Gender and Sexuality from edX

In this course, you will learn about the concepts of sex, gender, and sexuality and their development over the lifespan. Sex characteristics will be considered in terms of developmental changes during prenatal development, puberty, midlife, and old age. Likewise, gender and gender identity will be explored during various stages of the lifespan through the use of well-studied psychological theories. Gender will be explored as a social construct and differences among children and adults in countries around the world will be considered, including the influence of gender stereotypes and gender roles. The continuum of sexual identity will be discussed, along with how it is distinct from sexual attraction and sexual behavior. Then, the course will explore the development of sexual behaviors over the lifespan, including risky sexual behaviors and possible consequences. Finally, romantic attraction and romantic love are compared with an examination of common relationship statuses.

Throughout the course, you are encouraged to apply the information to areas in your everyday life ranging from social interactions with colleagues and friends, to parenting, along with your past experiences and personal development.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Distinguish the concepts of sex and gender.
Describe biological development across the lifespan related to sex assigned at birth.
Explain prominent theories of gender development.
Describe cultural variability in gender constructs.

Contrast the development of diverse sexual identities.
Describe variability in sexual behaviors.
Explain possible consequences of sexual behaviors.
Summarize variability in romantic relationships.

Distinguish the concepts of sex and gender.
Describe biological development across the lifespan related to sex assigned at birth.
Explain prominent theories of gender development.
Describe cultural variability in gender constructs.
Contrast the development of diverse sexual identities.
Describe variability in sexual behaviors.
Explain possible consequences of sexual behaviors.
Summarize variability in romantic relationships.

Syllabus

Sex and Gender: What's the Difference?

Sex Development and Implications

Prenatal Development

Puberty

Climacteric

Gender Development

Gender Development: Biological and Evolutionary Theories

Gender Variability Across Cultures

Sexual Identity

Sexual Behavior and Consequences

Sexual Behavior

Consequenes of Sexual Behaviors

Love and Romance

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores sex, gender, and sexuality from a lifespan perspective, providing valuable insights for personal and professional growth

Taught by experts in the field of psychology, ensuring credibility and relevance of the content

Covers a wide range of topics, from biological development to cultural influences, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter

Applies the concepts to everyday life, making the learning practical and relatable

Suitable for individuals interested in psychology, education, social work, or any field related to human development

Requires engagement in discussions and activities, fostering active participation and knowledge retention

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Gender and Sexuality with these activities:

Review Key Concepts Related to Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

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Ensures a solid foundation for understanding the course material.

Browse courses on Sex

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Go back to your notes or textbooks from previous courses that covered related topics.
Read articles or watch videos to refresh your knowledge on the basic concepts.

Explore Online Resources on the History of LGBTQ+ Rights

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Expands your knowledge of the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community.

Browse courses on LGBTQ+ History

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Identify reputable organizations or websites that provide historical information on the LGBTQ+ community.
Explore online tutorials and resources that cover different time periods and milestones.
Take notes or summarize key points from your research.

Complete Gender Stereotype Recognition Exercises

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Raises awareness of gender stereotypes and their impact on society.

Browse courses on Gender Stereotypes

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Find online or print exercises that present various scenarios.
Analyze each scenario and identify the gender stereotypes being used.
Discuss your findings with a friend or colleague.

Four other activities

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Join a Gender Equality Discussion Group

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Provides a safe space to discuss and challenge gender norms and stereotypes.

Browse courses on Gender Equality

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Find a local or online discussion group focused on gender equality.
Attend group meetings and actively participate in discussions.
Share your perspectives and listen to the experiences of others.

Create a Gender Identity and Expression Journal

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Helps you explore and reflect on your own gender identity and expression.

Browse courses on Gender Identity

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Establish a dedicated notebook or digital journal.
Write daily entries exploring your thoughts and feelings about your gender identity and expression.
Review and reflect on previous entries.

Create a Comprehensive Course Notes Summary

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Helps you organize and synthesize the information presented in the course.

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Attend all lectures and take detailed notes.
Review your notes regularly and fill in any gaps.
Create a dedicated notebook or digital document to compile your notes.
Organize the notes by topic or lecture.
Include summaries, key points, and any additional resources or insights you find.

