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The University of Texas at Dallas

Human Sexuality
Psy 4346 001
Fall 2005

Instructor: M. Matthew Housson, Ph.D. Email: housson@utdallas.edu


Office Hours: Thursday by Appt. Office : GR 4.307
Classroom: Green 4.428 Class Schedule: Thursday 3:30-6:15

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, 9/22 30%


Exam 2 Thursday, 10/27 30%
Final Exam Thursday, 12/01 30%
Class Attendance 10%

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 take attendance five times across the course of the semester.
Attendance will be taken randomly and at the end of class. Each time you are present yo u will
receive 20 points. If you are present all five times you will receive a grade of 100. If you are
in the bathroom, leave class early, or are sick and unable to come to class, then I will not be
able to count you as present in class. If someone signs your name and you are not present, then
you will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs for academic dishonesty. If you miss a
class, it is your responsibility to contact a peer in your class 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.

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


Tests will not be handed out 15 minutes past the time the class starts. 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:

8/18 Class Overview/Sexuality in Perspective Chapter 1


8/25 Theoretical Perspectives on Sexuality Chapter 2
Sex Research Chapter 3
9/01 No Class
9/08 Sexual Anatomy Chapter 4
Sex Hormones and Sexual Diff. Chapter 5
9/15 The Physiology of Sexual Response Chapter 9
Techniques of Arousal and Communication Chapter 10

9/22 EXAM 1 (Chapters 1-5, & 9,10)

9/29 Sexuality and the Life Cycle: Childhood/Adolescence Chapter 11


Sexuality and the Life Cycle: Adulthood Chapter 12
10/6 Attraction, Intimacy, and Love Chapter 13
Gender Roles, Female Sexuality, and Male Sexuality Chapter 14
10/13 To be arranged
10/20 Contraception and Abortion Chapter 8

10/27 EXAM 2 (Chapters 8, 11-14)

11/03 Sexual Orientation: Gay, Straight, or Bi? Chapter 15


11/10 Variations in Sexual Behavior Chapter 16
Sexual Disorders and Sex Therapy Chapter 19
11/17 Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Review Chapter 20
11/24 No Class-Thanksgiving Holiday

12/01 FINAL EXAM


Comprehensive Final Exam (Chapters 15,16,19,20 and
selected chapters from earlier in the semester)

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