This seminar is an advanced undergraduate-level exploration of the sociological literature on the pleasures, power, and problems of sex. It is impossible to understand sexuality as separate from other dimensions of the human condition—economics, politics, work, family, race, and gender. Therefore, we will place sexuality in dynamic interaction with larger social issues. In particular, we will examine questions related to morality, sex work, desire and fantasy, the science of sex, and sexual politics. Class materials include sociological, scientific, and philosophical texts and films. Students should leave the course with an appreciation for sexuality as a social, not just personal, phenomenon.

Class Participation

You are expected to attend every class and out-of-class event. Come fully caffeinated, prepared to discuss readings and join group discussions. You are encouraged to have an opinion, be audacious, and risk your pride. Class participation means you regularly attend class and take part in meaningful ways. Since critical dialogue is probably where most learning happens anyway, this should be in our mutual interests. Learning is a conspiracy, a group activity where we work, play, plot, and debate together. Students should be prepared to take notes without laptops. Cell phones and all other non-airplane-approved devices must be switched off. 

Assignments

You will write two short papers (~5-7 pages) and participate in a final mini conference on the sociology of sexuality, whereby you will present a paper on a panel of your peers. One of your written papers can take an alternate method—short film, podcast, zine, collaborative project, a series of vignettes, etc. Whatever form you take, the heart and soul of it should be a sociological examination of sexuality. I will give you more specific information on the details of each of these assignments when the time comes, and we will have ample time to discuss them in class. Also, once during the semester you will co-lead the beginning of class with another student. We will discuss this in class, but at the end of this syllabus I have offered some advice about how to be an in-class leader when it is your turn. 

A Note on Written Work

Written work is the primary way you will be evaluated, and your writing will be graded according to its readability, grammatical accuracy, and creativity, in addition to the substantive ideas it conveys. We will discuss the challenges posed by different forms of writing, but if you have any concerns about your ability, please see me and consider visiting the CTLR: http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/resources/ctlr. All written work should be turned in as a Word document (.doc or .docx) attachment by email. Based on your writing ability I will be suggesting that some of you enroll in courses specifically designed to help improve your writing.

Grades

Your grades come from the assignments stated above, plus class participation. Class participation is derived from a combination of attendance, frequency and quality of participation in class discussions, the competency of your five minute introduction, and observed struggle to engage the material. Late work is lowered half a grade for the first week late, and is not accepted thereafter. The course emphasizes writing as the primary mechanism to determine grades and outcomes. My overall philosophy on grading emphasizes struggle, not mastery. The grade breakdown is as follows:

A – Outstanding: Expectations exceeded.
B – Excellent: All expectations met with excellence.
C – Good: All expectations met with moderate success.
D – Poor: Expectations inconsistently met.
F – Failure: Work incomplete by culmination of the course. 

Most students should expect a grade in the B range, as As signify work that truly exceeds expectations. If you object to a grade you receive in class, email me a detailed explanation as to why you think the grade should be changed. In that email, also include a few suggested times when you can meet me in person as soon as possible to discuss the matter further. 

Honor Code and Academic Integrity

The Middlebury Honor Code forbids cheating and plagiarism. For details on what constitutes these breaches of conduct, please see Middlebury policy here: http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/administration/newfaculty/handbook/honorcode

Failure to abide such regulations will result in my notifying the proper college authorities. The academy is not known for its sense of humor, but plagiarism is truly no joke. For information on how to avoid plagiarizing, see Earl Babbie’s article: http://www.csub.edu/ssric-trd/howto/plagiarism.htm