Psychology

Course Objectives:  The purpose of this course is to give students an overview of gender and reproduction using recent advances in psychology.  We will take an integrative approach using biological and social psychological explanations at the levels of mechanism and evolutionary function and include research from both human and non-human species.  We will focus on current research directions, conceptual issues, and controversies.  Emphasis will also be placed on developing the students' writing and oral skills through assignments and presentations.

Course Topics:  We will focus on the underpinnings and subsequent psychological effects of developmental and reproductive events, such as sexual development, mate choice, and decisions about reproduction.  We will also address basic issues such as "why sex?," "why two sexes?" and sexual selection, and discuss recent developments in the applied area of reproductive technologies.