discussion topics on each day for a given week will be posted by 8 AM on Sunday of that week. The initial comment for each day is due by midnight the day after the topic is assigned. The comments on other student comments are due by Saturday midnight of that week. Each day's participation is worth a total of 10 points for a total of 200. (6 points for the initial comment, 2 points each for two responses to others.)  Late or short submissions will lose points.

There will also be an ungraded discussion list for comments and questions on topics that interest you.  Dr. Hall will answer questions, and students are encouraged to offer answers also.  This list will give everyone an opportunity to explore and comment on areas of particular personal interest.

Tests.

On Monday of each week (except the first week) there will be a test on the previous week's work. On 7/17 there will be a test on the last three chapters.  Tests will consist of multiple choice and essay type questions.

The tests are worth 17 points/chapter for a total of 306 . Tests will be open book, of course, but must be completed in a specific amount of time, usually 15 minutes for each chapter covered. In order to complete the test within the time limit, you will need to read and study the material before you begin the test.  Tests will be available by 8:00 a.m. on Sunday and must be completed by midnight on Tuesday of that week. You can take the test any time within that period, but will have a fixed time limit to complete the test once you have started it.  After you SUBMIT it, you cannot go back and change your answers, so be sure your responses are what you want before you hit SUBMIT.  The final test must be completed by 5 PM on 7/18. You will be able to review your test after all students have taken it. All times are PDT.

Daily Quiz

There will be a graded quiz on each chapter's assignment that will be worth 20 points each, for a total of 360. The quiz will cover the reading assignment in both texts and the online lecture. These are due by 8 AM the following day, including weekend days. (i.e. Friday's chapter quiz is due by Saturday morning.) Again, you can do the work in advance, but there are penalties for being late. It is really important that you read the all the assignment and the online lecture notes before taking the quiz.

Written Assignments.

There will be two written assignments due on Friday of the 2nd and 4th week. Specific instructions will be provided on Sakai. They will be designed to help you explore subjects of interest in a deeper and more personal way. They will be worth 60 points each.

Biography and Photo

At the beginning of the course, you are required to post a brief biography and a photo of yourself to help us all get better aquainted. Worth 8 points for the bio and 6 points for the photo.

Other items:

Trueblood Sexual Attitude Questionnaire

You are requested, but not required, to complete the TSAQ at the beginning and end of the course. These are not graded, and are only to enable us to assess the effect of the course on changes in sexual attitudes. They will not be looked at except for your student number until the class is over and all grades are in. (20 points extra credit only if you complete both.) A link to the survey will be provided.

Course evaluation. 10 points extra for completing this at the end of the class.

Extra Credit Options - 10 points each, maximum of 20 points
In addition to taking the Trueblood Sexual Attitude Questionnaire, plays or movies can be reviewed for extra credit. To get extra credit write up the movie or play using the Critical Review format provided. No credit will be given if this format is not used. Last day to submit reviews is July 11, by midnight.

Choose from these movies:
  Brokeback Mountain - self-acceptance, homosexuality

  The People Versus Larry Flint - pornography, First Amendment
  Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - idealistic love
  Frida - Art and sex
  Y tu mama, tambien - Adolescent sexuality
  Milk - Alternate sexualities and politics
  The Sessions - Sexual surrogates
  Kinsey - History of sex research
  Waitress - Sex and gender roles

Total points Possible
 
 
Tests 306
Biography and photo 14
Chapter quizes 360
Written assignments 2@60 each 120
Discussions (20 at 10 each) 200
Total 1000+50 possible bonus

Total Points Needed for Grade

Total points at the end of the course will be graded as follows:
930-1000 A
900-929 A-
860-899  B+
830-859 B
800-829 B-
760-799 C+
730-759 C
700-729 C-
660-699 D+
630-659 D
629 and below F

Attendance

Since the course is on line, attendance is not required but assignments must be submitted on time. Late assignments will be docked 10% of the possible points per day, including weekend days, unless there are special circumstances (e.g., illness, death in family). Special circumstances should be brought to the attention of Dr. Hall immediately. You will be required to post a personal biography online so others in the class can get to know something about you. It should let us all know a little about your background, interests, and please include a photo. It does not have to include any personal sexual, or other, information that you do not wish to share.

Students with Disabilities

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a documented disability, please contact the Learning Disabilities Coordinator or the Disabled Student Services office as soon as possible. If you have emergency medical information that I should know, please email me immediately.

Honor Code

The University Honor Code will be adhered to in this course. The University of the Pacific Honor Code will be adhered to in this course. Regarding Academic Honesty, it reads as follows:

Students are expected to:

I. Act honestly in all matters;

II. Actively encourage academic integrity;

III. Discourage any form of cheating or dishonesty by others;

IV. Inform the instructor and appropriate University administrator if she/he has a reasonable and good faith belief and substantial evidence that a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy has occurred. Conduct in conflict with the Academic Honesty Policy includes, but is not limited to:

1.1. Cheating

Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of an unauthorized, unfair, dishonest, or unscrupulous advantage to another. Cheating may be accomplished by any means whatsoever, including, but not limited to, the following: fraud, duress, deception, theft, talking, signs, and gestures. Attempted cheating is also considered cheating. Examples of cheating that are not tolerated include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.1.a. Copying graded assignments from another student or giving one’s work to be copied or used by another student for credit.

1.1.b. Working together on a take-home assignment when not specifically permitted by the instructor.

1.1.c. Looking at another student’s paper during an examination or allowing a student to look at one’s paper or giving answers to another during an examination.

1.1.d. Looking at text or notes during an examination when not specifically permitted by the instructor.

1.1.e. Doing homework, taking an exam, or writing a paper for another student.

1.1.f. Using any technological/communication tool not authorized by the faculty during an exam, such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), calculator, pager, or laptop.

1.2. Plagiarism

Plagiarism involves presenting as one’s own, the work, or the opinions of someone else without proper acknowledgement. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

1.2.a. Failing to give credit for ideas, statements of facts, or conclusions derived by another author; failure to use quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it is a paragraph, a sentence, or part thereof; failure to properly cite other’s work.

1.2.b. Submitting a paper purchased or obtained from a “research” or term paper service.

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