Cognitive Science 0221 - Psych of Close Relationships

This course will explore the many psychological mechanisms that play a part in close personal relationships. Using psychological research as our foundation, students will be led in discussions and about attraction, love, lust, and other topics pertinent to close relationships. Students will be asked to think deeply about the social constructs that influence human preferences, and the bio-psychosocial processes at play. The course will begin by dissecting the concepts of attraction and love. We will also discuss attachment theory and interpersonal dynamics such as jealousy, power, and communication. Next we will explore discuss how notions of love and attraction are defined or re-defined or lived by the LGBTQ+ community, and how or why these relationships come/came to be stigmatized. Lastly, we will finish the course discussing the portrayal of sex in the media and online, and its implications on sex education and sexual understanding.

Mind, Brain, and Information Writing and Research In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research and project work.