Discovering the Person
PSYC 259
Fall 2025
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AMST 259, STS 259 |
| Course Cluster and Certificates: Social, Cultural, and Critical Theory Certificate, Social, Cultural, and Critical Theory Certificate, Health Studies |
This course surveys major developments in psychology and psychiatry from 1860 to the present. Through readings and lectures, the course introduces the major schools, theories, and systems in the American "psy" sciences. We examine the kinds of persons who were "discovered," the techniques of discovery, the extensions of psychological ideas to institutions and policy formulations, and the consequences of these discoveries for public as well as private life. We examine phenomena that were located, catalogued, and explained by these sciences, including rationality, gender, cognition, personality, race, emotion, psychiatric disorders, development, intelligence, and the will. Attention is given to the scientific grounds of investigations and the empirical evidence sought in the century-long process of discovering and naming psychological kinds. Readings include primary source documents, histories, and philosophical analyses. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS PSYC |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: PSYC105 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (American Studies)(Civic Engagement Minor)(Psychology)(Science and Technology Studies)(Social, Cultural and Critical Theory Certificate) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Beard, AMERICAN NERVOUSNESS
Haslam, CONCEPT CREEP
Hacking, MAKING UP PEOPLE
MacDonald, NARCISSISM IN THE MODERN WORLD
Stark, ALGORITHMIC PSYCHOMETRICS AND THE SCALEABLE SUBJECT
Teo, EMPIRICAL RACE PSYCHOLOGY- EPISTEMOLOGICAL VIOLENCE
Watson, PSYCHOLOGY AS THE BEHAVIORIST VIEWS IT
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Examinations and Assignments:
Short papers (8), midterm exam, final exam. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This is a column 2 breadth course for psychology majors. Students who have taken PSYC310 or SISP312 CANNOT take this course. |
| Instructor(s): Morawski,Jill Times: ..T.R.. 10:20AM-11:40AM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 35 | | SR major: 10 | JR major: 14 | | |
| Seats Available: 35 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 0 | SO: 11 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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