MONTGOMERYCOLLEGE

A North Harris Montgomery Community College

Fall 2006

COURSE SYLLABUS for PSYC 2306, Human Sexuality

Catalogue Description

An examination of sexual myths, functions, attitudes, behaviors, dysfunctions and variations in sexual behavior in order to increase knowledge, awareness and understanding. Class experience will emphasize the value-clarification process and examine the role of values in personal decision making.

Credit

Three credit hours

Prerequisites

PSYC 2301

ADA Statement

NHMCCD is dedicated to providing the least restrictive environment for all students. The college district promotes equity in academic access through the implementation of reasonable accommodations as required by The Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V, Section 540 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which will enable students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary educational programs and activities (NHMCCD Catalogue).

Students with disabilities who believe that they need accommodations in this course are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Office at 936-273-7239; located in Building E, Office 103H as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

PURPOSE

Sexology is the scientific study of human sexuality. There are many reasons for studying Human Sexuality: to obtain knowledge, to gain personal insight and increase ease about sexuality and self acceptance, to maximize communication, intimacy and sexual pleasure; to manage fertility and avoid sexual dysfunctions and sexually transmitted diseases and to bring about positive social changes. The study of human sexuality includes an understanding of several key components:

· Basic sexual anatomy and physiology

· Procreation, pregnancy and the bearing of children

· Recreational activities, masturbation and contraception

· Relationships, love and intimacy and a myriad of related topics

· Sexual orientation, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual laws, sexual dysfunctions, gender identity, etc.

· Learning to make rational effective decisions about one’s sexuality.

COURSE OUTCOMES

In completing this course, you will:

1. Explore through various media (textbook, films, guest speakers, and research tools including the Internet) how to obtain knowledge, gain insight and increase one’s understanding of sexuality.

2. Examine and discuss effective ways to maximize intimacy, love, and sexual pleasure.

3. Develop an understanding of male and female sexual anatomy and physiology.

4. Compare and understand the various ways to manage fertility, contraception, procreation and the bearing of children.

5. Develop an understanding of gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual dysfunction, and sexually transmitted diseases.

6. Discuss the role of values and ethics in decision-making as it relates to human sexuality, including those values which are culturally divergent.

7. Develop an understanding of sexual perversion and its legal ramifications.

8. Understand and be able to use the language of human sexuality with mastery.

Class schedule

Spring 2005 MWF, 12:00pm to 12:50pm Room A203 Section number: 41001

REQUIRED MATERIALS

King, Bruce (2005) Human Sexuality Today (5th). Prentice Hall

http://ppl.nhmccd.edu/~ksumrall/index.html Prof. Sumrall’s Internet Homepage.

(useful for reviewing class notes and preparing for Learning Exercises and assignments)

INSTRUCTOR

Kevin Sumrall, M.A., M.Div., L.P.C. Office location: Building A, Room 200, suite P

Phone & voice mail: 936.273.7323 Email: kevins@nhmccd.edu

Office hours: MWF 10:30am-11am; TuTh 10am-12pm

I am usually available before and after class. If this is not convenient, please come during office hours. I am also usually available in the afternoon, if you would like to schedule an appointment.

course CALENDAR and weekly objectives

August 28 Introduction to course

The study of Human Sexuality will be introduced; syllabus reviewed and course requirements discussed.

Aug 30, Sept 1, 6 Cross-cultural and historical perspective of sex

Read chapter 1. Sexual behaviors and attitudes of eastern and western cultures will be considered. The historical perspectives of Sumerians, Egyptians, Indians, Judaism, Greeks, Romans and Christians will be summarized. Note: September 4, Labor Day Holiday

September 8, 11 Sex & science

Read chapter 1. The theories of Sigmund Freud will be considered and discussed. Using original sources, the research of Ellis, Kinsey, Hite and Masters & Johnson will be examined.

September 13 Female anatomy & physiology

Read chapter 2 and 3. Transparencies and video of female sexual and reproductive anatomy will be presented and functions described. Concerns such as female circumcision, intact hymen, cancers, and breast augmentation will be reviewed.

September 15 Male anatomy & physiology

Read chapter 2. Transparencies and video of male sexual and reproductive anatomy will be presented and functions described. Concerns such as circumcision, phimosis, hydrocele, vericocele and cancers will be reviewed.

