Department of Psychology PSYCHOLOGY 405 - X01
Spring 2018 - LEC Psychology of Sex
Instructor: Dr. Andrew Haag Class Time: Monday & Wednesday (18:30 – 21:40)
Office: BS 343 Class Location: Central Academic Bldg 273 Phone: 780-905-0461 Course Website: eClass
Email: [email protected] Office Hours: By appointment
Course Description and Objectives:
This course is comprised of lecture topics that examine human sexual behaviour. Sexuality is a central, but highly controversial aspect of human nature. Sexuality is the basis of all human life. The course will consider biological, psychological, developmental, and socio-political perspectives pertaining to the topic of human sexuality. This is an introductory course and is intended for learners who have a limited background.
A main objective of the course is to provide students with an introduction to major issues in human sexuality from various perspectives. Rather than attempting to present cut-and-dried answers to contentious sexual questions, the course presents empirical data and a multiplicity of interpretive viewpoints. This approach is designed to assist students develop critical thinking and contribute constructively to the social debate on sexual issues.
Required Text:
Rathus, S.A., Nevid, J.S., Fichner-Rathus, L., & McKay, A. (2016). Human sexuality: In a world of diversity (5th Canadian ed.). Toronto: Pearson.
Note: Student Editions of the Powerpoint notes will be made available on the course web-site.
Recommended or Optional Learning Resources:
References for additional readings will be supplied to students electronically (eclass) during the course.
Grade Distribution/Evaluation Schedule
There will be three exams in this course. Midterm and final exams will consist of about 75 multiple choice questions. The content for the exams will come from the text and lectures. Lecture materials are supplemental to the text and may or may not be covered in the text. It is important to note that Dr.
Haag will not be covering all text book topics in class. However, students are nonetheless responsible for all text material. Test weightings are as follows:
Exams: Exam Date Materials to be covered on the exam Weighting of the exam
Midterm 1 May 16 May 7, 9, & 14 25%
Midterm 2 June 4 May 23, 28, & 30 25%
Final TBD June 6, 11, & 13 25%
Presentation 25 % Or Paper
Total 100%
Course Outline
Date Topic Text Reading
May 7 Introductions, Syllabus, Intro to Sexuality, & Ethics 1
May 9 Research Issues 2
May 14 Sexual Anatomy 3
May 16 Exam 1
May 21 Victoria Day
May 23 Developmental Look At Sex And The Life Cycle 12
May 28 Sexual Response & Conception 4, 10
May 30 Attraction, Intimacy, and Love &
Sexual Orientation
6, 9
June 4 Exam 2
June 4 (Post Exam)
Sexually Transmitted Infections 15
June 6 Sex Therapy & Sexual Disorders 14
June 11 Contraception 11
June 13 Sexual Coercion, Sexual Variation &
Ethics, Religion, and Sexuality
16, 17
Final Exam
Please note: it is the student's responsibility to verify the final exam date on bear tracks once the final exam schedule is posted.
● Please note:
● Dr. Haag may have a special presenter(s) at some point in this class. The date of this special lecture has yet to be determined. This presentation would impact the above lecture schedule but would not impact the reading schedule.
● Due to Dr. Haag’s upcoming and unpredictable court schedule, Dr. Haag may need to deliver a lecture(s) for this class via eclass (i.e., Adobe Connect). With Adobe Connect, students will be able to access the virtual classroom from any computer that is able to access eclass and is able to run Adobe Flash (i.e., students could “attend” such a lecture without being physically present at the U of A). Dr. Haag will notify students via a class announcement as far in advance as possible of Dr. Haag needing to deliver a lecture via electronic means. Should there be a student class presentation on the day of an eclass session, the respective students will have the option to deliver their presentation using the eclass platform if they choose (this would require a computer, attached microphone, attached webcam, and reliable internet connection). Alternatively, students will have the option to be rescheduled to a different date.
Class Presentation:
A student may choose to do a class presentation on any of the topics above or a special topic with the approval of the instructor. There will be two presentations per class with the exception of days when there is an exam. Depending on the enrolment level of the class, students may be expected to work with a co-presenter. Topic assignments will be made on the first or second day of class and delivered on the respective date on which it is noted on the syllabus. Each presentation should run for no longer than 25 minutes. Each presentation must be accompanied with a paper hand out and bibliography in APA format. A supplement as to how the presentation will be graded will be handed out on the first day of class. If applicable, students will be expected to review and know the respective chapter(s) on which they are presenting. Additionally, students are expected to do substantial additional research and reading related to the topic chosen. Presenters should ensure that there is time in their
presentation for questions or comments. Presenters should expect that the professor will be asking questions of them during the question time. Students are encouraged to use the class resources at their disposal such as PowerPoint, whiteboards, appropriate videos, etc. Students will be expected to email the professor a copy of their PowerPoint presentation and/or notes.
Paper
Students may choose to write a paper between ten and fifteen pages in length (excluding references) on any of the topics covered in the course. Students will be required to cite empirical articles and are strongly encouraged to consult review articles on the topic of their choosing. The paper is to be in APA format. The paper is to be submitted in Google Docs format to Dr. Haag via email. Papers are to be submitted by 23:59 of May 26, 2018. Please include your student ID on the title page of your paper. For those students who need assistance with APA format, they are encouraged to make use of the APA Purdue website.
“Policy about course outlines can be found in the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University Calendar.”
Course-based Ethics Approval
Not applicable
Community Service Learning
Not applicable
Additional Mandatory Instructional Fees
Not applicable Academic Integrity
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/en/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandards/CodeofSt udentBehaviour.aspx ) and avoid any behaviour that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.”
Learning and Classroom Etiquette
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment. The department urges anyone who feels that this policy is being violated to:
● Discuss the matter with the person whose behaviour is causing concern; or
● If that discussion is unsatisfactory, or there is concern that direct discussion is inappropriate or threatening, discuss it with the Chair of the Department.
For additional advice or assistance regarding this policy you may contact the Office of the Student Ombuds . Information about the University of Alberta Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures is described in UAPPOL.
Learning in this class is intended to be an active and interactive process, a joint venture between student and professor and between student and student (i.e., learning is not just “downloading”
information from teacher to student). Students are encouraged to take an active role in the learning process. In specific, students are encouraged to do the following: (a) attend class regularly, (b) reading course material in advance of class, (c) showing up to class on time, and (d) be attentive and
proactively “present” during class (i.e., not on the internet, not texting, not conversing with the person beside you). This encouragement is done with the goal of enhancing the overall learning experience.
CELL PHONES: Cell phones are to be turned off during lectures. Any use of cell phones will not be permitted during exams.
Academic Honesty:
All students should consult the information provided by the Office of Judicial Affairs regarding avoiding cheating and plagiarism in particular and academic dishonesty in general (see the Academic Integrity Undergraduate Handbook and Information for Students). If in doubt about what is permitted in this class, ask the instructor.
An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the Academic Discipline Process .
Recording of Lectures:
Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the content author(s) or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the instructor.
Attendance, Absences, and Missed Grade Components:
Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance in any course. In cases of potentially excusable absences due to illness or domestic affliction, notify your instructor by e-mail within two days. Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult the Calendar regarding Attendance and Examinations sections of the University Calendar. Be aware that unexcused absences will result in partial or total loss of the grade for the “attendance and participation” component(s) of a course, as well as for any assignments that are not handed-in or completed as a result.
In this course, acceptable reasons for being absent from term work, including midterms, scheduled presentations or extension of deadlines to an assignment to be an incapacitating mental and/or physical illness, severe domestic affliction, or circumstances described in the University’s Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate Policy (including religious conviction).
Examples of unacceptable reasons for missing an exam include (but are not limited to) personal events such as vacations, weddings, work, or family travel arrangements. Students are expected to read their syllabi and ensure that they will be able to attend those days when they will be graded. For an excused absence where the cause is religious conviction, a student must contact the instructor(s) within two weeks of the start of classes to request accommodation for the term (including the final exam, where relevant). Instructors may request documentation from a pastor or imam, etc. to substantiate the student request. Requests should be made to the instructor as far in advance as possible, but need to be made within 48 hours of the missed work or deadline. Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour. Students who wish to apply for a final exam deferral are to apply to their own faculty office within 48 hours of the missed examination timing for a deferral of a final exam.
Date of Deferred Final Examination
Should a student wish to apply for a deferred final exam, the student must complete a statutory declaration. Should a student wish to apply for a deferred mid-term exam, it is up to Dr. Haag if a statutory declaration will be required. However, students should know that Dr. Haag can insist that such a declaration be made. For cases requiring a statutory declaration, students must visit the Student Services Office in the Faculty of Science to complete the paperwork.
● The date of the deferred final, should it be required, will be June 27, 2017 at a time to be announced.
Should the deferral date for a mid-term not work for a student, Dr. Haag will redistribute the weighting of the student’s grade such that the other mid-term will be worth 33% of the student’s course grade, the papers will be worth 33%, and final exam will be worth 34% of the course grade.
EXAMS: Your student photo I.D. is required at exams to verify your identity. Students will not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress for 30 minutes. Students must remain in the exam room until at least 30 minutes has elapsed. Electronic equipment cannot be brought into examination rooms and hats should not be worn.
Re-examinations are governed by the University Calendar and as per this policy there will be no possibility of re-examination.
Student Accessibility Services:
If you have special needs that could affect your performance in this class, please let me know during the first week of the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If you are not already registered with Student Accessibility Services, contact their office immediately (1-80 SUB; email:
[email protected]; phone: 780-492-3381).
ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTRE: Students who require additional help in developing strategies for better time management, study skills or examination skills should contact the Academic Support Centre (2-703 Students’ Union Building).
Grading System:
Marks for assignments, tests, and exams are given in percentages, to which letter grades are also assigned, according to the table below. The percentage mark resulting from the entire term work and examination then produces the final letter grade for the course.
Percentage Mark
Grade Letter Grade Descriptor
95-100% 4.0 A+ Excellent
89-94.9 4.0 A Excellent
85-88.9 3.7 A- Excellent
79-84.9 3.3 B+ Good
74-78.9 3.0 B Good
69-73.9 2,7 B- Good
64-68.9 2.3 C+ Satisfactory
60-63.9 2.0 C Satisfactory
56-59.9 1.7 C- Satisfactory
53-55.9 1.3 D+ Poor
50-52.9 1.0 D Minimal Pass
0-49.9 0.0 F or F(R) Failure
This grade translation is approximate; the instructor reserves the right to use expert judgment to adjust the grades as necessary.
Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.
Past/Representative Evaluative Material:
Dr. Haag will be posting sample exam questions on the class website (i.e., eclass) within the first two weeks of the course starting.
Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and will be announced in class.
Copyright: Dr. Haag, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, 2018
