Psychology 2075-001
Human Sexuality
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.
1.0 CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
A survey of the psychological study of human sexual behaviour. Topics include history, methodology, theory, anatomy, physiology, attraction, sexual function, sexual orientation, contraception, conception and birth, sexual health and sexual coercion, and pornography.
3 lecture hours, 1.0 course
2.0 COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Professor William Fisher
Office and Phone Number: Social Science Centre 7428, (519) 661-2111 ext 84665
Office Hours: By appointment
Email: fisher@uwo.ca
Teaching Assistants: TBA
TBA
Note: To make an appointment with your teaching assistant to discuss questions concerning this course, please contact your assigned teaching assistant for an appointment. Students with last names beginning with A through L should contact () for assistance; students with last names beginning with M through Z should contact () for assistance.
Time and Location of Classes:
Tuesday 2:30 – 5:30 pm
Social Science Centre 2050
Class Website: OWL
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, there are several resources here at Western to assist you. Please visit: http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for more information on these resources and on mental health.
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 519-661-2111 ext 82147 for any specific question regarding an accommodation.
3.0 TEXTBOOK
Hyde, J. S., DeLamater, J. D., & Byers, E. S. (2018). Understanding Human Sexuality. (Seventh
Canadian Edition). Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.
4.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course provides a survey of the psychological study of human sexual behaviour. Topics include the history, theory, ethics, and methodology of the psychological study of human sexuality, the anatomy and physiology of human sexual function, and a review of the varieties of sexual behaviour, sexual dysfunction, sexual orientation, contraception and abortion, conception, pregnancy, and childbirth, sexual and reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, sexual coercion and assault, pornography, interpersonal attraction, close relationships, and love. Please note that this course will involve explicit consideration, readings, imagery, and class discussion of each of these topics, behaviours, and experiences.
Participation in anonymous web-based surveys of sexual and relationship knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours is a feature of the course and aggregated results will be reported in class.
4.1 STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to identify, discuss, and/or explain:
Critical events in the history of the scientific study of human sexuality.
The sexual anatomy of males and females and how this anatomy responds to sexual stimulation.
The primary events in conception and development of the fetus.
Methods of contraception and their advantages, disadvantages, and side effects, and methods of abortion.
Research perspectives on heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and asexual orientations and diverse gender identities.
Differences and similarities in the sexual behaviour of males and females.
Approaches to understanding and reducing sexual assault.
Major sexually transmitted disease infections, their symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
The impact of abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education and the elements of effective sex education.
Major claims and bodies of research evidence concerning the impact of pornography on behaviour.
Major theories of interpersonal attraction and love.
5.0 EVALUATION
Course evaluation will based upon four multiple-choice examinations. The first examination will be worth 20% of students’ final marks and the subsequent three examinations will each be worth 25% of students’ final grade. Exams will each consist of 50 multiple choice questions and will cover material from the assigned readings (half of exam items will come from material covered in required textbook readings) and from class lectures (half of exam items will come from material covered primarily in class lectures and discussion). The exams are not cumulative. Students are required to take every examination in the course without exception. An additional 5% of students’ final mark will be awarded upon completion of the anonymous sexuality life history methodology assignment which involves completing an anonymous series of questions concerning students’ sexual history. Note that this survey is anonymous and students must read and respond to each item but they may respond “Do not wish to answer” to any or all of the items. The lecture schedule, lecture topics, assigned readings, and examination dates appear below.
Lecture attendance in this course is considered to be mandatory. Half of the items on each examination cover material that is presented only in lectures and not covered in readings. Students who miss lectures score significantly more poorly on examinations.
Although the Psychology Department does not require instructors to adjust their course grades to conform to specific targets, the expectation is that course marks will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level and 2000-level courses
72% 2190-2990 level courses
75% 3000-level courses
80% 4000-level courses
The Psychology Department follows Western's grading guidelines, which are as follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf):
A+ 90-100 One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
A 80-89 Superior work that is clearly above average
B 70-79 Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
C 60-69 Competent work, meeting requirements
D 50-59 Fair work, minimally acceptable
F below 50 Fail
6.0 TEST AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
October 30, 2018: Examination I:
In class at usual time and location
December 10-21, 2018: Examination II:
Mid-Year Examination Period (At time and location TBA)
February 12, 2019: Examination III:
In class at usual time and location
April 14-30, 2019: Examination IV:
Final Examination Period (At time and location TBA)
7.0 CLASS SCHEDULE
Lecture and Examination Schedule and Required Readings
September 11: Course Orientation
Course overview and orientation
September 18: Introduction and History of the Scientific Study of Sexuality
Chapter 1 Hyde et al.
