In the Fall of 2006 I'm teaching:

Listening is important, but how can one listen effectively? Being empathic to another person's needs is essential, but how do you learn to be empathic? When you're working in the field your supervisor will expect that you will be able to write clear notes about your meetings and an organized report about the people with whom you work. How do you learn to write these notes? These are among the skills that we will work on in this practical, hands on course.

Students will be expected to engage in role plays throughout the semester. Grades will be determined as a function of quizzes, short papers, and a videotaped interview. The interview, while optional, is required to earn an A.

This course can be used to fulfill the Applied Coursework requirement of the Sociology/Psychology degree and earns a W flag.

Prerequisites: PSY 211, 354 or consent of instructor.

Psychologists use a number of different theories to explain personality, understand the development of psychopathology, and predict effective therapy. This course will look at these different models in detail, as well as the major issues facing the field, especially from a multicultural viewpoint.

We will start the semester by thinking about what effective listening skills are. We will then begin our discussion of theories, read case studies written by the theories' major proponents, and watch taped segments of therapy sessions. This will culminate in a paper where you will be asked to: (1) diagnose and interpret a fictional or historical person of your choosing, and describe a treatment plan from the viewpoint of one of these theories; or (2) analyze a transcript of an interview you perform. The latter project can be presented orally rather than in writing.

Grades will be determined as a result of three exams, a paper, and a number of short applied papers. Approximately 50% of the course grade will come from writing assignments. The final paper is optional (required if you want an A).

Prerequisites: PSY 211 and 354 (or approval of instructor)

Who in the world am I?
Oh, that's the great puzzle.
-- Lewis Caroll

Who are we and what motivates us? What assumptions do we have about others and how are these related to our past and present relationships with family, friends, lovers, and self? How can we develop healthier thought patterns? What do our emotions mean and how can we use them effectively? How do we cope with the problems in our lives (both positively and negatively) and how can we use these challenges as growing points? These are among the questions that we will address together throughout the semester in this course earning a Values1 flag.

Grades will be determined as a result of three exams (multiple choice and take-homes) and an autobiographical paper.

Prerequisites: None

To be effective scholars, researchers, and practitioners in the field of psychology, we must be prepared to think carefully and effectively about what they read, observe, and write. We must also be aware of techniques used by professionals in the field for communicating ideas and research findings to each other and to the public. In this class, students will have the opportunity to acquire those skills early in their academic careers, and thus, better profit from subsequent courses in and out of the major.

Students will learn to read original articles in the psychological literature, reflect on what they have read, and report their interpretations in brief papers written in APA style. They will also learn to recognize biases that may influence research and the interpretation of research findings as well as their own biases. In addition, they will read selections in the popular press and apply these techniques to evaluate what they read. Grades will be a function of several short quizzes, article summaries, a final paper, and a critical thinking portfolio.

This class is limited to Psychology and Sociology/Psychology majors.

Prerequisites: PSY 211.

I am on the Project Syllabus Committee, a project of the Office of Teaching Resources in Psychology, through Division 2 of the American Psychological Association. We post excellent, peer-reviewed syllabi at our site to use to foster the teaching and course development of other faculty. Please come visit us!

Page by Jeanne M. Slattery (jslattery@mail.clarion.edu)
URL= http://psy1.clarion.edu/jms/syll.html

Last modified October 9, 2006.

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