PSYC 150-01, Foundational Issues in Psychology, Spring 2008

Abstract

Course Objectives 1. To give students a broad overview of the major theoretical approaches in the field of psychology. This should facilitate students’ understanding of psychological research methods, specific topics of inquiry in the many subfields of psychology, major experimental advances in psychology and their relationships to social, educational, and judicial systems, and to perhaps spur an interest for further study into the broad domains of human behavior and mental processes. 2. To give students insight into the scientific processes underlying psychological research and to aid in the critical analysis of research in the field. Students will systematically evaluate research and will be exposed to methodological, ethical, and theoretical issues underlying scientific research conducted with human (and sometimes nonhuman) participants. In addition, we will discuss the societal and institutional implications of the research findings. 3. To encourage the development of critical reading skills through required research readings. Students should be prepared to read classic works in the field and then to write critical reaction papers pertaining to any of a broad range of topics including theoretical underpinnings, methodology, results, implications, and interpretation of the original work.