HUMAN SEXUALITY SYLLABUS

Adjunct Professor: Dr. David Hall
Office: Psychology 120
dhall at pacific.edu

Teaching Assistants: Lisa Grimes and Giovanna Arieta
Office: Psychology 107

The best way to contact me is on line via dhall at pacific.edu
Class hours: 1-2:50 PM Tuesday and Thursday, Geoscience Bldg 101
Discussion groups: Wednesdays, 10, 11 and 1, location TBD

TEXTBOOKS

Crooks, R., & Baur, K. (2005). Our sexuality (10th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Wadsworth. (referred to as C&B throughout syllabus) Purchase in the bookstore or online. ISBN 0-495-09554-0
Joannides, Paul, (2006). Guide to Getting it On! (5th Ed.). Walport, OR: Goofy Foot Press (referred to as GG) Purchase in the book store or online. ( If Amazon is out of stock, go to "New & Used" and select "rainydazebooks", they will ship within 24 hours.) This book is a fun read, you will really enjoy it. ISBN 1-885535-69-4
(Earlier versions of both texts are not acceptable, as the new editions are significantly changed.)

COMPUTER USE

This course will be supported on line using the Blackboard system. After you have registered for the class, enter <https://pacific.blackboard.com>, log in using your Pacificnet ID and password and find the class in the catalog. You should use your Pacific email address for anything related to this class.

You will need Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, or Netscape Communicator 4.7 or higher. Java and Java Script must be enabled. A high speed connection would be desirable, but phone modem will work (slowly).  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.

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

3.  To help you learn to navigate the uncharted Internet for valid and useful sexual information.

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

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.

Sex is one of the nine reasons for reincarnation.... The other eight are unimportant. Henry Miller

6. To assist you in identifying and developing positive attitudes about sexuality, for youself, others, and for the children you might have.

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.

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
 

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Grading Policy
Grades will be based on:

Trueblood Sexual Attitude Questionnaire
You are requested to complete the TSAQ at the beginning and end of the course. These will not be graded, and are only to enable us to assess the effect of the course on changes in sexual attitudes. There will be 20 points of extra credit only if you take both TSAQs. These surveys will not be looked at prior to the end of the class, and your student number will be separated from the data before anything else is looked at.

Personal Biography. 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, prior sexuality education, major and maybe even a photo. It does not have to include any personal sexual, or other, information that you do not wish to share. 10 points.

Brief Written Assignments.  These will occur in almost every class and will be ungraded.  You will receive points toward your final grade for completing these assignments.  A total of 88 points will be available for these assignments.  You may not make these assignments up if you miss class when they occur, unless you have an excused absence.

NOTE:  No brief written assignments will occur on 2/26 or 5/6. Sexually explicit videos will be shown on these days and you are requested to not attend class on these days if this type of material is offensive to you.  Lecture material presented on these days will not be covered on tests.

Discussions.  There will be 12 discussion meetings on Wednesdays during the semester.  Attendance and participation in these discussions will count up to 6 points per discussion towards your grade, for a total of 72 points.  One purpose of the discussions will be to talk about the material being studied in a smaller group with a more informal atmosphere.  Discussions will focus on integrating what you are learning into your own feelings and experience.  They help in understanding other people's viewpoints and are a lot of fun, especially if everyone contributes.

There will also be an online ungraded discussion board 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. There will be four tests during the semester. Tests will consist of multiple choice, definition and short essay questions. The tests are worth 150 points each for a total of 600. Bring a scantron form! Leave everything else someplace else.

Web Assignment. In each chapter in the text and in the Blackboard material there are web site references for additional material. Twice during the semester you will be expected to find and carefully (300-400 words) evaluate a web site on a sexuality subject that is NOT listed or linked to the text. Each web assignment is worth 25 points for a total of 50 points. Details of this assignment will be on Blackboard

Papers. You will be required to write two papers requiring library and web research so that you can explore in more detail a topic I will provide. Papers should be about 4-5 double-spaced pages.  Further instructions will be given on Blackboard. Each paper is worth 90 points. These papers will be part of the e-portfolio program and will give you an opportunity to meet two of the competencies; articulating a position and understanding how your culture has shaped your identity.

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

Typical Movies: Brokeback Mountain - relationships, homosexuality
  The People Versus Larry Flint - pornography, First Amendment
  Eyes Wide Shut - sex, love, and alternative lifestyles
  Boogie Nights - adult film industry
  Pleasantville  - power of sex
  Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - idealistic love
  Frida - Art and sex
  Y tu mama, tambien - Adolescent sexuality
If you wish to review a movie not on this list, please contact me.

Other extra credit options include things like visiting a Planned Parenthood clinic or class, an adult book store, or a Women's center and writing a report of at least 400 words on your response/feelings about the visit.  Please get approval from the instructor before beginning the activity.

The student research conference on Gender and Science will be held at UOP on March 29. 10 points extra credit if you attend all day.

The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality will be meeting in San Diego on April 10-13. There will be extra credit for students who attend. The program is at www.sssswr.org.

Total points Possible
 

Written Assignments 22 @ 4	88
Tests 4 @ 150	600
Papers 2 @ 90	180
Web assignments 2 @ 25	50
Post biography on Blackboard	10
Discussions (12 at 6 each)	72
Total	1000+50 extra credit options

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

Attendance is not required but in class work may be assigned daily. All other 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.

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 in Bannister Hall 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. It reads as follows:

The University Honor Code is an essential element in academic integrity. It is a violation of the Honor Code to give or receive information from another student during an examination; to use unauthorized sources during an examination; or to submit all or part of someone else's work or ideas as one's own. If a student violates the Honor Code, the faculty member may refer the matter to the Office of Student Life. If found guilty, the student may be penalized with failure of the assignment or failure of the course. The student may also be reprimanded or suspended from the University. A complete statement of the Honor Code may be found in the Student Handbook, Tiger Lore.

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