Women and Men: the Biology of the Sexes
What are the biological differences between men and women and how do they come about? Beyond the obvious reproductive differences, do other biological differences influence the behavior of women and men? For example, not only do women and men differ in various sex hormone levels, but their brains are influenced in different ways by those hormones. To what extent are the differences in sexual behavior among men and women due to genetic variation? How has our evolutionary history influenced our sexuality? Why are cultural sanctions against sexual “cheating” more severe for women than men? Can we make inferences about our own sexuality by examining mating systems in other primates (particularly the great apes)? Our discussion of these and other questions will be facilitated by a careful reading of selected evolutionary, medical, neurophysiological, and sociobiological literature.
Syllabus
Fall 2014
Mon./Thurs. 10:10 a.m.-noon
Betsy Sherman
Dickinson 106
Office hours sign-up posted outside office each week
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!
Topics
In the news:
- Daring to Discuss Women in Science
- Higher Level Of Testosterone In Women Linked To Choice Of Risky Careers
- Men, Who Needs Them
- Evolution
- University of California at Berkeley - Evolution site
- What is evolution and how does it work?
- What is the evidence for evolution?
- General theory
- Evolution of sex
- Evolution of the sexes
- University of California at Berkeley - Evolution site
- 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.
- 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
- Sprinter Dutee Chand - testosterone level
- 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
- 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 human
- Female odors-sexual selection
- Symmetry
- Waist-hip ratios-Singh 2002
- The significance of sex ratios
- Social components of fitness in primate groups
- Evolution of menopause
- Cooperative breeding and human cognitive evolution
- Meet the alloparents (Hrdy, 2009)
- Mothers and others (Hrdy, 2001)
- Infanticide and promiscuity
- Parent-offspring conflict
- Evolution of altruism: Part 1; Part 2
- Units of selection
- Lethal aggression in chimpanzees