September 18 Sexual arousal

Read chapter 4. Groups will list stimuli that emotionally or psychologically bring about arousal. Merits of the lists will be discussed. The history and current research regarding aphrodisiacs will be studied.

September 20, 22 Sexual response

Read chapter 4. Graphs displaying the similarities and differences in sexual response cycles will be examined. The desire, excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution phases will be detailed. Topics such as myotonia, types of orgasms, g spot, female ejaculation and penis size will be discussed using original source research documents.

September 25 (Monday) LEARNING EXERCISE ONE

Students will be given the opportunity to clarify and demonstrate their understanding of the cross-cultural aspects, history, science, anatomy and physiology of human sexuality. Students will be responsible for a thorough understanding of class presentations and material covered in chapters 1-4 of our text. After everyone has completed the exercise they will be quickly evaluated and returned for each student to evaluate. Students not remaining to evaluate their exercise will receive a 5 point deduction.

September 27, 29 Sex & Disease

Read chapter 5. A presentation of sexually transmitted diseases and related topics will be made.

October 2, 4, 6 Birth Control

Read chapter 6. A presentation of birth control methods and related topics will be made. The history and cultural differences of birth control will be reviewed.

October 9, 11 Pregnancy and childbirth

Read chapter 7. The stages of pregnancy and childbirth will be presented through multi-media presentations. Pregnancy and childbirth complications will be examined.

October 13 Gender identity and roles

Read chapter 10. Influences on gender identity will be debated. The development of male and female roles will be reviewed using the film “Brain Sex.” The anatomical continuum, hermaphroditism and gender dysphoria will be considered. Note: October 13, last date to turn in Assignment One

October 16, 18 Sexual orientation

Read chapter 11. Terms related to heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality will be defined. Kinsey's sexual orientation scale, the origins of orientation, lifestyle and response issues related to sexual orientation will be examined.

October 20 (Friday) LEARNING EXERCISE TWO

Students will be given the opportunity to clarify and demonstrate their understanding of sexual diseases, birth control, pregnancy, childbirth, gender identity and sexual orientation. Students will be responsible for a thorough understanding of class presentations and material covered in chapters 5-7, 10 & 11 of our text. After everyone has completed the exercise they will be quickly evaluated and returned for each student to evaluate. Students not remaining to evaluate their exercise will receive a 5 point deduction.

October 23, 25 Sexuality through the lifespan

Read chapter 12. The development of sexuality through infancy, childhood, adolescence, as well as early, middle and late adulthood will be reviewed. Age related issues such as exploration, teen pregnancy, cohabitation, marriage, extramarital sex, and menopause will be discussed.

Oct 27, 30, Nov 1 Sexual behaviors and attitudes

Read chapter 13. Sexual behaviors and attitudes will be examined including masturbation, nocturnal orgasms, sexplay, coital positions, oral-genital sex and anal stimulation. Drawings of various positions will be presented. Historical and cultural differences will be reviewed.

November 3, 6 Love and relationships

Read chapter 14. Groups will discuss the prerequisites of love. Sternberg’s model of love will be used as a framework for discussion with additional topics such as the need for love, communication, jealousy and maintaining relationships.

November 8 (Wednesday) LEARNING EXERCISE THREE

Students will be given the opportunity to clarify and demonstrate their understanding of sexuality through the lifespan, sexual behaviors, attitudes, love and relationships. Students will be responsible for a thorough understanding of class presentations and material covered in chapters 12-14 of our text. After everyone has completed the exercise they will be quickly evaluated and returned for each student to evaluate. Students not remaining to evaluate their exercise will receive a 5 point deduction.

November 10, 13 Sexual problems and therapies

Read chapter 15. Sexual problems will be discussed such as differences in desire, hypoactive desire, sexual aversion, sexual addiction, erectile disorder, spectatoring, premature ejaculation and orgasmic disorders. Case studies from the professor’s counseling files will be used for illustrations. Sexual therapy techniques will be examined.

November 15, 17 Sexual disorders

Read chapter 16. Sexual disorders involving the wide range of paraphilias will be defined and illustrated by case studies from the professor’s counseling files. Therapy techniques will be examined.

Note: November 17, last date to turn in Assignment Two

November 20 Sexual assault

Read chapter 15. A guest speaker from the Montgomery County Women’s Center will discuss sexual assault followed by questions and answers.

November 22 Domestic violence

Read chapter 17. A guest speaker from the Montgomery County Women’s Center will discuss domestic violence followed by questions and answers.

