PSY550: Introduction to Psychology

Students in this course study a range of explanations for human thought, behavior and emotion. Readings, projects, demonstrations and class discussions facilitate exploration of the biological basis of human behavior, human development, cognition, social interaction, personality, psychopathology and the treatment of mental illness. Readings focusing on historical and contemporary figures in psychology, such as Freud, Piaget, Erickson, Milgram, Ainsworth and Gilligan, as well as students' observations of themselves enrich discussions focused on the self and its experience of development, identity, cognition and group dynamics. Independent research may allow students to focus on a specific topic of interest.