Human Sexuality Minor

Brief Rationale for the Sexuality Minor

Since the way people express their sexuality differs from culture to culture and from generation to generation, analyzing sexuality provides a powerful tool for studying society. This minor in Human Sexuality examines the cultural representations and individual experiences of sexuality. It includes topics such as sexual attitudes and behaviors; sexual orientation and identity; transgender, transsexual, and intersexual identities (people who feel their gender and/or sexual identity does not conform to conventional notions); and queer theory (analyzing society from an outsider's viewpoint).

Approved Requirements for the Human Sexuality Minor (18 hours)

Requirement 1

One general survey course on human sexuality (3 hours).
HSES 489—Health and Human Sexuality*
SW 303—Human Sexuality in Everyday Life
PSYC 502—Human Sexuality*

Requirement 2

Three core courses (9 hours): This category includes courses with a primary focus on sexuality. Students should take at least one Humanities course and at least one Social or Biological Science course.

Core Courses from a Humanities Perspective

AAAS 598/HIST 598—Sexuality and Gender in African History
CLSX 315—Women in Ancient Art and Society
CLSX 374/HWC 374—Gender and Sexuality, Ancient and Modern
EALC 575—Love, Sexuality and Gender in Japanese Lit
HIST 608—History of Sexuality
PHIL 504—Philosophy of Sex and Love
REL 374—Religious Perspectives on Selfhood & Sexuality

Relevant special topics courses, including the following:

AMS 696—Gay American History
ENGL 590—Studies in: Queering English Lang Studies
FREN 440—Studies in French Culture: Gender Subversion (taught in French)
HWC 300—Studies in: Sex and Civilization
HWC 300—Studies in: Framing the Female Body
HWC 300—Studies in: The Forbidden: Gender, Sexuality, & Western Taboo
REL 602—Spec Topics in Relig: Sex & Gndr Rmn Cath Trad
WS 396—Studies in: Lesbian & Gay Cultres in Contemporary US
WS 396—Studies in: Popular African Fiction: Sex, Thrills, & Romance

Core Courses from a Social Science or Biological Science Perspective

AAAS 320/520—African Studies In: Religion, Power & Sexuality
Arab Soc ANTH 359—Anthropology of Sex
ANTH 660—Human Reproduction: Culture, Power, and Politics
POLS 640—Reproductive Policy
PSYC 410—Intimate Relationships
PSYC 555—Evolutionary Psychology
PSYC 690/WS 696—Conceptual Issues in Human Sexuality
WS 520—Women and Violence
Relevant special topics courses, including the following:
SOC 600—Sociological Perspectives: Sexuality

Requirement 3

Two additional General, Core, Secondary, or Research/Service courses (6 hours).

Research or Service Courses, By Petition (If relevant to sexuality)

Independent Study if relevant to sexuality
(e.g., PSYC 480, WS 498)
Service Learning if relevant to sexuality
(e.g., WS 650 Service Learning in Women's Studies)
Honors Thesis/Senior Essay/Honors Essay
(e.g., WS 499 Honors in WS) if relevant to sexuality

Other Information

Other courses might count by petition in any of the above categories depending on their content. Such courses could include special topics courses (e.g., WS 396/696 Studies in __; ENGL 590 Studies in __; PSYC 690 Seminar: __), new courses, or other courses. According to the KU Undergraduate Catalog 2006-2008, only "One course overlap is allowed between major requirements and minor requirements" (p. 64).