PSYCHOLOGY 2070
Introduction to Human Sexuality
Spring Semester 2016
Instructor: Irene Daboin, M.A. Office: 1105-A Urban Life (UL) Building
Class Time: T/Th 1:00-2:15 PM Office Telephone #: (404) 413-6537
(available at this number only during office hours)
Classroom: Urban Life (UL) 100
CRN: 12846 E-Mail:
Office hours: Wednesdays 3:00-5:00pm Prerequisites: None
T.A.: Samantha Sabin T.A.’s email:
Course Description
The general goal of this course is to examine the diversity of human sexuality in contemporary American society. Students will explore various social, cultural, clinical, and health perspectives on human sexuality. The course will cover a variety of topics, including: basic sexual and reproductive anatomy, sexual response and arousal, gender identity and gender roles, reproduction, development of sexuality, love and intimacy, sexual orientation, atypical sexual behavior, sexual coercion, and sexual dysfunction.
Course Objectives
1. To introduce students to the basic principles, theories, and methods for the study of human sexuality and have students apply these in their practice of self-directed learning during and after the course.
2. To facilitate students’ understanding of the factors that influence human sexuality (including cultural, psychological, social, biological, evolutionary, medical, political, etc.)
3. To increase students’ awareness of the diversity of sexual behavior by having students develop a greater understanding of themselves and others.
4. To have students develop and practice respect for individual differences in human sexuality (inside and outside of the classroom).
5. To help students integrate and connect class material so that they are able to identify and explain the connections between class content and current events, pop culture, history, and scientific theories outside of this course.
6. To help students clarify their values regarding sexuality and enable students to make their own decisions, judge, appraise, and explain their rationales regarding human sexuality issues.
Required Materials
· Access to Desire2Learn
· Textbook: Carroll, J. L. Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity. 4th or 5th Edition, Wadsworth/Cengage Learning: Belmont, CA.
Course Requirements
The final grade for the class will be calculated combining your grades from your in-class assignments and your exams. Please note that in-class assignments are designed to help you better understand important course concepts and to better connect the course content to your surrounding cultural context and everyday life. As such, you will not be graded on your performance but rather you will automatically earn points just for completing and turning in the assignment. Additionally, please keep in mind that although there will be an in-class assignment every class you are only required to turn in 20 of them.
Exams will be based on information from the lectures (including in-class activities and discussions) and readings from the text. Please note that only partial or abbreviated versions of all lecture notes will be made available on Desire2Learn. Consequently, students who miss class are responsible for obtaining class notes from other students. There will be 4 exams in total and each will be made up of 50 multiple-choice questions.
In-class assignments (20) 20%
Exam 1 20%
Exam 2 20%
Exam 3 20%
Exam 4 20%
Extra Credit Opportunities
You are invited to complete up to five (5) online discussions by posting comments on our course website (D2L Brightspace). There will be 7 discussion topics posted throughout the semester, each with its own specific instructions - however, please note that you can only receive a maximum of 5 extra credit points on your final grade (with each discussion being worth 1 extra credit point). The discussions will include (but will not be limited to) opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge about the textbook readings, connect course material to current events, and provide reflections about how class material applies to your personal life, etc. You will only receive credit for a post if it meets all of the instructions for that specific post. If your post does not meet criteria for credit you will receive a message letting you know, but only after the discussion topic is closed. Thus, you are welcome to attempt more than 5 discussion topics.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THIS COURSE
Although materials from the course will be based on scientific research, please note that people in the course will likely have a diversity of opinions regarding some of the controversial topics we will cover. If an opinion expressed in the course (by me or your classmates) makes you feel uncomfortable, it is acceptable for you to quietly leave the classroom and I encourage you to contact me afterwards or stop by office hours to discuss.
Grading Policy
All grades will be posted on Desire2Learn (no grades may be given by phone or email). Final grades will be computed based on the following plus/minus scale:
A+ 97-100
A 93-96
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D 60-69
F Below 60
Courses or criteria that require a grade of B or C will continue requiring the same (grades of B- or C- will not fulfill the requirement).
Attendance Policy: Attendance is encouraged and expected but not required except for class exams. However, note that missing class may result in you missing an opportunity to turn in an in-class assignment (which will negatively impact your grade). Furthermore, please keep in mind that most material presented in class will differ from the material in the textbook and will form the basis for most of the exam questions. Consequently, not attending class regularly will likely place you at a disadvantage for exams.
Veterans’ Attendance: The Department of Veterans Affairs requires that institutions of higher learning immediately report to them when a student discontinues attendance. Veterans who are receiving benefits to fund their education will be reported to the DVA if they do not attend class for a period of two weeks or more.
Make-up Policy: Students are only required to turn in 20 in-class assignments and complete 5 online discussions. Consequently, students who miss an in-class assignment or an online discussion will not have the opportunity to do a make-up. Students who miss an exam may request a make-up exam if their absence is excused by the instructor. The instructor will determine if the absence is excused based on written documentation submitted by the student in a timely manner. For this class, that time limit is within 3 days of the missed exam. In general, serious medical problems, dire circumstances, etc. would constitute a basis for excusing an absence. There will be no make-up opportunities for any of the extra-credit assignments.
