Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Sexuality and Therapeutic Practice
  • Unit Code

    COU3202
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit provides an overview of issues of sexuality in the therapeutic context. Students will explore their own values and belief systems in the context of building therapeutic alliances with individuals and couples who present with various sexual issues. A range of concerns will be discussed and therapeutic interventions considered. Specific issues in relation to difficulties experienced by men and women, the development of sexual identity and orientation and a range of sexual practices and issues will be addressed.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded TPR3102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically appraise theories of the development of sexual identity, orientation and its impact on individual and social functioning.
  2. Critically appraise theories of various origins and possible impact of sexual dysfunctions on men and women including erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, vaginismus, painful coitus.
  3. Demonstrate first listening skills pertaining to working in a therapeutic context with people who present with sexual concerns.
  4. Explian and critically reflect upon various sexual practices including, but not limited to, sexual addiction, fetishes, paedophilia, bestiality, group sex, and polygamy.

Unit Content

  1. Distinction between biologically based sexual issues and psychologically based ones.
  2. Ethical considerations in addressing sensitive issues with clients who present with sexual concerns.
  3. Issues for sexual minorities.
  4. Sexual issues for men.
  5. Sexual issues for women.
  6. Sexuality throughout the lifespan
  7. The place of personal values and belief systems in working in the area of sexuality.
  8. The role of sexuality in procreation and recreation.
  9. Therapeutic approaches for working with men, women, and couples.
  10. Variations in human sexual practice, such as sexual addiction, fetishes, paedophilia, bestiality, group sex, and polygamy.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, audio-visual presentations,class discussions and group activities.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAbility to integrate and synthesise key concepts50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAbility to integrate and synthesise key concepts50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • Diamond, D., Blatt, S. J., & Lichtenberg, J. D. (2007). Attachment & sexuality. New York: The Analytic Press.
  • Freud, S. (1905[1970]). Three essays on the theory of sexuality, Vol. 57. London: The Hogarth Press.
  • Horrocks, R. (1997). An introduction to the study of sexuality. London: Macmillan.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

COU3202|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Sexuality and Therapeutic Practice
  • Unit Code

    COU3202
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit provides an overview of issues of sexuality in the therapeutic context. Students will explore their own values and belief systems in the context of building therapeutic alliances with individuals and couples who present with various sexual issues. A range of concerns will be discussed and therapeutic interventions considered. Specific issues in relation to difficulties experienced by men and women, the development of sexual identity and orientation and a range of sexual practices and issues will be addressed.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded TPR3102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically appraise theories of the development of sexual identity, orientation and its impact on individual and social functioning.
  2. Critically appraise theories of various origins and possible impact of sexual dysfunctions on men and women including erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, vaginismus, painful coitus.
  3. Demonstrate first listening skills pertaining to working in a therapeutic context with people who present with sexual concerns.
  4. Explian and critically reflect upon various sexual practices including, but not limited to, sexual addiction, fetishes, paedophilia, bestiality, group sex, and polygamy.

Unit Content

  1. Distinction between biologically based sexual issues and psychologically based ones.
  2. Ethical considerations in addressing sensitive issues with clients who present with sexual concerns.
  3. Issues for sexual minorities.
  4. Sexual issues for men.
  5. Sexual issues for women.
  6. Sexuality throughout the lifespan
  7. The place of personal values and belief systems in working in the area of sexuality.
  8. The role of sexuality in procreation and recreation.
  9. Therapeutic approaches for working with men, women, and couples.
  10. Variations in human sexual practice, such as sexual addiction, fetishes, paedophilia, bestiality, group sex, and polygamy.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, audio-visual presentations,class discussions and group activities.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAbility to integrate and synthesise key concepts50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAbility to integrate and synthesise key concepts50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • Diamond, D., Blatt, S. J., & Lichtenberg, J. D. (2007). Attachment & sexuality. New York: The Analytic Press.
  • Freud, S. (1905[1970]). Three essays on the theory of sexuality, Vol. 57. London: The Hogarth Press.
  • Horrocks, R. (1997). An introduction to the study of sexuality. London: Macmillan.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

COU3202|1|2