Psychology
Course Description
In addition to acquiring a basic understanding of the realm of psychology in this class, students may also expect to gain a greater self-awareness and awareness of others and to take with them a useful set of "tools" that will enhance their lives and their relationships for a lifetime. We will begin with an overview of Western Psychology, including its historical development. Traditional theories to be covered will include psychoanalytic (Freud and the Neo-Freudians, Adler), Jung's analytical psych., humanistic (Rogers, Maslow, and others), existential, behaviorist (Skinner and others), cognitive (Ellis, Piaget, and others), and biological. The assumptions and limitations of the prevailing biological/behaviorist, scientific/materialist model will be explored and contrasted with other paradigms, including Western humanistic and esoteric/transpersonal psychology, Eastern and Middle Eastern psychology, and the psychology of the native peoples. Practical activities will enhance understanding of the various theories. Students will be challenged to integrate the multitude of paradigms into their own synthetic model of the human psyche. So-called "abnormal" psychological states will be discussed along with "treatment" modalities currently in use. Transformative interpersonal communication skills will be explored, and students will have the opportunity to carry out these ideas in the context of a less-intense version of almost daily "encounter group" work in class. The topics for group work will be determined by the course material for the day; we will use a core question or concept as a starting point for in-depth discussion, to which all students will be asked to contribute in some way (at their level of comfort). We will also look at communication on a larger scale, touching on psychological issues regarding the media and advertising. Social psychology, or the psychology of larger groups and cultures, is also on the agenda. And finally, time permitting, we will explore career issues and the process of choosing a life path. Students will take two personality inventories in class, and possibly a career/interest inventory, with a view toward greater self-knowledge and understanding of others.
Daily journal work will be required, along with short daily reading assignments (or alternative) related to the next day's topic. Students will write a 3 to 5-page paper based upon a book chosen from a list the instructor will provide, which they will summarize for the rest of the class in a 15-minute presentation. Homework should take no more than one to one-and-one-half hours per night, five days per week, not including time spent on the paper and a couple of "short & fun" weekend "assignments." We will probably have a daily 5-minute quiz, not to be included as part of your evaluation---just to help us to pull together the main ideas of the day and to help you in preparing for the final exam, which will be a part of your evaluation (a 70% score is acceptable. More is better). Evaluations will also be based upon the quality of participation in class (NOT including the encounter group experience), daily completion of journal work, and the paper/presentation.
Teacher: Deborah Baer
Deborah Baer lives in Viroqua and is a tutor, licensed counselor, and registered nurse, with a B.S. in Nursing from UW-Madison, and an M.A. in Counseling from Louisiana Tech Univ. As a nurse she worked with terminally ill patients, then with psychiatric patients in Madison. Later, in private practice as a counselor, she worked with clients using a humanistic/Jungian/transpersonal approach and was also at that time an assistant administrator at a Montessori school in Louisiana. She has been a private tutor since 1991 in math, English, science, social studies, study skills, ACT/SAT preparation, and the writing of essays and research papers.