Sociology 160

Human Sexuality

Subject Matter and Objectives of the Course:

The subject matter of this course is human sexual expression.  While we will cover most aspects of sexuality, the emphasis will be on the contributions of social scientists to our understanding of this topic.

Objectives:
1.     To provide practical information needed for everyday living (information about sexual anatomy, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections, for example) and to deal with problems in sexual functioning (such as early ejaculation or inability to have an orgasm).
2.     To help students appreciate the fabulous diversity of human sexuality along many dimensions including age, sexual orientation and identity, ethnicity within the United States (a multiethnic perspective), and culture around the world (a multicultural perspective).   
3.     To help students feel more at ease with thinking and talking about sex, both to minimize their own personal discomfort with a tension-causing topic and to help them become responsible decision-makers in an important aspect of their personal lives and in their roles as citizens and voters.           
4.    To familiarize students with methods used in research on sexuality, and particularly with problems inherent in some of these methods, so that they can read research reports critically and intelligently.
 

Course Assignments:

This course will involve reading from two books, one textbook and one current non-fiction book.  There will also be assigned reading accessed via Elecronic Reserves at the UW Library.  The amount of reading varies from week to week; there is a total of about 1,000 pages which is assigned during the semester.  The URL for the textbook website is www.mhhe.com/hyde11e.  On the left side of the  page, under Online Learning Center, click on Student Edition.  For each chapter in the text, you will find web links, quizzes (in both multiple-choice and true-false formats), a chapter summary, and a glossary of terms.

Textbooks and eInstruction Response Pads have been ordered at A Room of One's Own Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham Street (near State Street), 257-7888.
 

Examinations and Grading System:

There will be three examinations.  Exams will include multiple choice and identification/short answer questions.  The first and second exams will be worth 60 points each.  The final exam will be worth 100 points.  Students can earn up to 220 points on examinations.
NOTICE:  Exams will be given on October 4, November 8, and December 18.  Students who have or make personal travel plans on those dates must drop the course.

Each student must register for a discussion section.  Sections will meet weekly, and students are required to attend.  Sections will begin on Monday,  Sept. 9th.  Two short papers will be required as part of the discussion section.  Students can earn up to 126 points in sections.  Final grades will be based on total points earned in the course on exams and in sections.
 

Course Evaluations:

The Department of Sociology conducts student evaluations of most courses near the end of the semester. These evaluations include questions about the instructor and the teaching assistant(s) of the course.  Students who have more immediate comments, complaints, or concerns about the teaching assistant may report them to the instructor, John DeLamater.  Students may also discuss their concerns with Professor Pam Oliver, Chair, 8128 Social Science, 262-1498.
 

Resources

The Writing Center provides several services, including individual conferences to work on a course paper you are writing.  Writing Center instructors are all experienced writing teachers.  They can help you develop ideas for a paper and organise them effectively.  They can direct you to resources that will help you with mechanical problems.  Call 263-1992, or send email to writing@wisc.edu.   The Writing Center also has many online tutorials that will improve your writing.  Web Address: http://writing.wisc.edu/ Click on "The Writers Handbook."

The Software Training for Students Program provides free technology training for all students.  Courses cover topics such as Introduction to Computers, Windows: Beyond the Basic, MAC, Eudora, WebCT, Desktop Publishing, Internet and Creating Webpages.  Call 265-6624, or send email to sts@doit.wisc.edu.   Web Address: http://www.doit.wisc.edu/training/student

Personal Response System

We will be using the eInstruction Personal Response System.  Every student is required to have a registered response pad/"clicker."  We will be experimenting with ways to use it during the semester.  Please bear with the usual glitches.  Please also give us feedback, both positive and negative. 

This system is being used in numerous courses.  Information about the system is online at https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/groups/ComETS/clickers/index.html  Student-oriented information is available via the menu on the lower-right hand side of the homepage.

You may purchase a new CPS pad  at A Room of One's Own bookstore, for $23.00.  Activation of the pad is done online and costs $10.00. 
You must bring your activated pad to lecture on Monday, September 9.  On that day and several additional days, we will take attendance using the pad.


COURSE POLICIES

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions


Do I have to come to lecture?
Yes, there will be one to three questions on the exam from each lecture.  Each time you miss a lecture, you are risking a lower score on the next exam.

Do I have to come to section?
Yes, each time you attend section you will earn points.  You also will learn important information about future assignments.

Do you give make-up exams?
Ordinarily we don't give make-up exams.  The only exceptions are for serious illness and/or injuries or family emergencies.  If you ask for a make-up exam you must provide evidence of illness or emergency.

Can I hand assignments in late?
Yes.  Your score will be reduced for each day it is late.  Ordinarily we do not accept assignments which are more than four days late.


Lecture Etiquette

1.    Please arrive before the bell rings.  It is very annoying when people arrive late, especially when they climb over three people to get to a seat.

2.    Turn off your cell phone or blackberry devices when you enter the room.

3.    If you must arrive late, please be sweaty and out of breath so we know you did your best to be on time.

4.    Please do not talk during lecture, video, etc.  If you talk, it distracts others around you.

5.    Please do not eat during lecture.  If you must eat, bring enough for everybody!  (There are four hundred people in the class!).

6.    Please do not close your books, move your writing table, stand up, or start talking before the instructor is done talking.

7.    When you leave, be sure you take everything you brought into the room.  Please do not leave newspapers, class handouts, soda cans or other discarded stuff on the floor.  The university has been forced to cut back on maintenance to save money for more educational things.  We can help by keeping the lecture halls, classrooms, and hallways clean.  If you are finished with something, put it in the appropriate recycling container.


Laptop Etiquette:

1.    Students wishing to use an Ppad/Notebook/ laptop for taking notes and other course activities will sign in at lecture on Wednesday, September 11th.  All other uses are prohibited. 
       Turn off or disconnect from the wireless network when you boot your electronic device.

2.    Be sure sound is turned off.

3.    Follow all “laptop prohibited” times.

4.    Listen to your classmates if they complain that your laptop use is distracting.


                        During Exams:

            No Walkman, MP3 players, or ipods;
            No cell phones;
            No palm devices; no blackberries
            No PDA/SPOT watches.
            No laptops.

These and ALL related devices must be inside purses or backpacks and may not be accessed while you are in the exam room.