easy for Human Sexuality
These journal entries are reaction papers that will ask you to reflect on your own sexual ideas, attitudes,
opinions, criticisms and experiences. In no case are you required to engage in any sort of sexual behavior
or to disclose personal sexual information about which you are uncomfortable. The goal of the personal
reflections is to encourage you to integrate psychological information about sexuality with your own
ideas, opinions, questions and experiences. Here are a few suggestions: What do you think about a
particular topic? Is there something in the news or something a friend has experienced that directly relates
to something in class? How does it relate? Is there something that was discussed in class that you had a
thought about but didn’t mention in class? What is the practical significance or value of theories and/or
research findings? Please do not summarize the book (besides, I’ve already read the book). The goal of
your journal writing is to let me know you have thought about what you are writing. If you include
personal content it will remain confidential (unless the content suggests you are in grave danger of hurting
yourself or others or are abusing children or elders). Entries of a personal nature will be respected, but
each student has the right and responsibility to reveal only what feels comfortable to him or her.
Six reaction papers are to be included in your journal writing. Each journal entry will be worth 10 points
for a total of 60 points.
Instructions for your journal entries are specified at the end of this worksheet
(entries 1 and 6 are specific).
You may choose the topics for the other four and write 1 complete page
(minimum), typed, about your reaction to the material, ideas, thoughts, questions, personal experiences
and/or memories associated with the chapter content.
Journal #1
: When you were growing up (
childhood through adolescence
), what were the implicit
(unspoken) or explicit (spoken) message about sex? How did your family background/gender
expectations/religious(as a muslim) development/values/ethnicity & culture/morals contribute to your understanding
about sex and your sexuality? What were the sexual societal norms when you were growing up? This is
intended for you as a personal learning exercise. It will not be graded, per se since it is impossible and
inappropriate to evaluate another person’s sexual reflections. You will receive points for thoughtfully
completing this reflection
Journal #6:
For your last reaction paper, please address the following: (a) Have
current
sexual societal
norms changed since you were a child? What do you agree or disagree with about societal norms now?
Compare and contrast what you learned growing up and what you believe as an adult. (b) What has been
your experience of this class (content, process, discussions)? How has your understanding of sexuality
changed as a result of this class? How has this class impacted your view of yourself and your own
sexuality? How has this class impacted your view of others and their sexuality? What is at least one thing
you learned in class that was helpful or interesting? Suggestions to improve the class? Other comments?
