Course Syllabus
Psychology of Human Sexuality |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Summer 2024 - Session 2 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Summer Course - 3 Credits |
| Study Tour: |
Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Major Disciplines: |
Gender Studies, Human Development, Psychology. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
One psychology course at university level. |
| Faculty Member: |
Debbie Quackenbush, Ph.D. (current students please contact via the Canvas Inbox) |
| Program Contact: |
Department email address psy.cns@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
Time: See course schedule, as daily times vary Place: V10-A33 |
Description of Course
Prerequisites: One course in psychology at the university level.
This course is a study of human sexuality emphasizing psychological aspects. We will cover sexual development from childhood to adulthood, sexual orientation, sexual attitudes and behavior, gender, development of sexual relationships, love and communication in intimate relationships, and sexual function difficulties & therapy. An outline of this course follows:
- Part One: Providing a Frame
- Includes some history about sexuality as well as learning important psychodynamic concepts with which to frame the sexual topics of this class
- Part Two: Sexuality and Self
- Includes sexual development, identity (i.e., asexuality, sexual orientation and gender orientation), and sexuality within a loving relationship
- Part Three: Clinical Issues
- Includes sexual dysfunction and therapy, paraphilias, victimization
Faculty
Debbie Quackenbush, Ph.D.
Debbie Quackenbush, Ph.D. is an American native who resides in Copenhagen. She received her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Utah in 1996. She is licensed to practice in Denmark. She is also a certified group psychotherapist. Research interests include cyber-relations and human sexuality. She recently worked for the Menninger Clinic in Houston, Texas, where she specialized in psychotherapeutic testing and intervention for high achieving professionals with severe mental illness. Currently, she is in private practice in Copenhagen.
How to schedule a meeting with the professor
Personal meetings are online in my zoom room. Use this link to schedule something.
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=12754266&appointmentType=9615392
Readings
Required Textbook (available at the DIS library):
Hyde, J. S., & DeLamater, J. D. (2019). Understanding Human Sexuality (14th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Publication.
Beck, A. (1976). Common sense and beyond. In Cognitive therapy and emotional disorders. New York: Penguin. Pp 1- 23.
DeLuzio Chasin, CJ (2011). Theoretical Issues in the Study of Asexuality. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 40. 713-723.
Gatter, K., & Hodkinson, K. (2016). On the differences between Tinder and online dating agencies: Questioning a myth. An exploratory Study. Cogent Psychology, pp. 1-12
Gottman, J. C. & Krokoff, L. J. (1989). Marital interaction and satisfaction: A longitudinal view. Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology. 57(1) pp. 47-52.
Mikulincer, M. & Shaver, P. R. (2007). A Behavioral Systems Perspective on the Psychodynamics of Attachment and Sexuality. In Diamond, D., Blatt, S. J., & Lichtenberg, J. D. (Eds.) Attachment and Sexuality. NY, NY: Routledge.
O'Connor, M. (2019). Polyamory- a romantic solution to wanderlust? European Journal of Psychotherapy and Counselling. 21 (3-4). pp. 217-230.
Reilly-Cooper, R. (2016, June 28). Gender is not a Spectrum. Retrieved December 11, 2019 from http:aeon.co
Field Studies
Field studies. Since there are many different learning styles, field studies serve to provide students with a learning opportunity that is experiential in nature. There will be one field study in this course.
Walking Sex Tour:
Walking Sex Tour of Copenhagen. Meeting time and place Vestergade 7, 1300.
Nina Søndergaard is a self-proclaimed “historian, researcher, illustrator, guide, lecturer and nerd.” She owns and runs a tour company in Copenhagen where participants are able to tour Copenhagen with a focus on different educational and historical topics. She will specifically address the history of sexuality in Denmark.
