PSY145 Syllabus

Course: PSY145-01 (CRN: 30548)

Lecture: MWF 3:30 - 4:20pm @ Library (KL) Rm. 209

Instructor: Dr. Ross Avilla

Email: ravilla@ucmerced.edu

Office Hours: Fridays @  1 - 3pm - Schedule Meeting (click here)

Course Schedule

WARNING: This class contains explicit sexual material, including, but not limited to, images and video showing full-frontal nudity, sexual intercourse and childbirth.  If these topics make you uncomfortable, you may not want to take this class.

Course Goals:

1. To introduce you to the various subfields of human sexual research (e.g., biological, psychological, sociological).

2. To present you with a general understanding of many interrelated aspects of human sexuality, including its physiological, behavioral, cognitive, and cultural components, as well as how to recognize maladaptive facets of each.

3. To help inform your own decisions on how best to conduct yourself sexually, including when and how to have sex, the consequences of sex, the possible risks and benefits of having sex, and what is normal and abnormal in the realm of human sexuality.

By the end of the semester, students should be able to: 

1. Demonstrate considerable knowledge in many areas of human sexuality.

2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of what drives human sexual behavior, cognition, and emotion.

3. Critically analyze the validity and generalizability of various claims made about human sexuality in the scientific community, as well as the popular media.

4. Have a better understanding of what constitutes normal variability in human sexuality and what may be seen as abnormal or maladaptive.

Textbook: Human Sexuality in a Diverse Society by McNichols & Numer

 At your instructor's request this course is part of the UC Merced Inclusive Access program. You will have immediate access to your digital course materials on the first day of class through CatCourses. The materials that we have provided are at a discounted fee, you will see the material charge on your student account in the Mybill section.   

Title: human sexuality   

Reduced Course Charge:  $85.32

Alternate (possible) retail Pricing: $90.77 

Student Access Instructions:    

Please do not PRE-Pay for any content or access. If you are prompted to pay for access, try using another web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. Safari can cause errors.  If you have trouble, contact 2203mgr@follett.com for help. 

1. Go to Catcourses and look for a Module that has your course materials located in it.  These modules can be titled either Course Materials, Willo or something similar. (When in doubt please ask your instructor.)

2. Then locate and click the link to access your course material.   

You will now be rerouted to your eBook or your publisher courseware. Please contact Willo Support if you should have any further questions at Submit a Request. 

University Store Note about opting out and billing:  

We recommend you attend class before choosing to Opt Out.   

Your UC Merced Student Account will be charged the Reduced Course Charge (IA charge) unless you opt-out of this program. If you do opt out you will be responsible for purchasing your course materials for this section.  

• Please read all Announcements sent via CatCourses relating to Inclusive Access for the latest instructions, updates, and information.  

• • Opt out deadline:  9/13/23 

  • Directions:  

  • Visit: https://ACCESSPortal.follett.com:443/2203 

• • • 1st time users will need to click create an account using your University e-mail as the user name. 

    • Opt-Out of this program by clicking Opt-Out for each course you do not want to receive the course materials for. 

• If you opt-out of receiving the IA course materials or drop the class you will see a refund posted to your student account in 1-2 weeks.  We send billing information to SBS once a week. 

• Please email: r.rbrown@follett.com and 2203mgr@follett.com and include “PSY 145 IA Issues” in your subject line, if you require more information or have any further questions. 

Chat GPT, Bing Chat, and Google Bard are just a few of the AI (artificial intelligence) tools you have free access to as a student.  I would encourage you to use these tools responsibly to help you study and complete assignments.  I have a guide (listed below) on how you can use AI in this class.  In this document, I give tips and example prompts you can use in AI tools to help you better study and prepare for the course.

• How to Use AI - For Students

This course requires the use of LockDown Browser for online exams. 

Watch this brief video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser.

https://www.respondus.com/products/lockdown-browser/student-movie.shtml

Download Instructions

Download and install LockDown Browser from this link:

https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=585457936

Once Installed

• Start LockDown Browser

• Log into to Canvas

• Navigate to the quiz

Guidelines

When taking an online quiz, follow these guidelines:

• Ensure you're in a location where you won't be interrupted

• Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers) and place them outside of your reach

• Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and also that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it

• Remain at your computer for the duration of the test

• Remember that LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted

Getting Help

Several resources are available if you encounter problems with LockDown Browser:

• The Windows and Mac versions of LockDown Browser have a "Help Center" button located on the toolbar. Use the "System & Network Check" to troubleshoot issues. 

