Discovering the Person
PSYC 259
Spring 2012
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AMST 259, SISP 259 |
| Certificates: Civic Engagement |
This course surveys major developments in psychology and psychiatry from 1860 to 1980. 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 characteristics of the new persons who were located, catalogued, and explained by these sciences including irrationality, sexuality, cognitive powers (and fallibilities), personality types, emotional processes, neurotic behaviors, intelligence, addictive tendencies, and a receding if not nonexistent will. Attention is also given to the scientific grounds for investigating persons (from realist to dynamic nominalist and social constructionist), the evidence sought in the century-long process of finding and naming psychological kinds, and the modes of producing this knowledge (aggregate methods, case study, and theories). Readings include primary source documents, histories of the disciplines, and philosophical analyses. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Ethical Reasoning, Interpretation
The course requires students gain skills to interpret primary source materials (psychological texts) in historical context and in terms of competing interpretations. Students will be expected to acquire the ability to present and defend historical interpretations of psychological writings. Additionally, the course emphasizes the ethical dimensions of psychological theory, research, and applications. To this end, students will acquire skills to identify the underlying values and ethical bases of psychological ideas and to consider the implications of these values and ethical presupposition.
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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: (AMST)(CIVI-MN)(CSCT)(PSYC)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Hacking, I. REWRITING THE SOUL: MULTIPLE PERSONALITY & THE SCIENCES OF MEMORY
Meyerowitz, J. HOW SEX CHANGED
Caplan, E. MIND GAMES
Haraway, D. PRIMATE VISIONS
Igo, S. THE AVERAGED AMERICAN
Haraway, PRIMATE VISIONS
Stearns, P. ANXIOUS PARENTS
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Examinations and Assignments:
Short papers (4-6), research paper, midterm exam, final exam. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Students who have taken PSYC310 or SISP312 CANNOT take this course.
Only one Wesleyan Univ. course can be taken as non-graded towards the psychology major.
For psychology majors, this is a column 2 Breadth Requirement course. |
| Instructor(s): Morawski,Jill G. Times: .M.W... 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: JUDD116; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 35 | | SR major: 7 | JR major: 15 | | |
| Seats Available: -9 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 9 | FR: 0 |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 5 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 1 | 4th Ranked: 1 | Unranked: 3 |
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