Sex with symbols: Fetish, BDSM, ritual sex with Steen Shapiro:
Steen Shapiro is a Danish film director, editor and teacher. As a director, he has made internationally acclaimed documentaries on sexual subcultures, including BDSM, fetish and bodyplay. His newest film “Loops” (2012) is an experimental film, deconstructing porn. As an editor he has worked on a number of feature and short films, but is best known as the main editor on “The Killing”/”Forbrydelsen”. As a teacher, he teaches art film, both theory and production on Kunsthøjskolen in Holbæk. Steen also teaches sexology, debates sexual politics and gives numerous interviews and lectures on sexual subcultures.
We live in a time of great changes in the way we consider sexuality – even our own sexual identity. Our identities, as individuals these days often constructs several sexual identities; some virtual, some intimate, and delve into many kinds of sexual experiences. This lecture focuses on sex with symbols, meaning fetish play, BDSM exploration and the power of conscious erotic rituals (from going to a swingers event to playing with specific roles). How do the kinky subcultures work, and what are the inherent strengths, dilemmas and psychological aspects in these activities? The talk will feature photos, films, book excerpts and more.
Guest Lecturer
Line Schnettler is a Certified MSc in Psychology, Specialist in psychotherapy.
She has worked in the Danish Prison and Probation Service, in Herstedvester Prison for 7 years, primarily in the special unit for sex offenders with short sentences (up to 5 yrs). She did my Master Thesis on Treatment in the Danish Prison and Probation Service. She took a leave of absence from her work in the prison in 2014, where she spent a year working in the field of clinical sexology at Rigshospitalet, where some of the sex offenders from the prison - among other patient groups - receive treatment. She has experience in psychiatry, working with both adults patients with personality disorders and also in child and adolescent psychiatry.
Julie Tchikai Iversen is a lecturer on polyamory and psychology, who also works as a high school teacher in psychology, rhetorics and music. She will give you an overview of relationship styles and noteworthy lines of thought in polyamory. Julie will also make space for follow up questions and discussion.
Class Objectives
Students in this class will learn about sexual behaviors and attitudes (with specific focus on the U.S. and Europe) so that you can develop a greater awareness and acceptance of your own sexuality and the sexuality of others, as well as engage in thoughtful conversation about human sexuality. Students will develop a nuanced, supported set of views regarding topics in sexuality. There will be a special emphasis on the cultural and historical context for sexuality. There will also be an emphasis on the ability to critically consume research in the field of Sexology.
In this course, a model of psychology -- Object Relations Theory-- will be presented. Students will need to be able to clearly articulate this models, and how it applies to clinical cases. Additionally, students will need to be able to speak about topics in Human Sexuality, from this perspective.
At the end of this course, students will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge about a range of topics under the rubric of “Human Sexuality”. Students will be able to talk about and understand sexuality from a variety of perspectives including psychological, historical, religious and cultural perspectives. Students will gain an appreciation for the multitude of ways that sexual issues can present themselves in a clinical context. Students will be able to point out various components within research vignettes that they are given, and must be able to identify alternative hypotheses, for various research findings. Students, at the end of this course, will be able to integrate more than one viewpoint about a variety of topics, to form opinions that are uniquely their own, and that have a basis in research findings. Finally, students in this course will have been introduced to clinical work in a way that will make them appreciate techniques designed to make a client feel comfortable, and safe.
Approach to Teaching
For me, teaching and learning are complementary, and interactive, activities. I strive to create an immersive and interactive learning environment and expect you to play an active role in this. I welcome constructive and ongoing feedback for myself and for each other, assuming that it is delivered in a polite and respectful manner. Open dialogue and debate are often necessary for learning and growth, and are therefore required.
Expectations of the Students
Expectations of the students: Students are expected to participate fully through class attendance and through their in-class and small group comments and questions. I hope that, along with you and your classmates, we can create an environment that is conducive to everyone not being afraid to say what is on his or her mind, to challenge each other, and to be open to learning different perspectives. An important component of this class is a willingness to critically explore your own attitudes and feelings about sexuality. Each of us needs to be able to critically consume scientific information about sexuality, while keeping in mind our own opinions, biases and prejudices.
