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ANTH 173 -- Evol Human Sexuality

Expanded course description

This course examines the behavior, physiology, and anatomy of human sexuality as traits that have evolved from our primate and mammal ancestors. By first understanding the theory of evolution and then the advantages of sexual reproduction, we can go on to look at our primate relatives and see how much of our own sexuality has a general biological basis and how much (or little) is truly unique to humans. Although this is a science course, it is assumed that students do not have a rigorous scientific background. The aim is to present the scientific foundations of this course in a way that will give students an intuitive understanding of evolution and sociobiology that will help them look critically at human sexuality from an evolutionary perspective. Throughout the course we'll all need, however, a common language. Some scientific terminology and definitions will be essential, but it is most important that students understand and see how to apply the concepts.
This course is divided into three sections:

* Section 1 runs from the start of the course to the first midterm and will examine the theory of evolution, especially how it is applied to behavior. During this time, discussion sections will work on the scientific method and how to generate and test hypotheses.
* Section 2 begins after the first midterm and runs to the second midterm exam. This section will examine the diversity of sexuality in our primate relatives and look for the evolutionary threads that we can use to understand and interpret human sexuality.
* Section 3 starts after the second midterm and goes to the end of the class. During this time we will look at sexual traits often considered unique to humans and see how much we can now understand based on the evolution of these traits in primates or on their evolutionary benefits in a variety of human populations.

Required reading materials: There are assigned readings for both lectures and discussion groups. There are four required texts:

1. Small, M (1993) Female Choices: Sexual Behavior of Female Primates. Cornell University Press.
2. Low, B (2000) Why Sex Matters. Princeton University Press
3. Diamond, J. (1997) Why is Sex Fun? Basic Books
4. Evolution of Human Sexuality. A custom printed set of readings available through the bookstore (includes Discussion section worksheets!).

Grading: Grades will be based on: 2 midterm exams, discussion section attendance, discussion section participation (including a worksheet to be handed in during sections), and a final exam.

Discussion Sections: As an integral part of this class, students are required to attend and participate in a Discussion Section. Discussion sections provide students with additional material including original research or syntheses to critically evaluate and discuss.

Group: SCI

Offered 200604.

Syllabus

Although syllabi can change from term to term, a syllabus may provide further information about typical instances of this course.

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