Behav100: Human Sexuality

Sue Frantz

 

How to take notes on the textbook

 

Your textbook (Sexuality Now.) is written using an outline, which you can see in the headings.  Here is the barebones outline for Chapter 1.

 

I. Human sexuality in a diverse world [green highlight]

    A. Only human: What is sexuality? [orange print]

    B. Why are we here? Goals for the human sexuality course

    C. Sex sells: The impact of the media

II. The early evolution of human sexuality

    A. Stand up and look around: Walking erect

    B. Sexuality in ancient Mediterranean

        1. The Hebrews [black italics]

        2. Greece(1000-200B.C.)

        3. Rome ((fifth century B.C. to seventh century A.D.)

    C. Sexuality in ancient Asia

        1. China

        2. India

III. Sexuality from St. Paul to Queen Victoria

    A. Early Christianity -- chastity becomes a virtue

    B. The Middle Ages: Eve the temptress, Mary the virgin

    C. Islam: A new religion

    D. The Renaissance: The pursuit of knowledge

    E. The Reformation: The protestant marital partnership

IV. The Enlightenment and the Victorian era

    A. The Enlightenment

    B. The Victorian era

V. Sex in American history

    A. The colonies: The Puritan ethic

    B. The United States: Freedom -- and slavery -- in the New World.

        1. The liberalization of sex

        2. Slavery

    C. The 19th century: Polygamy, celibacy, and Comstock laws

    D. The 20th century: Sexual crusaders and sexologists

        1. The sexual hygiene movement

        2. Sexology

        3. Feminism

        4. Gay liberation

 

Now that you have the skeleton, it’s time to fill in the content.  Each paragraph has a point that it makes.  Find the point in each paragraph and drop it into your outline.  You may find that you need to take more notes in areas that you are less familiar with, and fewer notes in areas where you have prior knowledge. 

 

Include examples from your own life whenever you can. 

 

Here's a more detailed example through the top of page 6.  Notice that what is in the outline is much more than just the bold-faced and italicized terms. 

 

In the notes below I have sometimes copied information verbatim or I've paraphrased in such a way that would constitute plagiarism.  This is fine if you are using your notes for you and only you.  However, if you plan on using your notes to write a paper, then this in NOT a good idea.  Instead, copy exactly and put the words in "quotation marks" or paraphrase so that there is no resemblance to the original.

 

****************************************************************

 

I. Human sexuality in a diverse world

    A. Only human: What is sexuality?

1. Sexuality (feelings and behaviors concerning sex) is unique to humans and is grounded in biological functioning.

2. Studied by sexologists and many other disciplines.

3. Our society is conflicted about sexuality -- it's all around us, yet we are often conflicted

    Examples: free to explore vs. strong moral restrictions; teach children about safety, but not safe sex

Sex Facts & Fantasies Box: Why is sexuality so wrapped up in morality?

1. It's a basic drive that involves someone else -- must take someone else's feelings, needs, fears, and concerns into consideration

2. It's related to love bonds and procreation -- most societies create rules around sexuality to control population size and to ensure that everyone can be cared for (e.g., accidental births, 'illegitimate' births).

3. Sexual drive emerges late -- must learn to cope with this at the same time one is learning to be an adult

    B. Why are we here? Goals for the human sexuality course

1. develop broad and accurate knowledge base

2. understand influences on development of sexual knowledge, attitudes, relationships, and behaviors

3. understand society's attempts to regulate sexuality

4. identify trends and changes that have influenced attitudes and values

5. understand bio basis and the political, media-related, and ethical issues

6. become more comfortable talking about sex

    C. Sex sells: The impact of the media

1. Live in a visual culture (tv, ads, books, magazines, etc.)

2. Many images are explicitly or subtly sexual

3. The internet has changed access to sexual information, patterns of communication and relationships

4. Teens rate media as 2nd source of sex info (school in #1); info in media is often inaccurate w/ little info on contraception, STIs, pregnancy

 

***************************************************

 

If you have taken good notes on the chapter, you will not need to reread the chapter.  

 

Read through your notes twice a day.  Actively read through.  By actively, I mean, remind yourself what example goes with that information.  Think as you read.  If you reach a spot in your notes where you are unsure what you meant, go back to the module and remind yourself, and then amend your notes. 

 

If you put in this time up front, it will mean less time spent studying later, AND it will mean greater comprehension and retention.