An introduction to Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, Daoist, Jewish, Christian and Islamic religious traditions. Readings are drawn from primary religious sources, including the Bhagavad Gita, Shantideva’s guide to Buddhist awakening, the Analects of Confucius, the Daodejing, the Bible, the Passover Haggadah, Christian gospels, the Quran, and diverse works of poetry, philosophy and art. The course explores what the world looks like through the eyes of religious adherents through the help of student presentations, occasional films and online religious sites.

Offered as BKX 202 and PYX 202. This course focuses on various professional practice aspects of publishing, including manuscript submissions, selection, poetry craft and literary citizenship, through Nine Syllables Press, in partnership with the Boutelle-Day Poetry Center. Students learn about the publishing industry and contemporary US poetry landscape. Students have the opportunity to directly participate in reading and selecting manuscripts for a chapbook to be published by Nine Syllables Press. Preference given to Poetry and Book Studies concentrators. Cannot be taken S/U.

Offered as ENG 112 and PYX 112. This course offers the opportunity to read contemporary poetry and meet the poets who write it. The course consists of class meetings alternating with public poetry readings by visiting poets. S/U only. Course may be repeated.

An introduction to research methods in political psychology. Includes discussion of current research as well as design and execution of original research in selected areas such as right wing authoritarianism, group consciousness and political activism. Prerequisite: PSY 202. Enrollment limited to 12. Juniors and seniors only. Instructor permission required.

Covers theory and research on childhood and adolescent peer relationships. Topics include socialization processes, friendships and peer networks, and the interplay of biological, psychological and contextual factors that shape social interactions in the peer group. Some questions addressed: How do humans form friendships? What qualities make people liked by their peers? Is there a difference between being ignored by other kids and being rejected by them? Have text messaging and social media sites changed the way humans communicate with each other?

This seminar addresses topics related to psychological trauma including: history of traumatology, trauma epidemiology, stress and trauma disorders, ethnocultural variation in trauma, psychophysiological assessment of trauma, evidence based treatment of trauma disorders and posttraumatic growth. Recommended prerequisites: PSY 100, PSY 150, PSY 253 and NSC 130/ PSY 130. This seminar regularly address emotionally distressing topics (e.g., physical and sexual abuse). Students should only choose this course if able to fully engage with such topics. Enrollment limited to 12.

One cannot turn on the radio or browse the internet today without encountering the latest fMRI findings or other technologically advanced results of contemporary psychological research. The primary goal of this course is to learn how to communicate such complex information to a non-specialist audience. Through a set of prescribed writing assignments, students develop skills in translating psychological theories and empirical evidence to the public. Assignments may include evaluation of journal articles, blog entries and interviews of research psychologists.

An exploration of the nature of moral psychology. The class discusses how reason, emotion, cultural norms and social pressures shape moral judgments; how brain activity correlates with moral decision-making; and how to use psychological research on moral intuition to evaluate cultural and political disagreements. Prerequisites: PSY 202. Enrollment limited to 25. (E)