Spring, 2005 11:20 - 12:20 MTW
Instructor: Dr. Terri Fisher
Office: Ovalwood 349
Office Hours: 10:15 - 11:15; 2:15 - 3:15 MW or by appointment or just drop by
Phone: (office) 419.755.4280 (home) 419.756.4932
Email: fisher.16@osu.edu
Prerequisite: Psychology 100
Textbook: Hyde & DeLamater, Understanding Human Sexuality, 8th edition
Textbook study site: highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072494719/student_view0/index.html
| Date | Topic | Chapters and Readings |
| March 28, 29 | Introduction | 1 |
| March 30, April 4, 5 | Sex Research | 3; Fausto-Sterling, Carey |
| April 6, 11, 12 | Sexual Anatomy & Hormones | 4(skip 92-98) & 5(skip 113-119); Roach |
| April 13*, 18 | Physiology of the Sexual Response | 9; K. Wright |
| April 19 (Tuesday) | Test | |
| April 20, 25, 26 | Sexuality in the Early Years | 11 & 23; Talbot |
| April 27, May 2, 3 | Sexuality in Adulthood | 12; R. Wright, Angier |
| May 4*, 9, 10 | Gender Differences and Similarities | 14; Bloom (1994) |
| May 11 (Wednesday) | Test | |
| May 16, 17, 18 | Sexual Orientation | 15 |
| May 23, 24, 25 | Atypical Sexual Activity | 16; Bloom (2002) |
| May 31, June 1* | Sexual Dysfunction and Therapy | 19, Gorney |
| June 5 (Monday) 11:00 am | Test |
* Writing assignment due
There will be no class on Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day).
READINGS:
The following articles are on reserve in the library or available online:
Angier, N. (1999). Men, women, sex, and Darwin, The New York Times Magazine, February 21.
Bloom, A. (1994). The body lies. The New Yorker, July 18, 38-49.
Bloom, A. (2002). Conservative men in conservative dresses. The Atlantic Monthly, April, 94-102.
Fausto-Sterling, A. (1992). Why do we know so little about human sex? Discover, June, 28-30.
Gorney, C. (2002). Designing women. Washington Post, June 30, W08.
Roach, M. (1999). Intimate engineering. Discover, 76-81.
Talbot, M. (1999). Against innocence. The New Republic, March 15, 27-38.
Wright, K. (1992). Evolution of the big O. Discover, June, 53-58.
Wright, R. (1994). Our cheating hearts. Time, August 15, 44-52.
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:
While you are expected to do all of the reading, for your choice of three of the short readings (one per each third of the course), you must write a reaction paper. This means that the first paper should be based on the articles by Fausto-Sterling, Carey, Roach, or K. Wright. I want you to provide me with a thoughtful analysis of the material that you read and your reaction to it or opinion about it. Your reaction may be intellectual or personal, but it must be based on the actual reading, not just the topic. I would expect the equivalent of about 2 typewritten pages, although a longer paper would certainly be acceptable. While it is not absolutely essential to type the papers, I must tell you that typewritten papers always appear more thoughtfully prepared and are more pleasurable to read.
Each paper will be worth 30 points. The papers for each third of the class be be turned in by the start of class on April 13, May 4, and June 1. You will lose 3 points for each day (or fraction thereof) the paper is late. Papers handed in after the start of class on the due day will be considered late.
ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION:
Attendance in this class is important. Students who do not attend class regularly will not be given any benefit of the doubt in the case of a borderline grade. No specific credit will be given for class participation, but it might help in the case of a borderline grade.
TESTS:
There will be three tests worth 100 points each. Tests will consist of multiple-choice as well as short-answer or essay-type questions. You are responsible for all of the material discussed in class as well as all the reading. If you can not take a test on the scheduled date, you must inform me before the test is given or you will not be allowed to make it up.
GRADES:
By the end of the quarter, you will have been given the opportunity to earn 390 points (3 tests and 3 papers).
The scale to be used to determine grades will be as follows:
A = 93% - 100%
A- = 90% - 92%
B+ = 87% - 89%
B = 83% - 86%
B- = 80% - 82%
C+ = 77% - 79%
C = 73% - 76%
C- = 70% - 72%
D+ = 67% - 68%
D = 60% - 66%
E = 59% and below
CLASS GUIDELINES:
Even though this class will primarily consist of research-based lectures and presentations, I hope that we will also be able to have a lot of open discussion. To this end, please be aware that the students in this class will have a diversity of values, opinions, and backgrounds. I can not allow students to make each other feel uncomfortable beyond that point which facilitates intellectual growth. It is fine for you to debate and disagree with one another, but please do not insult each other or resort to name-calling. While you are welcome to illustrate a point you are trying to make with an example from your own experience or that of a friend, you will not be allowed to ask classmates (or your instructor, for that matter) direct questions about their own personal experiences. We will gradually develop a set of comfortable ground rules for the class. Until that time, please try to be especially sensitive to the feelings and reactions of your classmates.
DISCUSSION BOARD:
I hope that you are going to want to discuss the topics of this course both inside and outside the classroom. In order to facilitate outside class discussion, I have set up a discussion board for this class. The address is class.osu.edu. Click on the link for Psych 333.02. Your username will be the beginning of your OSU email address (for example, student.55) and your password will be your all purpose OSU password. When you get into the site, just click on the "discussion" link.
GRADUATING SENIORS
All instructors are expected to give final exams and graduating seniors are not considered exempt. Graduating seniors will take the final exam with the rest of the class during the scheduled exam period. You will need to identify yourself as a graduating seior because I will have to turn in your grade early.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Michelle McLane at the Office of Disability Services to discuss specific needs. You may contact Michelle by calling (419) 755-4304 or visit her at the Conard Learning Center in room 100E in order to coordinate reasonable accommodations. Students with disabilities are responsible for making their needs known to the instructor and seeking available assistance in a timely manner.
GUESTS OR CHILDREN:
Because of the relatively sensitive nature of much of the material we will be covering, I would very much appreciate it if you would check with me before bringing a guest or a child to class.
Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality
Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S.
Planned Parenthood Federation Website for Teens
Website for Teens sponsored by the Network for Family Life Education
Website of the American Social Health Association
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The OSU-Mansfield Psychology Web Site
