As described in ISU's Undergraduate Catalog, this course covers "basic
psychological, socio-cultural, and physiological elements of human sexuality."
Readings and lectures will cover a variety of topics including: research and
theories about sexual behavior; sexual anatomy and physiology; sexual health;
sexuality in relationships and across the lifespan; and the interplay between
sexual behavior and societal norms and institutions. The study of human
sexuality is interdisciplinary. Accordingly, we will draw on research and
theories from a variety of fields including anthropology, psychology, sociology,
public health, history, and ethics. This interdisciplinary perspective will help
highlight the personal, private aspects of sexuality as well as the
interpersonal and societal context in which sexual behavior occurs and gains
meaning. My hope is that you will come away from this course with a base of
knowledge about sexuality that is relevant to you personally as well as
academically.
This class will be conducted in an interactive lecture format. Some material
will be presented in a traditional lecture style, however, there will also be a
number of opportunities for students to participate in class activities and
discussions. From time to time, guest speakers may be invited to class to
present information or lead discussions and activities on specialized topics.
The material in these presentations will constitute a very important component
of the course. (Yes, you will be tested on it).
You are required to attend class meetings, to arrive on time, and to
participate in class discussions and activities. I will not take attendance on a
daily basis. However, there will be a number of unannounced in-class assignments
throughout the semester (as described below), so consistent attendance will
improve your grade and excessive absence from class will adversely affect your
grade. Furthermore, if you miss a class, it will be YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to
obtain the lecture notes from another student. You will also need to find out if
you missed any announcements or handouts. If I distribute handouts in class,
extra copies will be available outside my office (DeGarmo 447) for at least one
week after the class period in which they were distributed. In some cases, handouts
may also be available here on the class website.
Throughout the semester, there will be eight unannounced in-class
assignments. The first one will be for practice and will not be graded. Five of
the remaining seven will count towards your grade (thus you can drop your lowest
two grades or miss up to two in-class exercises without penalty). Since you get
to drop two, there will be no make-up opportunities. The average of your best
five exercises will account for 25% of your final grade in the class.
Throughout the semester, there will be six self-administered computerized
quizzes which will be accessible via the the Mallard portion of this website. In
general, each quiz will cover two weeks of class material (readings and
lecture), and will be available on the website for one week. For example, quiz
#1 will cover material presented during the first two weeks of class (August 23
through September 3). It will be available on the Mallard portion of this website from
Saturday September 4 through Friday September 10, and you may take it whenever
you want within that time frame. Quiz questions may include multiple-choice,
fill-in-the-blank, matching, and true-false formats. Your lowest quiz score will
be dropped, and the average of your highest five quiz scores will account for
24% of your final grade in the class. To access quizzes, you will need your
logon and your password (default password = your social security number).
Throughout the semester, there will be two in-class exams, one midway
through the semester and one during the last week of classes. The in-class exams
are NOT cumulative; each will cover one-half of the course material. There will
also be one OPTIONAL final which WILL be cumulative. The score on the final exam
may replace a lower score on either of the first two exams (in other words, if
you take the ginal, your lowest exam score will be dropped). Students who are
satisfied with their scores on the first two exams need not take the final.
All exams will consist of multiple choice questions on material covered in
the assigned readings and/or in class. Review sheets will be available at least
one week before each exam, and in-class review sessions will be held during the
class period before each exam.
On exam days, please bring pencils and please do not wear hats with brims
(such as baseball caps). While you are expected to be on time to class every
day, it is especially important that you arrive on time for exams. Students
arriving more than 5 minutes late for an exam may be denied the opportunity to
take the exam (at the discretion of the proctors), which would result in a score
of 0 for that exam. Also, while you are required by the university to carry your
photo ID with you at all times, it is especially important that you bring your
ID on exam days. If you are asked for your ID and cannot produce it, you will
automatically receive a score of 0 on the exam.
Where will grades be posted? The grades will be posted on the Mallard portion of this website. To
log on, you will need your logon and password (default password = your social
security number).
What if I think there's been a mistake in my grade? The grades that
are posted are based on computer-scoring of your scantron answers. These grades
nearly always turn out to be correct. However, if you have any questions or
concerns about your exam grade, you are encouraged to come to DeGarmo 447 to
look over your actual scantron and make sure that it was graded properly (see
below).
Can I see my exam? Yes. Although exams will not be returned,
you are always welcome to come in and look over a copy of the exam along with
your scantron sheet. If you have any questions about specific test items, the
graduate assistants and I will be happy to answer them. The best time to look
over your exam is during office hours, but if these times are not convenient for
you, you may make an appointment for a different time.
