University Studies Proposal for

HUMAN REPRODUCTION

BIOLOGY 269

Ed W. Thompson Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology

Department or Program: Biology Department

Course Number: Biology 269

Number of Credits: 3 SH

Course Title: Human Reproduction

Catalog Description: The biology of human reproduction. This course

presents a basic yet comprehensive

survey of many aspects of human reproduction. Topics include anatomy and

physiology, sexual response,

conception and contraception, sexual maturation and aging, infertility,

birth defects, and sexually

transmitted diseases. Lecture and discussion. No prerequisites. Offered yearly.

Is this an existing course which has previously been approved by A2C2? Yes

Is this a new course proposal? No

Department contact person for this course: Ed W. Thompson

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .email:

thompson@winona.edu

Course Requirements:

A. Basic Skills:

1. College Reading and Writing ____

2. Oral Communication ____

3. Mathematics ____

4. Physical Development and Wellness ____

B. Arts and Sciences Core:

1. Humanities ____

2. Natural Sciences ____ With lab ____ Without lab ____

3. Social Sciences ____

4. Fine and Performing Arts ____

C. Unity and Diversity:

1. Critical Analysis ____

2. Science and Social Policy _X__

3a. Global Perspectives ____

3b. Multicultural Perspectives ____

4a. Contemporary Citizenship ____

4b. Democratic Institutions ____

D. Flagged Courses

1. Writing ____

2. Oral ____

3a. Mathematics / Statistics ____

3b. Critical Analysis ____

Approval /Disapproval Recommendations

Department Recommendation: Approved

Chairperson's Signature - Paper copy signed

Dean's Recommendation: Approved

Dean's Signature - Paper copy signed

USS Recommendation: Approved 4/11/2001

USS Director's Signature ___(on paper copy)_____________

A2C2 Recommendation: Approved ____ Disapproved ____ Date _______

A2C2 Chair's Signature _____________________________ Date _______

Faculty Senate Recommendation: Approved ____ Disapproved ____ Date _______

FA President's Signature _________________________________ Date _______

Academic Vice President's Recommendation: Approved ____ Disapproved ____

Date _______

Academic VP's Signature _______________________________ Date _______

President's Decision: Approved ____ Disapproved ____ Date _______

President's Signature _________________________________ Date _______

Overview of Biology 269 - Human Reproduction

This course is an introductory study of various aspects of human

reproduction for students with little or no background in

biology or chemistry. The course begins with an overview of human

reproduction and life cycles, inheritance, and the

anatomy and physiology of both male and female reproductive systems.

Sexuality, sexual response, and sexual intercourse

are then discussed from biological, social, and historical perspectives.

Human development from conception through

adulthood is presented, including issues of infertility, contraception, and

birth defects. Sexually transmitted diseases are

integrated at a number of intervals throughout the course. The last three

weeks of the course are devoted to student

presentations of social, political, and/or ethical implications of a topic

of their choice within the broad field of reproductive

topics. Throughout the course, student discussions are also used to explore

historical, social, political, and ethical aspects of

the topics presented in lectures and readings, focussing on the

relationships of these to the formulation of public policy

decisions.

Material Submitted for Course Approval:

1. Course proposals must address all specified outcomes

and

2. Course proposals must include documentation of course requirements and

learning activities designed

to meet the course outcomes specified for the area.

a. Requirements and learning activities that promote students' abilities to

understand the scientific foundations

of the topic. Through readings and lectures, this course provides students

with a basic understanding of the anatomy and

physiology of the human reproductive system; the principles of genetics,

inheritance, human development and childbirth; and

the physiology and psychology of human sexual response. It also discusses

the population concerns which relate to human

reproductive decisions.

b. Requirements and learning activities that promote students' abilities to

understand the social, ethical,

historical, and/or political implications. The social, ethical, historical,

and political implications of such topics as sexual

activity, contraception, abortion, sexual activity, and sexually

transmitted diseases will be addressed through readings and

student discussions as well as integrated into lectures on these topics.

Approximately three hours of material from The

History of Sex, aired in 1999 by The History Channel, will be integrated

into this course. Students will select topics in the

field of human reproduction and prepare oral presentations on their social,

political, and/or ethical implications.

c. Requirements and learning activities that promote students' abilities to

understand and articulate the need to

integrate issues of science with social policy. Discussions of the social

and political implications of such topics as sexual

activity, contraception, abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases (noted

in "b" above) will include how these are related to

either current or proposed social policies. Such policies relating to birth

defects and the care of premature infants are also

frequent topics of student discussions and presentations.

d. Requirements and learning activities that promote students' abilities to

evaluate the various policy options

relevant to the social dilemmas posed by the science. This outcome will

primarily be met through student discussions of

the topics noted above in "b" and "c". Nonscientific magazines, newspapers,

etc. commonly discuss these issues in the

context of public policy options and their consequences, and articles in

these sources are used to stimulate and guide the

discussions. Students' oral presentations often evaluate policy options on

reproductive topics.

e. Requirements and learning activities that promote students' abilities to

articulate, choose among, and defend

various policy and/or scientific options to cope with the challenges

created. As noted above, students will discuss the

social ramifications of policy choices relating to the issues identified in

"b" above or related topics, often taking positions in

favor or opposing specific policy options.

3. The course syllabus must include a course description (e.g. a syllabus

or course outline for distribution

to students) that clearly identifies to the student the course as a

University Studies Course.

and

4. The course syllabus (e.g. a syllabus or course outline for distribution

to students) should include

information directed to the student that clearly identifies course

activities and assignments that address the

course outcomes.

A link to a draft of the course syllabus is included below. Specific dates

and other details will need to be adjusted each year.

5. (this course is not part of a sequence)

6. The USS may request other material (e.g. textbooks) for review in

evaluating a course proposal

and

7. The USS may request additional information for re-approval Additional

material is available on request.

Contact Ed Thompson

Course Syllabus

Here is a link to a draft of how the course syllabus will look. Specific

dates will, of course, have to be included in the

course schedule.