Title: Syllabus
Course: SOC 130 RTZ

General Course Information

Course Title: Human Sexuality
Semester: [SEMESTER TERM or DATE RANGE/YEAR HERE]
Course Meets: Online Asynchronous
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hour Course - Graded SOC130
Course Text: Understanding Human Sexuality (11th Edition)
CCC customized edition ISBN-13: 978-0-07-761433-1 ISBN-10: 0-07-761433-x

Instructor: [Instructor(s) name here]

Office Phone: | [Instructor phone number here]
Fax: | [Instructor fax number, if applicable, here]
Office hours: | [Instructor Office Hours, include dates and times, if applicable]
Email: | [Instructor e-mail contact(s) address and where housed, I.e. LMS]

Course Prerequisites: None, or [Your prerequisite requirement(s)]

Course Co-requisites: None, or [Your prerequisite requirement(s)]

The Human Sexuality course studies the sociological, biological, psychological, and culture factors which influence human sexuality, including ethics, gender roles, and changing values in contemporary society.

Students will gain a thorough understanding of human sexuality through historical, physiological, psychological, and sociological perspectives, as well as social and biological foundations of human sexuality, human reproductions, contraception, sexual behaviors influenced by gender roles and stereotyping, sexually transmitted diseases and infections, sexual lifestyle and relationship practices.

What to expect: While there are no prerequisites for this course, this course expects students to apply critical thinking skills to various sociological concepts and to engage in discourse that promotes the learning of the shared relationship between the individual and society.

Keep in mind: There are readings throughout the course that range from very easy reads to increasingly challenging theoretical readings. Please do not let the range of work intimidate you - just expect a challenge! Please also keep in close communication with me. If you are having trouble understanding anything, I am here to help. That is my job. Do not worry about asking me questions throughout the course.

ONLINE ACCESS - CRITICAL TO UNDERSTAND!!!!
This is an online course - therefore, you are required to have regular access to the internet and [Your LMS name/link here]. Acceptance of late work, if you are not able to access the course due to login, compatibility, or access issues [Credit/non-credit scoring based on your college late assignment policy]. Again, as this is an online course it is necessary to ensure your access. [Using your assignment submission policy, here]

Standards of Conduct

[Your college/institution’s ethics, class rules, etiquette, professionalism policy (ices), student safety concerns, if applicable here]

Course Outline

Course Description: The objective of this course is to provide students with an overview of concerns, attitudes, values, and needs related to Human Sexuality. The student will learn about the many facets of the social construction, labels, and scientific explanations of Human Sexuality. Students are encouraged use their critical thinking skills to examine their own basic assumptions about what they ‘know’ by evaluating alternative methods of perceiving the social world around them, by using their Sociological Imagination.

Course Content: We will explore the following concepts, theories and research methods used in sociology:

    - Research methods used to study sexuality
    - Values and sexual behavior
    - Love and intimacy
    - Sexual anatomy & physiology
    - Sexual response cycle and its relation to sexual dysfunctions
    - Sex and gender throughout the life span
    - Gender identity and roles
    - Sexual orientation and Variations in Sexual Behavior
    - Birth Control, Reproduction and Social Issues
    - Sexually transmitted diseases
    - Social issues in sexuality, including commercialization of sex and sexual assault

Course Objectives: Students will be able to

    - Examine various standpoints from the psychology, biology, sociology and cultural disciplines
    - Discuss research methods used to study sexuality, sexual behaviors, and societal construction of sex and sexuality
    - Describe how sociological, biological, psychological, and cultural factors influence sexuality
    - Examine how sex and gender impact sexuality throughout the lifespan
    - Identify social issues regarding sexuality including sexually transmitted diseases, reproduction, violence, laws, and sexual lifestyles

Course Design

PLEASE NOTE: ALL COURSE WORK IS ACCESSED THROUGH THE MODULES TAB.

The course is set up in 8 weeks. To access each week's work please click on the Modules Tab and then each week is opened on Sunday morning 6 am and each module closes Saturday evening.  Various assignments, quizzes and so forth will have various due dates - click on the tab for that particular assessment tool to see the requirements and due dates.

Please note that each Discussion Board (DB) has 2 due dates INCLUDING THE FIRST WEEK'S WORK (see Discussion Board criteria listed in syllabus for more details).

It is critical that you read all materials listed in the home page, syllabus, and each week's module prior to completing the any work. There are essential concepts and theories that will be associated to the weeks materials. Please note that late work is not accepted without prior approval. I reserve the right to alter the assignment requirements or assess a penalty in the grade, dependent on the situation and course assignment, if you are approved a time extension for homework/tests. It is the expectation that you will plan accordingly to complete assignments on time, ensuring we are all actively engaged within the concepts for each class period.

It is key that you look at the calendar and understand all components of readings, homework, quizzes, exams, essays, presentations, videos, and any other exercises. Ask questions in advance as [Using your assignment submission/late work policy, here].

Class Activities

There is NO make-up for class activities - so log into class each week and often! I see online course deadlines the same as an in person class. For instance, if a class is from 12 - 1:15 PM and you show up at 1:16 PM the class is over, you can't attend once it is over.

Each week this course begins [On your established semester weekly framework] and for all weeks with modules, closes/ends [On your established semester weekly framework].

Assignment due dates will vary so please always check those dates as you are responsible for due dates - I do NOT re-open assignments, DB's, or Exams.

There is NO make-up for class activities - so log into class each week and often!

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR COURSE IS BUILT INTO MODULES! If you go to the modules you will see it is in consecutive order. Thus each due date is listed within the module.
Contact me early as you are responsible for the due dates!

EXTRA CREDIT and "Emergencies"???'s [Your instructions/guidance on Extra credit and personal emergency situations related to course and assignment credit]

Discussion Board (DB) Criteria

The specific guidelines of posting a DB is below and on the How to Respond to Assignments and Discussion Boards page.

The DB portion of this class counts for the largest portion of your grade. I will grade your DB Postings as an academic discussion, with critical analysis. This is not your place to push personal opinions, without a sociological discussion. Your personal viewpoints should be used only to expose a discussion using your sociological imagination and critical analysis.

I will ONLY consider your DB posting for points IF you meet ALL the following criteria

You must post at least THREE times.

- First posting is due by [Your posting scheduled dates/times, here]
- In the first posting, due on [Your posting scheduled dates/times, here] .
  - First copy/paste the original DB I have written. Then when you reply, be sure you reply to each section individually, this ensures you are clearly responding to each component.
    - You must state your own original ideas and develop a line of thought that goes beyond a restatement of the question. This response will address the DB I have posted.This is the post that is due by [Your posting scheduled dates/times, here].
- The two replies must be posted by [Your posting scheduled dates/times, here] .
  - Final postings should respond to other students' questions and engage in an interactive dialogue. This posting should offer critical analysis and challenge yourself and the original author's understanding.
    - One and two sentence responses are not critical. The DB is to be a discussion not an agreement (only).
    - It is REQUIRED that you copy and paste your peers statements and then reply by addressing your student peer by name. If you do not do this, your grade will be reduced.
- No late postings will be accepted [Or you procedure here].

The above requirements are how I calculate your attendance and completion of the DB. If you complete ALL of the above requirements, I will then grade your posting based on a critical discussion. It is best to reference a great sociological analysis guideline; available in the file menu. See file titled Doing Sociological Analysis. This memo raises key questions that you should ask yourself while writing your essays and DB's. These questions will help you develop your analysis and increase your critical writing techniques. This source will be a BASE line of how I grade your DB's.

- Assignments

Criteria for Grading Assignments

PLEASE SEE the file titled "Doing a Sociological Analysis". This memo raises key questions that you should ask yourself while writing your essays. These questions will help you push and develop your analysis. This memo also outlines how I grade your papers. This is the more important of the two in relation to understanding how to look at topics sociologically. Assignments can only be seen by me, where DB's are shared with the entire class.

All Assignments must be turned into the online environment. I do not accept late work, thus plan early and check your login access with IT at the beginning of the term. Many students login's expire during the term so I HIGHLY recommend that you change your password now, to avoid being shut out of the system. If you get shut out by not performing this task and miss an assignment, it is considered late, and not acceptable. If you are struggling with internet access, compatibility, and/or understanding of this course system please contact [Your college/institution's technical support information here, as applicable].

Evaluation Methods

Students will demonstrate their progress toward course objectives through various types of assessments such as class participation, homework, quizzes, exams and papers. [Instructor grading (evaluating) discussion, if applicable, here].

College attendance policy:

[Your college/institution attendance policy here]

[Your specific instructor attendance policy here]

LATE WORK;

[Credit/non-credit scoring based on your college late assignment policy]

Plagiarism Policy:

[Your college/institution plagiarism policy]

Note about Final Grades:

Your final grade is a reflection of the level of sociological analysis you displayed in the class. Please keep in mind the "meaning" behind the letter grades and recognize that true learning is more than achieving grades.

[Or alternative instructor grade achievement statement]

I DO NOT GIVE AWAY ANY POINTS OR GRADES - YOU EARN YOUR GRADE. The following charts summarize how you earn points and how grades are calculated.

[Your grading percentage structure here]

Grading Structure
Total Points | % Grade | Letter Grade
972 - 1080 | % to % | A
864 - 971 | % to % | B
756 - 863 | % to % | C
648 - 755 | % to % | D
0 - 647 | % to % | F

Total Breakdown of Points
Discussion Board | 410
Assignments | 170
Quizzes/Exams | 300
Midterm Exam | 100
Final Exam | 100
Total Points | 1080

Key Ideas to a Successful Course Experience:
(I expect students to read and understand these concepts - I do hold you to these ideas!)

  - I will be working extensively with you over the session. I hope to enter into a dialogue with each of you that will not only push your own thinking and insights on these issues, but will enable us to explore our interests as well!
  - You are responsible for all due dates - look ahead! Do you know when the discussion boards, Papers, exams, and extra credit assignments are due?
  - Please pace yourself so that you can absorb and work with the material each week in a way that allows you to get the most out of your learning.
  - ATTEND CLASS!!! YOU MAY HAVE A SICKNESS OR EMERGENCY OCCUR SO DON'T RISK IT!!!
  - Plan ahead to ensure 'life' will not happen to prevent you from completing your tasks on time! If you are waiting until the last hours and minutes to complete your work there is a good chance that power outages, computer issues, childcare or other imminent roadblocks will pop up!
  - Plan early and your work will be less rushed and be completed on time! I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE WORK !!!
  - Collaborate with your classmates! Often times your peers are struggling with the same issues that you are facing!
  - Ask me for assistance. That is why I am here!
  - It is my firm belief that you should relate material, whenever possible, to your own experiences to garner a deeper understanding of the material. Yet, don't stop there. Push yourself to evaluate and understand others viewpoints – you DO NOT have to agree just recognize their viewpoint as this is how we become critical thinkers and diversified learner.
  - PLEASE PRINT AND READ THE SYLLABUS AND CALENDAR VERY CAREFULLY - as you are responsible for all due dates and planning!
  - ASK QUESTIONS – IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO COMMUNICATE YOUR CONCERNS

The calendar below is subject to change as the course progresses at my discretion. Note, due to some various due dates- use the Modules tab to determine actual due dates. The schedule below can be misleading at times - I will hold you to the due dates under the modules tab. Look often and pay attention as due dates may change. I will notify you of any changes to the syllabus. However, you must log into the course often weekly to ensure you are aware of any changes that occur. Please see me for any questions regarding this calendar! I am here to assist you through this process – WE are a team and I expect that you will communicate your concerns with me so that we can complete the semester accordingly.