Psychology (Undergraduate)

An introduction to the fundamental theories and concepts of psychology, including transpersonal psychology. Topics will include the history and systems of psychology, lifespan development and developmental psychology, personality theory, and abnormal psychology.

An introduction to elementary statistical principles and techniques relevant to psychological research. Topics covered include basic parametric and nonparametric statistics, analysis of variance, and simple factorial designs.

An introduction to analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of research reports and methods commonly used in education and the social sciences. Students will apply this knowledge in their concept paper as they identify an applied action research area of interest, prepare a literature review, develop researchable questions, and identify appropriate data collection and analysis procedures to answer the questions posed.

A survey of Eastern, indigenous, ecological, and Western perspectives on being human, with emphasis on the integration of personality theories and transpersonal practices as preparation for identifying one’s own beliefs about human development.

An introduction to the field of abnormal psychology. Students will become familiar with the historical, social, and cultural contexts of what is normatively understood as the disorders grouped under the rubric of “abnormal psychology.” Students will also engage a transpersonal perspective of abnormal psychology and its understandings of the complexities of human behaviors.

An examination of professional ethics in psychology and counseling. Students will review ethical codes from the counseling profession and learn to apply normative ethics to tough moral problems. Students will explore the relationship between the practitioner’s sense of self and human value, ethical and spiritual mandates, and the relationship with and responsibilities to other providers while considering the issues of institutional and social barriers to access.

Introduces theories and concepts of transpersonal psychology. Students will learn about the origins of transpersonal psychology, the contributors to the field, the research that is being conducted, and the applications of transpersonal studies to personal growth, counseling, education, society, and human welfare.

An introduction to the basic principles s of neuropsychology. Students interested in psychotherapy and psychological transformation will examine the neurobiological aspects of consciousness, cognition, neuroplasticity, trauma, attachment, psychological healing, and psychological growth and transformation.

The study of how the unique individual develops over time. Students will examine the general paths and stages of development, the role of genetics, environmental factors, and how our traits are developed.

An investigation into the nature and dynamics of human perception and cognition. Students will explore how we make sense of the world through examining how our cognitive processes and our subjective perceptions, experiences, and interpretations of reality are shaped and influenced by social, cultural, evolutionary, and psychodynamic factors. Students will be exposed to the perspectives of multiple schools of psychological thought: the sociopsychological, the neuropsychological, the psychodynamic, and the transpersonal, while focusing on practical applications on how to facilitate psychological change, personal growth, and transformative learning processes.

The study of neurodiversity, or the range of variations in neurocognitive functioning in humans. Students will explore how neurodiversity is a natural product of human evolution, and a rich source of creative potential. Topics to be discussed include the dynamics of privilege, prejudice, and oppression, and the modern social trend toward pathologizing human neurocognitive variations such as autism and other commonly pathologized neurocognitive variants.

An introduction to the field of Somatic Psychology. Students will examine the fundamental principles and approaches of Somatic Psychology through readings (including case narratives by notable practitioners of somatic psychotherapy), experiential exercises, journaling, and class discussion.

A survey of the ways in which social phenomena influence the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of individuals. Students will examine the major theories, experiments, and issues in the field of social psychology. Sample topics include emotion, aggression, conformity, attitudes, altruism, prejudice, persuasion, and group dynamics.

A theoretical introduction to the practice of meditation and mindfulness from different scientific, spiritual, and cultural traditions. Students will examine the psychology of attention and how it plays a role in the treatment of addiction, trauma, and stress related illness.

Understanding the relationship between individual psychology and larger social systems. Using theories of transpersonal psychology students will explore how society develops hierarchical structures related to the social identities of class, gender, race, physical ability, sexuality, and their intersections.

Explores the effect of technology has on efficiency, safety, and economy while considering the costs to human interconnectedness from a transpersonal perspective. Issues may include time, cost, complexity, environmental impact, social impact.

An exploration of social psychology and the implications of cultural and political aspects of drug use. Students will examine the history of the use and abuse of drugs around the world and throughout history. Topics include the pharmacology of mood-altering chemicals, chemical dependence and treatment, and drugs used in treating mental illness.

Exploring feminist psychological theory. Students will examine the biological, psychological, social, and cultural meanings and implications of gender and its intersections with race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc. Topics will include issues of socialization and social development, stereotypes, bodies and body image, social relationships, identity, language, violence, sexuality and sexual behavior, well-being, work, etc.

An examination of how people think about environmental issues. Students will explore questions surrounding ocean, land, and air pollution, and climate change and how our thinking about the environment can create sustainable action. In particular, students will use theories of transpersonal psychology to think through why creating a mindset of environmental sustainability is difficult to develop in the modern world.

An exploration of what it means to have differential abilities and how society is structured to define the lives of those not deemed to be "normal." Students will explore the stereotypes of disability and the socially, linguistically, and historically constructed meaning of physical, sensory, and cognitive "impairments."

An examination of community psychology and public health psychology in terms of the transpersonal. Topics include prevention and health promotion, risk and resilience, empowerment models, and community organizing related to mental illness, obesity, substance abuse, homelessness, and domestic violence.

Examines the clinical and social aspects of pain and pain management. Using theories of transpersonal psychology, students will explore how we define pain socially and the limits of the modern pain clinic. Special attention will be paid to the so-called opioid crisis, the impact of opioids on rural and urban communities, as well as its effect on chronic pain patients.

Examination of the to the major issues, theories, and conclusions of developmental psychology as they apply to infancy and childhood.

Examination of the biological, development, and social aspects of adolescent development.

Exploration of the psychology of human sexuality including the nature and variety of human sexual experience as well as the theories and therapies regarding sexual issues.

Examination of the theories and practices of understanding the characterization, risk factors, and treatment of delinquency.

An exploration of the phenomenon of emotion from a transpersonal perspective. Particular attention will be paid to how emotions are connected to other basic psychological processes such as cognition, motivation, decision making, and well-being.

Using transpersonal psychology to better understand and enhance sport participation and performance, and the psychological issues associated with professional and amateur sports.

An examination of the role psychology plays in the criminal justice system, with particular emphasis on the role of mental health professionals, and criminal investigation.

An exploration of the philosophical, psychological, and spiritual literature can explain how transpersonal psychology can train people to be better leaders. Topics will include personal philosophies of leadership, peer evaluation of leadership approaches, as well as the development and presentation of models of potentiating leadership as understood through transpersonal psychology.

A culminating project, completed individually or in teams, where students integrate program coursework, and consider how transpersonal psychology can be applied to a real-world problem. In part I students will define the scope of the project, review the literature from which the problem emerges, and gather information or data. Students may select an external practitioner or sponsor for the project.

A culminating project, completed individually or in teams, where students integrate program coursework, and consider how transpersonal psychology can be applied to a real-world problem. In part II students will produce a complete research paper and an oral presentation based on the paper.