Female Sexuality Syllabus Spring 2005
Section A
Introduction
MW: 1/24
We will review the course procedures and requirements, create a
TuTh: 1/25
safe space, draw up a class contract, as well as create a forum for
discussion regarding what students hope to obtain by taking this
course.
Section B
Anatomy, Sex, and Gender
MW: 1/26,
Topics covered: sexual anatomy, Intersex, transgender,
1/31
transexuality, and discussions on gender v anatomical sex.
TuTh: 1/27,
2/1
Guest Speaker 1: Intersex Activist from Intersex Society of North
America
Guest Speaker 2: Tang Peer Health Educator
Assignment: Color anatomical picture from the Cunt Coloring Book.
Section C
Women’s Health and Menstruation
MW: 2/2, 2/7
We will discuss the structures of western medicine and non-
TuTh: 2/3,
western approaches to women’s health, as well as the following:
2/8
breast self-exam, pelvic exam, yeast infections, urinary tract
infections (UTI), toxic shock syndrome (TSS), menopause, mental
health, the possible carcinogenic and negative affects of commonly
used female products (tampons, douches, etc.), and the concept of
women’s genitals as “dirty.” Discussion of cultural stigmatization
of women’s menstrual cycles. Women’s health resources shared.
Guest Speaker: Jennifer Ashby, MS, LAC, from the Lotus Center
Assignment: Self-Exploration exercise.
Section D
Portrayals of Women
MW: 2/9, 2/14
We will begin to explore how women’s sexuality is portrayed in
TuTh: 2/10,
different forms of popular media (magazines, television, films,
2/15
pornography, erotica, etc.) and how such portrayals influence the
ways women and the public at large view women’s sexuality,
including influences such as age, race, class, etc.
Guest Speaker: Mary Kelsey PhD
Assignment 1: Define “isms” (sexism, racism, classism, heterosexism
vs homophobia, ageism, ableism, sizeism, genderism, etc.) and
write a paragraph for each term about how that “ism” has
affected your life.
Assignment 2: Bring in two portrayals (video, pictorial, audio, etc.)
of women’s sexuality, including influences such as age, race, class,
etc.
Movies: Killing Us Softly (1979), Still Killing Us Softly (1987),
Killing Us Softly 3 (2000), Beyond Killing Us Softly: The Impact of
Media Images on Women and Girls (2000)
Section E
Body Image
MW: 2/16,
We will look at how women view themselves and each other; what
2/23, 2/28
shapes our self image and how this affects our lives. We will
TuTh: 2/17,
2/22, 2/24
discuss cultural variables for body image, as well as eating
disorders and body dysmorphia.
Assignment 1: The Beautiful Assignment
Assignment 2: Body Image Project. More info will be given in class.
Section F
Contraception and Sexually Transmitted Infections
MW: 3/2, 3/7
Topics covered include the pill, barrier methods, and safer sax
TuTh: 3/1,
methods, as well as STI’s.
3/3
Assignment 1: STI factsheet / “How I would tell me partner(s)”
Assignment 2: One Page Eroticizing safer sex.
Section G
Reproductive Choices and Motherhood
MW: 3/9, 3/14
We will take an in-depth look at the variety of women’s
TuTh: 3/8,
reproductive choices. We will discuss cultural, ethnic, societal,
3/10
religious, and political factors that affect women’s choices. Topics
covered will include pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, birth, and
motherhood. Discuss effects of pregnancy, childbirth., and
motherhood have on sexuality.
Guest Speaker: Bay Area Midwife
Assignment 1: Birth/Adoption Experience (Interview questions
provided)
Assignment 2: Your views on the reproductive choices available to
you.
Movie: When Abortion Was Illegal.
Section H
Sexual Practices and Orientation
MW: 3/16,
We will look at how society views sexuality, and factors that shape
3/28, 3/30
our sexuality including heterosexism, religion, culture, and
TuTh: 3/15,
ethnicity. Topics discussed: a variety of sexual practices, the
3/17, 3/29
spectrum of sexual orientation, and the expression of one’s own
sexual desires.
Guest Speaker 1: Dr, Carol Queen, Sexologist
Guest Speaker 2: Professional Dominatrix, Selina Raven
Assignment 1: Write at least 3 questions for the sexuality power
shuffle.
Assignment 2: Locate and write one page about a sexual community
that you are unfamiliar with or that you would like to learn
more about.
Assignment 3: Yes/No/Maybe Chart.
Section I
Masturbation, Pleasure, and Orgasm
MW: 4/4, 4/6
We will look at different models of the sexual response cycle as
TuTh: 3/31,
well as discuss the physiological and psychological factors of
4/5
orgasms, including childhood sexuality, cultural variables, and
medical factors involved in the inhibition to orgasm. We will also
discuss self-love, erogenous zones, female ejaculation, and negative
and positive views of masturbation.
Assignment: Erogenous Zones Exploration Exercise (“the eeeeeee
assignment”)
Movie: Carol Queen’s Great Vibrations (1995)
Fieldtrip: Guided tour of Good Vibes of Berkeley
Section J
Pornography, Erotica, and Sex Work
MW: 4/11,
We will discuss pornography and erotica in a variety of mediums,
4/13
as well as various forms of sex work, We will look at their effects
TuTh: 4/7,
4/12
on the women’s sexuality and different feminist views of sex work.
Guest Speaker: Nina Hartley
Assignment: Creative writing assignment – write you anonymous
sexual fantasy. FEEL FREE TO EXPLORE YOUR SEXUALITY!!!
Section K
Communication and Relationships
MW: 4/18,
We will discuss the importance of honesty and communication in
4/20
sexual relationships. Topics will include communication
TuTh: 4/14,
4/19
inhibitors, monogamy/polyamory, forms of communication, as
well as defining and asserting boundaries.
Guest Speaker 1: Suz Strasburger & Roy Turpin
Guest Speaker 2: Wendy – O Matik
Section L
Violence Against Women
MW: 4/25,
We will take an in-depth look at violence against women. We
4/27
will read, analyze, discuss and share resources.
TuTh: 4/21,
4/26
Assignment: Write a 2-4 page narrative on a time when your
boundaries were physically, sexually, emotionally, and/or
verbally violated. Anonymity optional.
Section M
Women’s Empowerment
MW: 5/2
Topics discussed include boundary building, woman-to-woman
TuTh: 4/28
support, community building amongst women, and women’s
individual empowerment.
Assignment: Bring in copies of one example of women’s
empowerment.
Workshop: Self-defense class (free!)
*********8th Semi-Annual Female Sexuality*********
******Women’s Empowerment Extravaganza******
Section N
Final Projects and Conclusion
MW: 5/4, 5/9
The last week will be devoted to presenting final projects/papers
TuTh: 5/3,
and closure.
5/5