COURSE SYLLABUS

Dating and Mating: Hookup Culture at Duke

House Course: Fall 2007

Instructors:
Katrina Weschler-- [email protected]
Dillon Barron-- [email protected]

Faculty Sponsor:
Caroline Light
Visiting Professor
Program in Women’s Studies

Location and Time:

Mondays, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Few Quad, FF 108 Commons Room
First Class: September 3, 2007

The purpose of this course is to explore the topics of sexual ethics and casual sex as they apply to Duke. College
campuses have long been accused as being havens for casual hookups and sexual encounters. At Duke,
students live, breath, and date by this credo; relationships with people of the opposite sex are often dependent
on this hookup culture. It is important that students not only understand what their beliefs about sex are, but also
what has shaped those beliefs. Perceptions about "hooking up" can be both positive and negative. Some would
argue that a de-romanticized sex life is empowering. What part of one’s identity — sexuality, race, gender,
religion, etc. — creates these ideologies about sex and "hooking up"? Does the hookup culture itself differ from
one race and one sexuality (ie: one identity) to another; or does the mainstream hookup culture set the sex scene
for an entire campus? Who is entitled to participate in this hookup culture, and who is excluded from it? What
part does "social ladder-ing" play, and what sex scene remains for those who don’t fit into the "ideal"? As a
campus, where do we go from here? How can we strive to make this hookup culture a healthy one, and what part
does communication play? This course plans to understand and explore these pertinent questions.

Course Requirements:
Attendance of at least 11 of the 12 classes
Active participation in class discussions
Read the assigned readings prior to class and come prepared to contribute
Two papers: the first 2-3 pages, the second 5 pages
Grading: A passing grade in this course requires satisfactory completion of all assignments of this course
including written and oral assignments, attendance, and active, respectful, thoughtful, and honest
involvement in class discussion while engaging points from the reading assignments.
Paper One: How do sex ethics in a hookup culture compare to sex ethics in the “real world” and more meaningful
relationships? How does “hooking up” contribute to the development of a long term relationship?
Or doesn’t it? Explain, and be sure to include class readings in your paper.
Due: October 15, 2007
Paper Two: Based the readings and what you have learned through class discussion and involvement, expound
on your definition of a “hookup.” Be sure to write your paper in an analytical and critical fashion.
Your paper should interpret, evaluate, and question both vernacular notions of the hookup culture
and academic notions of the hookup culture. Also, your paper should answer the following
questions: How does your definition of the hookup culture, now, after 12 weeks of class, compare
to the original perception of a “hookup” you had going into the course? Also, how does your
original definition compare to academic arguments for or against the hookup culture? What are
1
 the merits and drawbacks of each definition? Which definition do you find more convincing? Use
what you have learned in the course to redefine (or confirm) your notions of hooking up. Be sure
to support your claim.
Due: November 19, 2007
Dating and Mating: Hookup Culture at Duke
Course Syllabus: Readings DUE on the day given

Section 1: Classes 1-3. “Framing the Conversation”—What do we mean by “hookup culture”? What are
the overarching issues to be addressed by this class? We are trying to define ‘the big picture’ here.
Section 2: Classes 4-5. “Situations Conducive to ‘Hooking up’” — What kind of environment fosters and is
conducive to a “hookup,” looking at college campuses specifically.
Section 3: Classes 6-8. “The Before and After”—What are the expectations before a hookup, and what
happens afterwards?
Section 4: Classes 9-11. “Identity”— How are one’s sexual encounters shaped by that person’s
upbringing and social identity?
Section 5: Class 12. “What Now?”—Where do we go from here to create constructive sexual encounters
between college students (at Duke especially)?

"In the real world, there is an expectation that after the third date, you might get a hookup. At
Duke, there is the expectation that after the third hookup, you might get a date."