What if I disagree
with one of the test items? If you disagree with one of the test items
(e.g., you think your answer is correct even though it is not the answer I was
looking for), here is what you should do: First, remember that the instructions
on the exam say to "select the one best answer among the choices provided." Now
that you know which answer I was looking for, ask yourself whether you really
think that your answer is at least as good as my answer. In other words, if your
answer is partially correct but my answer is clearly better, then I will not
accept your answer. If you do think that your answer is at least as good as
mine, you may provide me with a typewritten challenge explaining your point of
view. This challenge should include references to the text (with specific pages
noted) or to lecture (with dates noted), and may be turned in no later than two
weeks after your original grade was posted. I will consider your argument,
decide whether or not to award any points, and give you a response within two
weeks of receiving the written challenge.
Your final grade will be based on the following weighting system: Exam I
(25%), Exam II (25%), Quiz Average (25%), In-class assignments (24%). As noted
above, students opting to take the final exam may substitute the score on the
final for the lowest in-class exam score.
Make-up exams will not be given. If you miss one of the in-class exams FOR
ANY REASON, you will receive a score of 0 on that exam. In that case you will
need to take the final exam, and your score on the final will take the place of
hte 0 on the missed exam. The final exam is scheduled for Thursday, December 16
at 7:50 a.m. The final exam will be administered ONLY on the assigned date, at
the assigned time. DO NOT MAKE TRAVEL PLANS (OR HAVE ANYONE ELSE MAKE TRAVEL
PLANS FOR YOU) THAT INCLUDE ABSENCE FROM THE FINAL. EVEN IF YOU THINK THAT YOU
WILL NOT BE TAKING THE FINAL, IT IS UP TO YOU TO KEEP THIS OPTION AVAILABLE IN
CASE YOU MISS ONE OF THE IN-CLASS EXAMS, OR ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH YOUR
SCORE.
There are a variety of ways in which you may earn extra credit in this
class. For example, you may participate in psychological research, you may
complete optional reading and writing assignments, and you may attend certain
campus events (see details below). For each extra-credit assignment that you
complete, ONE POINT will be added to your FINAL GRADE. (Final grade = average of
your curved scores for your best two in-class exams and the final exam). You may
complete up to 5 extra credit assignments (in other words, you may earn up to 5
extra credit points). Under no circumstances will any student be permitted to
earn more than 5 extra credit points.
Participating in Psychological Research for Extra Credit: Follow the
instructions on the "Research Participation" handout distributed with this
syllabus. Each time you participate in a study, you will receive a "Research
Participation Report Card." Make sure you write your name and social security
number on this card before you turn it in! You may turn "Research Participation
Report Cards" in to me or to the graduate assistants during our office hours.
For each card turned in, ONE extra credit point will be awarded (regardless of
the number of credits on the card). Absolutely no cards will be accepted after
Friday, April 30.
Optional Reading & Writing Assignments for Extra
Credit: From time to time, I will announce that optional readings are on reserve
in DeGarmo, room 55 and/or in the Milner Library. The readings will address
topics relevant to material covered in class. To earn one point of extra credit
you may do the following: Select one of the readings that interests you. (You
may check out the reading briefly and make a copy). Carefully read the reading
you selected and write a brief (2-3 page) typewritten summary in which you
address the following questions: 1. What are the author's main points? 2. How
does the author support the main points (what types of evidence are offered)? 3.
How does this reading relate to material we have already encountered in class
(in lecture and/or in the textbook)? 4. What are your personal reactions to the
reading? (4a. Are there parts that you agree or disagree with? 4b. Do you think
the author makes a convincing argument?) Typically, these summaries will be due
two weeks after readings have been placed on reserve (specific deadlines will be
announced throughout the semester). Summaries may be turned in to me before
class. LATE PAPERS WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT BE ACCEPTED UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES.
Attending Campus Events for Extra Credit: You may earn
extra credit by attending various campus events (i.e., lectures, films, panel
discussions) that address topics relevant to human sexuality. These events will
be announced in class. To receive extra credit for attending an event, you must
turn in a 1-2 page typed paper in which you describe and respond to the event.
(These papers should state what the event was about and what you thought of it).
Papers are due two weeks after the event, and may be turned in to me before
class. Each event you attend & write about is worth one extra-credit point.
LATE PAPERS WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT BE ACCEPTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.