PSYCHOLOGY 2070
Introduction to Human Sexuality
Fall Semester 2014
Instructor: Irene Daboin, M.A. Office: 1105-G Urban Life Building
Class Time: T/Th 4:00-5:15 PM
Classroom: 215 Langdale Hall
Office Telephone #: (404) 413-6537
E-Mail: idaboin1@student.gsu.edu
CRN: 81289 Prerequisites: None
Office hours: Mondays 10:30am-12:30pm, or by appointment (please e-mail to schedule).
Course Description
The general goal of this course is to examine the diversity of human sexuality in contemporary
American society. Students will explore various social, cultural, clinical, and health perspectives on human sexuality. The course will cover a variety of topics, including: basic sexual and reproductive anatomy, sexual response and arousal, gender identity and gender roles, reproduction, development of sexuality, love and intimacy, sexual orientation, atypical sexual behavior, sexual coercion, and sexual dysfunction.
Course Objectives
1.
To introduce students to the basic principles, theories, and methods for the study of human sexuality and have students apply these in their practice of self-directed learning during and after the course.
2.
To facilitate students’ understanding of the factors that influence human sexuality (including cultural, psychological, social, biological, evolutionary, medical, political, etc.)
3.
To increase students’ awareness of the diversity of sexual behavior. a.
To have students develop a greater understanding of themselves and others.
4.
To have students develop and practice respect for individual differences in human sexuality
(inside and outside of the classroom).
5.
To help students integrate and connect class material so that they are able to identify and explain the connections between class content and current events, pop culture, history, and scientific theories outside of this course.
6. To help students clarify their values regarding sexuality and enable students to make their own decisions, judge, appraise, and explain their rationales regarding human sexuality issues.
Required Materials
 Carroll, J. L. (2013). Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity. 4th Edition,
Wadsworth/Cengage Learning: Belmont, CA.
 Access to Desire2Learn

Course Requirements
The course includes lectures, in- class activities, and group discussions. Class exercises will be used to help students understand important concepts and principles covered in the reading assignments. Video segments may also be used to augment the course.
The final grade for the class will be based on 4 exams. Exams will be based on information from the lectures (including in-class activities and discussions) and readings from the text.
Partial or abbreviated versions of all lecture notes will be made available on Desire2Learn.
Students who miss class are responsible for obtaining class notes from other students.
NOTE: Although materials from the course will be based on scientific research, please note that people in the course will likely have a diversity of opinions regarding controversial topic. If an opinion expressed in the course makes you feel uncomfortable, it is acceptable to quietly leave the classroom and I encourage you to contact me afterwards to discuss.
Grading Policy
The final grade will represent the average of all 4 exams given in the course. All exam grades will be counted equally to compute the final grade, which represents the numeric average of all exams. All grades will be posted on Desire2Learn (no grades may be given by phone or email).
Final grades will be computed based on the following plus/minus scale:
A+ 97-100
A 94-96
A- 90-93
B+ 87-89
B 84-86
B- 80-83
C+ 77-79
C 74-76
C- 70-73
D
F
60-69
Below 60
Courses or criteria that require a grade of B or C will continue requiring the same (grades of B- or C- will not fulfill the requirement).
Attendance Policy
Attendance is encouraged and expected but not required except for class exams. However, most material presented in class will differ from the material in the textbook and will form the basis for most of the exam questions. Consequently, not attending class regularly will likely place you at a disadvantage for exams.
Veterans’ Attendance. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires that institutions of higher learning immediately report to them when a student discontinues attendance. Veterans who are receiving benefits to fund their education will be reported to the DVA if they do not attend class for a period of two weeks or more.

