Psychology 394N (Psychology of Human Sexuality)

5:45 - 7:25 MW

Spring, 2001 

Instructor: Dr. Terri Fisher

Office: Ovalwood 349                                              

Office Hours: 4:15 - 5:45 MW or by appointment     

Phone: (office) 755-4280   

Email: fisher.16@osu.edu 

Prerequisite: Psychology 100 

Textbooks: Allgeier & Allgeier, Sexual Interactions: Basic Understandings                        

                  Tiefer, Sex is Not A Natural Act & Other Essays 

Date                                        Topic                                                                Readings                     

March 26, 28                          Introduction                                                       A&A-1; T-1,8, Fausto-Sterling                                                                                        

April 2, 4                                Sexual Anatomy & Physiology                             A&A-3, Roach

April 9, 11                              Sexual Behavior                                                  A&A-5; T-4,6,7, K. Wright                                                                                                           

April 16*                                Arousal and Communication                                 A&A-4

April 18 (Wednesday)            Test

April 18, 23, 25                       Gender & Sexuality in the Early Years                 A&A-9, Bloom, Talbot

April 30,  May 2                     Gender & Sexuality in Adulthood                         A&A-10, T-21, R. Wright, Angier

May 7, 9*                               Sexual Orientation                                                A&A-11  

May 14 (Monday)                  Test  

May 14, 16                              Atypical Sexual Activity                                       A&A-15, Berendt  

May 21,                                   Commercial Sex                                                  A&A-12; T-13,14, Atlas  

May 23                                    Sexual Coercion                                                 A&A-14, Gaitskill  

May 30*                                  Sexual Dysfunction and Therapy                         A&A-6; T-10,15-18  

June 6 (Wed.) 6:00                      Test                                                         

 

There will be no class on Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day).

READINGS:

The following articles are on two-hour reserve in the library:  

Angier, N. (1999). Men, women, sex, and Darwin, The New York Times Magazine, February 21.(available on the web at www.indiana.edu/~ovid99/angier.html)  

Atlas, J. (1999). The loose canon. The New Yorker, March 29, 60-65. 

Berendt, J. (1995). High-heel Neil. The New Yorker, Jan. 16, 38-45.(available on the web at www.aristotle.net/~domiller/new_yorker_1995_01_16.html)  

Bloom, A. (1994). The body lies.  The New Yorker, July 18, 38-49. 

Fausto-Sterling, A. (1992). Why do we know so little about human sex? Discover, June, 28-30.(available on the web at 208.245.156.153/archive/output.cfm?ID=68)       

Gaitskill, M. (1994) On not being a victim.  Harper’s Magazine, March, 35-44. 

Roach, M. (1999). Intimate engineering. Discover, 76-81. (available on the web at www.britannica.com/bcom/magazine/article/print/0,5746,72698,00.html) 

Talbot, M. (1999). Against innocence. The New Republic, March 15, 27-38.(available on the web at www.newamerica.net/articles/Talbot/mt2.htm) 

Wright, K. (1992). Evolution of the big O. Discover, June, 53-58.(available on the web at 208.245.156.153/archive/output.cfm?ID=63)         

Wright, R. (1994). Our cheating hearts. Time, August 15, 44-52.(available on the web at www.time.com/time/magazine/archive/1994/940815/940815.cover.html)      

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.  What this means is that 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.  I must receive one paper from you by the start of class on April 16, May 9, and May 30.  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%               C   =  73% - 76%   

A-   =  90% - 92%                 C-  =  70% - 72%   

B+  =  87% - 89%                 D+ =  67% - 68%   

B    =  83% - 86%                 D   =  60% - 66%   

B-   =  80% - 82%                 E   =  59% and below

C+  =  77% - 79% 

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.

GRADUATING SENIORS 

All instructors are expected to give final exams and graduating seniors are not considered exempt.  The final exam given to the graduating seniors will only cover class material discussed up until the date of the final.  Graduating students will be responsible for all of the reading, however.    

Graduating seniors should identify themselves to me early in the quarter and make arrangements for taking the final exam by Wednesday, May 30.  

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 

Students with disabilities certified by Cheryl Patterson should make their needs known to me and seek 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.

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 requested that a discussion board be set up for this class. I will provide you with further information about this when it becomes available.