Syllabus Summer A 2017 Human Sexuality: BSC 2026 (CRN 50207)

Transcription

1 Syllabus Summer A 2017 Human Sexuality: BSC 2026 (CRN 50207) COURSE OBJECTIVES: This is a course about the biology of human sexuality. Sexuality is an integral part of life; knowledge and understanding of one's sexuality are essential in order to make decisions regarding physiological and social aspects of one s sexual life. In this class, we will discuss the anatomy and physiology of male and female reproduction, including a discussion of hormones, anatomy, menstruation, pregnancy, and birth. We will learn about birth control, STIs, sexual response, gender identification, sexual orientation, love and attraction. We will discuss not only the scientific aspects, but also the cultural, historical, and legal issues that pertain to these topics. Throughout the course we will consider the scientific basis by which sexuality is studied. We will employ critical thinking in all our discussions about the topic. The goals of this course are as follows: To learn the anatomy and physiology of human sexuality and to dispel previous misinformation and/or myths. To become more comfortable with the topic of sexuality so you can better deal with issues that impact you To increase awareness and appreciation of different points of view concerning sexuality in relation to one's gender, age, sexual orientation, and religious, racial and/or ethnic background. To facilitate open and honest communication about sexuality and to help you gain a better understanding of yourself. To discuss human sexuality openly, respectfully, honestly, scientifically, and critically. As this is a course on human sexuality, we may discuss issues that some of you may find embarrassing, uncomfortable, even inappropriate. To remain in this class, you must be respectful of others and maintain a mature and professional manner at all times. Failure to do so will result in your expulsion from the course. PROFESSOR: Dr. Martha Rosenthal Phone: martha@fgcu.edu Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 12-1, or by appointment Office: Whitaker 256 TEXTBOOK: Human Sexuality from Cells to Society. Martha S. Rosenthal Wadsworth/ Cengage. CLASS TIME: MWF 9:30-11:45 Holmes Engineering 224 CLASS NOTES: A class handout for the topics covered in class is available on Canvas. You are required to have the handout in class. Make sure you have it before we begin discussing the topic.

2 Grading: Your grade will be based on exams, presentations, activities, papers and participation. The proposed grading scale is as follows: A = % B - = 80-82% D + = 67-69% A - = 90-92% C + = 77-79% D = 63-66% B + = 87-89% C = 73-76% D - = 60-62% B = 83-86% C - = 70-72% F = 59% and below Total # points 4 Tests 75 points each; 300 points total Attendance 10 points In class activities/ quizzes 24 points Brief thoughts 16 points Total 350 points Final grades are not negotiable. Grades will be changed only if you can demonstrate that there was an error in how the grade was calculated. Grades are calculated by computer, so an error is unlikely, unless data was entered incorrectly. All students will be treated equally and fairly, and all grades will be calculated in the same way, regardless of extenuating circumstances or any reason not related to your actual performance in the course. However much I may sympathize with your personal circumstances, I cannot take them into consideration when assigning grades. Academic Behavior Standards and Academic Dishonesty All students are expected to demonstrate honesty in their academic pursuits. The university policies regarding issues of honesty can be found in the FGCU Student Guidebook under the Student Code of Conduct and Policies and Procedures sections. All students are expected to study this document which outlines their responsibilities and consequences for violations of the policy. The FGCU Student Guidebook is available online at Plagiarism is defined broadly as claiming the work of another as your own. To avoid plagiarism, you must properly cite the author of the work. Plagiarism also includes using the information stated by another, but written in your own words without citation. The FGCU Student Handbook discusses plagiarism and the ramifications to the student who plagiarizes. Your papers may be turned into turnitin.com, or other on-line services. In this class, you will receive a zero for any assignment that is plagiarized and further disciplinary action will be taken. If you have any concerns about plagiarism, please see your professors. Cheating, plagiarism, or other violations of the student code of conduct will not be tolerated. Such violations may result in a failing grade on the assignment, in the course, or dismissal from the class or from the University, depending on the severity of the incident. Be sure to turn off your cell phones during class. If you take out a cell phone during an exam, you will be asked to leave the exam immediately. Texting is not permitted during class. Disability Accommodations Services Florida Gulf Coast University, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the university s guiding principles, will provide classroom and academic accommodations to students with documented disabilities. If you need to request an accommodation in this class due to a disability, or you suspect that your academic performance is affected by a disability, please contact the Office of Adaptive Services. The Office of Adaptive Services is located in Howard Hall 137. The phone number is or TTY is adaptive@fgcu.edu, or via the Florida Relay at 711.

