Human Sexuality is a Summer Session II course at Trinity College.  It consists of a 3-hour lecture Tuesday and Thursday evenings, lasting 6 weeks, for 1 course credit. 

Psyc 244, Human Sexuality

Summer Session II, 1999

Instructor: Barbara Chapman

Office: LSC 205

Phone:     297-5295                        

Office Hours: T     3:00 - 5:00 pm        Th   4:00 - 6:00 pm         and by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will provide an overview of psychological aspects of human sexuality, including social issues, gender role development, attraction, variations in sexual expression, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, and historical and cultural influences. You will learn about the development and structure of reproductive systems, and the physiology of sexual response, sexual cycles, and reproduction. You'll have an opportunity to gain basic knowledge, develop an awareness of attitudes, and acquire skills for conducting research. The course includes discussions of sexual value systems and communication skills.

TEXT

Kelly, Gary F. (1998). Sexuality today: The human perspective (6^th edition). NY: McGraw-Hill.


GRADING

A total of 200 points will be possible, from the following elements:

• Exams

There will be 3 exams (see class schedule). The 2^nd and 3^rd exams are cumulative. The first exam will be worth 40 points, the 2^nd will be worth 45 points, and the 3^rd will be worth 55 points (for a total of 140 points toward the final grade). Absence from an exam is only allowed with prior notification and must be due to an emergency. Missed exams must be made up within one week of the original exam date.

• Class participation

Since this class has a relatively small enrollment, class discussions will be an integral component. You will not be graded on the brilliance of your observations, so don't be shy or nervous. (Also, everything said in class is completely confidential unless the speaker indicates otherwise.) Class participation will be worth 30 points toward the total grade (3 points per session).

• Homeworks

In total, homeworks will be worth 5 points (actual assignments & point values TBA in class).

• Reaction papers (5 papers)

These are short (1- to 3-page) written assignments, worth 5 points each. The reaction papers are intended to serve several purposes, including: strengthening your understanding of the material, clarifying your own attitudes and beliefs, helping you prepare for class discussions, and improving your writing.

 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

It will be assumed that any material handed in under a student's name represents the work of that student only. Submitting anyone else's work under your name constitutes plagiarism. Quotations must be cited appropriately. Written material must be submitted for only one course unless you have the explicit approval of both instructors involved. Engaging in any of these activities or other activities that are considered to fall under "academic dishonesty," such as cheating on an exam, will result in a zero for that assignment.

Saying "I didn't know that was cheating" is not going to alter the zero. For more information on what is and what is not plagiarism (examples included), see the "Student Handbook," pages 44-45 (available in my office).

CONFIDENTIALITY

One of the main goals of this class is to facilitate open and honest communication about sexuality. This cannot be accomplished unless students are encouraged to express themselves in class openly and honestly.

For this reason, above and beyond learning the information related to sexuality, you will be asked to discuss your own personal feelings and values related to the topics being covered. If you do not want to respond to any question about your personal feelings or values, and you clearly state that you do not want to respond, I will immediately stop questioning you about that topic. However, if you fail to state your wishes clearly, I'm likely assume that you are merely trying to think about your answers to the questions. In this case, I will probably try to help you out by clarifying the questions or waiting for you to respond.

* * Since we encourage open and honest discussion of sexuality both inside and outside of the class, any personal attitudes or information shared are confidential. This means that they cannot be revealed in any way outside of class that would identify the person involved - - either directly or indirectly. (Even when talking about a specific person's values or feelings outside of class with another student from the class, especially in a public place, care must be taken not to include the person's name or other identifying information.)

EXAMS

Exams will include the following: take-home essay questions, short-answer questions, definitions, and multiple choice questions. They may possibly also include: matching, fill-in-the-blank, and true/false items.

As stated earlier, the 2^nd and 3^rd exams will be cumulative. The questions relating to earlier course material will cover basic or "central" information.

REACTION PAPERS

Each student will write five papers, each about one of the options in the "reaction papers" packet. Each paper will be 1 - 3 pages long (typed, double-spaced). The major purpose of writing these papers is to help you understand the material and clarify your own personal values, feelings, and beliefs. Any personal information expressed in these papers will be kept strictly confidential. Papers may be handed in any time before the due date, but they must be handed in by the beginning of class on the respective due date.

Schedule

Class meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6:30 - 9:30, in MCEC 220. This schedule of topics and assignments may change slightly, and additional assignments/readings may be given in class.

Links to Research Institutes, etc... 

• The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, & Reproduction

• The Alan Guttmacher Institute (Reproductive Health Research, Policy Analysis, and Public Education)

• SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States)

Health Care...

• "Health Topics from A to Z"  -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Gonorrhea fact sheet  --  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

• Breast Self-Examination --  Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

• Testicular Self-Examination

• The ThinPrep Site (commercial site -- Pap test information)

• Charting Fertility Patterns -- Planned Parenthood

• Contraceptives -- Planned Parenthood

• Prenatal Care -- Planned Parenthood

• Advice for the Young Bride (1894)  --Lois McDermott, U. of Washington (link to an old sexuality course site)

• Anti-Masturbation Device  --Partway down the page, on the right, see the explanation of a 1903 patent, and links to images.

• Test Your Knowledge about Aging -- Linda M. Woolf, Webster University

• Sexuality in Later Life -- National Institute on Aging

• Billy Tipton, female jazz musician who lived as a man:

              º   Biographical timeline with photos, from "Suits Me...," by Diane Middlebrook

• (Transsexual Race Car Driver Terri O'Connell -- ABC 20/20) ** this webpage no longer exists (there is a site that sells 20/20 transcripts if you want one: http://www.transcripts.tv/search/do_basicsearch.cfm )

• Walter/Wendy Carlos, transsexual (musician; synthesizers, Clockwork Orange)  ** link has expired **

• Communication: "Lines on Life," by David Gershaw, Arizona Western College

              º Communication Skills                   º Listening Skills

              º Assertiveness:       -- Standing up for your rights                -- Learning to be assertive                 

• Integrity -- A national organization for Episcopalians (& non-church-goers) who wish to understand their spirituality and homosexuality.

• Dignity/USA -- A national organization of & for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered Catholics.