Make-up Policy
Students who miss a regularly scheduled examination may take a make-up examination if their absence is excused by the instructor. The instructor will determine if the absence is excused based on written documentation submitted by the student in a timely manner. For this class, that time limit is within 3 days of the missed exam. In general, serious medical problems, dire circumstances, etc. would constitute a basis for excusing an absence. If excused, a make-up test may be arranged within a week (7 days) of the missed exam.
Disability Services
Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by registering with the
Office of Disability Services. Students may only be accommodated upon issuance by the Office of Disability Services of a signed Accommodation Plan and are responsible for providing a copy of that plan to instructors of all classes in which accommodations are sought.
Course Evaluation
Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping education at
Georgia State. Upon completing the course, please take time to fill out the online course evaluation.
Policy on Disruptive Behavior
Students who exhibit behaviors that disrupt this class or its learning activities will be considered under the Board of Regents Policy on Disruptive Behavior. Inappropriate classroom behavior includes, but is not limited to: sleeping, coming in late, talking/conversing during lecture/presentation, leaving early, interrupting others, talking out of turn or monopolizing class time with excessive comments, inappropriate behavior during group work, behaving disrespectfully to other students or to the instructor, or any other behavior that may be disruptive or disrespectful. All cell phones and electronic devices must be turned to silent during this class.
Students who do not abide by these rules will be given a verbal warning. The second warning will be in writing and the student will meet with a designated faculty member and/or the Chair of the Department of Psychology. For more information, please refer to the university’s policy on disruptive behavior: http://deanofstudents.gsu.edu/faculty-staff-resources/disruptive-studentconduct/
Departmental Policy on Academic Dishonesty
For a full explanation of academic dishonesty, see the GSU student code of conduct at: http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwdos/codeofconduct.html
The most common types of academic dishonesty are plagiarism, cheating on assessments, and unauthorized collaboration.
GSU Department of Psychology Definition of Plagiarism
If a student uses or relies on others’ work in preparing any academic materials (e.g. written assignments, posters, presentations) the student must cite the source correctly according to the directions provided by the instructor. Failure to do so is plagiarism. Copying and pasting even part of a sentence or phrase is plagiarism, even when the source is cited correctly. Paraphrasing a source in a way that copies the phrase or sentence structure of a source is also plagiarism. To avoid plagiarism, students are expected to properly paraphrase others’ ideas.

Quotes in scientific writing should only be used when the wording of the original source is critical to the student’s argument. Whether quoting is appropriate in a given instance is at the discretion of the instructor, not the student.
Cheating and Unauthorized Collaboration
Cheating includes the use or sharing of any unauthorized materials and/or assistance before, during, or after an assessment (e.g. exams, tests, quizzes). Unless otherwise specified by your instructor, you may not discuss an assessment or share materials or information with any other student at any time. Unauthorized collaboration occurs under the same circumstances as cheating, but involves assignments outside of the classroom (e.g. papers, projects, presentations) rather than assessments.
EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
You will be given several opportunities throughout the course to obtain extra-credit points by posting comments on our course website (Desire2Learn). This will include opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge about the textbook readings, connect course material to current events, and provide reflections about how class material applies to your personal life.
These extra-credit assignments will be explained and announced in class at random points throughout the duration of the course. There will be no other form of announcement about these assignments so I recommend you try to attend class regularly if you would like the opportunity of learning more about these assignments.
Extra-credit points (up to a maximum of 5 points) will be added to the student’s final grade after calculating their average across all 4 exams.
______________________________________________________________________________
Important Dates of the Semester
For more information, please refer to the GSU Fall 2014 Academic Calendar.

August 25 th
:

September 1 st :
Fall semester begins
GSU Holiday

October 4 th : Semester Midpoint; last day to withdraw

November 24 th -29 th : Thanksgiving break

December 8 th : Last day of classes for the semester

December 9 th
-16 th
: Final exams

Note: The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.
Date Topic Readings
8/26
8/28 & 9/2
Introduction and Overview
Theory and Research
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
9/4
9/9 & 9/11
9/16
9/18
9/23& 9/25
Communication and Sexuality
Love and Intimacy
Sexual Images and Selling Sex
First Exam
Gender (Development, Roles, and Identity)
Chapter 3
Chapter 7
Chapter 18
Chapter 4
9/30
10/2
10/7& 10/9
10/14
10/16
10/21
10/23& 28
Childhood and Adolescent Sexuality
Adult Sexual Relationships
Sexual Orientation
Second Exam
Female Sexual Anatomy and Physiology
Male Sexual Anatomy and Physiology
Pregnancy and Birth
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 11
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 12
10/30& 11/4
11/6
11/11
11/13
11/18
11/20 & 12/2
12/4
12/11
Contraception and Abortion
Third Exam
Challenges to Sexual Functioning
Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS
Sexual Expression
Fourth Exam
Varieties of Sexual Expression
Power and Sexual Coercion
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 10
Chapter 16
Chapter 17