Private Dicks: Men Exposed. A film by Meema Spadola and Thom Powers. 1995.

The Clitoris: Forbidden Pleasure. A film by Stephen Firmin and Variety Moszynski. 2003.

Our House: A Very Real Documentary About Kids of Gay and Lesbian Parents. A film by Meema Spadola. 2000.

Kinsey. A film by Barak Goodman and John Maggio. 2005. This is the documentary film, not the Hollywood one.

Mutuality. A film by  Focus International. 1984

Tongues Untied. A film by Marlon Riggs. 1994.

Sex: Unkown. NOVA, WGBH Boston Video. 2001

No Dumb Questions. A documentary film by Melissa Regan. 2001

The Most Unknowable Thing. A film by Mary Patierno. 1999.

A Boy Named Sue. A video by Julie Wyman. 2000.

Is It a Boy or a Girl? A film by Phyllis Ward. Discovery Channel. 2000.

Brain Sex: Love, Love Me Do. Discovery Channel. 1998

Hermaphrodites Speak! Intersex Society of North America. 1996.

Gender Trouble. Produced and Directed by Roz Mortimer. 2002

Dr. Muñoz
Macmillan 310
Tel. 364-3248

Course Description

A survey of the biological, psychological, and cultural aspects of human sexuality including the development of sexual behavior, love and sexual relationships, AIDS, sexual victimization, the physiology of sexual behavior and sexual dysfunctions, controversial issues in human sexuality.

Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality.
Freud, S. [1925] 1962. Revised edition (January 2000)

As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who was Raised as a Girl
John Colapinto, 2001.

Queer by Choice: Lesbians, Gay Men, and the Politics of Identity.
Whisman, V. 1995.

Lessons from the Intersexed, Suzanne Kessler, 1998

Films
We will view at least one film on human sexuality weekly. This is an important component of the course because it allows us to actually see human sexuality in action and to make our own observations. The films are educational in nature. There is no pornography. However, many of the films are explicit in both what people say and what they do. If you are uncomfortable with or offended by viewing explicit films of human sexuality you may want to consider not taking this course because these films are central to the way the course is taught and you cannot opt out of viewing them.

• Critically analyze theories of sexuality by examining the underlying assumptions about human "nature" within the theories;
• Understand how sexual development is influenced by race, class, ethnicity, gender, and the historical moment;
• Develop awareness of and respect for sexual diversity;
• Critically analyze the systemic ways in which heterosexual privilege, sexism, and homphobia structure sexualities.

1. Midterm Exam: The midterm exam will consist of essay questions covering the first half of the semester's readings and films. Midterm due on March 13 in class. (20%)

2. Final Exam: The final exam will consist of essay questions covering the first and second  half of the semester's readings and films, but mostly focus on the second half.  FINAL EXAM due May 15 in my office (30%)
 

2. Reflective Essays (30%)

Since we will be viewing a variety of films and reading from a variety of perspectives on human sexuality it is important that you spend time analyzing and reflecting on your responses, questions, insights, concerns  to what we see, read, and discuss in class. The reflective essays provide a place for that reflection to occur. These papers need to include thoughtful links with the readings, for example, how does a film expand or contest the research? How is a visual representation different than reading about it? What surprised you? How did a film make you feel? What questions have been raised for you? 5 - 7 pages, double-spaced maximum. Include title page and references page (but these are not included in the maximum page count).

-- Reflective Essay 1 due at beginning of class, March 6 (15%) please note: date changed from Feb. 27
-- Reflective Essay 2 due at beginning of class, May 1 (15%) please note: date changed from April 24

3. Participation in Class Discussion and Presentation on Readings (20%):

-- Each student will be responsible for leading at least one discussion of selected raeadings assignment. Your preparation for this will include making a hand-out with an outline containing questions for the class to consider and a summary of the information in the selected reading (10%). 2 - 3 pages maximum.

-- Participation and Attendance: Your thoughtful participation is important for many reasons. The major reason is: Articulating what you think assists you in developing the capacity to critically examine what you are learning. I expect students to refer to the readings and make observations about what you thought and why, and raise any questions that you have and are curious about exploring. Thoughtful discussion based on critical reading is much more important than lots of discussion based solely on opinion. This component of the grade for the course is based on your capacity to critically discuss the theories, perspectives, controversies, assumptions, and so on presented in the texts. Attendance is critical. Obviously, you must attend to participate! If you cannot attend class for medical reasons or in case of emergency, please inform me in advance. (10%)

A Note on Course Assignments

ALL written work must be double-spaced, printed out clearly in black ink, 12 point plain font (New York, Times, Palatino, Courier, only), spellchecked and proofread. Written work which does not follow this format will be marked down accordingly.

Assignments are due as written in the syllabus. Assignments handed in late will be graded a letter grade lower for every late day, the day they are due will be included as the first day.

WEEK 1 Jan 30:
Overview of course, introductions, and discussion of course assignments.
Sexuality Models from previous classes

WEEK 2 Feb 6:
S. Freud, Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality,
-- Chapter 1, The Sexual Aberrations, pp. 1 - 38

WEEK 3 Feb 13:

WEEK 4 Feb 20:
S. Freud, Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality,
Chapter 3, The Transformations of Puberty, pp. 73 - 96 Discussion leader: Adele

Topic III.  Genetic or Chosen?: Sexuality and Sexual Orientation

WEEK 7 March 13:
V. Whisman, Queer by Choice
-- Chapter 1, Dear Abby, The Gay Agenda, and the New York Times, pp. 1 - 10
-- Chapter 2, The Pleasures and Dangers of Choice, pp. 11 - 36 Discussion leader: Aleris
-- Chapter 3, Stories of Choice, pp. 37 - 68 Discussion leader: Adam

Midterm due in class

WEEK 8 March 20: SPRING BREAK

WEEK 9 March 27:
V. Whisman, Queer by Choice
-- Chapter 4, Choosing a Story: Determined, Chosen, Mixed, pp. 69 - 106 Discussion leader: Krystal
-- Chapter 5, Difference and Dominance: Gendered Identity Accounts, pp. 107 - 118 Discussion leader: Elias
-- Chapter 6, Conclusion, pp. 119 - 126 Discussion leader: Elias

WEEK 13 April 24:
S. Kessler, Lessons From The Intersexed
Chapter 1: Introduction, pp. 1 - 11
Chapter 2: The Medical Construction of Gender, pp. 12 - 32 Discussion leader: Toren

WEEK 14 May 1:
Chapter 3: Defining and Producing Genitals, pp. 33 - 51
Chapter 4: Evaluating Genital Surgery, pp. 52 - 76 Discussion leader: Cyrus
Reflective Essay 2 due in class

WEEK 15 May 8:
S. Kessler, Lessons From The Intersexed
Chapter 5: Questioning Medical Management, pp. 77 - 104 Discussion leader: Maria
Chapter 6: Rethinking Genitals and Gender, pp. 105 - 132 Discussion leader: Jessica

Final exam due to my office May 15 by 10PM.

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