Women & Men: The Biology of the
Sexes
Be sure to check the website for updates!
Spring 2017
Mon./Thurs. 10:10 a.m.-noon
Betsy Sherman -
Dickinson 108; office hours sign-up posted outside office
each week
Topics
What
do you think:
Daring
to
Discuss
Women in Science
Sprinter Dutee
Chand-testosterone level
1. Evolution
-University
of California at Berkeley-Evolution site
What is evolution and how
does it work?
What is the evidence for
evolution?
-general
theory
A
mutant obsession
Evolving
mistakes
-evolution
of sex
-evolution
of the sexes
2. Ontogeny of Gender
Differences
-mitosis and meiosis and chromosomes:
it is important to understand the distinction between a
double-stranded and single-stranded chromosome; and between a
haploid state and a diploid state for a cell (and under what
circumstances they occur); it is unimportant to know the names
of the phases of meiosis and mitosis.
-you may
choose how you learn about these things: read an intro bio text; go
to a qualified site on the internet or read two things that I have
downloaded from
-Clinton
Community College's website: mitosis
and meiosis.
-sex
determination in different animals
-genetics: zeroing
in on the sex switch
-Y chromosome
-hormones and DNA
-anatomical
sexual differentiation
-American
Academy of Pediatrics-recommendations for treatment and management
of intersex children
-Androgen
and psychosexual development (CAH)
-variations: androgen insensitivity syndrome
(AIS), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH),
5-alpha reductase deficiency
-sexual
differentiation of the brain
-His
brain, her brain
-sex
differences-toys
-Changes
in
women’s sexual interests
-Sex
differences in infants' interest in toys
Molecular
diagnosis-female athletes
-sexual behavior of individuals
-rise in
female-initiated sexual actvity
-variations in sexual behavior including:
male homosexuality: LeVay: INAH-3; Twin study; Byne; H-Y
antigen; birth order;
female fecundity/male homosexuality2009
finger length ratios/sexual
orientation
female homosexuality
hermaphroditism
transsexuality
Male to female
transsexuality-response to odors
Same-sex
sexual behavior and evolution
Genetic
and Environmental Influences on Female Sexual Orientation,
Childhood Gender Typicality and Adult Gender Identity
Brain scans show differences in
cerebral asymmetry and functional connectivity between homo- and
heterosexual subjects (2008)
Sexual
orientation and its basis in brain structure and function-review
of brain scan paper
Genetic and Environmental Effects on
Same-sex Sexual Behavior (2010)-both male and female
homosexuality
3. Evolutionary antecedents
of human sexual behavior and mating systems
-evolution of
mating systems and sexual selection:
Male dominance rank and reproductive success in
chimpanzees
How females
choose their mates;
Voice pitch and repro success
MHC preferences in humans;
Female odors-sexual selection
Symmetry
Waist-hip ratios-Singh 2002
-the significance of sex ratios
Lethal
aggression in chimpanzees
-units of
selection
-evolution of altruism: Part 1; Part 2
-parent-offspring conflict
-infanticide and promiscuity
-Mothers and
others (Hrdy, 2001)
-Meet the
alloparents (Hrdy, 2009)
-Cooperative breeding
and human cognitive evolution
-Evolution of
menopause
-Social
components of fitness in primate groups
Course requirements
The readings for this course will be taken mainly from a collection
of papers that will be distributed by the professor.
Additional readings from other sources may sometimes be
assigned. Of course, students are encouraged to branch out and
do more than the minimum required reading. Take responsibility for
your own learning. You will find the work much more rewarding
if you come to class prepared, having read the assignment carefully
so that you can participate in discussions. Attendance
is required. Do not be late for class as it
disrupts all of us.
Students will write two or three essay problem sets, either in
class or at home. From time to time, I may give a brief quiz
on the assigned reading at the beginning of a class. Late papers
will not be accepted.
All
of the assigned work must be completed in order to pass this
course. If you must miss a class it is your
responsibility to get the assignment and come to the next class
prepared. Please do not email me or leave phone
messages for trivial matters (e.g. is it ok for me to be late...can
you put the assignment in my box...etc.). Please check
my office hours (posted outside my office, Dickinson 108) or make an
appointment with me at the end of class. If you are having difficulty with the
work, please come talk to me!
Class
comportment and common decency
It is important for all of us to come together as a group
interested in discussing problems in the biology of the sexes. Each of us is part of
this group, and as such, our behavior is not just about each of us
as individuals, but also about being members of a group. Be
respectful and attentive. Do
not arrive late, as it is disrespectful and disruptive. Do not leave the room
during class, as it is disrespectful and disruptive. Plan your time. Use the bathroom before
class. Bring water,
tissues, lozenges, etc. with you. Do not engage in any activity
that you would avoid at a job interview (e.g. do not pick your
nose or skin, do not slouch, play with your hair, chew on your
nails, etc.) Turn off
your cell phone before coming to class. Do not surf the web or
check your email during class.
Class attendance is required. Plan your work. All
assignments must be submitted on time in order to pass this class.
Frequently I write assignments on the board or project them in
class so be prepared to write them down. If you must miss a class,
it is your responsibility to get the assignment and find out from
another student about missed work. If you plan to miss class
before or after Long Weekend or Thanksgiving, either change your
plans or do not take this class.
If you plan to miss the last class, either change your
plan, or do not take this class. An absence is an absence with
no distinction between excused and not.
The work is the thing.