Processing all of the information and ideas in this course can lead to a lot of different emotions. Each week, to help with this, you’ll complete a reflective journal assignment. This assignment should focus on your personal feelings and reactions to the materials taught or covered in the textbook, reflection on previous or current experiences, and exploration of your future choices. Avoid summarizing the content of the module or making generalizations about other people. Instead, reflect on how your own experiences are related to the topics covered in the module. While you need to address the journal prompts below, you should also think about other material and ideas that have been presented and write about them as you see fit. You are not required to reflect on all of the topics covered in the module.

As this paper is an exploration of your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and values, write the paper in the first person. These papers are confidential and will not be seen by anyone other than the instructor.

Successful completion of this activity meets Module Outcomes 2.

This activity aligns with the career competency of critical thinking.

Journal Prompt:

Explain how the terms sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and sexuality are different.

Think of a gender-related behavior or activity that is likely to vary greatly between cultures. Identify it.

Now think of a gender-related behavior or activity you would expect to stay fairly consistent across cultures. Identify it.

Why do you think the first behavior varies while the other remains constant? What might this mean about the behaviors?

While reflecting on the materials covered in this module and exploring your personal reactions, values, and feelings, the following questions may help you to get started. You do not have to answer all of these questions.

• What did you find interesting or exciting? Why?
• What surprised you? Why?
• What shocked you? Why?
• What made you feel uncomfortable? Why?
• What did you unlearn? (“Unlearn” implies finding out that something you previously thought true was wrong.)
• What are you still wondering about?
• How does this information relate to your past, present, and/or future?
• How might this information impact your life?
• Which of the aspects/circles of sexuality do you think has the most impact on your life?

Please be sure to check spelling and grammar before you submit your work. APA formatting is required. Check the Psychology Reflection Rubric to be sure you are earning maximum points.

Submission Instructions

Compose your work in a .doc or .docx file type using a word processor (such as Microsoft Word, etc.) and save it frequently to your computer. For those assignments that are not written essays and require uploading images or PowerPoint slides, please follow uploading guidelines provided by your instructor.

Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to submit your work, click “Upload Submission.” Enter the submission title and then click on “Select a file to upload.” Browse your computer, and select your file. Click “Open” and verify the correct file name has appeared next to Submission File. Click on “Continue.” Confirm submission is correct and then click on “Accept Submission & Save.”

Turnitin®

This course has Turnitin® fully integrated into the course dropbox. This means that you should only submit your assignments to the dropbox below. Please do not submit your assignment directly to Turnitin.com.

Once submitted, your assignment will be evaluated by Turnitin® automatically. You will be able to view an Originality Report within minutes of your first submission that will show how much of your work has been identified as similar to other sources such as websites, textbooks, or other student papers. Use your Originality Report as a learning tool to identify areas of your assignment that you may not have cited appropriately. You may resubmit your assignment through this dropbox as many times as you need to check to see if you have made improvements, until the due date of the assignment. However, once you have made your first submission, you will need to wait 24 hours after each subsequent submission to receive a new Originality Report. Plan accordingly as you draft your assignment. Once the due date has passed, your assignment submission will be considered final.

Evaluation

This assignment will be graded using the Psychology Reflective Grading Rubric located on the Course Rubrics page within the Start Here section of the course. Please review the rubric prior to beginning your work so that you ensure your submission meets the criteria in place for this assignment. All learning journal assignments combined are worth 20% of your final course grade.