Syllabus

Tentative Outline of Class Topics

Class 1: Introduction: Why Sex?

Sex is a chore. Biologically speaking, it is an expensive method of reproduction. Why have sex when asexual reproduction is faster, more direct, and less energy consuming. There must be something about sex. To explore this idea, we will trace evolutionary thought from natural selection to the Tangled Bank Theory to the Red Queen while stopping to examine a small, dangerously toxic salamander along the way.

Class 2: The Art of Sex

Here we will begin to narrow our scope to focus on the sexual patterns of one particular species of hairless chimpanzees. But finding records of very early human perspectives on sexually proves to be rather difficult as no extant writing remains from the time period prior to the advent of writing. So we turn instead to a universal language: art. We will look at cave paintings to contemplate the question of the extent to which our genetic composition affects seemingly abstract feats such as art and love. We will then explore the development of sculpture from Egyptian masonry to Hellenistic art to the modern day.

Class 3: Forces of Attraction

Your genes determine what attracts you physically. Or, at least, certain scientists who call themselves evolutionary psychologists claim as much. What are the claims of evolutionary psychology? If its predictions are correct, what are the implications of this theory? What are the critiques of evolutionary psychology and what can we learn from all this?

Class 4: Battle of the Sexes

Men are from Mars. Women are from Venus. Men are aggressive breadwinners. Women are passive nurturers of the home. That is, unless you look more closely at various societies during various time periods. What defines gender roles? How much of it is nature and how much is a product of nurture? Furthermore, even if a consensus could be met on the first question, what implications would this have legally? We will have an in-class debate on this topic based on the readings.

Class 5: Sexual Variance

Until this class, we will have discussed primarily heterosexual coupling between two adults. This scenario, however, fails to account for the stunning variety of sexual activity that occurs. This class will try to delve, in a mature manner, into cases of “untraditional” sexuality: homosexuality, pedophilia, The Lolita Complex, beastiality, and fetishes through history and studies. The goal of this class is to offer grounds for better understanding and does not try to cast value judgments on these issues.

Class 6: Love

“Love,” the Beatles insist, “is all you need.” But what is love? Throughout the course, excerpts from poets and writers will be assigned to give meditation to the concept of love. Such meditations will be elicited in our discussion in class. Furthermore, we will explore the history of various conceptions of love from ancient times to the present and then consider neurological perspectives on love.

Class 7: Marriage

The recent political debates over gay marriage highlight ongoing general shifts in the conventional and legal conceptions of marriage. To better address this controversial issue, we will briefly survey the history of marriage across societies and time. We will look at the social and legal revolutions that led into the woman’s rights movement, divorce laws, and the sexual revolution.

Class 8: The Future of Love and Marriage

This class is currently slated to serve as a setting to tie up loose ends.

Class 9: A Movie (I recommend Kinsey)