Maricopa Community Colleges  COM260   20016-20066 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 06/26/01
COM260 20016-20066 LEC 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
Communication of Sex and Sexual Identity
Communication of personal, interpersonal, and cultural messages about sexuality. Prerequisites: COM100 and permission of instructor.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
COM260   20016-20066 Communication of Sex and Sexual Identity
1. Identify the various sources of communication relating to sexual identity in our society and describe the impact of these sources on the development of personal sexual identity. (I)
2. Outline the development of sexual identity as a personal process. (II)
3. Describe communicational processes in the formation of sexual scripts. (II)
4. Identify one's own process of intrapersonal communication in the development of sexual scripts and sexual identity. (II,III)
5. Describe the various factors involved in shaping the communication of messages related to sexual behavior and sexual identity in Western society and explain the influence these messages may have on individuals and on their relationships. (III)
6. Describe the communication of sexual messages from a cross- cultural perspective and explain the effects of these variations on the development of sexual identity and perceptions of what is defined as "normal". (IV)
7. Review the messages regarding gender and gender attraction commonly communicated in U.S. society and describe how these messages may affect self and others. (V)
8. Review the messages regarding non-marital sexuality commonly communicated in U.S. society and describe how these messages may affect self and others. (V)
9. Review the messages regarding sexuality and marriage commonly communicated in U.S. society and describe how these messages may affect self and others. (V)
10. Identify and describe a variety of current issues related to the communication of sexual messages and describe the impact of these issues from both the public and individual perspectives. (VI)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
COM260   20016-20066 Communication of Sex and Sexual Identity
    I. Communication and Sexual Identity
        A. Sources of messages
          1. Family and Peers
          2. Religious
          3. Mass Media
          4. Formal Educational System
          5. Other
        B. Impact on sexual identity
          1. Family and Peers
          2. Religious
          3. Mass Media
          4. Formal Educational System
          5. Other
      II. Sexual Identity as an Individual Process
          A. Early messages of sexuality
            1. Direct definitions – verbal and non-verbal
            2. Identity scripts
            3. Attachment styles
          B. Learning of Sexual Scripts
          C. Puberty
            1. Influence of peers vs family
            2. Influence of mass media
          D. Intrapersonal communication
          E. Interpersonal communication F Communication from institutions and media
          G. Sexual identity throughout the life-span
        III. Sex Communication in Western Society
            A. Historical perspectives
            B. Cultural perspectives
              1. Definitions of masculine and feminine
              2. Influence of language
              3. Influence of labeling
            C. Sexual communication taboos
              1. Situational communication
              2. Sexual harassment
              3. Childhood sexuality
              4. Other
            D. Interpersonal communication of sexual messages
              1. Listening skills
              2. Self Disclosure
              3. The effects of gender on interpersonal communication
              4. Negotiations of relationship and activities
            E. Public communication: who and to what effect
          IV. Cross-cultural Variations in Communication of Sexual Messages
              A. Variations in the taboos of communication
              B. Variations in messages of masculinity and femininity
              C. Variations in interpersonal and intrapersonal communication
              D. Other
            V. Communication of Sexuality within U.S. Society
                A. Messages related to gender and gender attraction
                  1. Stereotypes
                  2. Myths
                  3. Sources of messages
                  4. Influence on sexual identity
                B. Messages related to non-marital sexuality
                  1. Stereotypes
                  2. Myths
                  3. Sources of messages
                  4. Influence on sexual identity
                C. Sexual messages related to marriage
                  1. Stereotypes
                  2. Myths
                  3. Sources of messages
                  4. Influence on sexual identity
              VI. Special Issues in the Communication of Sexual Messages
                  A. Pornography vs. erotica
                  B. Sex and discounted populations
                    1. Elderly
                    2. Disabled
                    3. Other special populations
                  C. Sex education
                  D. Other
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