University of Georgia - Department of Anthropology
Anthropological Perspectives to
HUMAN SEXUALITY
Maymester 2000
This course surveys contemporary understanding of human sexual behavior from diverse Anthropological perspectives. The aims of the course are:
Instructor: Dr Alexandra (Alex.) Brewis
Teaching Assistant: Ms Cheryl McClary
Class Text.
Hyde, JS and J DeLamater (2000) Understanding Human Sexuality. McGraw Hill: New York., 7th edition.
Additional readings are set for each lecture are available on-line through reserve readings in the main library.
Class meets: 9:15 to 12:45 daily.
Course Work:
Assessment of grades is based on a mid-term and a final exam.
MID-TERM EXAM: 1.5 hours in length, worth 40% of the grade. THURSDAY May 23rd.
FINAL EXAM: 2 hours in length, worth 60% of final grade. THURSDAY June 6th.
Exams will be in structured format, with short answer and short essay questions addressing core concepts developed in lectures, readings, and class discussion. You are encouraged to think strategically about studying for exams, especially in ensuring that you concentrate on grasping the core concepts rather than rote learning facts (as the latter will not necessarily assist you in providing your best possible performance in the form of exams you will be taking in this course). We will be delighted to take one-on-one time with you to help you plan out how to study for exams efficiently and effectively.
Prospective Subjects and Class Exercises: All students need to read and be aware of the conditions under which they are invited to participate in certain class activities. No student may provide information on questionnaires unless they have voluntarily signed a research consent form.
Audio-taping of Classes: Classes may not be audio-taped without permission.
Student Counseling
Exposure to some of the material in this class on sexuality can unexpectedly bring personal issues to the surface. If this happens we recommend you seek the assistance of those best trained to help you. The best first-stop for students may be counseling services on campus.
UGA Counseling 542-2273
UGAWomen's clinic (pregnancy counseling, referrals) 542-8691
UGA Health Promotion (STD/ HIV testing and counseling) 542-8690
Rape Crisis Center 353-1912
Classroom and Study Protocols: In the interest of promoting an effective teaching and learning environment in the classroom and in consideration for your classmates, the following classroom courtesies are expected:
- - We will begin class punctually. If for any reason you must come late or leave early give advance notice, and enter and leave discretely.
- - Research has shown that attendance is the single most reliable predictor of success in university courses, so you are strongly encouraged to attend lectures. Also note, according to university policy a student can be removed from a course if they have excessive absences.
- - Other than when we are working in small groups, please do not disturb others in the class with localized conversations.
- - For each hour in the classroom, two hours of preparation and study are expected. Classroom activities will be predicated on everyone having completed assigned readings before class.
- - If you chose not to do the assigned readings or must miss lectures, it is inappropriate to use your classmates' time to catch on material in readings undone or lectures unattended.
- - The University has a policy on academic honesty, and for their own protection students are encouraged to read the policy.
Evaluation: Regular evaluation is important to help us develop a quality class that addresses everyone's objectives and needs. In this course, both informal and formal evaluations will be done, and I ask for everyone's tolerance and cooperation in these activities.
CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN COURSE RELATED QUESTIONNAIRES
Anthropology 4900/6900
Anthropological Approaches to Human Sexuality
I agree to participate in class-based questionnaires in the course "Anthropological Approaches to Human Sexuality", which are to be conducted by and under the direction of the instructor, Professor A. Brewis, Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, tel. 542-8085. I understand participation is voluntary; I can withdraw my consent at any time without penalty and have the results of participation, to the extent that it can be identified as mine, returned to me, removed from the research records, or destroyed. Particularly, I understand participation or decision not to participate will not be regarded in either a negative or a positive way by the instructor.
The following points have been explained to me:
The reason for the research is to expose students to a more personal understanding of the nature of survey data collection in sexuality research, and to provide a corpus of data regarding general sexual behaviors and attitudes among students enrolled in the class. Only students currently enrolled in the course may participate. The benefits I may expect are to better understand some aspects of research-based findings on human sexuality.
The procedures are as follows:
Each participant will be invited to complete a short questionnaire on a topic related to current course objectives. This will generally take less than 15 minutes to complete and will be done in class time. Each participant will anonymously complete their own forms.
There is no deception involved. No risks are foreseen from participating in this research.
The results of this participation will be anonymous. Your name will not be used in any capacity in data collection. You will select a participant identification code number that is known only to you, and this will be the only identifying mark on any data.
The researcher (Professor Brewis) will answer any further questions about the research, now or during the course, or following the completion of the course, and can be reached on tel. 542-3085. You are encouraged to ask questions.
