UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2023-2024

Program: Minor in Human Sexuality

Program Description

Students in the Human Sexuality minor at CSUN will choose from a range of courses that cover three areas of human sexuality: (1) Health and Clinical Components; (2) Social and Psychological Components; and (3) Gender, Cultural, and Humanistic Components of Human Sexuality. The minor is intended to provide students with an interdisciplinary field of study in human sexuality that will prepare them for careers in a variety of settings, including clinical mental health, social work, public health, education, public policy and sexuality research.

Program Requirements

Students must complete 6 units of coursework from each category. An additional 3 units can be completed from any of the categories or through an approved field study, for a total of 21 units. Note: At least 8 units must be upper division courses (300- and 400-level).

1. Health and Clinical Components of Human Sexuality (6 units)

Complete 6 units from the following courses:

ANTH 212 Anthropology of Sex (3)
BIOL 341 Human Pregnancy and Embryology (3)
FCS 441 Human Sexuality (3)
GWS 380 Sexual and Reproductive Health (3)
HSCI 131 Health and Society (3)
HSCI 231 Women and Health (3)
HSCI 369 Public Health Strategies in HIV and STI Prevention (3)

2. Social and Psychological Components of Human Sexuality (6 units)

Complete 6 units from the following courses:

FCS 340 Marriage and Family Relations (3)
PSY 421J Workshop in Development Sexuality (1)
PSY 421M Conflict Resolution in Intimate Relations (1)
PSY 421N Workshop in Human Sexuality (1)
PSY 453 Psychological Aspects of Human Sexuality (3)
SOC 230 Introduction to Human Sexual Behavior (3)
SOC 324 Sociology of Sex and Gender (3)
SOC 451 Sociological Aspects of Human Sexuality (3)
SOC 452 Sociology of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Communities (3)

3. Gender, Cultural and Humanistic Components of Human Sexuality (6 units)

Complete 6 units from the following courses:

AAS 455 Asian American Sexuality (3)
ANTH 152 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH 308 Gender and Culture (3)
ENGL 368 Gay Male Writers (3)
ENGL 369 Lesbian Writers (3)
GWS 410 Sex, Lies and Media (3)
GWS 430 Global Sexualities (3)
HIST 351 History of Sexual Behavior (3)
PHIL 303 Sexual Ethics (3)
PHIL 406 Philosophy of Sex, Gender, Sexuality (3)
QS 301 Perspectives in Queer Studies (3)
QS 369 The Nature of Queer (3)

4. Additional Units (3 units)

Choose 3 additional units from any category above, or choose one of the following courses or another approved field study with prior approval from one of the Human Sexuality minor coordinators.

FCS 494 Supervised Field Study (3)
HSCI 494 Academic Internship (3)
PSY 498 Practicum in Psychology (3)
SOC 498 Field Study (3)

Total Units Required for the Minor: 21

Contact

Coordinator: Bobbie Emetu
Department of Health Sciences
Jacaranda Hall (JD) 3533
(818) 677-7607

Coordinator: Stacy Missari
Department of Sociology
Santa Susana Hall (SN) 316
(818) 677-4996

Program Learning Outcomes

Students receiving a minor in Human Sexuality will be able to:

  1. Explore historical and contemporary theories of sexuality across a range of disciplines.
  2. Examine the ways in which gender, sexuality, race, class, etc., shape the social construction of sexuality through the examination of literature, history, philosophy, culture and/or society.
  3. Understand biological aspects of human sexuality, such as anatomy and physiology of sexual functioning, hormonal components, genetics, fetal development, birth process, sexual response and/or sexual dysfunction.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of how social problems impact individuals, interpersonal relationships, communities and societies to illustrate the range of various sexual beliefs, behaviors, practices and/or global issues in both western and non-western societies.
  5. Gain exposure to current sexual issues, such as sexually transmitted infections, violence, victimization or nontraditional sexuality.
  6. Explore methodology, data analysis and/or modalities of sex therapy used in the scientific study of human sexuality.
  7. Apply appropriate scientific methods to collect data, analyze, evaluate, explain and/or solve problems related to human sexual behavior.
  8. Identify structural-level elements that regulate sexuality, such as the healthcare system, health disparities, ethical standards and/or policy.