Human Sexuality Psy 120 Spring 2018

CYPRESS COLLEGE
CRN 20447 Mon& Wed 10:40-12:05PM H-131

TEXTBOOK: *Human Sexuality: Diversity in Contemporary

America, 9th Edition, Yarber, William & Barbara L. McGraw-Hill
EducationPublishing. 2016.

INSTRUCTOR & OFFICE HOURS: Susan Johnson (714-484-7020)

Office: HUM 224 Monday 8:30 AM- 9:00AM & 12:05PM- 12:35PM, Wednesday
8:30 AM- 9:00AM. Tuesday 9:00am-10:30am and Thursday 9:30-10:30AM.

sjohnson@cypresscollege.edu

The COURSE

Catalog Description: This is an overview of the psychological and

psychobiological aspects of human sexuality. The course takes an interdisciplinary
approach dealing with the entire area of human sexual behavior viewed in the
context of the total integrated personality.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

1. Apply the scientific method to psychological and sociological research in the

field of human sexuality, describing and analyzing basic research techniques used
in psychology and sociology.

2. Examine and evaluate current theoretical and empirical information in the field.

3. Evaluate, critically, the various schools of thought describing human sexual

behavior and the major theories and principles associated with each. These include
psychobiological, social learning, hormonal, cultural, psychological and
sociological.

4. Compare and/or evaluate differences between personal values, attributes, and

feelings regarding sexual behaviors, decision making, sexual responsibility and
interpersonal communication within a cross-cultural, historic, interpersonal and
contemporary context.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Students will be able to demonstrate increased understanding of personal

responsibility for sex and sexual health including contraception and sexually
transmitted infections.

2. Students will show improved knowledge of lifelong sexuality learning including

physiological, psychological and sociological sexual development and sex
education.

3. Students will exhibit an increased understanding of intimate relationship skills

such as communication, sexual victimization and sex therapy.

4. Students will be able to demonstrate improved knowledge of typical and atypical

behavioral and psychological sexual variations including gender identity issues and
sexual orientation.

NOTES

Human Sexuality is a three unit, academic course, transferable to University of

California schools and to California State Universities. It is taught with an
interdisciplinary approach, integrating psychology, sociology and biology.

You may expect explicit teaching materials. Topics include sexual intercourse,
masturbation, and many other examples of sexual behavior. These subjects are
presented in a scientific manner. If you are offended by frank discussions or
portrayals of sexual behavior, you should not take this class. This does not mean
you should not be in this class if you are uncomfortable with the subject of sex. A
major goal of the class is to help you become more comfortable with your own
healthy sexuality.

Some students believe the class is lacking in academic rigor. Many students
receive a low grade due to this incorrect perception of the class.

You need to study your textbook and in-class notes!

Student Services

Be sure to consider and use the supportive Cypress College Student Services
designed to assist your academic success. Services such as the Health Center and
the Library and Learning Resource Center have their phone numbers and locations
listed in the Cypress College Class Schedule. Contact the Service Office you want to
use for current, accurate hours of operation.

COURSE Considerations

The syllabus is an agreement between the instructor and the students about
conduct and course requirements for this particular course and classroom. Anyone
enrolled in this course is committed to an open, honest scientific study of human
sexuality. Students must respect the rights and viewpoints of others in the class.

1. A student who feels he or she may need an accommodation based on the

impact of a disability should contact Disabled Students Services at 714-484-7104
or visit DSS on the first floor of the Cypress Complex, Room 100. For students
who have already been determined eligible for DSS services please provide the
instructor with the proper form from DSS in a timely manner, at the beginning of
the semester and at least one week prior to the verified and identified need.
2. No visitors are permitted in class. Only enrolled students may attend. To
encourage open discussion, tape recording of class sessions is not permitted.

3. The class calendar is a fairly accurate indication of the subjects and times, but can
be revised at any time. You are responsible for text readings (which are covered on
exams) whether or not discussed in class. Bring your calendar to class with you
each time, for any changed is scheduling.

