There are four kinds of 60 pt. written assignments which include: sex histories, field observations, the survey monkey project and an essay.  You may do a combination of these, depending on the grading option you choose.

Specifications for Written Assignments:

Assignments must be typed (use a computer) in a standard font (e.g. Times New Roman), in 11 or 12 points, using both upper and lower case script, double-spaced on 8 1/2 x 11" white paper and stapled on the left hand corner.  Your report should have standard margins and contain 3-4 pages of written text. The use of outside sources is not required, but if you do draw from publications, include a bibliography and footnotes.

SEX HISTORY:

For this assignment you will review your own sexual history.  Oral reports are not expected for this assignment.  What you turn in will be kept in complete confidence.  Topics that you might address can include:

1.

Your family.  Who you grew up with and what messages they conveyed regarding emotional and physical expression.

2.

Religion.  How involvement in religious practices affected your sexual beliefs and choices.

3.

Early messages about sex, reproduction, nudity, masturbation and pleasure.  Consider the “message” in things that were not openly discussed.

4.

Early memories of sexual feelings and experimentation with self and same/opposite sex peers.

5.

Expectations based upon your gender—how did it feel to be expected to act a certain way because you were male/female?

6.

Sexual feelings toward and/or experiences with adults before you became one.

7.

Your experience of puberty (menstruation, wet dreams, body changes, sexual feelings).

8.

First sexual experiences with another person and how you felt.

9.

Your sexual lifestyle and behavior from then until now including your current sexual activities (with self and with partners), practices and preferences.  If appropriate discuss your experience (or lack thereof) of orgasm.

10.

The most positive and negative sexual experiences of your life (and why).

11.

Your favorite sexual fantasies.

12.

Birth control/risk reduction methods used by you or your partner(s).

13.

What you like and don’t like about your body.

14.

Medical problems that have affected your sexuality and/or sexual concerns that you’ve had now or in the past and what you did about them.

15.

What you’d like your sexuality to be like 10 years from now.

1.

Conduct a brief conversation to get an overview of the areas you most want to

focus on relative to the sex history interview questions.

1.

Tape record the interview if possible.

2.

Don’t use leading questions: encourage your subject to describe events in their own words.

3.

Don’t let your subject ramble too much; focus them on the topics you want to follow.

BE REFLECTIVE: This means that you not only describe what the person said and his or her reactions, but also include your own reflection on what you heard, your own feelings, sensations, uncertainties, empathy, etc.  You will be graded on how well you include your own reflections -- your reactions, thoughts and feelings at the time of the interview and what you learned from the experience.

Essay Outline:

1. Title Page (pick something creative!)
2. Introduction/Statement of Problem/Issue
3. Discussion of Findings (the body of your essay--divide into subtopics)
4. Conclusion (include your own analysis)
5. Areas for Further Research (be creative!)
6. Bibliography (see format on last page)

Essay Specifications:

Written assignments need to be typed with standard margins (use a computer), in a standard font (e.g. Times New Roman) in 11 or 12 points, using both upper and lower case script and double-spaced on 8 ½ x 11” white paper. If you choose, you can illustrate your report with photographs, graphs, charts, and/or drawings.  Please cite all sources and include a bibliography.  (See last page for bibliography and footnote formats.)   Please, no fancy folders (a staple in the upper left corner is fine).  

Is Sex/Love Jealousy Natural?  Can You learn to not feel jealous?
Should Hermaphrodites have Genital Reconstruction Surgeries?
Should Genital Mutilations be Banned?
What does Love have to do with Sex?
Parallels between Human and Ape (e.g. chimp/bonobo) Sexualities
Swinging:  Is it safe?  Who participates and why?
Transgenderism: Is sexual reassignment surgery the answer?
Homosexuality: Ritual Expressions and Current Practice
Is Monogamy Natural?  Why do Some Cultures allow Polygamy?
Mormon Polygamy: Should the U.S. government interfere?
How Has Marriage Changed Over the Years
The Future of Marriage
Polyamory: Who Practices it and Why
Cyber Dating and Cyber Sex
Teen Sex and Teen Dating
Arranged Marriage: The Benefits and Liabilities
Sexual Initiations: A Cross-Cultural Exploration
Third Genders: Hijras, Berdache, Lady Boys
Does Hooking Up Hurt Young Women/Young Men?
Who Practices Endogamy and Why?
Gay Marriage: Should it Be Legalized?
Single Mothers: Who Becomes One and Why?
The Adoption Triangle: Birth Mothers, Adopting Families and Adoptees

The Survey Monkey Project will offer students the opportunity to conduct their own online surveys that can explore topics such as hooking up, the future of marriage, single mothers,  beliefs and practices regarding virginity, and beliefs and practices regarding endogamy.   To do this project you will need to create a survey monkey account by going to www.surveymonkey.com   If your questionnaire has ten questions or less your account will be free.  You can e-mail the link to your survey to friends and associates as well as post it on social networking sites such as Facebook and My Space.  At least 10 subjects should participate in your survey.   Following the collection of your data, you can use the Survey Monkey software to analyze your results.  You can  team up with up to four researchers and generate a group report.  (Four researchers must have at least 40 subjects responding to their survey.)

Please submit the link to your research site (as well as the site’s username and password) with your completed report.    Class time will be allocated for developing a questionnaire, discussing data collection strategies, and assisting students with data analysis.    To begin your questionnaire you might want to use the questions on this sample site: sample site.

Survey Monkey  Research Project Outline:

1. Title Page
2. Introduction
3. Research Methodologies
4. Discussion of Findings (illustrate with data charts)
5. Conclusions
6. Areas for Further Research
6. Bibliography