Course Text:

Wade, C. & Tavris, C. (2008). Invitation to psychology, 4th Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Course Goals:

Core Curriculum Objectives:

 

Social Perspectives

• You will be able to identify and explain the methods of analysis used by psychologists to examine and evaluate group and individual attitudes and behavior.

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

• You will be able to use methods, concepts and theories in new situations.

 International, Gender, and/or Minority Perspectives

• You will be able to identify prejudice, stereotypes, and misuses of power that affect the lives of women and/or other minorities in areas such as education, business, politics, religion or industry.

Specific Course Objectives:

 Psychology is a science.

You will be able to:

• Identify the types of methods used in psychological research
• Identify and explain the strengths and weaknesses of methods used in psychological research.
• Apply the principles of critical thinking to explain why the conclusions of a research study should or should not be believed.

 

Psychology is a vehicle for understanding self and others.

• You will be able to apply one or more theories, concepts and/or research findings from the list of mandated topic areas to explain given examples of human and animal behavior.

More generally, and most importantly, it is my intention that by taking this course you will have gained an additional way to think about the questions that most concern you.  More than likely these questions have to do with understanding yourself and your place in the world around you.  Psychology does not have all the answers.  But, psychology can give you a useful set of concepts and ideas for searching out the answers.  In this way, psychology takes its place along with history, literature, philosophy, the natural sciences, and the other disciplines as one tool in the tool kit of the life-long learner.  Welcome to the journey!