Courses

Psychology

The department offers two introductory courses, one of which prepares students for the Advanced Placement examination. Students in both courses experience a broad exposure to the major areas and central concerns of modern psychology, with particular emphasis on developmental psychology, personality theory, social psychology, and the like. Both courses explore the relationship between theoretical constructs and empirical findings and thus help students to understand the nature of scientific inquiry and to evaluate scientific claims. The department is fortunate to own several film collections which directly support and illuminate our assigned readings. Both courses provide a good foundation for further coursework in psychology and related scientific disciplines.

Classes

Psychology - Year

This course explores many aspects of human behavior from the interrelated perspectives of empirical findings and theoretical constructs, placing special emphasis on child and adolescent development, personality theory, abnormal psychology, psychotherapy, and social psychology. The course is conducted as a seminar;thus, active participation by students is essential. During the fall and winter terms, readings are drawn from a widely used college text, a collection of autobiographical case studies, and other sources. During the spring term, students study statistics and research methods, and then pursue individually designed projects. (Open to Forms V and VI with departmental permission.)

Advanced Placement Psychology - Year

This course is offered as an alternative to PS30 for students who wish to prepare for the Advanced Placement Examination in Psychology. (Open to Forms V and VI with departmental permission.)

Chair

Andy Harris

Faculty

Andrew M. Harris
Lynette Sumpter