REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS/SOFTWARE

The textbook for this course is: Psychology of Human Sexuality, by Justin J. Lehmiller, (ISBN: 9781119164739) - 2ND 18, MBS 1937404, WILEY

NOTE:  All students should have reliable access to internet services, as all aspects of this course will be online.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

This is an online only course.  Therefore, all information & materials will be posted on Blackboard and may include online lectures, interactive lectures, class activities, discussions, films, field work and Blackboard.  Students will use the Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, and collaboration.  To access Blackboard from the main ACC website (austincc.edu) and for help with Blackboard, go to:  http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/StudentSupport.php.  Here is a link showing you how to navigate the Blackboard environment:  https://de.austincc.edu/bbsupport/article-categories/bb-help-desk/.  (You may need to copy and paste these links into a new tab in your browser.)  Current periodicals, media, and professional journal articles may also be utilized to relay current information in human sexuality and/or to serve as topics in the applications of human sexuality  principles and the analysis of human sexual behavior.

DISTANCE EDUCATION (for online or hybrid courses only)

If you are new to online learning, please be aware that there are differences between online and traditional face-to-face learning. In particular, online courses will require you to learn and implement time management and study skills required to be a successful online student.  Please review the ACC Distance Education General Information available at https://online.austincc.edu/faq.

GRADING SYSTEM

*There will be five (5) exams (none of them are comprehensive).  The exams are open note/open book.  Each exam is worth 100 points and you will earn a percentage on each exam up to 100%.  Each question on the exams will be worth a specific number of points, all of which will add up to 100 points.

THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP TESTS!!  If you do not take your exam by the deadline date, no points will be earned.  You have 4 days (from Thursday to Sunday) to complete & submit each exam, so please plan appropriately so that each is exam is completed and submitted by the deadline indicated.  Try to take each exam on Thursday, when the Exam becomes available so that you can deal with any issues appropriately and have enough time to submit the Exam before the deadline.

Actual deadline dates for each exam are subject to change per the instructor’s discretion.  Therefore, it is extremely important that you pay attention to any announcements on Blackboard, emails, etc. to ensure that you know when each exam will be administered and when is the deadline date to submit.

TESTS:  Tests/exams will be administered online and will mainly consist of multiple-choice questions from the test bank and from any additional material.  Tests/exams may also include fill-in-the-blanks, short essay/listing, matching and diagram labeling.  Students are required to supply their own paper, scantron forms (if needed), etc. for each exam.  Testing procedures may be changed as the semester progresses. 

*There is one short Orientation quiz that you must take to verify your attendance for/in this course.  You will earn 10 points towards your grade for completing this quiz.  This is how your attendance is verified for this course.  If you do not take this quiz, you might be dropped from the course. 

NOTE:  Instructor will determine if tests will be taken online, in the testing center or in class.  At this time, all exams are scheduled to be taken online with a deadline date to submit.  Typical exam submission deadline dates will be on Sundays by 11:59pm.

NOTE:  The instructor may supplement text materials with information that is not in the book.  Therefore, it is important that students review all information and do not miss class, pay attention to emails, announcements, Blackboard, etc..

All grades will be posted in BlackBoard.  Please make sure that you pay attention to your grades on Blackboard.  If you don’t have a grade posted for an Exam immediately after you take the exam, then something has gone wrong and the system does not recognize that you completed and submitted your exam.  We must take care of these issues immediately!  Once the semester is over, it may be too late to make any grade changes. 

EXTRA CREDIT:  You have an opportunity to earn 10 extra credit points IF you post your bio to the Discussion board during the first week of class.   (Please also add a picture of yourself if you can.)   I will add the 10 points on top of your final grade at the end of the semester, but you must post it during the first week of class.  Don't miss out on this opportunity!

Grading Scale/Points

Attendance/Class Participation (as applicable)

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date. According to the 2023-2024 Academic Calendar, the Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is 7/22/24.  The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.”

Missed Exam and Late Work Policies

As stated previously:  THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP TESTS!!  Any missed tests/exams will count as a zero (“0”) points earned. 

Actual due dates of each exam, discussion, etc. may be changed.  Therefore, it is extremely important that you attend class, pay attention to e-mails, announcements, Blackboard, etc. to ensure that you are aware of any changes.

Incompletes

The instructor does not administer incompletes for this course.  It is expected that each student will complete all required exams as administered throughout the semester.

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement (or other resource faculty is using to communicate).

These are statements of which all students should be aware and which are consistent across the institution.  

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course explores various aspects of human sexual behavior, including theoretical perspectives on human sexuality and sexology research.  We will also discuss human sexual anatomy & response, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, attraction, intimate relationships, sexual behaviors, lifespan sexual development, sex education, contraception & pregnancy.  Additional topics include sexually transmitted infections and safer-sex practices, sexual dysfunction and sex therapy, variations in sexual behavior, sex laws, sexual victimization and the sexual marketplace. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES, GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES & SCANS

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of representative theories, findings and/or principles concerning the following topics:

• Theoretical Perspectives on Human Sexuality
• Sexology Research
• Human Sexual Anatomy
• Human Sexual Response – Understanding Arousal & Orgasm
• Gender & Gender Identity
• Sexual Orientation
• Laws of Attraction
• Intimate Relationships (Sex, Love & Commitment)
• Sexual Behaviors
• Lifespan Sexual Development
• Sex Education, Contraception 7 Pregnancy
• Sexually Transmitted Infections & Safer Sex Practices
• Sexual Dysfunction & Sex Therapy
• Variations in Sexual Behavior
• Sex Laws, Sexual Victimization & the Sexual Marketplace

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes:

• Understand concepts of human sexuality and be able to recognize them in real-world contexts.
• Acquire a basic understanding of major perspectives in the field.
• Gain an awareness of the breadth of the academic discipline of human sexuality.
• Understand the various research methods psychologists use and critically evaluate evidence.