• If you run into technical difficulties with your computer, please contact the Office of Information Technology Service Desk at: https://it.ucmerced.edu/service-desk

• Respondus has a Knowledge Base available from support.respondus.com. Select the "Knowledge Base" link and then select "Respondus LockDown Browser" as the product.

• If you're still unable to resolve a technical issue with LockDown Browser, go to support.respondus.com and select "Submit a Ticket". Provide detailed information about your problem and what steps you took to resolve it

Your grade will be based on…

Exams (worth 65% of your grade)

• • Throughout the semester, there will be multiple choice exams.  None of these are cumulative exams, meaning they only cover content up to the previous exam.  Exam questions will be evenly drawn from lectures and the textbook.

  • All exams will be taken using the LockDown Browser in class (see further down in the syllabus for more info about the LockDown Browser).

  • If you come in more than 15 minutes late to an exam or if someone has already finished the exam before you arrive to take an exam, you will not be allowed to take the exam.

  • If you miss an exam, you can take an optional makeup exam offered during finals week.  

    • • The makeup exam is cumulative, covering all lectures throughout the semester.  However, the makeup exam will not include content covered exclusively in the textbook, so you don’t need to worry about studying the textbook for the makeup exam.  

      • The makeup exam can only be used to replace one missing exam score.  If you miss more than one exam during the semester, you should consider “withdrawing” from the class (contact the professor about this option).

Class Activities (worth 20% of your grade)

• • Throughout the semester, we will be completing in-class activities for points.

  • You can miss up to 5 in-class activities without it impacting your final grade.

    • At the end of the semester, your 5 lowest-scoring class activities will be "dropped" (excluded) from your grades.

Textbook Quiz Questions (worth 15% of your grade)

• • In our online textbook, there are multiple-choice quiz questions embedded in each chapter.  For each question answered correctly, you earn 1 point.  For each question answered incorrectly, you still earn 0.5 points.  You get 2 attempts on each quiz question, so you can retake a question if you get it wrong the first time.

  • The quiz questions from each chapter are due the day before we have the exam on that chapter.

Extra Credit

• • There will be several extra credit opportunities throughout the semester.  The biggest one is participating in SONA experiments (explained further down in the syllabus), which can earn you up to 3 percentage points of extra credit added onto your final grade. 

Grading Scale *

93 - 100% A

90 - 92% A-

87 - 89% B+

83 - 86% B

80 - 82% B-

77 - 79% C+

73 - 76% C

70 - 72% C-

60 - 69% D

Below 60% F

*Final grades will be rounded up from .5 or above, so any percent that ends in .5 or higher will automatically be rounded up.  In other words, if a student has 89.5% in the class, it would be rounded up to 90%.

Contesting Grades: To contest a grade on an assignment or exam, you must meet with the professor during office hours or a scheduled appointment within 2 weeks after the assignment/exam is due.  After that time has passed, the grade cannot be contested.  The professor will not answer emails asking for personal extra credit (extra credit that is not available to the class as a whole).

Academic Integrity: All instances of cheating (including suspicion of cheating) may result in a grade deduction and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct.  This includes obtaining participation points or points from in-class activities when not in class.  During exams, if you are caught looking at other students’ exams, looking at course notes or materials, using your phone or other electronic devices, using wearable technology (e.g., smart watch/glasses), or leaving before turning in your exam, your exam can be taken from you and you may receive a zero on that exam. 

You may earn up to 3 SONA credits for up to 3% of extra credit added onto your final score.  For example, participating in 3 hours of SONA experiments would cause a student’s final grade to go from 90% to 93%.  Each SONA credit requires participating in about one hour of psychological experiments through the SONA system.  SONA is a web-based scheduling program that allows students to view, sign-up for, and participate in research experiments conducted by UC Merced faculty and graduate students.  

The UC Merced SONA website can be found at: ucmerced.sona-systems.com.  Here is an FAQ for the Sona Systems website.  Make sure to sign up for the correct class (using the correct course number and/or section number) on the SONA website or you will not be awarded SONA credit in this class.  However, you cannot participate in experiments if you are younger than 18 years old.  

