Psyc 257: Psychology of Human Sexuality. Dr. vom Saal

READING ASSIGNMENTS AND GUIDELINES

Required Texts:

Byer, C. O., Shainberg, L. W., & Galliano, G. (2002).Dimensions of Human Sexuality (6th Edition). New York: McGraw-Hill. (Note: a CD is sometime packaged with this text. It usually comes with no extra cost to you, and it is ok to get it, but it is NOT required for this course.)

Taverner, W. J. (2006). Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Human Sexuality (9th Edition). Guilford CT: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.

This handout describes the readings required for the Byer Dimensions of Human Sexuality text. Readings for the Taking Sides text are described elsewhere.

Reading Assignments for each topic are due on the date the topic is discussed as indicated on the Schedule of Topics.

General guidelines

When pages are given, it means you are responsible for the major sections that begin on the first page named and end on the last page named. You are responsible for understanding all of the text within the pages assigned, including figures, charts, tables, illustrations, and boxes. It is most important that you know all headings, subheadings, italicized words, and boldface words in the pages assigned. For each of these, you should be able to define it, explain it, and give an example that demonstrates your understanding. Use the glossary in the back of the text to look up each word you are not familiar with to be sure you fully understand it.

Remember that you are studying, which is more than just reading. When I say "read" certain pages below, it means to fully study them, which means to read for understanding and with the goal of being able to re-state in your own words all of what you read. This is a very large task, and you must be prepared to put much more time in that simply "reading" the material. The best way to study the text is to first skim the chapter for main ideas (no more than five minutes), then read it more carefully. Test yourself by giving a definition and example of each key term to a friend or study partner with the book closed. I strongly recommend that you create a set of index cards with key terms on one side, and a definition and example on the other side, and use these to study and test yourself.

A note on SKIMMING: On occasion I will ask you to skim a section of the text. The skill of skimming a book or article is an excellent one for you to learn. Here are some suggestions about how to skim. Many authors make the first sentence of each paragraph - or at least many paragraphs - a topic sentence that presents the key idea of a paragraph. I suggest you try skimming this way:

- Read the first sentence or two of each paragraph;

- Also look at the last sentence of each paragraph. (The last sentence may be just one in a string of supporting sentences, but sometimes it is a summary or conclusion of the key ideas of the paragraph or section.)

- Read purposefully. As you read, search for the key ideas in each section

- Put a time limit on this: go through the section you are skimming fairly rapidly, then return for more careful reading if necessary.

- In this text, which has very frequent subheadings, your goal should be to understand what is meant by the title of each section, to understand the few key ideas in each section.

- Depending on how thoroughly you are skimming, you also may try to read enough to understand the boldface terms in each section.

Skimming is a good practice even if you are reading a section fully. It is always a good idea to go over the material first by skimming it rapidly in order to understand the organization and major points.

[As a side point, I highly recommend that when you are writing a paper yourself, you using topic sentences for each paragraph (or at least most paragraphs). Not all writers (or readers) like this, but I feel it is an excellent strategy to follow when writing. It not only helps the reader understand you, but it also helps you, as a writer, by forcing you to state your key ideas crisply and clearly.]

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Specific reading assignments

NOTE: There may be adjustments and changes in these assignments. You are responsible for any changes announced in class (even if you miss a class). Unless adjustments or changes are announced in class, you are responsible only for the material identified below, and the exams will cover only that material (plus material from classes, lectures, and handouts).

READINGS COVERED IN EXAMINATION #1:

TOPIC 1. Historical overview. Sexual value systems; cultures and variations.

- Quickly skim the entire book. See if you have any questions.

- Read the first half of Chapter 1, pages 1-15.

TOPIC 2. Research in human sexuality. Research methodology; history of research; critical thinking in research.

- Read the second half of Chapter 1, pages 15-24.

TOPIC 3. Biology. [omitted]

Note: we will not be covering most of the material on biology and physical structures in this text. In preparation for a later discussion, however, you should read the material on the Sexual Response Cycle as described by Masters and Johnson (see the book index). You should be able to name and describe each of the four stages identified by Masters and Johnson. In addition, you should be able to describe what stage was added by Helen Singer Kaplan.

TOPIC 4: Sex and gender. Sex role development; sexual orientation; evolutionary psychology.

- For the first lecture on this topic, read pages 277-280 in Chapter 11, and read all of Chapter 12.

- For the second lecture on this topic, read the material on homosexuality that appears in several places in the text. These include, in addition to various sections of Chapter 12, the following pages: 66-68; the box on p.318, 321-322, 326-327, 345, 348-350, and 354-355.

TOPIC 5: Relationships.

- Chapter 2. Read pages 25-46. Skim pages 46 (Section 2.9) to the end of the chapter (p.50). You are not responsible for the section on pages 46-50 except that: (a) I would like you to read the two sentences beginning with "In Sweden..." in the bottom of the middle column of the box on page 48; and (b) you should look at the box on page 49 (you may be surprised by the second bulleted item).

- Chapter 3. This entire chapter is worth reading, but you will be responsible only for pages 55-71. Also, I will not ask you to memorize the names of the six love styles on page 62.

* * * THIS COMPLETES THE READINGS FOR EXAM #1 * * *

READINGS COVERED IN EXAMINATION #2:

TOPIC 6: Parenthood, conception, pregnancy, contraception, abortion.

- Chapter 15. Read pages 373-402

TOPIC 7. Sexual techniques and pleasuring; sexual dysfunction; sex therapy and treatment of sexual problems.

- Re-read the material described earlier on the Sexual Response Cycle as described by Masters and Johnson (see index). You should be able to name and describe each of the four stages identified by Masters and Johnson. In addition, you should be able to describe what stage was added by Helen Singer Kaplan.

- Chapter 14. Read pages 339-348.

- Chapter 8. Read the entire chapter.

- Chapter 9. Read the entire chapter.

TOPIC 8. Sexual diseases. STDs; AIDS; safe sex and why we don't use it.

- Chapter 6. Read pages 135-160.

- Chapter 7. Read pages 169-173, 178-183, and 193-194.

TOPIC 9. Social regulation of sexual behavior. Atypical behaviors; exploitive behaviors; rape; sexual harassment. Legal regulation.

- Chapter 17. Read pages 443-454.

- Chapter 18. Read the entire chapter.

* * * THIS COMPLETES THE READINGS FOR EXAM #2 * * *

8/27/04