Students will learn how to define human sexuality and identify
and analyze attitudes and diverse perspectives based on
substantive and theoretical information, with emphasis on how
development and interactions across the life span are affected by
familial, social, cultural, and psychological factors.
Athena Title
Human Sex Across the Lifespan
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HDFS 2600E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will be able to describe human sexual development (physical, cognitive, and socioemotional), behavior, and attitudes across the lifespan.
Students will understand how diverse sexual belief systems influenced by race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, and religion influence the expression of human sexuality in families, intimate relationships, and societies, supporting your own conclusion, decision, or action with sound reasoning and judgment.
Students will know how to examine and discuss sensitive issues related to diverse behaviors, coercion, and sex for commercial purposes, questioning assumptions and considering different perspectives, contexts, and implications.
Students will know how to communicate openly and effectively about issues related to human sexuality as you consider, engage, and analyze opposing viewpoints or arguments and evaluate information to make reasoned judgments.
Students will know how to make responsible sexual decisions by evaluating information to make reasoned judgments and assessing the validity and credibility of information, arguments, and sources using reasoning and logic.
Topical Outline
Defining human sexuality by reflecting and examining how diverse sexual belief systems influenced by race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, and religion influence the expression of human sexuality in families, intimate relationships, and societies.
Human Sexuality Perspectives
Research: People, Theories, and Methodologies
Anatomy and Physiology
Sexual Health and Reproduction
Sexual Development Across the Lifespan
• Identity
• Sexual Values and Decision-Making
• Media and Sexuality
• Sexual Behaviors
• Sexual Functioning
Sexual Coercion and Consent
Sex and Commerce
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
