Intro to (PSY 306): Overview

Cindy M. Meston, Ph.D. & David M. Buss, Ph.D.

Introduction. Welcome to Intro to Human Sexuality. In this course, you will learn about all the stages of the human sexual response including: , sexual desire, arousal, and . You will learn what enhances and what inhibits each of these stages from psychological (e.g., relationships, mood, past experiences), evolutionary (e.g., how mating strategies evolved), and physiological (e.g., hormonal, neurological) perspectives. You will become familiar with different sexual problems that are clinically diagnosable, and how they are treated either with , medical intervention, or both. You will learn about sexual motivation and the many factors that influence sexual decision making such as jealousy, mate guarding, competition, duty, and . Our goal is to give you a broad overview of how humans function sexually. Two key perspectives in this course will be an evolutionary perspective and a clinical perspective, although multiple theoretical perspectives on human sexuality will be covered. Human sexuality has been a core research interest of both professors for many years. We are excited about co-teaching this course, and hope you will be excited about taking it.

Sex in the news. Sexual topics frequently make the news. News often deal with topics such as infidelity or other sexual improprieties by high status individuals such as politicians; internet dating sites that become popular or are hacked; , , , and other new scientific findings about human sexuality. A unique feature of this course is a ‘sex in the news’ segment that will occur regularly throughout the course where relevant and as sex appears in the news. In a typical segment, one of the professors will discuss the sex item in the news, and then use that discussion to make broader points that relate to the course material. Students are responsible for all sex-in-the-news segments discussed in class and the broader points they illustrate. Some exam items will test the student’s knowledge of the broader scientific points illustrated by these ‘sex in the news’ segments.

Warning: Upsetting and disturbing material. Sexuality is a domain that is highly personal for most people. Some of the material covered in this course may touch on issues that have personal relevance and may be disturbing—topics such as sexual attraction, , , prostitution, sexual deception, conflict between the sexes, sexual disorders, etc. Discussions will include theories and scientific findings on gender differences, including hypotheses about the physiological, evolutionary, social, and cultural origins of gender differences. If you anticipate finding any of these topics too upsetting to discuss in the context of scientific theories and empirical research, we recommend that you not take this course.

Required readings:

Meston, C.M, & Buss, D.M. (2009). Why Women Have Sex. New York: St Martin’s Griffin.

Buss, D.M. (2016). The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating. New York: Basic Books. [revised and updated 2016 edition only]

Assigned readings, webcasts, weblinks as per syllabus and TBA.

Tests and grading. Although a course on human sexuality can be exciting, do not expect it to be an easy course. We expect you to immerse yourself into the readings and lectures. You will need to master different theoretical perspectives as well as a large empirical literature on human sexuality. There will be five multiple choice tests. You will be able to drop the lowest of your first four test grades; you cannot drop your fifth exam grade. These four test grades will each be worth 20% of your final grade. If an exam must be missed due to dire circumstances (e.g., a medical emergency), you must provide documentation from your doctor (or relevant official) and contact one of the Teaching Assistants in advance of the exams. In these emergency cases, the makeup exam will consist of 5 essay questions at the end of the semester. The remaining 20% of your grade will come from short quizzes that will be held online during class time. There will be no make-up opportunities for missed quizzes. You must take the quizzes on your computer at the time they are administered during class, so please bring your computer to class everyday. You are expected to take the online class in real time, as it is being broadcast so that you can take part in class discussions and be present for the quizzes.

Computing your final grade. At the end of the semester, grades will be assigned in the following way: A = 92-100 A- = 90-91 B+ = 88-89 B = 82-87 B- = 80-81 C+ = 78-79 C = 72-77 C- = 70-71 D+ = 68-69 D = 62- 67 D- = 60-61 F = 0 -59

There are no exceptions to this grading scheme. No extra credit. No amount of begging, pleading, bribing, or heartfelt sorrow will change your final grade.

Teaching assistants. Your TAs are …

Chelsea Kilimnik, M.Sc. [email protected] Thursday 10a - 1p Chelsea is a doctoral student in the clinical program. Her research interests primarily focus on human sexuality and sexual health. Specifically, Chelsea researches the influence of nonconsensual sexual experiences throughout the lifespan on overall sexual well-being.

Amelia Stanton [email protected] Monday 2p - 5p Amelia is a fourth year doctoral student under the supervision of Dr. Cindy Meston. Her research employs psychophysiological methods to study female sexual function. Specifically, her current research focuses on improving in women with sexual arousal problems.

Anna Sedlacek [email protected]

Rafaella Sale [email protected] Rafaella is a doctoral student in , track. Her research interests primarily focus on implementation strategies for evidence-based practice and assessment in real world settings. Specifically, Rafaella researches clinical supervision processes with masters-level therapists in community care.

Ashley Hurst [email protected]

Other support. UT runs the Learning Skills Center in Jester Hall that offers invaluable advice on studying and note- taking techniques in general. The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY. Finally, it is common for students to feel a great deal of stress when starting college. If you need to talk to someone, contact the Counseling and Mental Health Center at 471-3515.

