How do human thoughts, emotions, and social systems shape our responses to climate change—and how does a changing environment shape us in return? Drawing on intersectional environmentalism, environmental neuroscience, and embodied approaches to wellbeing, students will examine how climate change affects the brain, behavior, and mental health; how environmental harms are unevenly distributed across communities; and how people and institutions respond to these realities. Through field experiences and community-based research, students will learn how a psychological lens can be used to address environmental injustice, support resilience, and inform collective action toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
This introductory-level course explores how drugs impact the human brain, behavior, and society. Students will learn and apply major principles of pharmacology to understand biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that contribute to various patterns of drug use and misuse, including substance use disorders. Students will also learn about current and emerging approaches to addiction treatment and evaluate how drug-related research informs healthcare policy, legalization, mental health services, and approaches to human flourishing. This course is intended for students who do not plan to pursue degrees in psychology and/or neuroscience and does not satisfy requirements for those majors or minors.
A study of clinical psychology from a scientist-practitioner perspective, including DSM diagnostic criteria, assessment measures and strategies, treatment modalities, case studies, and ethical issues. Major theoretical paradigms and research on etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness are presented and discussed.
This course explores how social dynamics shape individuals' thoughts, emotions, and behaviors within various social contexts. Students will explore key theories and empirical research on topics, such as interpersonal attraction, attitude change, group behavior, conformity, prejudice, and altruism. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the ways in which social influences impact decision making, perception, and interactions, and applying social psychological principles to real world situations. The course also provides a critical examination of the research methods used in social psychology, helping students evaluate the strengths and limitations of different approaches.
An introduction to the study of cognitive processes such as attention, memory, language, and reasoning. Students consider empirical findings from a variety of methodologies as well as the methodologies themselves. Broader issues such as unconscious processes and cultural differences in cognition are also examined in this context. Students are encouraged to discover applications of findings in cognitive psychology to other areas of psychology, other disciplines, and their everyday lives.
This course provides an overview of major concepts, theories, and research related to human development from prenatal to end of life. Significant factors influencing individual functioning and empirical findings related to cognitive, emotional, and social development across the lifespan will be explored.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An intermediate-level course focusing on a topic or sub-discipline within psychology. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic differs.
An in-depth examination of selected topics within the realm of cognitive psychology. Particular topic(s) may vary across semesters, and range from traditionally studied aspects of cognition (e.g., attention, memory, language, decision-making) to more integrative themes (e.g., beliefs, framing, social change). Key concepts and theories, empirical approaches and evidence, and real-world applications and implications are considered. A laboratory component in which students pursue a question of interest to them within the focal topic(s) of the course provides valuable hands-on experience in designing and conducting research, analyzing and interpreting data, and effectively communicating results and implications.
An in-depth examination of selected topics within the realm of cognitive psychology. Particular topic(s) may vary across semesters, and range from traditionally studied aspects of cognition (e.g., attention, memory, language, decision-making) to more integrative themes (e.g., beliefs, framing, social change). Key concepts and theories, empirical approaches and evidence, and real-world applications and implications are considered. A laboratory component in which students pursue a question of interest to them within the focal topic(s) of the course provides valuable hands-on experience in designing and conducting research, analyzing and interpreting data, and effectively communicating results and implications.
This course explores the psychological study of religion and spirituality as a science and examines the multifaceted ways religions impact meaning-making and identity in everyday life. Various psychological schools of thought related to the experience and practice of religion and spirituality are considered, and psychological theories involving religious beliefs, practices, and experiences are explored from an empirical and data-informed perspective. This course also engages the dialogue between psychology and religion regarding the human condition and culture.
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.
A study of the major conceptual approaches that are adopted as clinicians assess, define, and conduct clinical interventions. Topics addressed include the nature of the client-therapist relationship, results from empirical investigation of therapeutic outcomes, ethical dilemmas faced in clinical practice and research, and problems peculiar to subspecialties such as forensic psychology and community 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.
An examination of current scientific study of consciousness and the cognitive unconscious, including neural correlates of conscious actions, the emergence of consciousness in evolution, and related topics. The course emphasizes how scientific results inform understanding of the mind-body problem, the tenability of competing philosophical and neurobiological approaches to consciousness, the extent to which methods of psychology and neuroscience can provide new insights into the nature of consciousness, and how these issues take on a new form in the philosophy of artificial intelligence.
This course explores loss as an inextricable part of human development. Loss, as examined in this course, includes not only that which occurs through death but also the psychological, emotional, relational, physical, and situational changes that affect us throughout our lives. This course will explore loss's seminal role in human development and its potential to be transformative or life-threatening. The effects of loss, coping mechanisms that can facilitate healthy adaptations to change and loss, personal growth, and the complex relationship between different types of losses will be addressed.
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.