Disability Services: Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by registering with the Office of Disability Services. Students may only be accommodated upon issuance by the Office of Disability Services of a signed Accommodation Plan and are responsible for providing a copy of that plan to instructors of all classes in which accommodations are sought.
Course Evaluation: Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping education at Georgia State. Upon completing the course, please take time to fill out the online course evaluation.
Policy on Disruptive Behavior: Students who exhibit behaviors that disrupt this class or its learning activities will be considered under the Board of Regents Policy on Disruptive Behavior. Inappropriate classroom behavior includes, but is not limited to: sleeping, coming in late, talking/conversing during lecture/presentation, leaving early, interrupting others, talking out of turn or monopolizing class time with excessive comments, inappropriate behavior during group work, behaving disrespectfully to other students or to the instructor, or any other behavior that may be disruptive or disrespectful. All cell phones and electronic devices must be turned to silent during this class.
Students who do not abide by these rules will be given a verbal warning. The second warning will be in writing and the student will meet with a designated faculty member and/or the Chair of the Department of Psychology. For more information, please refer to the university’s policy on disruptive behavior: http://deanofstudents.gsu.edu/faculty-staff-resources/disruptive-student-conduct/
Departmental Policy on Academic Dishonesty: For a full explanation of academic dishonesty, see the GSU student code of conduct at: http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwdos/codeofconduct.html
The most common types of academic dishonesty are plagiarism, cheating on assessments, and unauthorized collaboration.
GSU Department of Psychology Definition of Plagiarism: If a student uses or relies on others’ work in preparing any academic materials (e.g. written assignments, posters, presentations) the student must cite the source correctly according to the directions provided by the instructor. Failure to do so is plagiarism. Copying and pasting even part of a sentence or phrase is plagiarism, even when the source is cited correctly. Paraphrasing a source in a way that copies the phrase or sentence structure of a source is also plagiarism. To avoid plagiarism, students are expected to properly paraphrase others’ ideas. Quotes in scientific writing should only be used when the wording of the original source is critical to the student’s argument. Whether quoting is appropriate in a given instance is at the discretion of the instructor, not the student.
Cheating and Unauthorized Collaboration: Cheating includes the use or sharing of any unauthorized materials and/or assistance before, during, or after an assessment (e.g. exams, tests, quizzes). Unless otherwise specified by your instructor, you may not discuss an assessment or share materials or information with any other student at any time. Unauthorized collaboration occurs under the same circumstances as cheating, but involves assignments outside of the classroom (e.g. papers, projects, presentations) rather than assessments.
Important Dates for the Semester
For more information, please refer to the GSU Spring 2016 Academic Calendar.
· January 11: Spring semester begins
o Our first class is on Tuesday January 12
· January 15: Late registration ends; last day to add/drop
· January 18: MLK Day - GSU Holiday
· January 28: Exam 1
· February 25: Exam 2
· March 1: Semester Midpoint; last day to withdraw
· March 14-20: Spring break
o Class will not meet on T. 3/15 nor Th. 3/17
· March 31: Exam 3
· April 25: Last day of classes for the semester
o Our last lecture will be on Th. 4/21
· April 26 - May 3: Final exams
o Exam 4 is scheduled for Tuesday April 26 12:00-1:15 pm. Please note that this is not a cumulative exam. Also, please keep in mind that this exam is scheduled for a different time than our class time (due to the finals’ schedule).
· May 5: Your final grade for the course will be posted on D2L by 5 pm.
Note: This syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.
Date Topic Readings
01/12 Introduction and Overview Chapter 1
01/14 & 01/19 Theory and Research Chapter 2
01/21 Communication and Adult Sexual Relationships Chapters 3 & 9
01/26 Love and Intimacy Chapter 7
01/28 Exam 1
02/02 & 02/04 Sexual Orientation Chapter 11
02/09 & 02/11 Gender Development, Roles, and Identity Chapter 4
02/16 & 02/18 Childhood and Adolescent Sexuality Chapter 8
02/23 Sexual Expression Chapter 10
02/25 Exam 2
03/01& 03/03 Male Sexual Anatomy and Physiology Chapter 6
03/08 & 03/10 Female Sexual Anatomy and Physiology Chapter 5
(03/15 & 03/17) Spring Break – No classes
03/22 & 03/24 Pregnancy and Birth Chapter 12
03/29 Contraception and Abortion Chapter 13
03/31 Exam 3
04/05 Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS Chapter 15
04/07 Challenges to Sexual Functioning Chapter 14
04/12 & 04/14 Power and Sexual Coercion Chapter 17
04/19 & 04/21 Varieties of Sexual Expression /Atypical Sexuality Chapter 16
04/26 (Finals week) Exam 4 (12:00 - 1:15 pm)