Human Sexuality I

Course Number:
PSY 231
Transcript Title:
Human Sexuality I
Created:
Aug 16, 2022
Updated:
Jul 17, 2023
Total Credits:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
Yes
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

Placement into MTH 65 or MTH 98

Prerequisite / Concurrent

WR 121 or WR 121Z

Course Description

Explores sexual issues from scientific and humanistic perspectives. Surveys historical, cultural and cross-cultural variation in sexuality, sex research, female and male sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology, gender issues, sexual response, sexual communication, sexual behavior patterns, love, and sexual orientations. Prerequisites: placement into MTH 65 or MTH 98. Prerequisite/concurrent: WR 121 or WR 121Z. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Improve sexual health and functioning through the critical evaluation of scientific and popular information.
  2. Practice sexual health and enhance sexual satisfaction based on a) the knowledge of sexual anatomy and physiology, b) the ability to communicate effectively about sexuality with partners, family members, and health-care providers, and c) understanding of psychological influences on sexual decision-making and health behaviors.
  3. Use an understanding of historical, biological, social, psychological, and cultural contexts of diverse sexual practices in order to be accepting of others’ consensual behaviors.
  4. Be open to and accepting of diversity in others’ gender identity, gender role expression, sexual orientation and variations, in order to promote community well-being.
  5. Establish, maintain, and enhance intimate relationships through the utilization of research based principles.

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major
1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)
Major
2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)
Not Addressed
3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)
Major
4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)
Minor
5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

  1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
  2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
    • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

  1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
  2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
    • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

  1. Historical, contemporary, cultural and cross-cultural perspectives on human sexual attitudes, values and behaviors.
  2. Sex research - methodology, exemplary research studies and criteria for evaluating sex research.
  3. Biological and social learning factors that influence gender identity formation.
  4. Gender role expectations and their impact on sexuality.
  5. Transsexualism and transgenderism and other gender variations.
  6. Male and female sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology; sexual health issues.
  7. Sexual arousal and response patterns in men and women from adulthood through aging.
  8. The role of hormones in sexual behavior.
  9. Sexual communication.
  10. Love: themes and research on attraction, love, relationship development, maintenance and satisfaction; jealousy in relationships.
  11. Sexual behaviors: celibacy, fantasy, kissing and touching, masturbation, oral-genital stimulation, anal stimulation and intercourse, penile-vaginal intercourse, tribalism, interfemoral intercourse.
  12. Sexual orientations.