Develop an Educational Blog Post on Sexual Health

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Enhances your understanding of sexual health issues and empowers you to share knowledge with others.

Browse courses on Sexual health

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Research and gather information from reputable sources.
Choose a specific topic related to sexual health.
Write a well-structured blog post that presents accurate and informative content.
Publish your blog post on an online platform or share it with friends and family.

Career center

Learners who complete Gender and Sexuality will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sex Therapist

Sex Therapists help people understand and improve their sexual lives. This course is directly relevant to that work and will help you understand the development of sexual behavior and the continuum of sexual identities. It will also provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to help clients address sexual concerns and improve their sexual relationships.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sex Therapist

Sexuality Educator

Sexuality Educators provide education about sexual health and behavior. This course will help you understand the different factors that influence sexual health and behavior. It will also provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to develop and deliver effective sexuality education programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sexuality Educator

Youth Counselor

This course covers the developmental aspects of gender and sexuality from childhood to adolescence. This topic is paramount to the role of a Youth Counselor. Additionally, this course covers the potential consequences of sexual behaviors, which is an essential topic for working with youth.

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Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Psychologists diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. This course would directly support that work. The course's lens on sex, gender, and sexuality will help you understand clients' experiences. The course will increase your ability to develop effective treatment plans that involve all aspects of a client's life. This course directly covers sex, gender, and sexuality development and behavior over a lifespan, which will prepare you for work with all kinds of clients.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study the behavior of humans in different cultures. This course will help you understand how sex, gender, and sexuality are shaped by culture. It will also provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to conduct research on these topics. A key module in this course is the exploration of gender variability across cultures. This is a major part of the work that Anthropologists engage in.

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Family Therapist

One area this course covers is that of romantic attraction, relationships, and the variability in them. This is directly applicable to the work of a Family Therapist. Family Therapists will be working with families in many relationship constellations and will need an academic understanding of what healthy relationships look like. This course will help prepare you to work with families, regardless of their makeup.

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Sex Offender Treatment Specialist

This course will equip you with a strong understanding of sexual development and behavior, including knowledge of the continuum of sexual identities and the different factors that influence sexual behavior. You will also gain a solid foundation in the principles and techniques of sex offender treatment, which will help you to develop and deliver effective treatment programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sex Offender Treatment Specialist

Sociologist

Sociologists study the social behavior of groups and societies. This course's focus on the development of gender is directly relevant to that work and will help you understand the cultural norms and expectations that influence the behavior of people in different groups. This course will help you build a foundation in the study of gender that will be useful in your research and analysis of social behavior.

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Health Educator

Health Educators are responsible for creating and implementing programs that promote health and wellness. This course will help you understand the different factors that influence sexual health and behavior. It will also provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to develop and deliver effective health education programs that address sexual health issues.

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Marriage and Family Therapist

Marriage and Family Therapists help couples and families improve their relationships. This course will help you understand the different factors that influence romantic relationships. It will also provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to help couples and families address relationship concerns and improve their overall well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marriage and Family Therapist

Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with difficult life circumstances. This course will help you understand the different factors that can influence sexual behavior and well-being. It will also provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to help clients address sexual concerns and improve their overall well-being.

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Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

This course will give you a foundation in the development of gender and sexuality. It will cover such topics as gender roles, gender identity, and sexual orientation. This knowledge will be useful to you in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders in children and adolescents.

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Obstetrician-Gynecologist

The course will specifically address the sexual behavior of adults and the development of sexual behaviors. This knowledge is essential for OBGYNs as they provide care to adults. The course will also give a high-level view of gender development throughout the lifespan. OBGYNs work with people of all ages and should be well-versed in matters of gender.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers study the needs and wants of consumers. This course will help you understand how sex, gender, and sexuality influence consumer behavior. This knowledge will be valuable in developing marketing campaigns that are targeted to specific consumer groups.

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School Teacher

Sex education is now mandated in some form in 38 different states. This course will provide teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to teach this sensitive topic in a comprehensive and age-appropriate way. It will help you create a safe and inclusive classroom environment for all students, and provide a solid foundation for teaching about sex, gender, and sexuality in a modern and informed way.

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