September 25: Methodology in the Scientific Study of Sexuality
Chapter 3 Hyde et al
October 2: Movie: Kinsey.
Documentary
October 8 -1 2: Thanksgiving and Fall Reading Week
October 16: Theory in the Scientific Study of Sexuality
Chapter 2 Hyde et al
October 23: Sexual Anatomy
Chapter 4 Hyde et al.
Sex Hormones, Differentiation, Menstruation
Chapter 5 Hyde et al.
October 30: Examination I: In class at usual time and location
November 6: Sexual Response
Chapter 9 Hyde et al
Sex Differences in Sexual Behavior
Chapter 13 Hyde et al
November 13: Sexual Orientation
Chapter 14 Hyde et al
November 20: Movie: Harvey Milk
November 27: Contraception and Abortion
Chapter 7 Hyde et al.
December 4: Conception, Pregnancy, Childbirth
Chapter 6 Hyde et al.
December 10-21 Examination II: Mid-Year Examination Period (Time and location TBA)
January 8: Understanding and Promoting Reproductive Health: Sexually Transmitted Infections
Chapter 8 Hyde et al.
January 15: Understanding and Promoting Reproductive Health: The Fight Against HIV/AIDS
Fisher, W. A., Fisher, J. D., & Kohut, T. (2009) AIDS exceptionalism? The social
psychology of HIV prevention research. Social Issues and Policy Review, 3, 45-77.
(Posted on OWL)
Presentation of documentary and intervention materials
January 22: Pornography, Erotica, and Behaviour
Chapter 17 Hyde et al
January 29: Sexual Coercion: The Research Perspective
Hyde et al., Chapter 16
February 5: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault: The Western Perspective
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault: Western University Initiatives
The Gian Ghomeshi Trial: Legal Commentary and Analysis
Guest Lecturer—Lecture Only
February 12: Examination III: In class at usual time and location
February 19-22: Reading Week
February 26: Sexual Dysfunction
Hyde et al Chapter 18
Sexual Variations
Lecture Only
March 2: Attraction, Love, and Attachment: I
Hyde et al., Chapter 12
March 9: Attraction, Love, and Attachment: II
Reading: http://internal.psychology.illinois.edu/~rcfraley/attachment.htm
March 16: Sexuality Education
Hyde et al., Chapter 19
March 23: Sexuality and the Lifespan: Childhood and Adolescence
Chapter 10 Hyde et al
April 2: Sexuality and the Lifespan: Adulthood and Ageing
Chapter 11 Hyde et al.
April 9: Course Reprise
How to be Reasonably Sexual in 2018 and Beyond
April14-30: Examination IV: Final Examination Period (At time and location TBA)
8.0 STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES
Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offenses. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offenses because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offense are described at the following link: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf
As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offenses. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com http://www.turnitin.com
Possible penalties for a scholastic offense include failure of the assignment, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.
9.0 POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR MEDICAL ILLNESS
Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?Command=showCategory&PolicyCategoryID=1&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12
Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation:
http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html
10.0 OTHER INFORMATION
Office of the Registrar web site: http://registrar.uwo.ca
Student Development Services web site: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca
Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:
http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html
- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct
- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations
- Policy on Attendance
- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines
- Policy for Assignments
- Short Absences
- Extended Absences
- Documentation
- Academic Concerns
- 2018 Calendar References
No electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, will be allowed during exams.
Additional Information Concerning Sex Research and Related Topics for Those Interested
Periodicals
Journal of Sex Research
Journal of Sexual Medicine
Archives of Sexual Behavior
Annual Review of Sex Research
Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada
International Journal of Sexual Health
Websites
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
Sexandu.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/hiv
UN AIDS: http://data.unaids.org
Advanced Textbook
Pukall, C.F. (Ed.) (2014) Human sexuality. A contemporary introduction : Oxford University
Press. Don Mills, CA.
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Trauma Resources
Sexual Harassment
UWO Sexual Harassment (Office of Equity and Human Rights) 519-661-3334
Sexual Assault
London Police 911
UWO Student Health Services (Medical Care, Counselling)
519-661-3030
UWO Student Development Centre (Crisis Counselling, Psychological Services)
519-661-3031
Sexual Assault Centre London—St. Joseph’s (24 Hour Crisis and Support Line)
519-438-2272
Regional Sexual Assault Program, St. Joseph’s Hospital (medical care, examination, counselling)
519-646-6100 ext. 64224