3 Student Observance of Religious Holidays All students at Florida Gulf Coast University have a right to expect that the University will reasonably accommodate their religious observances, practices, and beliefs. Students, upon prior notification to their instructors, shall be excused from class or other scheduled academic activity to observe a religious holy day of their faith. Students shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time to make up the material or activities covered in their absence. Students shall not be penalized due to absence from class or other scheduled academic activity because of religious observances. Where practicable, major examinations, major assignments, and University ceremonies will not be scheduled on a major religious holy day. A student who is to be excused from class for a religious observance is not required to provide a second party certification of the reason for the absence. Tests: There are 4 exams in this class. The format of the exams is mixed. The exam may consist of multiple choice, true /false, matching, fill in the blank, labeling diagrams, short answer, problem solving (i.e. given this data, which answer makes the most sense), case studies, etc. Professors are not required to give make up exams if a student misses an exam. If you do miss an exam and have an acceptable excuse (i.e. medical reasons), we will work out what, if any, make- up exam will be given. The make up exam may be an oral or essay exam. Students are strongly advised not to miss exams. Attendance and in-class activities: Number of days missed Number of attendance points Attendance is required. Attendance will be taken each class period. There will be no makeup 0 12 available on in class activities. There are points for attendance, but if you attend every 2 8 session, you can get extra credit. But there will be 3 6 no excused absences. If you miss class due to 4 or more 0 illness or a university sponsored event, those days will come out of your wiggle room. There are some class activities for credit. These are worth 24 points, but there are 29 total points available, so you can earn extra credit. These include short quizzes and in class activities. If you miss the quiz or activity, there is no makeup. It is expected that you will have read the chapter BEFORE COMING TO CLASS. It is very important that you are prepared for class. I reserve the right to give pop quizzes to make sure you are keeping up with the reading. Lateness policy: Due dates for tests, papers, and assignments are published well in advance. Therefore, there is no excuse for material to be turned in late. Do not wait until the last minute to begin your work! Viruses can invade both humans and computers and you need to prepare for such situations by having your work done in advance. You will lose 10% of your grade on the assignment for each day (counting weekends) assignments are handed in late

4 Brief thoughts Eight times in the semester you will me your brief thoughts on different issues in sexuality. These will be 3-4 sentences long and you will receive up to 2 points each. Whether I agree with your position or not will have no effect on your grade for this assignment. In order to get full credit, you must: Use the subject heading: HUMAN SEXUALITY BRIEF THOUGHTS. Put your name in the body of the . Use proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar. State your position, and give a reason why you feel that way. These are due BEFORE CLASS on the due date. None will be accepted after 9:00 a.m. on due date. Following are the topics to which you can respond. There are 12 topics, but you will only need to respond to 8 of them. You can do ONE additional brief thought for extra credit, for a total of 9. Due Date Topic 5/15 Should men in America be circumcised? 5/17 Pubic hair: to shave or not to shave? Should people get rid of their pubic hair? Men? Women? All of it? Some of it? Why or why not? 5/26 Are men and women more alike or more different? Why? 5/31 Could gay people become straight if they really wanted to? 6/1 Do you think people have one true love? Why or why not? 6/5 Which would bother you more: if your long-term partner still loved you but was sexually unfaithful, OR if they were faithful but in love with someone else? Why? 6/7 What are your views regarding pornography? 6/7 Should it be more difficult to get divorced than it currently is? 6/9 Should condoms be distributed in high schools? Why or why not? 6/12 What should the penalties be for rape? 6/16 Should prostitution be legal? Why or why not? 6/16 How far would you go to have a child if it didn t happen naturally? Extra credit: Fallacies of Reasoning One of the goals in the textbook is to help you develop your critical thinking skills so you can better evaluate the flood of sexual information you face on a daily basis. Early in the semester we will review different types of fallacies of reasoning. You can get 1 point added to your total points for the course for each example of a fallacy of reasoning you bring me during the semester (up to a maximum of 5). Find a statement about sexuality that you feel is a fallacy of reasoning. Print out the quote, source, and date you saw it. If possible, please include as many specifics about the source as possible. A copy of the web page or news article would be great. Write out what fallacy of reasoning you feel it is. You ll get a free point if you re correct! As an example: The definition [of marriage] can be anything a judge says it is, or a mayor or three commissioners or what have you. It becomes anything anybody wants it to be. So you could have polygamy. You could have incest. You could have marriage between a father and a daughter. James Dobson, May 2004, Hannity and Colmes. Fallacy: Slippery Slope. These are accepted throughout the semester, and none will be accepted after 10:00 a.m. on June 19.

5 Tentative course schedule Date Topic Chapters in Rosenthal F 5/12 Introduction Overview of sexuality 1, 2 M 5/15 Overview of sexuality 1, 2 Male anatomy and physiology 3 Circumcision BT due W 5/17 Quiz on chapters 1 & 2 Male anatomy and physiology 3 Female anatomy and physiology 4 Pubic hair BT due F 5/19 Female anatomy and physiology 4 M 5/22 Female anatomy and physiology 4 W 5/24 Test #1: Male and female reproductive anatomy and physiology Gender, Intersexuality, Transgender 5 F 5/26 Gender, Intersexuality, Transgender 5 Gender differences/ similarities BT due Sexual orientation 10 M 5/29 No class Memorial Day W 5/31 Sexual orientation 10 Gay people changing BT due F 6/2 Test #2: Gender, sexual orientation Dating, attraction 7 True love BT due M 6/5 Love, marriage, human sexual response 8, 9, 6 Quiz on marriage 7 pts Which is the worst kind of infidelity BT due

6 Date Topic Chapters in Rosenthal W 6/7 Human sexual response 6 Consensual sexual activities 11 Contraception 12 Harder to get divorced BT due Pornography BT due F 6/9 Contraception 12 Condom distribution BT due M 6/12 STIs 14 Rape penalties BT due W 6/14 Test #3: Dating, attraction, love, marriage, sexual response, contraception STIs 14 F 6/16 Fertility, pregnancy, birth 13 Prostitution BT due Infertility BT due M 6/19 Fertility, pregnancy, birth 13 W 6/21 Test #4: Pregnancy, STIs