Whitney Beckett
What lies between the hook-up and the marriage
“The Chronicle” September 05, 2003

Section 1: “Framing the Conversation”

Week 1 –September 3, 2007

Introduction

Activities:
Definitions- Put up words on wall and have people write definitions as they enter
Community Norms- Create a list of community norms and values with which to run the class and
create confidentiality. Explain the very private nature of this course’s dialogue, and ask that if
students intend to be a part of the course they respect each other and these community norms.
Icebreakers- Names and introductions
Go around—Names again, where you are from, major, personal interest in course, biggest fear
for course, notions of "hooking up", etc.
Hand out binders and syllabus, go over classes and expectations, grading, attendance, articles,
etc.
Start discussion about "Hook up" culture and watch clips from MTV’s "Undressed."

Week 2 – September 10, 2007

Sex ethics
-Romantic Love vs. Sex-
Activities:
Partner icebreaker- Process Partners
Discussion of the readings
Readings:
1. Human Sexuality, “Interpersonal Relationships” p. 94-110 (16 pgs.)
2. The American Enterprise, Vol.9 “Sex Codes on Campus” Jan/Feb 1998 (4 pgs.)
3. College Student Journal, Vol.35 “Sexual Values of College Students” March 2001 (4 pgs.)
4. The Journal of Sex Research, Vol. 35 “Are love styles related to sex styles?” August 1998 (13 pgs.)
5. The Journal of Sex Research, Vol. 39 “Understanding human ambivalence about sex: the effects of
stripping sex of meaning” November 2002 (20 pgs.)

57 pages total

Week 3 – September 17, 2007

Hookup culture
*Faculty Sponsor (Caroline Light) visits class*
Activities:
Break off with Process partners to discuss individual sex ethics
Discuss perceptions of “hooking up” from before readings and compare these definitions to now-
definitions of hooking up and hookup culture.
CLASSROOM DEBATE: How destructive is a hookup culture? Break off into groups and prepare
a debate on the pros and cons of Duke’s hookup culture.
Readings:
1. The Journal of Sex Research, Volume 40 “Pluralistic Ignorance and Hooking up,” Tracy A. Lambert,
Arnold S. Kahn, Kevin J. Apple, May 2003, p. 129-133 (5 pgs.)
2. Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 24 “High Risk Sexual Behavior Among Heterosexual
Undergraduates at a Midwestern University” May-Jun 1992 (7 pgs.)
3. National Review, Vol.51 “Hook-up U” 1999 (2 pgs.)
4. The Journal of Sex Research, Vol. 37 “ ‘Hookups’: Characteristics and Correlates of College Students’
Spontaneous and Anonymous Sexual Experiences” 2000 (21 pgs.)
5. Human Sexuality, Ch. 7 “Love, Intimacy, and Sexuality” pgs. 202-225 (23 pgs.)
6. The Wall Street Journal, “Girl Meets Boy”- Aug. 3, 2001 pg. A, 6 (2 pgs.)
7. Christian Century, Vol. 118 Issue 23, “Courting Confusion” August 15, 2001 (2 pgs.)

62 pages total

Section 2: “Situations conducive to ‘Hooking up’”

Week 4 – September 24, 2007
Conditions
Activities:
Break off with Process partners to discuss specific conditions of hooking up at Duke
Discussion of the readings
Readings:
1. Lust, “Sexual Desire: The Partner and the Relationship”- “The Physical Surround” pgs.
106-109 (3 pgs.)
2. Speaking of Sexuality, Ch. 13 “Alcohol, Religion, Risky Sexual Behavior in College Students” p. 134-
139 (5 pgs.)
3. The Journal of Sex Research, Vol. 37 “Sexual Risk Behaviors and Alcohol: Higher Base Rates
Revealed using the Unmatched-Count Technique” 2000 (11 pgs.)
4. Society for the Study of Addiction to Alcohol and Other Drugs, Research Report: “Alcohol Consumption
increases attractiveness ratings of opposite-sex faces: a possible third route to risky sex”, 2003 (7 pgs.)
5. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, “Alcohol Consumption and Expectancies Among Sexually Coercive
College Men” (15 pgs.)
6. Archives of Sexual Behavior, Vol.25 “Deceptive, verbally coercive college males: attitudinal predictors
and lies told” 1996 (6 pgs.)
7. Loose Women, Sandra Cisneros “Well, if you insist” p. 36-37 (2 pgs.)
8. Loose Women, Sandra Cisneros “After Everything” p. 41
50 pages total

