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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Philosophy of Sexuality
Course: PHI218

First Term: 2012 Spring
 Lecture   3 Credit(s)   3 Period(s)   3 Load  
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S


Description: Philosophical examination of sexuality in human life. Historical and critical survey of philosophical and theological views. Comparison and evaluation of contemporary theories about the nature of sexual desire and sexual acts. Implications of theories for contemporary moral problems.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify and evaluate key philosophers and theologians who have treated the subject of sexuality. (I)
2. Describe the views of key philosophers and theologians through written or oral work designed to emphasize the historical development of topics in the philosophy of sexuality. (II)
3. Contrast and criticize reductionist and expansionist theories related to sexuality through written or oral work designed to build on the research gleaned from the historical section and the feedback provided from the earlier written or oral work. (III)
4. Apply principles of philosophy and ethics to contemporary questions and issues related to human sexuality that create innovative solutions to perennial problems of sexuality. (III)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Historical Background: Philosophers on Sexuality
   A. Ancient Greek Philosophers
      1. Socrates
      2. Plato
      3. Aristotle
      4. Epicurus
   B. Christian theologians
      1. St. Paul
      2. Augustine
      3. Aquinas
      4. Luther
      5. Calvin
   C. Modern philosophers
      1. Hume
      2. Kant
      3. Schopenhauer
      4. Russell
II. The Metaphysics of Sexuality
   A. Reductionist theories
      1. Goldman
      2. Taylor
   B. Expansionist theories
      1. Nagel
      2. Sartre
      3. Solomon
III. The Morality of Sexuality
   A. Feminism
      1. Gender differences
      2. Gender based speech
   B. Sexual orientation
   C. Monogamy and marriage
   D. Pornography
   E. Prostitution
   F. Autoeroticism
   G. Reproductive ethics
      1. Surrogacy
      2. Abortion
      3. In vitro fertilization
   H. Sexuality transmitted diseases
   I. Cybersex and sexting
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 5/24/2011

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.