HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE – SOUTHWEST (WEST LOOP)
FALL 2010
_____________________________________________________________________
Gracie A. Roberts, M.A.
Psychology 2306- Human Sexuality
CRN: 62263 16-WK 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
Cell: (713) 517-6958
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
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:
 4 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: 3 peer-reviewed/scientific journal articles dated 1995 or more current and the Hock book.
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 3 sources (5 maximum), and your Hockenbury book.
 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.
 Limited to 2-3 direct quotes within the paper that are no longer than 15 words. A direct quote is where
you use the author’s words verbatim without paraphrasing with quotations marks and a citation at the
end of the quote.
 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
 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!!!!
NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!
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.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1 -
August 31 – September 02
Introduction
Chapter 1 – Studying Human Sexuality
Week 2 -
September 07 - 09
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 – Sexual Anatomy
Week 3 -
September 14 - 16
Chapter 3 – The Physiology of Human Sexual Responding
Week 4 -
September 21 - 23
TEST 1: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (COVERS CHAPTERS 9, 10, & 11)
Chapter 5 – Contraception: Planning and Preventing Pregnancy
Week 5 -
September 28 - 30
Chapter 9 – Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth
Chapter 12 – Sexual Development Throughout Life
Week 6 -
October 05 – October 07
TEST 2: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 05 (COVERS CHAPTERS 5, 9, & 12)
Chapter 4 – Love, Intimacy, and Sexual Communication
Week 7 -
October 12 - 14
Chapter 4
Chapter 10 – Gender: Expectations, Roles, and Behaviors
Week 8 -
October 19 - 21
Chapter 10
Chapter 11 – Sexual Orientation
Week 9-
October 26 – 28
Chapter 11
Week 10-
November 02 – 04
TEST 3: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 02 (COVERS CHAPTERS 4, 10, & 11)
Chapter 6 – Sexual Behaviors: Experiencing Sexual Pleasure
Week 11-
November 09 – 11
Chapter 6
Chapter 7 – Sexual Problems and Solutions
Week 12-
November 16 – 18
Chapter 7
Chapter 8 – Sexually Transmitted Infections
Week 13-
November 23 – 25
TEST 4: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23 (COVERS CHAPTERS 6, 7, & 8)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25 – NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Week 14-
November 30 – December 02
PAPERS DUE NOVEMBER 30TH 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 07 – 09
Chapter 14
Chapter 15 – The Sexual Marketplace: Prostitution and Pornography
Week 16-
December 14 – 16
TEST 5 (FINAL EXAM): COVERS CHAPTERS 13, 14, & 15
***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