The Psychology of Human Sexuality

**COURSE SYLLABUS**

**The Psychology of Human Sexuality | Mondays 1:00pm-3:00pm | Department of Sexology at Harvard**

Dear Student: Welcome to Introduction to Human Sexuality!

The seminar is designed to expose students to the rich, complex world of human sexuality. For your assignments, you will be reading and critiquing a weekly selection of scientific papers on the subject of human sexuality. You will be assigned various articles from journals and other accredited publications including *The Archives of Sexual Behavior*, *Porn Studies*, *Sexualities*, and more. Topics examined in this course will include swinging, masturbation, polyamory, bisexuality, and the rise of the modern-day sex party. I will be facilitating the classroom discussion as well as conduct lectures, workshops, and other activities. I would like your thoughts on each of the distributed articles. Please comment on the reading’s distinct qualities, including the credibility and validity of the ideas, philosophies, and theories presented. Respectfully express your pleasure or distaste.

Your final project will be a filmic analysis of porn: then and now. You may comment on elements like storyline, camerawork, production quality, performance, and the like. You will be asked to categorize different genres of porn and how they’ve evolved over time. You can examine porn like it’s visual art. You can even go beyond the moving image, exploring boudoir photography and erotic literature. Alternatively, you can also create a national campaign promoting masturbation in sexual or public health. If you want to explore a different topic, please consult the professor in advance.

This seminar will develop students into budding sexologists and insightful critics. You will become quite the scholar on sex and the adult entertainment industry. With the knowledge of the nature and structure of this course, I will necessitate a long-term correspondence. This is a unique opportunity to review academic work on sex and kink — and perhaps contribute your own!

Please note that applications for the course must be submitted by November 1st. However, this deadline will be extended to accommodate late enrollees. My recommendation to benefit your admission: good writing is key to success. I will ask that you explain your interest in my course in your application.

**Required Texts**

(1) *The Psychology of Human Sexuality* by Dr. Justin Lehmiller

(2) *Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What it Means for Modern Relationships* by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha

(3) *Untrue: Why Nearly Everything We Believe About Women, Lust, and Infidelity Is Wrong and How the New Science Can Set Us Free* by Wednesday Martin, Ph.D.

(4) *Plays Well in Groups: A Journey Through the World of Group Sex* by Katherine Frank

**Week 1: Readings**

These articles will be circulated via PDF. I have spent ample time curating the syllabus with the finest in work on human sexuality.

(1) “Women’s ‘Ethical’ Pornographic Spectatorship” by Olga Marques in *Sexuality & Culture*

(2) “Mononormativity, Polypride, and the “Mono–Poly Wars” by Jorge Ferrer in *Sexuality & Culture*

(3) “Changes in the Swinging Lifestyle: a US National and Historical Comparison” by Claire Kimberly in *Culture, Health, and Sexuality*

(4) “Attitudes and Experiences of Swinging Couples” by Justin Wilt in *Psychology & Sexuality*

You will have ample time to complete your requirements! Your first assignment is awaiting.

I look forward to your response. I wish you the best of luck with course selection this semester.

**My Best,**

**Professor of Sexology at Harvard University**

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*Disclaimer: Please note that aside from the readings, the above text is fictitious.*

Source: reddit.com/r/eroticliterature/comments/9prbq1/the_psychology_of_human_sexuality