HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE – SOUTHWEST (WEST LOOP)
FALL 2012
_____________________________________________________________________
Gracie A. Roberts, M.A.
Psychology 2306- Human Sexuality
CRN: 26826 16-WK Credits: 3 TTH 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Link to Syllabus and objectives: http://learning.swc.hccs.edu/courses/social-behavioralsciences/psychology/sample-model-course-syllabi/Psyc%202306%20Model.doc/view
E-mail address: gracie.roberts@hccs.edu
TEXTBOOKS
The textbook is required for this course.
(1) Hock, R. (2010). Human Sexuality (2nd ed). Boston: Prentice Hall.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS
This course is a fascinating and comprehensive overview of many dimensions of human
sexuality. We will explore numerous relevant and important topics including: sexual anatomy;
sexual arousal and response; love, intimacy, and relationships; sexual activities; sexual problems
and their solutions; sexually transmitted infections; sexual orientation; sexual coercion, abuse, and
aggression; unconventional sex practices; sex as a commodity; and many sexual health issues.
GRADES
There are 5 regular tests scheduled. The best 3 out of 4 test grades will be calculated into your final grade.
Lowest test grade will be dropped (Test 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5). Because the lowest test grade is dropped, there
will be no make-up exams. Try your best to not miss any tests and to do your best!
Best 4 out of 5 Tests @ 20% each
Research Paper
80%
20%
TOTAL
100%
Final grade will be converted into letter grades as follows:
90-100%
=A
80-89%
=B
70-79%
=C
60-69%
=D
0-59%
=F
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to
improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey
of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made
available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey
as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term.
TESTING
The tests will consist of 50 questions, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer,
diagramming, and matching. The questions will come from the book and lectures. You will need a
Scantron Form 882-E for each test.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON TIME FOR ALL TESTS. IF YOU ARE LATE, YOU ARE GIVING YOURSELF
LESS TIME TO TAKE THE TEST!!
RESEARCH PAPER
One of the requirements of this course is for you to write a research paper on a psychological topic/issue
pertaining to human sexuality.
To ensure the highest possible grade, follow these strict requirements for the paper:
 2 - 3 pages of text, but no more than 3 pages of text
 Typed, 12-pt. font, double-spaced
 Title page with title, name, date, class day and time, centered in 12-pt font.
 Reference page in APA format (APA is different from MLA so be sure to know the difference!)
 Citations within text in APA format; any information used from sources must be cited within the
text. You only have to cite the author(s) names of the printed journal article, not the ones within the
article.
 Sources: 2 peer-reviewed/scientific journal articles dated 1995 or more current and the Weiten
book. All sources must be turned in. Any of the information that is used from the sources must
be highlighted within the sources, no matter how minute the information!
 Do not use Google, Yahoo, or any other internet search engine similar to these.
 You are allowed to use more than 2 articles (5 maximum). The requirements are the same for all
sources, including turning them in and highlighting.
 Sources cannot be from a newspaper or “popular” magazine (i.e., Newsweek, Wall Street Journal,
Forbes, Psychology Today, etc.). Also, no book reviews or editorials are allowed.
 Do not write in 1st person (using “I” or “me”); write in 3rd person
 No personal experiences allowed; only examples from sources may be used; you are limited to 1 small
example no longer than ½ page in length
 Conclusion: must be your opinion of your research findings and you are allowed to use 1 st person here.
Must be a well-developed paragraph stating more than just if you agree or disagree with your research
findings; must be at least ½ a page
 Use correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, etc.
 The majority of the paper should be paraphrased, meaning you tell in your own words what the author
has said, without your opinion, and include a citation at the end of the paraphrase. Even though you
are putting it in your own words, remember that it is not your original idea so you must cite where the
information came from
 Turn in paper in a lighter-colored (no dark blue or black) folder with pockets and prongs
 Hole-punch your research paper and place the paper in the prongs; staple the sources individually and
place in the pockets of the folder
 Write your name, date, and class day and time on the front of the folder where it is easily visible
You will receive a failing grade if:
 Plagiarize (see section on Plagiarism)
 Do not turn in correct/approved articles
 Information within the sources is not highlighted

If paper is written with incorrect sources
More requirements for paper will be given during the semester so stay posted!!!!