Week 5 – October 1, 2007

Greek Life
Readings:
1. Gender and Society, Vol.10 “Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture: Why Are Some Fraternities
More Dangerous Places for Women” April 1996, pages 133-147 (14 pgs.)
2. Family Relations, Vol.40 “Social Contexts and Social Learning in Sexual Coercion and Aggression:
Assessing the Contribution of Fraternity Membership” January 1991, pages 58-64 (6 pgs.)
3. Gender and Society, Vol.8 “ ‘Buddies’ or ‘Slutties’: The collective Sexual Representation of Fraternity
Little Sisters” September 1994, pages 297-323 (26 pgs.)
4. Women’s Initiative- Duke University, “Undergraduate Students” pgs. 13-17 (4 pgs.) with accompanying
Summary (2 pgs.)(6 pgs.)

57 pages total

FALL BREAK OCT. 5- 10

Section 3: “The Before and After”

Week 6 – October 15, 2007
Expectations
Activities:
PAPER 1 due today
Read and conduct a scene-by-scene examination and discussion of a hypothetical sexual
encounter on a typical college campus (ie: Duke). Stop along the way to discuss what the
characters are thinking and their expectations. Process questions to follow (conduct dialogue).
Discussion of readings—tie in the above scenario to readings
Readings:
1. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, Vol.34, “College Student’s perception and practices of sexual activities
in sexual encounters” 2002 (12 pgs.)
2. The Journal of Sex Research, Vol.35, “From girls into women: scripts for sexuality and romance in
Seventeen magazine, 1974-1994” 1998 (18 pgs.)
3. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Vol. 31, “How Many Partners Is Too Many? Shaping Perceptions
of Personal Vulnerability” 2001 pp2195-2214(19 pgs)
4. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, “Role of Alcohol and Gender in Choices and Judgments about
Hypothetical Sex Encounters”, 1996, Vol. 26, 1, pp20-30 (10 pgs.)

59 pages total

Week 7 – October 22, 2007

Consequences
Activities: Guest Speaker: “Healthy Devils”
Readings:
1. Schoolgirls, “Fear of Falling- Sluts” p. 51-66 (16 pgs.)
2. Sexual Lives, Reading 45, “The Social Consequences of Un-chastity” p. 433-444 (10 pgs.)
3. Journal of Sex Research, Eric S. Blumberg “The Lives and Voices of Highly Sexual Women” May2003,
Vol. 40, 2. (20 pgs.)
4. Alexander, Michele G., Fisher, Terri D., Journal of Sex Research, “Truth and Consequences: Using the
Bogus Pipeline to Examine Sex Differences in Self-Reported Sexuality” February2003, Vol. 40, 1. (9 pgs.)

55 pages total

Week 8 – October 29, 2007

Sexual Assault
Activities:
Discussion of readings
Guest Speaker: Sheila Broderick, Women’s Center
Readings:
1. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 16 “Experiences With Sexual Coercion in College Males and
Females”, 2001, pages 865-889 (24 pgs.)
2. Just Sex, Ch. 2 “The Perfect Rape Victim” pgs. 30-38 (8 pgs.)
3. Just Sex, Ch. 3 “Male-on-Male Rape” pgs. 39-46 (7 pgs.)
4. Just Sex, Ch. 5 “Breaking the Silence” pgs. 59-73 (14 pgs.)
5. "Saturday Night: Untold Stories of Sexual Assualt at Duke" Fall 2003. Editors: Allison Brim, Ryan
Kennedy, Monica Lemmond, and Lauren Williams. Pages 1-29 (29 pgs.)

