HEALTH EDUCATION 314
Section 01- PHETE Majors
HUMAN SEXUALITY
FALL 2011
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Office hours:
e-mail:
Chrystyna Kosarchyn, PhD, CHES
Willett 109
434-395-2543*
MW 2:30-3:30
TH 10:00-11:00 and by appointment
kosarchync@longwood.edu*
*please allow a 24 hour minimum response time;
calls to non-local phone numbers will not be returned due to budget
constraints unless it is an emergency
Course Description: An examination of the biological, psychological, cultural, and
behavioral aspects of human sexuality with emphasis on providing the student with
practical and meaningful information pertaining to human sexuality and family life while
encouraging the development of responsible sexual behaviors and attitudes. 3 credit
hours.
Text:
Yarber, W.L., Sayad, B.W., & Strong, B. (2010). Human sexuality: diversity in
contemporary America. 7th Edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill Publishers.
Course Objectives: Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
describe the difference between “sex” and “sexuality”.
provide reasons for the study of human sexuality.
trace the influence of past civilizations and religious beliefs on today's sexual
practices and laws.
identify noted sexology researchers, their contributions to the study of human
sexuality and the techniques employed by them.
evaluate the influence of cultural and individual values as well as the social climate
in dealing with sexuality issues.
describe female and male sexual anatomy, physiology and response.
identify masculine and feminine gender issues and their
determinants.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
explain sexual arousal and response in both sexes.
describe methods of achieving sexual gratification.
discuss changes in sexuality from infancy to old age.
identify methods of contraception and their effectiveness
describe the process of conception and gestation.
describe the process and methods of childbirth.
analyze issues concerning homosexuality.
evaluate their own attitudes about the full spectrum of human sexual behavior.
classify sexually transmitted infections, their symptoms, treatment and prevention.
describe sexual victimization and coercion, rape, sexual abuse, incest, harassment,
and fetishes.
analyze issues relating to abortion.
discuss sexuality issues that are subject to law: prostitution, pornography, sex
education.
analyze their own personal sexual history.
develop more responsible sexual behaviors and attitudes.
Tentative Class Schedule - subject to change
Week 1
August 23 & 25
Introduction to human sexuality
Chapter 1
Week 2
August 30 &
September 1
Culture and sexuality; historical perspectives
Chapter 2
Assignment #1 due August 30
Week 3
September 6 & 8
Studying human sexuality
Chapter 2
Assignment #2 due September 6
Week 4
Sept. 13 & 15
Female anatomy and physiology
Chapter 3
Week 5
Sept. 20 & 22
Male Anatomy and physiology
Chapter 4
Assignment #3 due September 20
Week 6
Sept. 27 & 29
Test #1 – September 29
Gender and gender roles
Chapter 5
Week 7
October 4 & 6
Sexuality over the lifespan
Chapter 6 & 7
Week 8
October 11 & 13
Fall Break – October 11
Sexuality over the lifespan continued
Assignment #5 (part A) due October 13
Week 9
October 18 & 20
Relationships and communication issues
Chapter 8
Week 10
October 25 & 27
Contraception; unintended pregnancy
Chapter 11
Week 11
November 1 & 3
Conception, pregnancy and childbirth
Chapter 12
Test #2 – November 3
Week 12
November 8 & 10
Variations in sexual behavior
Chapter 10
Assignment #4 due date TBA
Week 13
November 15 & 17
Sexual coercion and victimization
Chapter 17
Assignment #5 (part B) due November 17
Week 14
November 22 & 24
Thanksgiving holiday – November 24
Sexually transmitted infections
Chapter 15
Psychosexual Development Inventory/Research Paper
due November 22
Week 15
Nov. 29 & Dec. 1
Sexually transmitted infections continued; HIV/AIDS
Chapter 16
Final Exam:
December 5 (Monday)
3:00-5:30
Course Requirements:
Internet access
Active e-mail account – must be checked at least once every 24 hours
Assignments #1-5
65 points
Test #1
60 points
Test #2
75 points
Final exam
100 points
Psychosexual Development Inventory or
100 points
Research Paper*
Total points:
400 points
*Research paper topic must be approved by September 22.
The final grade will be based on two tests, a cumulative final exam, a Psychosexual
Development Inventory paper (or research paper), and various assignments as described in
the syllabus below. Each course requirement is worth the amount of points indicated above
with the final grade based on the scale below.
Grading Scale:
A = 360-400 points
B = 320-359
C = 280-319
D = 240-279
F = 0-239
Psychosexual Development Inventory OR Research Paper
Students may chose to write either a Psychosexual Development Inventory (PDI) or a
Research Paper on an approved topic. Guidelines for both assignments will be provided at
the beginning of the semester. The PDI is a confidential inventory of the student's
psychosexual development. LATE PDIs/RESEARCH PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Tests: Testing throughout the semester will consist of a variety of formats depending on
the topic being covered. NO MAKE-UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN UNLESS PRIOR
ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE.
Assignments:
Other than the first assignment, which will be a pretest handed out in class, all
assignments must be typed. Failure to turn in typed work will result in points being
detracted.
