The University of Texas at Dallas

Human Sexuality
Psy 4346 Spring 2005
Instructors: M. Matthew Housson, Ph.D. Email: housson@utdallas.edu
Office Hours: Thursday 4:30-5:30 by Appt. Office : GR 4.307
Classroom: Green 4.428 Class Schedule: Thursday 2:00-4:45
Teaching Asst: Maneesha Bendkhale Email: maneesha@utdallas.edu

Course Goals: This course is intended to acquaint you with the physiological bases of
sexuality, history of and theoretical perspectives on human sexuality, sexual development over
the lifespan, methods of contraception, conception, pregnancy, sexual communication and
expression, sexual orientation, sexual attraction, sexual disorders and sex therapy, as well as
sexually transmitted diseases. Students are expected to demonstrate a basic understanding of
these topics and to demonstrate their mastery of the information on the objective tests
described below.

Organization and Grading: We will meet weekly for lectures, discussions, and videotape
presentations. The reading assignments for each meeting are indicated on page three. There
will be two midterm exams and a comprehensive final exam. All exams will be composed of
multiple choice and short answer questions.

Exam 1 Thursday, 2/17 33%

Exam 2 Thursday, 3/31 33%
Final Exam Thursday, 4/28 33%

Final Grades will be determined as follows:

A+= 97 or above
A= 94-96
A- 90-93
B+= 87-89
B= 84-86
B- 80-83
C+= 77-79
C= 74-76
C- 70-73
D+= 67-69
D= 64-66
D- 60-63
F= Below 60
Everyone must take exams at the scheduled times. Make-up exams will be given only in the
event of serious illness or other emergency situation (e.g., death of a family member, car
wreck). In case such an emergency situation arises, you must contact me prior to the time of
the exam or as soon as possible and request permission to take a make-up exam. It will be left
to my discretion as to whether make-up exams will be allowed. Make-up exams may be
composed of essay questions in addition to multiple-choice questions. You must make up the
exam within one week of the originally scheduled test.

Tests: You will need the Pearson Exam System II Scantron form. The form number is
229630. You will not be allowed to take the test without this scantron sheet.

Text: Understanding Human Sexuality, Eighth Edition, Hyde and DeLamater

Class Attendance: I will not take attendance regularly. However, if you miss a class, it is
your responsibility to contact a peer for the notes. I will not make my lecture notes available to
individuals who miss class. Please find a buddy in the class whom you can contact if you have
a question about a missed class. I often give extra credit to individuals who attend class.

Classroom Environment: I encourage your participation in class. Please be on time to class.

Tests will not be handed out after 2:20. If you need to leave class before the end of the period,
please make arrangements with me prior to class. Students entering and leaving in the middle
of class are distracting to other students and to the instructor. Please turn cell phones and
pagers off before coming to class.

Policy on Academic Dishonesty: Students who violate University rules on scholastic

dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course
and/or dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students,
and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.

Class Feedback: It is my hope that this course will be a stimulating and relevant part of your
continuing education. Your comments and suggestions regarding the class are welcome.
Office hours by appointment can be used to talk to me about course material and I am also
happy to use that time to discuss individual student’s interest in psychology.
Topics and Reading Assignments:
1/13 Class Overview/Sexuality in Perspective Chapter 1
1/20 Theoretical Perspectives on Sexuality Chapter 2
Sex Research Chapter 3
1/27 Sexual Anatomy Chapter 4
2/3 Sex Hormones and Sexual Diff. Chapter 5
2/10 The Physiology of Sexual Response Chapter 9
2/17 EXAM 1 (Chapters 1-5, Chapter 9)

2/24 Techniques of Arousal and Communication Chapter 10

3/3 Sexuality and the Life Cycle: Childhood/Adolescence Chapter 11
Sexuality and the Life Cycle: Adulthood Chapter 12
3/10 Spring Break
3/17 Attraction, Intimacy, and Love Chapter 13
Gender Roles, Female Sexuality, and Male Sexuality Chapter 14
3/24 Contraception and Abortion Chapter 8
3/31 EXAM 2 (Chapter 8, Chapter 10-14)

4/07 Sexual Orientation: Gay, Straight, or Bi? Chapter 15

4/14 Variations in Sexual Behavior Chapter 16
Sexual Disorders and Sex Therapy Chapter 19
4/21 Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Review Chapter 20
4/28 FINAL EXAM
Comprehensive Final Exam (Chapters 15-16, 19-20 and
selected chapters from earlier in the semester)