Psychology Online Summer 2020 Course Offerings

Faculty: Dr. Garrett L. Berman

Course Meets: Online 5/19/20 - 6/11/20

Introduction to the basic conceptual approaches through which psychology derives its intellectual form. Emphasis is placed upon the nature of scientific inquiry and its role in obtaining an understanding of human behavior. Exposure to various psychological theories, including Freudianism, behaviorism, social learning, and humanism.

Faculty: Dr. Selby M. Hayes

Course Meets: Online 5/19/20 - 6/18/20

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals, families and communities to thrive. The course examines the history of positive psychology, the emergence of research in the field, and the influence of positive psychology on psychotherapy. Self-reflective journaling is a large component of this course. Journal entries include: selfless acts, experiential exercises and reading/viewing reflections.

Faculty: Dr. Alejandro Leguizamo

Course Meets: Online 6/15/20 - 7/19/20

Critical review of cultural differences and similarities across various psychological constructs, such as emotions, cognition, intelligence, mental illness, among others, are explored.

Faculty: Dr. Frank E. Eyetsemitan

Course Meets: Online 5/19/20 - 6/11/20

Considers basic perspectives on adult development. Using the concept of continuing maturation throughout the lifespan, it focuses on the latter portion of human life. Discussions center on changes in intelligence, motivation, learning, and memory which are supposed to accompany aging, as well as the psychology of dying and bereavement, and the psychosocial aspects of growing old. Field work in a retirement center. 

Faculty: Dr. Erin M. Tooley

Course Meets: Online 5/19/20 - 7/24/20

This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the field of health psychology. Health psychology is a discipline that examines the causes and correlates of health, chronic conditions, and illness and dysfunction across individuals and populations. In this course, we will focus on the promotion and maintenance of health (e.g., the effect of psychological factors on health-promoting and health compromising behaviors), the development of illness (e.g., the effect of psychological factors on the development and progression of disease), and the treatment of illness (e.g., the effect of psychological factors on the management of illness).

Faculty: Dr. Alejandro Leguizamo

Course Meets: Online 5/19/20 - 6/18/20

The course provides a comprehensive review of psychoactive substances. Major classes of drugs are covered in class, including their history, modes of intake, effects, and consequences of use. Distinctions are made between substance use, misuse, abuse, and dependence. Types of education, prevention measures, and treatment approaches are also presented.

Faculty: Dr. Erin M. Tooley

Course Meets: Online 6/15/20 - 7/19/20

This course explores the psychological processes, theories, and research that surround humanity’s complex relationship with food. We will focus on food consumption, advertising, political influences, and production from a psychological perspective and discuss how food choices impact our identity and health. We will also discuss different forms of eating-related psychopathology such as eating disorders and binging/purging behavior and review evidence-based treatments for these behaviors. Lastly, we will identify the ways that culture and class-based food choice and availability impact individual and societal health.

Faculty: Dr. Bonita Cade

Course Meets: Online 6/15/20 - 7/19/20

In this course, students will consider the extent to which “reality” as it is understood when these issues are openly recognized, is consistent or inconsistent with the depictions in the “fantasy” world of Star Trek. Students will also learn about the findings and related theories in the research literature in psychology and other social sciences. Finally, students will be provided an opportunity to develop informed opinions on the implications for social justice.