An examination of the relationship between psychology and religion, including basic assumptions, methods of inquiry, and areas of possible agreement and conflict. This course will compare psychological and Christian perspectives on topics such as guilt, self-worth, values, morality, self-change, counseling, human nature, evil, and sex, and how the Christian perspective intersects with other faiths. It will evaluate how psychology can influence religion, how religion can influence psychology, and how people have attempted to integrate psychology and religion. This course also includes an introduction to the psychological study of religion and religious experience. Topics will include dimensions of religiousness, theories of the role of religion in human experience, religion and well-being, and the psychosocial investigations of religious experience across diverse faith traditions.
This course will explore the cognitive, emotional, and social lives of children, as they interact with their multiple environments (family, peer groups, school, and community networks). Students will learn research and theory that informs our understanding of children, and will also investigate practical ways of applying this knowledge to improve children's lives, through in-class activities, visits from local professionals, and a weekly service-learning commitment.
This course provides an introduction to the psychological construct of “mindfulness” and an experiential training in becoming more mindful in everyday life, such as through the practice of meditation. Students will be exposed to diverse teachings on the subject in order to facilitate their own personal discovery of what it means to be “present” and will cultivate an understanding of why being present has been shown to improve well-being. It is the instructor’s hope that this course will help students increase their resilience to stress, understand themselves and others more effectively, focus more deeply, and enjoy life more fully.
Has already received Sophia well-being approval
This course examines the operation of human sensory systems and major principles of perception by focusing on how the human brain receives and processes information from our environment. It explores how physical stimuli are transformed into signals that can be understood by the nervous system. Topics include vision, audition, taste, smell, touch, and basic psychophysics, the methods by which sensations and perceptions can be measured and some of the philosophical issues underlying the study of perception.
A study of the human strengths and virtues that enable people to thrive, this course surveys the emerging field of Positive Psychology, focusing on major theories and latest research findings. This course will examine research on topics such as happiness, purpose and meaning in life, growth through adversity, forgiveness, humility, and humor. Students will read and discuss research, try out and analyze practical ways of promoting psychological wellbeing, and design and carry out a research project.
A detailed, critical, scientific analysis of the effects of the major categories of psychiatric drugs, for the treatment of depression, mania, anxiety, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders. The course first focuses on understanding the research strategies that are used in the evaluation of psychiatric drugs. Then it uses this understanding to critically evaluate the research that has actually been done. Research comparing drug treatment to psychological treatment is also reviewed.
PSYC course; BIOL course
Students will be involved in carrying out one or more empirical research projects currently being conducted by the supervising faculty member. Students will meet regularly with the faculty member, read relevant research articles and collect, enter, code, or analyze data. Required application and recommendation forms for this course are available from the supervising faculty member or on the Psychology Department's website at: www.augie.edu/dept/psych/research.html. Preference will be given to students who plan to apply to graduate school.
PSYC 271; Approval of Supervising Faculty Member