Novmeber 27, 29 Sexual harassment

Read chapter 17. Issues regarding sexual harassment will be explored. Specific case studies will be reviewed.

December 1, 4 Sex and society

Read chapter 18. Issues regarding the role of sex in society will be reviewed including education, work and prostitution.

Dec 6 (Wednesday) LEARNING EXERCISE FOUR

Students will be given the opportunity to clarify and demonstrate their understanding of sexual problems, disorders, abuse, and the role of sexuality in society. Students will be responsible for a thorough understanding of class presentations and material covered in chapters 15-18 of our text. After everyone has completed the exercise they will be quickly evaluated and returned for each student to evaluate. Students not remaining to evaluate their exercise will receive a 5 point deduction.

December 8 Final Review

Students will play a review game for the final.

Dec 11, (Monday, 12 noon) FINAL LEARNING EXERCISE

A comprehensive learning exercise in which students will be given the opportunity to clarify and demonstrate understanding of human sexuality. According to NHMCCD policy, All students must take their final at the date and time according to the published final schedule.

EVALUATION

Learning Exercises 1, 2, 3, 4, and (5) the final will be part multiple choice, matching and fill in the blank. Students need a 50 question scantron for each Learning Exercise. Up to 100 points can be earned on each Learning Exercise by demonstrating knowledge of concepts and terms related to human sexuality and the ability to integrate and apply them in real life situations. Within the hour, the evaluated exercises will be returned in class. Students not remaining to evaluate their exercise will receive a 5 point deduction. The lowest grade earned (excluding the final) on a Learning Exercise will be dropped. This is the consideration made for all emergencies and schedule conflicts.

• Exams are required to be taken on the scheduled dates at the beginning of class
• In order to sit for an exam and receive credit for an exam, students must be attending in accordance with the attendance / participation policy noted below
• Should a student miss class or be significantly tardy (10 minutes) on the date of an exam, this will count as the grade to be dropped

Two Assignments are made and up to 50 points can be earned on each assignment. It is recommended that assignments be turned in ahead of the last date as no assignments will be accepted after the beginning of class of the published last date to turn in. Students are required to keep a copy of all work and sources.

1. Sexuality and ethics. Locate quality articles dealing with an ethical issue of sexuality (at least one on each side). Topics could include the ethical debates regarding orientation, art/pornography, conception, contraception, extra-marital relationships, prostitution, etc. Summarize both sides of the debate, include visuals if pertinent and conclude with your own evaluative comments. Last date to turn in Assignment One, October 13.

2. Book or Movie Review and Research. Based on a subject of interest, choose a book or movie to review and research from a list provided in class. Complete the review form provided by Prof. Sumrall for your specific book or movie. Last date to turn in Assignment Two, November 17.

Attendance / Participation in individual and group assignments and participation in class discussions are the primary means of learning in this class. Students are required to participate in a minimum of 37 hours of the 43 hours (not including the date of the final) of this course. Students excessively absent (6 hours) and /or disruptive in class may be administratively withdrawn from the course or receive an F for the course. However, it is the students’ responsibility to be sure they have dropped by the last date published in the catalogue if they wish to receive a “W.” Participation Bonus: According to the professor’s records, students attending all classes will be awarded a bonus of 10 points. Students missing only one or two classes will receive a bonus of 5 points. It is the students’ responsibility to sign in on all sign-in sheets.

Academic integrity

According to the NHMCCD catalog appropriate credit must be given to the work of others and “no fabrication of sources, cheating, or unauthorized collaboration is permitted. Consequences for doing so can include but are not limited to (1.) having additional class requirements imposed (2.) receiving a grade of zero or “F” for an exam or assignment (3.)receiving a grade of “F” for the course (4.) being withdrawn from the course or program (5.) being expelled from the college district.

Final Grade

The final grade will be earned by demonstrating a level of proficiency as shown below:

F Failure to earn credit due to points below acceptable levels (300)

D 300 to 349 points awarded

C 350 to 399 points awarded

B 400 to 449 points awarded

A 450 or more points awarded

Grade Worksheet

The following grade form is designed to help you follow the progress of your evaluation.

Learning Exercise One ______

Learning Exercise Two ______

Learning Exercise Three ______

Learning Exercise Four ______ (lowest of Ex. 1-4 dropped)

Final Learning Exercise ______

Assignment 1 ______

Assignment 2 ______

Participation bonus ______

Total Points ______