The number of Americans who identify as spiritual, but who are not affiliated with any traditional religion, has doubled in the last twenty years. More than 20% of Americans now identify as "spiritual but not religious" (SBNR), and the number is growing. In this course, students will try to make sense of this phenomenon by studying what these Americans practice, such as mindful meditation, ethical eating and forms of political activism. What is their lived experience? What counts as spirituality?

An introduction to the study of Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian and Islamic religious traditions. Readings come from primary religious sources, including the Bhagavad Gita, Shantideva’s guide to Buddhist awakening, the Passover Haggadah, Christian gospel narratives, the Quran, and diverse works of poetry, philosophy and art. Group projects, films and stories and virtual visits to religious sites online provide ways to begin seeing what the world looks like through the eyes of religious adherents.

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 will learn about the publishing industry and contemporary US poetry landscape. Students will 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.

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.

Offered as PSY 364 and SDS 364. Research on intergroup relationships and an exploration of theoretical and statistical models used to study mixed interpersonal interactions. Example research projects include examining the consequences of sexual objectification for both women and men, empathetic accuracy in interracial interactions and gender inequality in household labor. A variety of skills including, but not limited to, literature review, research design, data collection, measurement evaluation, advanced data analysis and scientific writing will be developed.

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 we address are: How do we form friendships? What qualities make us liked by our 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 we communicate with each other? Prerequisites: PSY 100 and PSY 201 or equivalent.

An introduction to research methods in clinical psychology and psychopathology. Includes discussion of current research as well as design and execution of original research in selected areas such as anxiety disorders, PTSD and depression. Prerequisite: PSY 100, PSY 201, PSY 202 and a relevant PSY intermediate colloquium course. Enrollment limited to 12. Juniors and seniors only. Instructor permission required.

This course examines the scientific perspectives on how psychological and social factors influence the development and progression of physical health and illness. Major topics include psychosocial origins of health disparities, relationships and health, emotion and disease, placebo effects, and complementary and alternative medical approaches. Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating current research and designing appropriate future studies. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and PSY 202. Preference to those who have completed a health psychology course. 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 will 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.