Summer II - 2010
Human Sexuality 341 K
Dr. Amy M. Meeks
Department of Psychology
COURSE GOALS
This course is designed to introduce you to the field of human sexuality. In doing so, we will discuss various aspects of sexuality and how those aspects interact with psychological principles. Because this is a survey course, we will not be able to go into great detail on each of these topics. The goal, instead, is to cover the main points and give you a good working knowledge that will help you understand human sexuality as a discipline and as a science. You will find that this working knowledge will add to your understanding of how complex and fascinating the human person can be. As we walk through this course together, my hope is that you encounter new ideas and facts, incorporate this new material into your existing values and beliefs, and emerge at the end of this semester more aware of human sexuality and its’ impact on our lives. It is an incredibly rich field that touches us in a myriad of ways. Whenever possible, we will use in-class projects, out-of-class assignments, demonstrations, and videos to illustrate key concepts in the course.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Four (4) Multiple Choice Examinations.
COURSE MATERIALS
Required text: Hyde and DeLamater, Understanding Human Sexuality, (10 th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
INSTRUCTOR
Name: Dr. Amy M. Meeks; Texas State University e-mail: am23@txstate.edu
Office Hours: 9 to 10 a.m. M, T, W, TH, F in 2.114
Instructional Assistants: Sarah McKenney: mckenney@mail.utexas.edu
Cari Goetz: cdgoetz@mail.utexas.edu

COURSE POLICIES
Attendance
Class attendance and class participation are considered important in the attainment of course goals. Therefore, absences are strongly discouraged.
If you choose to be absent, or are absent for reasons beyond your control, that is all right and not the end of the world. Life happens and sometimes you are not in class. The only absences which are accepted and excused are those that are school related in that you are elsewhere representing the University of Texas.
Documentation verifying those times is essential. Students who attend class
MUST VERIFY their attendance by signing the class roll each class period.
Leaving class after attendance has been taken, but before class is over, will count as an absence.
Otherwise, if you are sick I hope you feel better; if you have to attend a funeral I am sorry for your loss; and if you overslept I hope you feel rested. My hope is that you choose to come to class, be involved, and learn.
Academic Integrity Issues
The professor will strictly adhere to the University Academic Integrity Policy described in the Student Handbook in dealing with plagiarism or other academic integrity issues.
This policy states:
All work submitted for credit must be the student’s original work. Any assignment turned in that is questionable in terms of its authorship will be investigated and will be subject to the disciplinary action(s) recommended under Texas State University policies.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Daily Assignments
We will cover approximately four chapters per week. You are expected to have read the chapter by class time. You are responsible for all assigned material on the examinations. Classroom activities and lectures will be based on the chapter topics and related issues that you should be able to discuss.

Classroom Discussions
Issues in psychology can be among the most sensitive and personal that we may encounter in the academic world. Your opinion is valuable and we want to hear it.
Listening to new perspectives in a discussion will facilitate your own learning and that of others. The following ground rules will aid us in having useful, respectful discussions about these sensitive topics:
Take responsibility for your own learning in this class.
Speak up if you have a question or do not understand.
Respect all opinions, your own and those of others.
Feel free to disagree with any opinion that is expressed, but only after you fully understand the other point of view.
Derogatory comments or personal attacks are not acceptable.
Agree that we may disagree.
Take risks by sharing feelings and opinions, but leave what others say in the classroom.
If, during this course, personal issues are raised that you would like to discuss with a counselor, please ask the teacher for a referral or contact the University Counseling
Center. I am willing to help you find the right resources for you and your situation but I am unable to become your counselor.
SPECIAL STUDENTS
If you are a student with a disability who will require an accommodation(s) to participate in this course, please contact me as soon as possible. You will be asked to provide documentation from the Office of Disability Services. Failure to do so in a timely manner may delay your accommodations.
EXTRA CREDIT
Extra credit in this course may be obtained in the following way:
1.) Attendance:
If you have perfect attendance between tests, then 3 points will be added to your test grade. For example, if you do not miss a class before Test #1 then you will be given 3 points on Test #1 as extra credit. The same concept will apply to Test
#2, #3, and #4. Attendance is taken every day. With the completion of each test, you start over on your ability to earn 3 points on the next test.

COURSE GRADES
Your grade in this course will be the result of four examinations. They will be weighted as follows:
Examination #1………………25%
Examination #2………………25%
Examination #3………………25%
Examination #4………………25%
100%
Examinations will be based on class materials, including lectures, guest lectures, media presentations, and text assignments. Make-up examinations are allowed only in cases of extreme emergency and those emergencies must be documented in writing.
The grading scale will be as follows:
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: 59 and below
You are each responsible for the grade that you make in this class. I want you to all make
A’s, and I will do my part to help you achieve that grade, but I cannot do it for you. If your average for the course falls in the 70’s then you will receive a C in the class, regardless of how much you explain to me that your transcript cannot handle another C.
At the end of each semester, I have students tell me in great detail why they REALLY need a certain grade in this class. If you choose to do this, I will listen patiently to your explanation and then I will give you the grade that you have earned. I will be glad to give you an A if your course average begins with a 9.
I see this class as a joint effort between the two of us. I promise to do my part by showing up each class day ready to lecture on the material and explain it in a way that you can hopefully understand. I need you to do your part by coming to class prepared to discuss the material for the day and willing to learn.
It is possible to make a great grade in this class and to have fun doing so. That is my goal for each of you.
COURSE CALENDER – HUMAN SEXUALITY – SUMMER II - 2010

WEEK 1 CHAPTER 1: Sexuality in Perspective
CHAPTER 2: Theoretical Perspectives on Sexuality
CHAPTER 3: Sex Research
CHAPTER 4: Sexual Anatomy
TEST #1: Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4 on Monday, July 19, 2010
WEEK 2 CHAPTER 5: The Menstrual Cycle
CHAPTER 6: Conception, Pregnancy and Childbirth
CHAPTER 7: Contraception and Abortion
CHAPTER 8: Sexual Arousal
TEST #2: Chapters: 5, 6, 7, 8 on Wednesday, July 28, 2010
WEEK 3 CHAPTER 11: Attraction, Love, and Communication
CHAPTER 13: Sexual Orientation: Gay, Straight, or Bi
CHAPTER 14: Variations in Sexual Behavior
TEST #3: Chapters: 11, 13, 14, on Friday, August 6, 2010
WEEK 4 CHAPTER 15: Sexual Coercion
CHAPTER 16: Sex for Sale
CHAPTER 19: Ethics, Religion, and Sexuality
CHAPTER 20: Sex and the Law
Epilogue: Looking to the Future: Sexuality Education
TEST #4: Chapters: 15, 16, ?, ?, on Friday, August 13
The course calendar is subject to change as for the chapters covered and dates tests are given.

TESTING PROCEDURES FOR CLASSROOMS
On test days, the only item you need to bring to class is a pencil. Scantrons will be provided.
If you bring other items to class, they must be placed against the wall or on the stage.
During the test, no caps, hats, or head gear are allowed.
During the test, no electronic devices are allowed. If one is visible, it will be kept by the professor until you have completed your test.
When turning in your test, please be certain it is placed in the correct stack.
Asking the professor for clarification about a test question is acceptable. Asking for the answer is not.
Each student is to keep their scantron covered so that their answers are not seen by others.
The test forms (color) will be alternated when placed on your desks., therefore,, you should always have a different color than your neighbor. If you have the same color as your neighbor, please let us know.
All answers are to come from you and only you.