4. Regular attendance is expected of every student.

a. Attendance is taken in class and it is the student’s responsibility to sign the role
sheet. Per the Cypress College Catalog, after a student accumulates more than a
week’s absences (more than the number of times the class meets per week),
consecutive or nonconsecutive, an instructor may drop the student.

b. In this class, with the 4th absence, a student will be dropped. There is no
distinction between excused or unexcused absences.

c. According to the Cypress College Catalog, in the event a student is absent for a
prolonged period of time, it is expected that contact will be made with the
respective instructors immediately to advise the instructors of this absence and the
reasons for it. The instructor may then decide whether or not the student may
continue in the class or withdraw. It should be noted that failure to make this
contact and to follow through with the decisions made at that time could result in
the student receiving a grade of “F” in the class.

d. Student Responsibility. While an instructor may drop a student who has poor
attendance, it is the student’s responsibility to officially drop the class. If you stop
attending this class, and do not officially withdraw, you will be given the grade
determined by the points you earned during the semester. Students should realize
that undue absences may adversely affect their grades. Be aware of the last day to
drop from the semester, as dropping by student or instructor is no longer possible
after that date. The last day to drop is listed in the Cypress College Class
Schedule.
e. No absence excuses a student from making up class work missed. I do not give
out copies of handouts after the handouts are distributed.

5. Classroom behavioral expectations.

a. The diversity of the Cypress College student population provides us with a

unique opportunity to experience the differences among us. At times we may
disagree on a particular point; however, our discussions will always remain
respectful of these differences. We will treat others with dignity and respect in the
classroom. Students are expected to focus their complete attention on the class
and to strive to be an active participant in the class.

b. Courtesy is an essential part of a learning environment Courtesy is to be

extended to students, to instructors and to guest speakers.

c. In a large class, disruption has a particularly negative impact on learning for

many class members and is not acceptable. Disruption includes entering the
classroom after the beginning of class or leaving before the end of class. Do not
leave the classroom unless it is very important. If you have personal business to
conduct, be courteous enough to attend to it before or after class. If you need to
leave, advise us at the beginning of class. Talking while the instructors or other
class members are speaking can make it difficult for others to hear what is being
said. Cell phones and other electronic devices (including headphones) are to be
turned off once the class begins and are to be removed from the desktop.

6. No food or drink (except water) is permitted in the classroom.

7. Defacing the room, furnishings or furniture is not acceptable. Do not put your
feet on the back of the seat in front of you.

8. It is important for you to know that community college instructors are

mandated reporters of child abuse. If your communication indicates that a child is
currently in danger of abuse, we are required by law to report that information to
the proper authorities who will take action to protect that child.
9. Disregarding this agreement may affect your class enrollment and/or grade.

Cypress College Catalog Expectations of Students

Students are expected to be knowledgeable of the guidelines, policies

and procedures in the Cypress College Catalog. A partial list includes:

1. Students are expected to read and comply with the Cypress College
Academic Honesty Policy. “Academic dishonesty may result in an
“F” on all or part of an assignment and referral to the dean.”

2. Students are expected to read and comply with the Sexual

Harassment/Discrimination Policy found in the Cypress College
Catalog.

GRADING

Your grade will be determined by your total points for the

semester. Your total points will be the sum of:

a. Four Exam Scores

b. Writing Assignment Score
c. Presentation Score

Letter Grades

Grade of A 90%

Grade of B 80%

Grade of C 70%

Grade of D 60%
EXAMS

1. There are four exams, including the final and 60 questions per exam
with one point per question.

2. Exam questions cover text, films, speakers and lectures.

3. You must take the scheduled exam in the class in which you are
enrolled!

* No Make-up Exams Permitted *

Important Information - PAR TESTING SYSTEM:

For First Exam You Need:

 RED Parscore Enrollment Form #F-288-PAR-L

 Cypress College Student ID Number
 #2 Pencil

For Exams Two through Four:

 RED Parscore Test Form #F-289-PAR-L

 Cypress College Student ID Number

 #2 Pencil
PRESENTATION (60 points):

1. One group presentation is required for this course. Students will

be given a topic/ chapter from your text. They will be responsible for a
“creative presentation” for other class members. Examples of this might
 include skits & role plays, student created videos or a combination of
PowerPoint presentations integrating video clips of movies to illustrate
disorders. All members of the group must participate in the planning &
execution of the presentation.
2. The purposes of this assignment are hopefully engaging you in the study of
Human Sexuality and helping “connect” you to the material in a more
meaningful ways. It seems that we do not talk to our significant others or
medical health care providers because we have not had practice doing so.
This assignment is designed to normalize frank discussion of sexual topics.
You as students are often more aware of contemporary information and
media than your instructor, textbook author and publishing company.
Let’s have fun!!
3. A rubric for grading this assignment will be handed out in the first few weeks
of class.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT (60 points):

Each student is required to complete an informal paper related to “Love

Languages”. Go to the website http://www.5lovelanguages.com/

Take the quiz and write a 3 page paper discussing the results. Include in the paper a
description of the all the love languages, as well as your score on each. Then write
your impressions of the accuracy of the results. If you have a partner, ask them to
do the test also and give their results. Finally, tell me why you were asked to do this
assignment.

OR

If you prefer you may write a report on the Kinsey Movie in a 3 page paper. Include
significant contributions Kinsey made to the field of Human Sexuality, as well as,
the “blindspots” Kinsey had in pursuit of knowledge. What were his strengths
and weaknesses? Tell which scenes stood out for you as poignant, disturbing, and
inspiring. Give your overall impression of the movie and how it impacted you
personally.

Turn the paper in early, or have a friend turn it in if you are not in class on the
deadline day. Carefully read the grading criteria before coming in to question a
grade.

NO papers are accepted, FOR ANY REASON, after the in-class

deadline!!!

Final exam must be taken in the class in which you are enrolled. If
you take the final in a different section of the class, your test will not
be graded.

(MW) Tentative Class Calendar – Spring 2018

Week Date Topic Reading

1 1-29 Perspectives on Human Sexuality Ch.1
Exploring Human Sexuality-Kinsey Movie
2 2-5 Kinsey Movie Ch.2
Studying Human Sexuality
Ch. 3
Female Sexual Anatomy, Physiology, & Response
3 2-12 Male Sexual Anatomy, Physiology, & Response
EXAM # 1 Ch. 4
4 2-19 HOLIDAY Ch. 1-4
Gender & Gender Roles Ch. 5

5 2-26 Gender & Gender Roles Ch. 5

Speakers
6 3-5 Sexuality in Childhood & Adolescence Ch.6
Sexuality in Adulthood Ch. 7
7 3-12 Sexual Orientation- PFLAG Panel
Love & Communication Ch. 8
8 3-19 EXAM # 2 Ch. 5-8
Sexual Expression Ch. 9
9 3-26 HOLIDAY WEEK
10 4-2 Sexual Expression- Videos Ch. 9
Variations in Sexual Behaviors Ch. 10
4-9 ***(Paper Due)*** Q & A Ch. 11
Contraception & Abortion
11 4-16 Conception, Pregnancy, & Childbirth- Lecture Ch. 12
Conception, Pregnancy, & Childbirth - Speaker
12 4-23 The Sexual Body in Health & Illness Ch. 9-13
EXAM # 3
13 4-30 Sexual Function Difficulties Ch. 14
Sexually Transmitted Infections Ch. 15
14 5-7 HIV/AIDS Ch. 16
Sexual Coercion Ch. 17
15 5-14 Sexual Coercion Ch. 17
Sexually Explicit Materials, Prostitution & Sex Laws Ch.18
16 5-21 REVIEW Ch. 14-18
FINAL EXAM- during class time