I understand the nature of this research and consent to participation.
Signed __________________________________ (Participant)
Print name:
Date:
PLEASE SIGN BOTH COPIES OF THE FORM. KEEP ONE AND RETURN THE OTHER TO THE INSTRUCTOR.
Research at the University of Georgia which involves human participants is overseen by the Institutional Review Board. Questions or problems concerning your rights as a participant should be addressed to Dr Chris Joseph., Institutional Review Board, Office of VP for Research, The University of Georgia, 606A Graduate Studies Center, Athens, GA 30602-7411; Telephone (706) 542-6514.
Readings for each set of lectures are given below.
Weds May 15: Introduction
Thurs May 16: Historical Perspectives
Fri May 17: Sex Research Design
Mon May 20: Anthropological Approaches: Cross-cultural Perspectives
Tues May 21: Anthropological Perspectives: Primate Mating and Sexual Behavior
Weds May 22: Sexual Anatomy and Response
Thurs May 23: Mid Term Test
Fri May 24: Sex Determination/ Sexual Orientation
Mon May 27: Memorial Day: no class
Tues May 28: Third Sex
Weds May 29: Menstruation, Menarche and Menopause
Thurs May 30: Conception, Pregnancy and Birth, Contraception/ Contragestion
Fri May 31: Male Reproduction: Sperm Competition
Mon June 3: Sex and Risk: STDs, Sexual Coercion
Tues June 4: Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Mating
Weds June 5: Course Summary and Review
Thurs June 6: Final Exam
COURSE READINGS
COURSE READINGS
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Hyde and DeLamater, pages 2-8.
SEX RESEARCH DESIGN
Hyde and DeLamater, chapter 3.
Jones, J. (1977) Reporting on Kinsey. The Australian November 22-23.
Billy, J et al. (1993) The sexual behavior of men in the United States. Family Planning Perspectives 25:52-60.
Fausto-Sterling A. (1992). Why do we know so little about human sex? Discover (June):28-30.
Bolton R. (1995). Tricks, friends and lovers, erotic encounters in the field. In Taboo, Kulick D and M Wilson (eds). Routledge. London.
ANTHROPOLOGICAL OUTLINES
Hyde and DeLamater, pages 8-24, chapters 2, 10, 11, and 12.
Messenger J.C. (1971). Sex and repression in an Irish folk community. In Human Sexual Behavior, Marshall D. and R. Suggs (eds). Basic Books. New York.
Marshall D.S. (1971). Sexual aspects of the life cycle. In Human Sexual Behavior, Marshall D. and R. Suggs (eds). Basic Books. New York.
Small M.F. (1992). What's love got to do with it? Discover (June):46-51.
SEXUAL ANATOMY AND RESPONSE
Hyde and DeLamater, chapters 4 and 9.
SEXUAL DETERMINATION AND ORIENTATION
Hyde and DeLamater, chapters 5, 14, and 15.
Gay J. (1986). "Mummies and babies" and friends and lovers in Lesotho. In The Many Faces of Homosexuality, E. Blackwood (ed.). Harrington Park Press.
Nanda S. (1985). The Hijras of India: Cultural and individual dimensions of an institutionalized third gender role. Journal of Homosexuality. 11(3/4): 35-54.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
Hyde and DeLamater, chapters 6 and 7.
Toufexis A. (1993). A woman's best defense? Time. October 4th: 52-53.
Fausto-Sterling, A (1985) Chapter 4, Myths of Gender. Basic Books. New York.
Freedman D.H. (1992). The aggressive egg. Discover (June):61-64.
Profet, M (1993) Understanding pregnancy sickness. Organon's Magazine on Women and
Health 4, 1993:44-47.
Diamond, J. (1995) Father's milk. Discover, February 1995:83-87.
REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGY
Hyde and DeLamater, chapter 8.
Hern, W.M. (1992). Family planning, Amazon style. Natural History (December):31-38.
Ansley, D. (1992). Sperm tales. Discover (June):66-69.
Young, S. (1993). The subtle side of sex. New Scientist (August).24-27.
SEX AND RISK
Hyde and DeLamater, chapters 20 and 17.
HUMAN MATING STRATEGY
Hyde and DeLamater, pages 354-57.
Dunbar, R. (1995). Are you lonesome tonight? New Scientist (February):26-31.
Wright, R. (1997) Our cheating hearts. In R. Sussman (ed.) The Biological Basis of Human Behavior. Simon and Schuster.
Clark, R.D. and E. Hatfield (1989) Gender differences in receptivity to sexual offers. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality 2(1):39-55.