82 pages total

Section 4: “Identity”
Week 9 – November 5, 2007
Socialization
Activities:
Think about the factors that have influence your social upbringing. For example, how has class,
religion, family structure, societal pressures (ie: media), etc. shaped your life?
Discussion of readings
Individually, discuss with process partners which parts of your social upbringing you think has
shaped the way you approach a hookup.
Readings:
1. The Journal of Sex Research, Vol. 39, “Age, Religious Beliefs, and Sexual Attitudes” 2002 (22 pgs.)
2. Sexual Lives, “The Role of Religion in Our Sex Lives” p. 50-68 (18 pgs.)
3. The Journal of Sex Research, Vol.36, “Teenage Sexuality and Media Practice: Factoring in the
Influences of Family, Friends, and School”, 1999 (22 pgs.)

62 pages total

Week 10 – November 12, 2007

Race
*Faculty Sponsor (Caroline Light) visits class*
Activities:
Break up into race groups and create a list of how, as a group, you approach a hookup
Create dialogue on the racial stereotypes of hooking up. Examine these stereotypes and to what
extent they hold true.
Share with the class
Discussion of readings
Readings:
1. Brothers, Lust, and Love “Color Struck” p. 125-131 (6 pgs.)
2. Brothers, Lust, and Love “Multicolored Love” p. 187-202 (15 pgs.)
3. Men’s Lives- Men in Relationships “Interracial Relationships” p. 381-386 (6 pgs.)
4. Black Issues in Higher Education, Vol.15 “Interracial dating as an indicator of integration” February
1999 (2 pgs.)
5. Traps, “Sexual Diversion- The Black Man/ Back Woman debate in context” p. 168-176 (9 pgs.)
6. Traps, Ch. 30 “Black Sexuality- The Taboo Subject” p. 301-307 (7 pgs.)
7. Black, White, Jewish, and Interracial: It’s not the color of your skin, but the race of your kin, and other
myths of identity, Ch. 7 “Dating and Mating: A Question of Color” p. 107-123 (16 pgs.)

61 pages total

Week 11 – November 19, 2007

Gender
*Faculty Sponsor (Caroline Light) visits class*
Activities:
PAPER 2 due today
Break up into male and female groups and create a list of how, as a group, you approach a
hookup
Create dialogue on the gender stereotypes of hooking up. Examine these stereotypes and to
what extent they hold true.
Share with the class
Discussion of readings
Readings:
1. Chronicle of Higher Education, Vol. 45 Issue 26, p. B7 “When Dreams Differ: Male-Female Relations of
Campuses” (5 pgs.)
2. Adolescence, Vol. 25 Issue 99, p. 615, “Gender comparisons of college students’ attitudes towards
sexual behavior” (11 pgs.)
3. The Journal of Sex Research, Vol.36 “Power, Gender, and Sexual Behavior” November 1999 (13 pgs.)
4. The Journal of Sex Research, Vol.40 “Sexual double standards: a review and methodological critique
of two decades of research” 2003 (24 pgs.)

53 pages total

Section 5: “What Now?”

Week 12 – November 26, 2007
Where do we go from Here?
Activities:
Dinner- eat dinner together to celebrate the end of the semester
Discussion of readings
Create a list of visions for Duke’s “hookup” future
Go around stating what steps we can take to adhere to this new vision
Readings:
1. Traps, Ch. 12 “On Becoming Anti-Rapist” pg. 158-167 (9 pgs.)
2. Proving Manhood, Ch. 1 “Reflections of an Anti-rapist Activist” pgs. 13-33 (20 pgs.)
3. Men’s Lives, Article 18 “The Anti-rape Rules” pgs. 218-223 (5 pgs.)
[READINGS ON COMMUNICATION:]
4. Human Sexuality, Ch. 8 “Communicating About Sex” pg. 226-253 (27 pgs.)
5. Dimensions of Human Sexuality, “Sexual Communication” pgs. 70-95 (25 pgs.)
6. Dimensions of Human Sexuality, “Sexual Techniques and Behavior” pgs. 334-357 (23 pgs.)

109 pages total