Hunter College

City University of New York

Psych 170 The Psychology of Human Sexuality
Spring 2015
Course: Psych 170 - 076
Instructor: Craig Kordick, Ph.D.
E-mail: ckordick@hunter.cuny.edu

Class Meetings: Mon/Wed 8:25p 9:40p

Place: HW619

Required Text: Human Sexuality Diversity in Contemporary America (8th edition). Yarber et al (2013)
McGraw Hill. It is available in the Hunter bookstore. Note: There may be used 7 th edition (2010) texts
available in the bookstore or on line. This edition will be fine for the purposes of this course; however, I
would caution using a text older than this edition.
Course Description and Objectives
Being sexual is an essential part of being human. Through sexuality we are able to connect with others on
the most intimate levels, revealing ourselves and creating strong bonds. Sexuality can be a source of great
pleasure and profound satisfaction, but there can also be a dark side to sexuality as well. Sexuality can
also be a source of guilt and confusion, anger and disappointments. In some instances it can also be a
means of exploitation and aggression. This course will provide a broad overview of the multiple aspects
of human sexuality. Topics covered will include: perspectives on human sexuality, history of sexuality,
female/male anatomy, gender/gender roles, sexuality and development, sexual expression, variations in
sexual behavior, contraception, sexual disorders, STDs, sexually explicit materials.
Please be aware that in order to study human sexuality we will be viewing/reading/discussing some
sexually graphic material throughout this course. It is asked that you approach this material with an open
mind in order to gain comfort enough with it to study/discuss it on a scientific level.

Prerequisites
3 hrs, 3 cr. Prereq: Psych 100
How to contact me
Email is the fastest, most reliable way to contact me. I will do my best to respond to your email in a
reasonable amount of time. When using e-mail it is important to maintain a degree of professionalism
(i.e., using complete words, telling me who you are and making clear your question/concern, etc).
In the subject line, you MUST write PSYCH 170-07 and your last name. E-mails not sent in this
format are at risk of being overlooked.
Blackboard
Announcements, assignments and additional course material will be periodically posted on Blackboard.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIILITY TO REGULARLY CHECK THE BLACKBOARD SIGHT FOR ANY
NEW UPDATES.
Attendance
Please arrive to class on-time and plan to stay for the full three hours. A fifteen minute break will be
given. Attendance is REQUIRED and attendance will be taken in every class. Class attendance will
calculate as 5% of your final grade. Multiple absences can impact your exam/final grades, as well as your
opportunity to do extra credit work. Lectures will be based upon your text readings; however, alternative
ideas, theories and research findings will be presented from a variety of sources. All material discussed in

class has the potential to be include on exams. Your participation in class discussions is both welcomed
and encouraged. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to obtain the material covered.
Lectures
It is important that you read the material (or at least familiarize yourself with parts of it) before you attend
class. Due to the amount of content in each chapter, we will not be able to cover everything in class but
instead, will focus on important areas I feel need to be highlighted. Class will therefore be an interactive
discussion which can be enhanced if you have read the material and have questions or ideas ready.
Beepers/Cell Phones/I-phones/Blackberrys
TURN THEM OFF!!!!! AND KEEP THEM OFF!!!!!!
Exams and Grading

There will be two exams as indicated in the course schedule. Exams will consist of multiple
choice and short answer type questions. The content for these exams will come from the book,
class lecture, and other possible assigned readings. The exams are not cumulative; however, there
will be a final essay on the final. Exams are closed book. You may not use any dictionaries,
translating devices, Smartphones, or other electronic devices during the exam. Cheating will
constitute failing that exam.
There will be NO make-up exams for any reason or excuse. REPEATThere will be NO
make-up exams for any reason or excuse.
There will be several class assignments given throughout the semester accounting for 25% of your final
grade. These assignments will be announced and discussed in class as well as posted on Blackboard. The
final 5% of your grade will be based on attendance and participation.
Final Grades are computed as follows:
A+
A
AB+
B

97.5-100.0
92.5-97.4
90.0-92.4
87.5-89.9
82.5-87.4

BC+
C
D
F

80.0-82.4
77.5-79.9
70.0-77.4
60.0-69.9
0.0-59.9

Credit/No Credit Grading System

Undergraduates may elect to take this course as Credit/No Credit only under three conditions. One, if
all assignments and exams have been completed on time. Two, if the student has not already
exceeded the maximum 4 courses that can be taken at Credit/No Credit. Three, the credit/no credit
form is given to the instructor no later than at the end of the final exam.
Academic Honesty
Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonestly (e.g. plagiarism, cheating on examinations,
obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses
against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY policy on
Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonestly according to the Hunter College
Academic Integrity Procedures. If you have any questions regarding ethical practices, please consult

the student handbook or ask any faculty member. CUNYs policy on academic integrity is published
on the web: http://www1.cuny.edu/portal_ur/content/2004/policies/policies.htm
Office of AccessABILITY
In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and
accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is
recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical, and/or
Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY, located in Room E1124, to secure necessary
academic accommodations. For further information and assistance, please call: (212) 772- 4857 or
(212) 650-3230.
Changes to the Syllabus
This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the professor.
Course Schedule* subject to modification, all changes will be announced in class.

Date
WED 1/28
MON 2/2
WED 2/4
MON 2/9
WED 2/11

Topic
Introducing the study of human sexuality
Definitional Issues
History of Sex/The role of culture
Thinking critically about sexuality
Research methods in sexuality
Contemporary research issues

MON 2/16
WED 2/18
MON 2/23

PRESIDENTS DAY NO CLASS

The Anatomy of Sex Video/Discussion
Gender and Gender Roles

WED 2/25
MON 3/2
WED 3/4

Ambiguous Gender
Exam #1
Sexuality & Development Childhood and
Adolescence
Sexuality & Development Childhood and
Adolescence
Sexuality & Development Adulthood
Love and Communication
Sexual Expression
Sexual Expression
Variation in Sexual Behavior
Variation in Sexual Behavior
Exam #2
SPRING RECESS NO CLASSES
SPRING RECESS NO CLASSES
Contraception and Birth Control
The Sexual Body in Health and Illness

MON 3/9
WED 3/11
MON 3/16
WED 3/18
MON 3/23
WED 3/25
MON 3/30
WED 4/1
MON 4/6
WED 4/8
MON 4/13
WED 4/15

Reading
Chapter One
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Chapter Two (plus
additional readings TBA)
Chapters 3&4
Chapter Five + additional
readings
Chapter Five
Chapters 1-5
Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
Chapters 6-9
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Thirteen

MON 4/20
WED 4/22
MON 4/27
WED 4/28
MON 5/4
WED 5/6
MON 5/11
WED 5/13
WED 5/20

Sexual Function
Sexually Transmitted Diseases; HIV/AIDS
STD/HIV (cont).
Sexual Coercion and Aggression
Domestic Violence
Sexually Explicit Materials
Sex Laws & Sex Workers
Course Conclusion
FINAL EXAM: 7:30pm 9:30pm

Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen/Sixteen
Chapter Fifteen/Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Readings TBA
Chapter Eighteen
Readings TBA
Chapters 11; 13-18 +
additional readings