Human Sexuality: The Basics

Description

Human Sexuality: The Basics presents the core information underlying the vast subject of human sexuality in a concise, no-frills manner that is easy for students to read and comprehend. Not only is this text half the cost and size of other human sexuality texts on the market, it is unique in that it has a chapter on the genetics and inheritance of sexual anatomy, sexual development, and sexual abnormalities. Emphasis on the biological basis of sexuality provides students with a structure to understand the important aspects of sexuality presented in other chapters. This approach also provides the basis for encouraging tolerance, acceptance, and understanding of different sexual preferences and behaviors.

Critical thinking questions at the end of each chapter along with learning objectives, summaries, and definitions of terms, facilitate learning by students. The goal of this text is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enable them to understand and to express their sexuality in healthy and enjoyable ways at all stages of life.

Key Features

• Dear Penelope letters answer questions and lend advice about relationships, sexuality, and sexual health
• Healthy Sexuality boxes provide more in-depth coverage of topics addressed in the chapter. Examples include contraceptive availability, sexually transmitted infections, and anti-aging hormones
• Critical Thinking About Sexuality boxes ask questions related to content covered in the chapter and require the reader to go beyond the information presented to draw a more meaningful use of the content
• Recommended Resources at the end of each chapter allow students to further explore topics of interest
• Chapter 7 on the genetics and inheritance of sexual anatomy, sexual development, and sexual abnormalities thoroughly discusses topics that are often overlooked in human sexuality courses

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction to the Study of Sex and Sexuality
Chapter 2 Male Sexual Biology
Chapter 3 Female Sexual Biology
Chapter 4 Pregnancy and Childbirth
Chapter 5 Fertility Control and Abortion
Chapter 6 Avoiding Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS
Chapter 7 Genetics and Inheritance
Chapter 8 Sexuality Development Across the Lifespan
Chapter 9 The Sexual Self
Chapter 10 Sexual Arousal and Response
Chapter 11 Love and Intimate Relationships
Chapter 12 Sexual Coercion and Assault

About the Author(s)

Gordon Edlin, PhD-Professor of Genetics Emeritus, University of California, Davis, California

Gordon Edlin, PhD, has a bachelor's degree in physics from MIT and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Oregon. He was a professor of genetics at the University of California, Davis, for 22 years, where his research focused on the molecular biology of microorganisms. His interest in health was dramatically increased after he was tear-gassed on the Berkeley campus in the late 1960s while protesting the Vietnam War. Although his approach to health and medicine is scientific, he also has considerable experience with alternative medicines.

Eric Golanty, PhD-Las Positas College

Eric Golanty has a bachelor's and a master's degree in biochemistry for the University of California - Berkeley and a PhD in human development and family studies from the University of California - Davis. He currently teaches personal health and human sexuality at Las Positas College in Livermore, California, where he also develops distance learning programs and trains faculty in educational uses of the Internet. Before joining the staff at Las Positas College, he taught human sexuality at University of California - Davis for 10 years and supervised peer health counseling and educator training in the health education program in the student health center.