Human Sexuality - 3rd year
An introduction to clinical, scientific, and philosophical of studies of human sexuality. Emphasis on contemporary research, modern medical and sexological understanding, and psychological and phenomenological insights into human sexual experience and behavior. Topics surveyed include sexual and psychosexual development, sexual health and disease, romantic love and sexual desire, sexual variations, sexual dysfunction and therapy.
Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Understand and define the terminology used in sexology and the psychology of human sexuality;
2. Understand the biological basis of human sexuality;
3. Understand the different theoretical approaches to the study of human sexuality and be able to articulate the different assumptions behind them;
4. Use psychological and sexological techniques to explain various aspects of human sexual experience and behavior, including gender and gender roles;
5. Understand the nature of sexual problems and the nature of sex therapy;
6. Acquire insight into the nature of their own sexual experience and behavior, and the role of sexuality in their own interpersonal relationships;
7. Develop an idea of the role of sexuality in culture.
Topics:
Course topics will include the following:
1. Introduction to human sexuality
2. Biological perspective, sexual anatomy
3. Sex and gender
4. Sexual development
5. Love and sexual attraction
6. Sexual desire
7. Sexual problems
8. Sex therapy
9. Sex and violence
10. Sexual ethnics
Method of Instruction:
1. Lectures
2. Class discussion
3. Student presentations
4. Video
Types of Assignments:
1. Research papers based on library and/or field research on a topic selected in consultation with the professor
2. Student group in-class presentations of a topic selected in consultation with the professor
3. Exams
4. Small group discussions and in-class presentations of assigned topics
Sample Text:
1. Human Sexuality (Zella Luria, Susan Friedman, and Michael D. Rose, New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1997)