To establish a positive learning environment it is important that everyone is present (in body and mind) and not distracted by technology or other disruptive behaviors. Please observe the following simple rules:
- Use of laptops or tablets in class is prohibited except when expressly stated by the instructor (for example, when we are writing in class). Research has demonstrated that students who browse the Internet, and students who sit by them, achieve lower grades. Please silence your cell phones before class. Use of your cell phone for talking or texting will negatively influence your participation grade.
- You are welcome to bring food and drinks to class. Please remember to clean up after yourself.
- Please stay in the classroom during class. You can take care of bathroom visits and such before class, so as not to disturb the learning environment.
Students are expected to:
- Complete all reading assignments prior to coming to class
- Participating in the critique of their classmates’ works
- Contribute to class/small group discussions and group activities
- Write down reflections when you are reading, and throughout the course
- Be punctual and attend all classes; missing classes without a legitimate excuse will result in a lower final grade
- Be responsible for checking emails generated from Canvas (even is this requires daily monitoring of Spam folders)
- Be responsible for daily checking and posting on a Canvas Discussion board with respect to issues related to the class
Evaluation
Participation (15%): Attendance: As is stated in DIS policy, you are expected to attend all classes. If you must miss a class:
(a) Please contact me by email or phone as soon as possible (latest on the day of the absence) and
(b) Be sure to get the notes and any information from a classmate as soon as possible.
In addition to attending class, active participation, questions and discussion are important and expected during class as well as during Field Studies and/or Evening events. Do the reading assignments prior to class, so that you may contribute to class discussions and be active in group work. Completion of all homework (as outlined in the schedule) is part of your participation grade. Finally, part of your participation will be subjective, as assessed by me, based on your activity in class.
Study Tour Group Project (25%):
Students, in groups, will prepare for one each of the academic sessions during the study tour. Preparation will include: light research on the topic or speaker, preparation of questions to ask the speaker, and preparation of a summary for their classmates, including one photo of the tour. A rubric will be provided.
Quizzes and essay (35%):
There will be two brief quizzes during the semester. Quizzes will be composed of multiple choice, multiple answer, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions. Study materials are provided on Canvas.
POLICY ABOUT MISSING QUIZZES
It is your responsibility to put the quizzes in your calendar and turn them in by the time they are due. Missed quizzes will result in a zero for that quiz. If you are sick, and feel you cannot take it within the time frame allowed, you must notify me BEFORE the quiz is due OR have a doctor’s note, to get a re-take. There are no exceptions.
Sex and Tech Group Project (25%):
Note: To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work.
Grading
| Assignment |
Percent |
| Participation |
15% |
|
Study Tour Group Project |
25% |
|
Quizzes and essay |
35% |
|
Sex and Tech Group Project |
25% |
|
Total |
100% |
Academic Accommodations
Your learning experience in this class is important to me. If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter on the first days of class. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support academicsupport@dis.dk
Policies
Attendance
You are expected to attend all classes, guest lectures, workshops and field studies. If you must miss a class for religious holidays, medical reasons, or other valid reasons, you must let us know as far in advance as possible of the absence and obtain information about the work you must do to keep up in class. If you miss a class for any other reason (sudden illness, family emergency, etc.), you should get in touch with us as soon as possible and arrange to make up the work missed.
It is crucial for your learning that you stay on task and hand in assignments on or before the due date. All work– including in-class projects – have to be completed in order to pass the class.
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment
DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.
Policy on late discussion posts: Late discussion posts will not be accepted.
Computer and Cell phone use
Computers and cell phones are not allowed, unless we are doing a writing assignment in class. You may bring them to class, but will be asked to close them or shut them down, while there is a lecture or group work.
Policy on Extra Credit and Changing Grades
DIS has a policy that does not allow for extra credit. Also, please note that I do not engage with arguments with students about their grades unless it is clear that an error has been made. Occasionally, I have been asked, to 'round up' a score or to consider that the student tried hard. I do not change a grade unless it is clear that there has been an error. I do not change grades that I have clearly labelled as 'subjective'.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|