If you are under age 18 or you do not wish to participate in experiments, you may receive extra credit by completing up to 3 research papers (each worth 1 experimental hours).  For more information about this option, click here.

SONA Instructions

For new participants that have never signed up for a SONA account in a previous semester: 

1) Go to http://ucmerced.sona-systems.com/ 

2) Click on “New Participant? Request an account here” on the left side of the page 3) Enter account information. When entering in your user ID, it is very important to use  your UC Merced email address; do not use Gmail, Hotmail, etc., in this section. On this  page you will also be able to specify what classes you wish to gain credit for via SONA. 4) Read through “Human subjects and privacy policy notice”. This is a list of your rights as  a participant. You must click to agree to these terms at the bottom of the page in order to  participate in SONA. 

5) Read instructions and complete the pre-screening process. This is a brief questionnaire  that asks you some basic questions about yourself. Your responses here are completely  anonymous. 

6) Once you have completed the pre-screening you will have access to your account. Once  you have access to your account you can: 

a. Edit your personal information, password, etc., from the “My profile” section. b. Sign up for studies “Study sign-up” section 

c. Manage credits that you have already earned or check on upcoming appointments  from the “My schedule & credits” section. 

For participants who have a preexisting account from a previous semester: 

1) All preexisting accounts will be automatically unlocked. 

2) Go to http://ucmerced.sona-systems.com/ 

3) Enter your login info at the SONA homepage (http://ucmerced.sonasystems.com/). Click  the “Forgot Password” link if you can’t remember your password. 

4) Confirm the “Human subjects and privacy policy notice” and take the brief questionnaire  again. 

All students 

If at any time there are any questions concerning this process, please email the SONA administrator, Cerena, at slee438@ucmerced.edu. You should receive a response within two (2)  business days. 

Researchers will grant all participation credits within 24 hours after the last day of classes.  All students should check their SONA credits as soon as possible after that and should  contact the SONA administrator about any questions or problems within 48 hours in order  to guarantee that these issues can be resolved.

Attending college is both exciting and challenging. UC Merced has an array of services to help you inside and outside the classroom.

• The Calvin E. Bright Success Center provides learning-support services that empower students to be successful in academic and personal development. The center aims to provide academic assistance to students through a collaborative effort campuswide, with the goal of helping students achieve academic success, overcome barriers, reach exciting milestones in their academic work and develop leadership skills.  

• The Center for Career and Professional Advancement (CCPA) empowers students and alumni to reach their full potential by offering services in career development, experiential education, employment and graduate school. To successfully accomplish this mission, the CCPA continuously fosters partnerships with employers, staff, administration and the greater community.

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides professional services for the emotional, personal and social wellbeing of students. The office offers short-term counseling services through individual, couple and group formats, as well as crisis intervention.

• Disability Services promotes equal educational access and full participation by and for students with disabilities in the rich academic and campus life environment at UC Merced. Staff members are available to answer questions and provide useful information to facilitate equal academic access to students with disabilities.

• Student Health Services helps students strive for maximum physical and emotional health while they’re pursuing their academic and personal goals at the university. Student Health Services is committed to providing the highest quality primary healthcare, in combination with health education and wellness promotion through caring, accessible and affordable services.

• Veteran Services offers a welcoming environment for veterans, reservists and their dependents. It provides assistance in obtaining the educational benefits to which they are entitled.

• The CARE Office provides response to and education about sexual violence, domestic/dating violence and stalking. It serves everyone affiliated with UC Merced including students and staff and faculty members. The program’s goals are to provide education on these topics for all incoming UC Merced students, provide trainings for people who may be first-responders on these issues and create a coordinated community response to best serve survivors and create a community where it is clear that sexual violence is unacceptable.

Here are other student services you may be interested in...

Basic Needs - Food Security

• Basic Needs Security refers to the food, housing, and wellness security of our community.

Financial Aid

• UC Merced is firmly committed to making a college education affordable for all students. With financial aid and scholarship resources, attending UC Merced is more affordable than you might think! 

H.E.R.O.E.S.

• Health Promotion department fosters a campus community that encourages positive health behaviors supportive of UC Merced students' academic success and well-being during their collegiate experience.

Office of the Ombuds

• The Office of the Ombuds is designed to serve as a safe, alternative channel for confidential, neutral and informal dispute resolution services.