PSY 306 Introduction to Human Sexuality – Spring 2017 #43115 T/TH 12:30-2:00 NOA 1.102

Instructor Email Office Hours Cindy M. Meston, Ph.D. email: [email protected] Tues 5:00-7:00 SEA 3.232 David M. Buss, Ph.D. email: [email protected] Tues 5:00-7:00 SEA 3.228

Primary Teaching Assistant Rafaella Sale, M.A. [email protected] Tues 8:00-10:00 SZB 352B, or by appointment

Rafaella is a doctoral student in educational psychology, neuropsychology track. Her research interests primarily focus on implementation strategies for evidence-based practice and assessment in real world settings. Specifically, Rafaella researches clinical supervision processes with masters-level therapists in community care.

Tentative Syllabus Required Reading: Why Women Have Sex (2009) by Cindy M. Meston & David M. Buss (St. Martin’s Press, NY). Available at the UT Bookstore or online. [YSEX] The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating (2016) (revised and updated 2016 edition only), by David M. Buss (New York: Basic Books). Available at the UT Bookstore or online. [EoD]

DATE LECTURE TOPIC ASSIGNED READINGS/VIDEOS SECTION 1 SEXUAL ATTRACTION Jan 17 Introduction to course: Overview and Expectations Jan 19 Introduction to Evolutionary and Clinical YSEX: Introduction; EoD: Chapter 1 Perspectives on Human Sexuality Jan 24 What Women Find Sexually Attractive YSEX: Chapter 1; EoD: Chapter 2 The Whys of Mating: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/science/31tie r.html?_r=0 Why Sex is Sexy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYUtVsA-wi4 Jan 26 Women’s Sexual Attraction (continued) The Science of Attraction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=169N81xAffQ Jan 31 What Men Find Sexually Attractive EoD: Chapter 3 Why Is Sex Such a Big Deal?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54uG_6dtMoU Attraction documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjLDomII6No Feb 2 EXAM 1 SECTION 2 AND ORIENTATION Feb 7 Sexual Orientation Human Sexuality is Complicated: Chelsea Kilimnik Guest Presenter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXAoG8vAyzI Feb 9 Sexual Orientation (Con’t) Exploring Sexual Orientation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5vrNYA_nik https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S5QYVe0mJY

Feb 14 Sexual Differentiation Online Film: Dr. Money Boy With No Penis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv1yk2Va9qc

Feb 16 Sexual Differentiation (con’t) My Secret Self: Gender Dysphoria https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsVu8my2wRY &list=PLFAFE7D97C15BC299 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLhyQLpsdfQ&i ndex=2&list=PLFAFE7D97C15BC299 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6G1JhggfwI&li st=PLFAFE7D97C15BC299&index=3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_25TKqi1pqQ& index=4&list=PLFAFE7D97C15BC299 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDZ8aJfz2iA&li st=PLFAFE7D97C15BC299&index=5 Feb 21 Gender Dysphoria (con’t) Feb 23 EXAM 2 SECTION 3 THE DARK SIDE OF SEX Feb 28 Sexual Conflict YSEX: Chapter 4; EoD: Chapters 7, 8 Human sexual conflict: http://www.toddkshackelford.com/downloads/Gore lik-Shackelford-EP-2011.pdf March 2 Sexual Coercion & Abuse YSEX: Chapter 9 Moving Forward: A Public Conversation on Surviving : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbM-Pd56M2A March 7 Sexual Coercion & Abuse (con’t) YSEX: Chapter 8 Sexual Economics How new technology is shaking up the oldest business: http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/2161107 4-how-new-technology-shaking-up-oldest-business- more-bang-your- buck?zid=319&ah=17af09b0281b01505c226b1e574f 5cc1 March 9 Jealousy YSEX: Chapter 5

March 14 Spring Break – no class March 16 Spring Break – no class March 21 Infidelity EoD: Chapter 6 March 23 EXAM 3 SECTION 4 March 28 Sexual Desire YSEX: Chapter 6 YSEX: Chapter 9; EoD: Chapter 4 Making Sex Normal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE3tL9MMk3U Learning to Lust: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201005/l earning-lust March 30 Female Sexual Arousal The Science of Sexual Arousal: http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr03/arousal.aspx Talk about sex: http://www.seriouslysexuality.com/index.cfm?fuseac tion=Page.ViewPage&pageId=1084 April 4 Male Sexual Arousal Can Porn Cause ? http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause- erectile-dysfunction-pt-1 http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause- erectile-dysfunction-pt-2 http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause- erectile-dysfunction-pt-3 http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/can-porn-cause- erectile-dysfunction-pt-4 April 6 Orgasm YSEX: Chapter 2; Chapter 11 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Orgasm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jx0dTYUO5E Reopening the Case of the Female Orgasm: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/bering-in- mind/reopening-the-case-of-the-female-orgasm/ April 11 Orgasm (con’t) April 13 EXAM 4 SECTION 5 EVERYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX April 18 Mate Competition EoD: Chapter 5 Attraction and Mate Selection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvjF5RyoKzI April 20 Sexuality Across the Lifespan EoD Chapters 9, 10 April 25 YSEX: Chapter 7 A Little-told Tale of Sex and Sexuality: http://www.ted.com/talks/shereen_el_feki_a_little_ told_tale_of_sex_and_sensuality Brain Research and Pedophilia: http://vimeo.com/33793616 April 27 YSEX: Chapter 3 Helen Fisher: The brain in love: http://www.ted.com/talks/helen_fisher_studies_the _brain_in_love?language=en May 2 Class Questions May 4 EXAM 5