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.

Required Texts

Allison, D. Two or Three Things I Know for Sure. 1995.

Buss, D. The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating. 1994.

Freud, S. Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality. [1925] 1962.

Kincaid, J. My Brother. 1997.

Preston, J. WinterÕs Light: Reflections of a Yankee Queer. 1995.

Whisman, V. Queer by Choice: Lesbians, Gay Men, and the Politics of Identity. 1996.

Required Supplemental Readings on Reserve in the Library will be drawn from research conducted by the Kinsey Institute and Masters and Johnson. Other newly published supplemental reading may be added throughout the semester.

Course Overview

The scientific study of human sexuality begins with Sigmund Freud and Havelock Ellis in the ninetieth century and continues into the twentieth century most famously with Alfred Kinsey and Masters and Johnson. Although these are the Òbig namesÓ in the psychological study of human sexuality many ripples have spun out from these and created other streams of thinking. For example, David Buss contributes to this stream through his study of human sexuality as a form of adaptive behavior in the course of human evolution. His evolutionary approach to human mating has interesting aspects in common with FreudÕs views in that it is grounded in the genetic basis of behavior or what Freud would call, ÒinstinctÓ. Vera Whisman considers human sexuality and specifically, bisexuality and homosexuality as being not as much influenced by genes as by the environment or the social-political conditions under which human sexuality is constructed and made meaningful. We will read and understand their points of view. Based on this understanding we will read three autobiographies which provide experiential views of the theoretical perspectives and explore how the theories intersect with the experiences, behaviors, and meaning of human sexuality. Central to our thinking will be discovering psychological answers to: What is sex? What is sexuality? Why do these exist? Class Format The seminar format will allow us to be very interactive (I will rarely ÒlectureÓ) and to fully engage with the concepts and theories. To successfully do this it is essential that you read and think carefully about the ideas presented. Be prepared to discuss the readings on the day they are listed below. But please keep in mind that some changes to the syllabus may occur, especially with regard to video screening dates since many must be rented and do not always arrive when expected.

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 (Midterm, Final, Research Project, Film Analysis) 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.

1. Midterm: The midterm exam will consist of essay questions and will be a take home exam due the following week in class. 25% Due October 15 in class.

2a. Final Exam: The final exam will consist of essay questions and will be a take home exam. Due final exam week. 35 %

OR

2b. Research Project: Instead of taking a final exam you may choose to explore an aspect of human sexuality through doing research. The research may consist of doing a literature review of a particular topic, carrying out an exploratory small-scale study, or a combination of these two. Due final exam week. 35%

3. Film Analysis: Since we will be viewing a variety of films on human sexuality it is important that you spend time analyzing, exploring, and reflecting on your reactions to these. The film paper provides a place for that reflection to occur. 5 - 6 pages. Due by December 3 in class but can be handed in earlier. 20%

4. 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. 20%

TOPICS, READINGS, AND DUE DATES FOR ASSIGNMENTS

AUGUST

8/27 Overview of course, introductions, and discussion of course assignments.

I. Pioneers of Sex Research: Freud, Kinsey, and Masters and Johnson

SEPTEMBER

9/3 from S. Freud, Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality, Chapter 1, ÒThe Sexual Aberrations,Ó pp. 1 - 38 Reserve Reading Selected excerpts from: Sexual Behavior in the Human Female, The Institute for Sex Research, Alfred C. Kinsey, et al.; Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, Wardell Baxter Pomeroy, et al; Human Sexual Response, William Masters, Virginia Johnson.

9/10 from S. Freud, Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality, Chapter 2, ÒInfantile Sexuality,Ó pp. 39 - 72 Reserve Reading Selected excerpts from: Sexual Behavior in the Human Female, The Institute for Sex Research, Alfred C. Kinsey, et al.; Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, Wardell Baxter Pomeroy, et al; Human Sexual Response, William Masters, Virginia Johnson.

9/17 from S. Freud, Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality Chapter 3, ÒThe Transformations of Puberty,Ó pp. 73 - 96 Reserve Reading Selected excerpts from: Sexual Behavior in the Human Female, The Institute for Sex Research, Alfred C. Kinsey, et al.; Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, Wardell Baxter Pomeroy, et al; Human Sexual Response, William Masters, Virginia Johnson.

II. Tight Genes and Bright Colors: An Evolutionary Approach

9/24 from D. Buss, The Evolution of Desire Chapter 1, ÒOrigins of Mating Behavior,Ó pp. 1 - 18 Chapter 2, ÒWhat Women Want,Ó pp. 19 - 48 Chapter 3, ÒMen Want Something Else,Ó pp. 49 - 72

OCTOBER

10/1 from D. Buss, The Evolution of Desire Chapter 4, ÒCasual Sex,Ó pp. 73 - 96 Chapter 5, ÒAttracting a Partner,Ó pp. 97 - 122

10/8 MIDTERM HANDED OUT from D. Buss, The Evolution of Desire Chapter 6, ÒStaying Together,Ó pp. 123 - 141 Chapter 7, ÒSexual Conflict,Ó pp. 142 - 167 Chapter 8, ÒBreaking Up,Ó pp. 168 - 182 10/15 MIDTERM DUE IN CLASS from D. Buss, The Evolution of Desire Chapter 9, ÒChanges Over Time,Ó pp. 183 - 208 Chapter 10, ÒHarmony between the Sexes,Ó pp. 209 - 222

III. Choosing Sexuality: A Feminist Approach

10/22 from V. Whisman, Queer by Choice Chapter 1, ÒDear Abby, ÔThe Gay Agenda,Õ and the New York Times,Ó pp. 1 - 10 Chapter 2, ÒThe Pleasures and Dangers of Choice,Ó pp. 11 - 36

10/29 from V. Whisman, Queer by Choice Chapter 3, ÒStories of Choice,Ó pp. 37 - 68 Chapter 4, ÒChoosing a Story: Determined, Chosen, Mixed,Ó pp. 69 - 106

NOVEMBER

11/5 from V. Whisman, Queer by Choice Chapter 5, ÒDifference and Dominance: Gendered Identity Accounts,Ó pp. 107 - 118 Chapter 6, ÒConclusion,Ó pp. 119 - 126

IV. Growing Up Different, Building Community, and AIDS: First Person Accounts

11/12 D. Allison, Two or Three Things I Know for Sure

11/19 J. Kincaid, My Brother

11/26 Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER

12/3 FILM PAPER DUE IN CLASS and J. Preston, WinterÕs Light

FINAL EXAM WEEK Final Exam DUE OR Research Project DUE