UNCW SHS 210 (Fall, 2004)
Science Humanities & Society
“Science, Sexual Orientation & Society”
Thurs, 6-9 pm, Morton Hall 206
Dr. Chandler (Biological Sciences; Dobo 214)
Dr. McCarthy (History; Morton 226)
Science Humanities and Society is an interdisciplinary minor designed to
highlight the interaction of scholars and their work in the sciences and the
humanities, and the interaction of both sets of disciplines with society.
Issues are presented that can be brought to a keen level of understanding by
virtue of our interdisciplinary consideration.
The course varies each time it is offered, depending upon the instructors.
Themes have included the following: science writing, nature vs. nurture,
human sexuality, the human mind, depiction of disease in cinema. This
semester we will study sexual orientation—another of the topics that is
crucial to an understanding of modern life, and that benefits from being
studied from both a scientific and humanistic point of view.
The goal of this class is to examine the phenomenon of sexual
orientation. Does it exist? How is it determined? How is it constructed?
How do we study and define such matters? What insight do we get from
biology? From philosophy? From sociology? From history? From
literature? Please note that reading and discussion will involve explicit
description and discussion of same sex relations. If you are uncomfortable
with any aspect of this topic, please take the class another semester.
This syllabus is subject to change.
Course readings:
Texts: John Casti, Paradigms Regained
Dean Hamer, The Science of Desire
Additional readings:
David Halperin, “Sex before sexuality: Pederasty, politics and
power in classical Athens”, in Martin Duberman, Ed.,
Hidden from History: Rediscovering the Gay and
Lesbian Past
Janice M. Irvine, “Toward a ‘value-free’ science of sex: the
Kinsey reports”, in Kim Phillips and Barry Reay, Eds.,
Sexualities in History
Gary Mucciaroni and Mary Lou Killian, “Immutability, Science
and Legislative Debate over Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual
Rights”, Journal of Homosexuality, vol 47, issue 3, 2002,
53-77
Harry Oosterhuis, “Richard von Krafft-Ebing’s ‘Stepchildren of nature’”, in Kim Phillips and Barry Reay,
Eds., Sexualities in History
Robert Padgug, “Sexual matters: rethinking sexuality in
history” in Martin Duberman, Ed., Hidden from History:
Rediscovering the Gay and Lesbian Past
Matthew V. Pruitt, “Size matters: a comparison of anti- and
pro-gay organizations’ estimates of the size of the gay
population”, Journal of Homosexuality, vol 42, issue 3,
2002, 21-29
Student-identified articles
Course assignments:
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Class attendance/participation: 10%
500-word written summary of weekly readings: 10%
Research assignment: 20%
Critical essay: 20%
Group project: 20%
o *makeup of project to be discussed at first class
 Interview: 20%
 Due dates tba
Course outline:
Unit I
Science the Humanities and Society
Readings: Casti, Mucciaroni & Killian
Themes: what is science?, interdisciplinary studies, SHS, intro to sexual
orientation debate
Film: Sordid Lives
Library presentation Aug 26 (Sue Cody)
August 19, 26
Unit II
Sex and Sexual orientation in history
Readings: Halperin, Padgug, Hamer
Themes: studying history, homosexuality in history, gender identity in
history, construction of sexual desire and behavior, construction of
sexual orientation, Foucault
Class meets: Sept 02, 09, 16, 23
Unit III
The Science of Desire
Readings: Hamer, Oosterhuis, Irvine
Themes: scientific method, genetic inheritance, genetic influence on
behavior, construction of gender identity, definitions of
homosexuality,creation of pathology construct, creation of sexual
orientation construct, immutability
Public talk: Andrew Sullivan (gay conservative columnist), Monday 9/27
Class meets: Sept 30, Oct 07 (Fall Break), Oct 14, 21, 28
Unit IV
Sexual Orientation and Society
Readings: Pruitt, student-selected articles
Themes: societal constructs of gender and sexual orientation; gay marriage
debate; immutability implications; gay rights movements;
Films: Ma Vie en Rose, documentaries
Class meets: Nov 04, 11, 18, 25 (Thanksgiving), Dec 02