Study Abroad

• UC Merced students can choose to study abroad with a variety of programs including UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), UC Summer Abroad (UCSA), or International Opportunities Program (IOP).

Student Accessibility Services

• • Here you will find resources including information on registration with the SAS office, requesting meetings, documentation guidelines as well parking and other campus resources.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC)

• • Fostering access to faculty-mentored research opportunities for undergraduate students from all academic disciplines with structured support and training to prepare for graduate studies and future careers.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Psychology major will:

1. Show knowledge of substantive content areas pertaining to the science of human sexuality, including the physiological, behavioral, cognitive, sociological, and evolutionary perspectives.

2. Engage the topic of human sexuality with curiosity and openness to outside perspectives and scientific findings.

3. Have a basic understanding of the reciprocal relationship between sex and culture, including how various cultures shape and restrain sexual expression (e.g., sex laws) and how sex affects various cultural practices (e.g., circumcision).

4. Develop the knowledge necessary to properly assess the validity of scientific and cultural claims about human sexuality.

5. Have a greater understanding of healthy variability in human sexuality (e.g., homosexuality) versus maladaptive sexual expression (e.g., sexual coercion).

UC Merced Guiding Principles

• Scientific Literacy: To have a functional understanding of scientific, technological and quantitative information, and to know both how to interpret scientific information and effectively apply quantitative tools; 

• Decision Making: To appreciate the various and diverse factors bearing on decisions and the know-how to assemble, evaluate, interpret and use information effectively for critical analysis and problem solving;

• Communication: To convey information to and communicate and interact effectively with multiple audiences, using advanced skills in written and other modes of communication;

• Self and Society: To understand and value diverse perspectives in both the global and community contexts of modern society in order to work knowledgeably and effectively in an ethnically and culturally rich setting;

• Ethics and Responsibility: To follow ethical practices in their professions and communities, and care for future generations through sustainable living and environmental and societal responsibility;

• Leadership and Teamwork: To work effectively in both leadership and team roles, capably making connections and integrating their expertise with the expertise of others;

• Aesthetic Understanding and Creativity: To appreciate and be knowledgeable about human creative expression, including literature and the arts; and 

• Development of Personal Potential: To be responsible for achieving the full promise of their abilities, including psychological and physical well-being 

UC Merced Academic Integrity Policies

POLICY ON MISSING/LATE WORK: 

If there are assignments in this course, they must be turned in or e-mailed to me (depending on the requirements of the assignment) no later than the due date posted for each assignment.  No late-work will be accepted, unless extenuating circumstances or hardships are deemed warranted by the professor.

POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: 

The University of California has outlined a general code of student conduct that can be accessed at policy.ucop.edu. Go to studentconduct.ucmerced.edu for the UC Merced code of academic conduct. 

All academic work is expected to be in compliance with this code. In the present class, any form of cheating or plagiarism is a serious offense. Cheating includes any attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead the instructor in arriving at an honest grade assessment. Plagiarism is a form of cheating that involves presenting, as one’s own the ideas or work of another. All work that is directly copied from other sources (e.g., a book, the internet) must be in quotation marks with full reference to the original source. Words that are paraphrased from the original into your own words do not have to be in quotation marks, but must include a reference to the original source. Violation of these policies may result in a grade of “F” in the assignment, and for repeated violations, a grade of “F” in the course.

SPECIAL NEEDS: 

UCM provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities, and services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should contact the professor as early as possible, and also contact the UCM Student Accessibility Services office at disabilityservices.ucmerced.edu. 

CLASSROOM CIVILITY:

Each UCM student is encouraged to help create an environment during class that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone. Students who speak at inappropriate times, sleep in class, display inattention, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by coming to class late, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phones or pagers in class, use inappropriate language, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others could be asked to leave the class and be subjected to disciplinary action. 

Students with Disabilities

University of California, Merced is committed to creating learning environments that are accessible to all. If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on a disability, please feel welcome to contact me privately so we can discuss options. In addition, please contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at (209) 228-6996 or disabilityservices@ucmerced.edu as soon as possible to explore reasonable accommodations. All accommodations must have prior approval from Student Accessibility Services on the basis of appropriate documentation.

If you anticipate or experience barriers due to pregnancy, temporary medical condition, or injury, please feel welcome to contact me so we can discuss options. You are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students for support and resources at (209) 228-3633 or https://studentaffairs.ucmerced.edu/dean-students.