1. Human Sexuality Pre-Test (5 points)
2. Culture and sexuality (10 points)
Locate an article that discusses any dimension of sexuality that exists currently (not in
the past) in a culture other than the western culture – e.g., a practice, a specific rule/law,
a belief, etc., regarding any aspect of human sexuality. Describe the aspect you have
selected, by whom and where it is practiced as well as why it’s practiced, and identify the
dimension of sexuality being addressed and why you selected this dimension. Include a
bibliographic citation for your article in the documentation style required in your major
(i.e., APA, MLA, etc.) Your answer must be at least one typed page in length.
3. Teaching Human Sexuality Research Article (15 points)
Locate an article in a “professional peer-reviewed journal”* that focuses on some aspect of
teaching human sexuality NK-12 – see PRAXIS II - Health and Physical Education
Content Knowledge (0856) at the end of the syllabus for possible topics. The article must
not have been published prior to 2001). Your selected article must be approved.
Provide the bibliographic documentation for the article you located (author, title, journal,
etc.) in the style required in your major (APA) at the top of the page.
Summarize the article in adequate detail (at least one typed page), and discuss what you
learned as a result of reading the article (at least one typed page), and how you can apply
what you learned to teaching human sexuality (at least one typed page). Failure to fulfill
the length requirement will result in points being subtracted from the final score.
Print a copy of the article* to turn in with your answers or send an electronic copy to
instructor – if choosing the electronic route, make sure that I can
access it before the assignment is due!
*Articles that do not meet the criteria for a “peer-reviewed professional article” will
not be accepted and the assignment will not be considered as fulfilled so please make
sure that your article is indeed the complete research article and not just an
abstract/summary of a research article.
4. Fearsome Foursome presentation (15 points)
Attend the Fearsome Foursome presentation (date TBA) and write a detailed summary of
what each speaker discussed as well as your reaction to the presentation. Indicate each
speaker’s name and sexual orientation, paying particular attention to the “coming out
story” each related. Your answer must be at least two typed pages in length. Failure to
fulfill the length requirement will result in points being subtracted from the final
score.
5. Lesson Plan in Family Life Education (and lead-up exercises) (20 points):
Instructions/guidelines will be provided throughout the course of the semester.
LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.* ALL ASSIGNED WORK IS DUE AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE CLASS PERIOD. EVEN IF THE STUDENT IS ABSENT ON
THE DAY THE WORK WAS ASSIGNED (REGARDLESS OF THE REASON CLASS
WAS MISSED) THE STUDENT IS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR TURNING IN
ASSIGNMENTS IN ON THE ANNOUNCED DUE DATES UNLESS PRIOR
ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE.
*A one-time “exemption” to this policy for any assignment is available to each
student. The “late” homework must be turned in by 5:00pm of the day after it was
due - not the next time the class meets.
Attendance policy: Students are expected to attend every class meeting during the
semester. Failure to attend class regularly impairs academic performance and absences
are disruptive to the educational process for other students. There are, however,
instances when a class must be missed (for example: illness, a professional commitment,
etc.). It is highly recommended that students miss as few classes as possible for there is
a high correlation between class attendance and the final grade in this class. Should the
necessity for a student to be absent from class arise s/he is still responsible for the
material covered in class. Any assignments that are not turned in on the day a class
is missed, whatever the reason, OR those assigned during a class that is missed, will
not be accepted.
Electronic devices: No cells phones are to be used during class – this refers to both
making/receiving calls and texting. All such devices must be turned off at the beginning
of the class period. Use of electronic devices during class for such purposes will result
in a loss of three (3) points per infraction.
Accommodations: Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the
impact of a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability should contact Maggie
Butler, Director of the Office for Disability Services (103 Graham Bldg., 395-2391) to
register for services.
Honor Code: Students are expected to live by the Longwood Honor Code. Violations of
the Honor Code, such as cheating on an assignment, quiz, or exam, may result in failure of
the class.
References: Academic Journals
Adolescence
Family Planning Today
Family Health
Family Life Education
Family Relations
Journal of Health Education
Journal of Health and Social Behavior
Journal of Marriage and the Family
Journal of School Health
Journal of Sex Education and Therapy
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
Sexuality Today
The SIECUS Report
PRAXIS II - Health and Physical Education Content Knowledge (0856)
Topics that are covered in this class that will be on PRAXIS II exam (taken the semester
before student teaching:
II. Family Living and Sex Education
 Reproductive anatomy and physiology; growth and development of the male and
female reproductive systems, family planning, pregnancy and childbirth
 Psychological development, family structure relationships, peer relationships, values
and decision-making, understanding of bodily changes, and personal growth and
development
 Dating and marriage: readiness, responsibility, communication, and assertiveness
 Parenting: responsibilities, child-rearing practices, and communication
 Family and societal problems: conflict resolution, domestic violence, rape, incest,
teen pregnancy and divorce
I. Personal Care

Methods, strategies, and resources for evaluating students’ health behaviors and
effective appropriate changes and meeting a pluralistic society’s needs for health
education relative to differing socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds