Syllabus

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Course Description and Objectives

This course examines human sexuality from an anthropological point of view. The hallmark of anthropology is its emphasis on both the biological and cultural dimensions of what it means to be human. That perspective enriches our understanding of human sexuality, because it encourages us to examine a wide range of human sexual experience across cultures and over the evolutionary history of our species. We will apply this broad perspective to consider the genetic, physiological, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of human sexuality.

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

Course Materials

The following materials are required:

The textbook and clickers should be available at all local textbook stores. Additional required readings are available online through the course website (http://gravlee.org/sexuality/). We will use TurningPoint classroom response clickers in every lecture. If you have a TurningPoint clicker from a previous class, you may use it in this course. Otherwise, clickers are available for purchase at local bookstores or on the TurningPoint website (use code: 4ufl). If you have a web-enabled smart phone with data plan, you also have the option to purchase ResponseWare software instead of a standalone clicker. You may purchase a one-year or four-year license for the software from the TurningPoint website.

Course Requirements and Grading

Requirements Date Points % of Total
Exam 1 October 2 60 20
Exam 2 November 6 60 20
Exam 3 December 17 60 20
Reaction paper 1 September 18 15 5
Reaction paper 2 October 9 15 5
Research paper – first submission October 19 15 5
Peer review Week 10 15 5
Research paper – final submission November 20 30 10
Discussion section 30 10
Total 300 100

Final grades will be A (90-100), A- (87-89), B+ (84-86), B (80- 83), B- (77-79), C+ (74-77), C (70-73), C- (67-69), D+ (64-66), D (60-63), D- (57-59), E (<57).

Please note that the University implemented minus grades beginning in Summer 2009. Under the new system, a grade of C- will not qualify for major, minor, Gen Ed, Gordon Rule, or College Basic Distribution credit. For more information, please see the University’s policy on grades and grading and FAQs about minus grades.

1. Exams (60%)

There will be three exams with 60 multiple-choice questions each. The exams will cover material from assigned readings, lectures, films, guest speakers, and class discussions. The three exams are noncumulative and equally weighted (20% each toward final course grade).

All exams will be administered on E-Learning. Exams must be taken at the scheduled time; there will be no makeup exams. Exceptions will be made only in the case of incapacitating illness or other university-approved absence. In such cases, you must provide Dr. Gravlee with written documentation from an appropriate authority at least 24 hours before the exam. Teaching Assistants (TAs) may not give permission for make-up exams.

2. Reaction Papers (10%)

Download full guidelines for reaction papers (PDF)

You will be required to write two reaction papers. For each paper, select a reading from the course pack and provide a thoughtful reaction or evaluation of that reading. Examples of appropriate topics to cover in your reaction papers include a critical evaluation of the authors’ questions, assumptions, methods, or conclusions; similarities and differences between the selected reading and other assigned readings; a discussion of the broader significance of the authors’ argument; your questions about points that are unclear; or your ideas about future studies that would build on the selected reading.

Reaction papers should be 2 pages, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. You must include your name, your TA’s name, your section number, and the name of the assignment (e.g., Reaction Paper 1) on reaction papers. Reaction papers must be submitted to your TA at the beginning of lecture on the due dates. No late reaction papers will be accepted, unless documentation of a university-approved excuse is provided to Dr. Gravlee at least 24 hours before the due date.

Before submitting your reaction papers to TAs, you must upload them to Turnitin.com, a plagiarism detection program, through E-Learning. Your paper will be considered incomplete and will not be graded if it is not submitted to Turnitin.com before the beginning of lecture on the due date. If there is any evidence of plagiarism, you will receive a grade of zero points for the assignment and be reported to Student Judicial Affairs.

3. Research paper (20%)

Download full guidelines for research paper (PDF)

You are required to write a research paper. The paper should be 8-10 pages of text, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. References must be consistently formatted in MLA style. Include a bibliography of references cited in MLA format on a separate page at the end of the text. Your paper must cite and incorporate at least six sources from the scholarly literature. Scholarly literature includes peer-reviewed academic journals, monographs, and edited volumes. Encyclopedias, textbooks, and most websites are not appropriate sources (see the UF Libraries’ handout on scholarly versus popular sources). Your paper will be evaluated based on the quality of the literature review, the quality of analytic effort, and the organization and writing style. Complete details on requirements and grading criteria for the research paper will be distributed in discussion sections and posted on the course web site. You are encouraged to take advantage of the services offered by the UF Writing Center.

Good writing requires revision and rewriting. To improve your skills in this regard, the research paper involves three assignments:

4. Discussion section (10%)

You are required to attend and actively participate in the discussion section for which you registered. You must attend discussion sections even if an exam is scheduled for the same day. Only university-approved absences with appropriate documentation will be excused.

5. Course web site

You are responsible for all materials posted on the course web site, including required readings, announcements, details on assignments, and other supplementary material. Some course materials will require you to log on to University websites (e.g., Course Reserves, E-Learning System). The course web site will provide links to these other resources, when necessary.

The website will also host a blog for the course in order to encourage discussion on relevant news or events around campus, to share thoughts about how the themes of the course relate to current events as well as to share thoughts on the themes themselves, and to stimulate thinking about assigned readings and course material. I strongly encourage you to post comments on the blog to share your point of view or to pose questions that you’d like to raise for discussion with other students, Dr. Gravlee, and the TAs. The easiest way to keep up with the web site is to subscribe to the course RSS feed (by email or using your favorite feed reader) using the link on the course website.

Gordon Rule Credit

You must complete all writing assignments (reaction papers and research paper) and earn a final grade of C or better in the course to obtain Gordon Rule (4000-word) credit. All students are required to complete all writing assignments, even if you have already satisfied the Gordon Rule credit in another course.

Teaching Assistants

Teaching Assistants (TAs) are responsible for discussion sections. They are available to answer questions and to assist with the required writing assignments during their office hours. They grade all course requirements. You must know your TA’s correct first name and your section number and print them on the top of all papers or writing assignments you submit. If you have a question about grading, first talk with your TA. TAs’ names, office hours, and discussion sections are posted on the course website. TAs may not give permission for make-up exams or late papers.

Classroom Behavior

Classroom disruptions will not be tolerated. If you are talking, reading newspapers, listening to your iPod or other mp3 player, texting on your cell phone, or being disruptive in any other way, you will be asked to leave. If you are asked to leave from discussion section, you will not receive participation points for that day.

You must set cell phones to silent mode. If a phone rings or you are talking on it during class, it will be confiscated until the end of class.

Every student in this class is expected to participate in a responsible and mature manner that enhances education. Any conduct that disrupts the learning process may lead to disciplinary action. See the University’s policy on harassment. Because this course deals with sensitive subjects, it is essential that each student helps to create an environment of respect and tolerance.

From the University of Florida Honor Code: “One of the major benefits of higher education and membership in the university community is greater knowledge of and respect for other religious, racial and cultural groups. Indeed, genuine appreciation for individual differences and cultural diversity is essential to the environment of learning. Another major aspect of university life involves sexual relationships. Sexual attitudes or actions that are intimidating, harassing, coercive or abusive, or that invade the right to privacy of the individual are not acceptable. Organizations or individuals that adversely upset the balance of communal living are subject to university disciplinary action. Only in an atmosphere of equality and respect can all members of the university community grow.”

Academic Honesty

Unless it is specifically connected to assigned collaborative work, all work should be individual. Evidence of collusion (working with someone not connected to the class or assignment), plagiarism (use of someone else’s published or unpublished words or design without acknowledgment) or multiple submissions (submitting the same paper in different courses) will lead to the Department’s and the University’s procedures for dealing with academic dishonesty. All students are expected to honor their commitment to the University’s Honor Code.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation. Please make any requests by the second week of class.

UF Counseling Services

Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals that interfere with their academic performance. These resources include:

  1. University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal and career counseling
  2. Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, personal counseling
  3. Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual counseling
  4. Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance and counseling
  5. Reading & Writing Center, Broward Hall, 392-0791, writing assistance, study skills, test preparation

Syllabus Change Policy

This syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advanced notice.