An introduction to basic research approaches in psychology, including observational studies, correlational studies, true experiments, and quasi-experiments. Ethics, sampling, measurement, and data analysis are considered. Intended for psychology majors or for students planning to major in psychology. Weekly laboratory sessions focus on the process of scientific inquiry, giving students experience in the application of class principles.
This course offers a psychological exploration of human diversity, with a primary focus on minority groups in the U.S. Students examine a wide range of psychological topics within a cultural context, including gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, social class, personality, intelligence, health, intergroup relations, and intercultural communication. The course also introduces cross-cultural research methods that enable diverse perspectives to shape psychological theory and practice. Students develop a nuanced appreciation of how diversity impacts various aspects of life, including research, service delivery, workplace dynamics, and personal relationships.
An examination of the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of infants and children, with a primary emphasis on theoretical issues and scientific methodology. Development is presented as a process of progressive interaction between the active, growing individual and his or her constantly changing and multifaceted environment. Organized chronologically with an approximately equal emphasis on the prenatal through middle childhood periods of development. Includes a laboratory that focuses on designing and conducting studies (including data analyses) to answer empirical questions on human development.
An examination of the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of infants and children, with a primary emphasis on theoretical issues and scientific methodology. Development is presented as a process of progressive interaction between the active, growing individual and his or her constantly changing and multifaceted environment. Organized chronologically with an approximately equal emphasis on the prenatal through middle childhood periods of development. Includes a laboratory that focuses on designing and conducting studies (including data analyses) to answer empirical questions on human development.
Action research seeks to produce knowledge that communities can use to address the problems they face. In this course, students will explore how psychologists and community stakeholders engage in research collaboratively in the pursuit of social change. The course introduces qualitative, quantitative, and participatory approaches to research and provides opportunities to acquire skills in study design, data collection, data analysis, and the interpretation and presentation of results.
Action research seeks to produce knowledge that communities can use to address the problems they face. In this course, students will explore how psychologists and community stakeholders engage in research collaboratively in the pursuit of social change. The course introduces qualitative, quantitative, and participatory approaches to research and provides opportunities to acquire skills in study design, data collection, data analysis, and the interpretation and presentation of results.
An introduction to theoretical and methodological approaches to structuring, collecting, analyzing, and reporting qualitative data. The course explores the various theoretical perspectives on critical thinking and analysis relevant to designing and implementing research, including post-positivist, social constructivist, phenomenology, and critical theory. Research approaches studied in this course include ethnography, phenomenology, case studies, grounded theory, naturalistic inquiry, thematic synthesis, and mixed-method techniques. Various data types used in qualitative analysis are considered, including textual, visual, and observational data. In the lab sessions, students will conduct qualitative analysis to address research questions and solve practical, real-world issues through the implementation of qualitative software.
This course will provide an introductory overview of the theoretical orientations to psychotherapy, and will focus on current theories and frameworks in the field of clinical psychology. Theories will be considered in relation to specific presenting concerns and associated treatment effectiveness. Current issues in the practice of psychotherapy will be explored, such as evidenced-based treatments, evaluation and assessment of psychotherapy, and ethical dilemmas.
This seminar examines selected topics, perspectives, and approaches that contribute to our understanding of human judgment and decision-making. Drawing from research in psychology and related disciplines, the course explores factors influencing our judgments and decisions, and considers how we can use this evolving understanding to make better choices. Applications and implications for individual, organizational, and societal decisions across a range of significant real-world arenas are explored. Open only to seniors pursuing programs in neuroscience or psychology.
This seminar examines selected topics, perspectives, and approaches that contribute to our understanding of human judgment and decision-making. Drawing from research in psychology and related disciplines, the course explores factors influencing our judgments and decisions, and considers how we can use this evolving understanding to make better choices. Applications and implications for individual, organizational, and societal decisions across a range of significant real-world arenas are explored. Open only to seniors pursuing programs in neuroscience or psychology.
This seminar course will review questions and controversies in current theory and research on human sexual behavior. The focus of class discussion will be the scientific literature within the field.
Selected topics in psychology, typically incorporating relevant primary literature. Prerequisites vary by topic.
Religious Studies
This course addresses topics related to the field of religious studies not addressed in other courses and is offered depending on interest. Prerequisites vary with topic. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic differs.
An introduction to and critical interrogation of what counts as "America" and "religion." It asks how these terms have been defined and debated and to what effect. This course examines select moments, figures, debates, and movements from colonial encounter to the present that have helped form and reshape these concepts (religion, America/n), particularly as they intersect with other categories of human distinction and difference-making, including race, space, gender, sex, and class.
An introduction to and critical interrogation of what counts as "America" and "religion." It asks how these terms have been defined and debated and to what effect. This course examines select moments, figures, debates, and movements from colonial encounter to the present that have helped form and reshape these concepts (religion, America/n), particularly as they intersect with other categories of human distinction and difference-making, including race, space, gender, sex, and class.
This course examines religious narratives of collective traumas: Jewish representations of the Shoah and Islamic and Christian representations of the Palestinian Nakba. Comparatively, how are discourses of loss and redemption coded within the symbolic universes of these historically-related religious traditions and deployed in the sacralized politics of memorialization and remembrance? What is the symbiotic relation between conflicting narratives of victimization, imbued with religious meaning, and the historical and contemporary situation in Israel and Palestine?
This course examines religious narratives of collective traumas: Jewish representations of the Shoah and Islamic and Christian representations of the Palestinian Nakba. Comparatively, how are discourses of loss and redemption coded within the symbolic universes of these historically-related religious traditions and deployed in the sacralized politics of memorialization and remembrance? What is the symbiotic relation between conflicting narratives of victimization, imbued with religious meaning, and the historical and contemporary situation in Israel and Palestine?
An examination of the origins, nature, and content of representative literature from the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Old Testament, and cognate literature. Attention is paid to issues of critical reading and theological interpretation of Jewish scriptures. Not open for credit to students who have completed RELG 141.
An examination of the origins, nature, and content of representative literature from the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Old Testament, and cognate literature. Attention is paid to issues of critical reading and theological interpretation of Jewish scriptures. Not open for credit to students who have completed RELG 141.
This course addresses topics related to the field of religious studies not addressed in other courses and is offered depending on interest. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic differs.