IF YOUR PAPER IS LATE, 10 POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR EVERY DAY THAT IT IS LATE!
YOUR PAPER IS CONSIDERED LATE IF IT IS NOT TURNED IN BY THE END OF CLASS ON THE DAY
THAT IT IS DUE!
PLAGIARISM and HOW TO CITE INFORMATION
Plagiarizing is taking someone’s ideas and/or writings as if they are your own. The penalty for plagiarizing
is an “F” for this course. You must give credit when using someone else’s work. You must paraphrase the
quote or place the quote in quotation marks if it is three words or longer.
To avoid any misunderstandings, the best way to cite information for this course will be using APA format
where you give the author’s last name, the year the work was published, and the page number all in
parentheses. When you paraphrase, you are taking the author’s idea or statement and putting it in your
own words. You are not allowed to simply use synonyms in place of the author’s words. This is still
considered plagiarism. It may be best to read the information, and without looking at the information, put it
in your own words. That way you are less likely to repeat the author’s exact words or wording. Also, even
though you paraphrase something, you must include the citation at the end of the sentence.
ATTENDANCE AND DROP POLICY
It is very important that you attend and participate in class. If you have to miss a class, it is your
responsibility to get the material/notes that you missed. Please do not contact me for the notes. I do not
give out my notes to students. It is your responsibility to take good notes or obtain them from another
student in the class if you are absent. It is also important that you arrive to class on time to avoid being
marked absent or missing important information or announcements usually given at the beginning of class.
I do not drop students so it is your responsibility to drop the class if you are unable to continue in the class.
The last day to drop is November 02, 2012.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1 -
August 28 - 30
Introduction
Chapter 1 – Studying Human Sexuality
Week 2 -
September 04 - 06
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 – Sexual Anatomy
Week 3 -
September 11 - 13
Chapter 3 – The Physiology of Human Sexual Responding
Week 4 -
September 18 - 20
TEST 1: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 (COVERS CHAPTERS 1, 2, & 3)
Chapter 5 – Contraception: Planning and Preventing Pregnancy
Week 5 -
September 25 - 27
Chapter 9 – Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth
Chapter 12 – Sexual Development Throughout Life
Paper topics due on September 27
Week 6 -
October 02 - 04
TEST 2: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 04 (COVERS CHAPTERS 5, 9, & 12)
Chapter 4 – Love, Intimacy, and Sexual Communication
Week 7 -
October 09 - 11
Chapter 4
Chapter 10 – Gender: Expectations, Roles, and Behaviors
Week 8 -
October 16 - 18
Chapter 10
Chapter 11 – Sexual Orientation
Week 9-
October 23 - 25
Chapter 11
Week 10-
October 30 – November 01
TEST 3: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30 (COVERS CHAPTERS 4, 10, & 11)
Chapter 6 – Sexual Behaviors: Experiencing Sexual Pleasure
Last day to drop/withdraw at 4:30 p.m. – November 02
Week 11-
November 06 - 08
Chapter 6
Chapter 7 – Sexual Problems and Solutions
Week 12-
November 13 - 15
Chapter 7
Chapter 8 – Sexually Transmitted Infections
Week 13-
November 20 - 22
TEST 4: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 (COVERS CHAPTERS 6, 7, & 8)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22– NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Week 14-
November 27 - 29
PAPERS DUE NOVEMBER 27TH AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS
Chapter 13 – Sexual Aggression and Violence: Rape, Child Sexual Abuse, and Harassment
Chapter 14 – Paraphilias: The Extremes of Sexual Behavior
Week 15-
December 04 - 06
Chapter 14
Chapter 15 – The Sexual Marketplace: Prostitution and Pornography
Week 16-
December 11
TEST 5 (FINAL EXAM): COVERS CHAPTERS 13, 14, & 15
DECEMBER 11: 9 – 11 A.M.
***This schedule is tentative and may be changed during the course of the semester. You are responsible
for getting the changes if you miss a class.***
EXTRA NOTES