Human Sexuality

Appropriate Course: Human Sexuality is a one-semester course taken as an elective at both two-and four-year schools. It is offered out of a variety of departments: psychology, behavioral and social sciences, health, sociology, biology, family studies/human ecology. The course examines human sexuality as a subject for scientific inquiry. Topics include evolution of human mating psychology, physical attraction, sexual arousal and behavior, sexual minorities and orientation, sexually-transmitted diseases and sexual dysfunctions, and sexual coercion. Human Sexuality, First Edition introduces students to the full diversity of human sexual expression as well as the various perspectives from which sexuality can be viewed--from biology, medicine, and evolutionary theory, to cognitive science, social psychology, feminism, and cross-cultural studies, to moral and political discourse. Rather than offering simple answers, the authors examine contentious or unresolved sexual questions with solid data and through a wealth of interpretive viewpoints. This scientific and intellictually-stimulating approach helps students develop critical-thinking skills, make informed decisions about their own sexual behavior, gain a clearer insight into the sexual behavior of others, and contribute constructively and non-judgmentally to the social debate on sexual issues.

LeVay is a British-born neuroscientist turned science writer and teacher, who has taught at Harvard U., the Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, the U. of California, and Stanford U.; Baldwin teaches sociology at the UC-Santa Barbara. As with past editions, the third edition of their textbook on human sexuality maintains and extends the authors' dedication to the evidence-based approach to examining and understanding the topic. In addition to bringing on board Baldwin as a new coauthor, the third edition features some reorganization of the material, incorporation of new findings from recent studies, updated statistics, information on new and emerging technologies and drugs, documentation of legal and political events related to sexuality and sexual behavior, changing social trends, and references to important texts published since the second edition. The text is accompanied by a companion website. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)