PSYCH 222, Current Topics in Psychology, is a special topics course open to all students. Content changes from quarter to quarter and typically reflects the research and special interests of the faculty who teach the classes.
Does not fulfill graduation requirements for a Psychology major.
Past Quarters
PSYCH 222A: Current Topics in Sleep
Prerequisite: PSYCH 101
(SSci)
This course examines sleep and related phenomena, such as dreaming, sleep disorders, and circadian rhythms, from diverse psychological perspectives. We will explore ancient and modern beliefs about sleep, scientific methods of studying sleep, basic patterns of typical human sleep, and sleep in other animal species. We will discuss how the brain and environment regulate sleep, changes in sleep as we age. individual differences and personality factors in sleep, sociocultural aspects of sleep and dreaming, and the nature and treatment of sleep disorders. The influence of typical sleep and sleep deprivation on memory and other cognitive processes, emotion, mental and physical health, and task performance will be addressed, as will debates about why we sleep and dream, whether dreams have meaning, and whether we can control our dreams while asleep. We will also discuss behavioral guidelines to enhance the quality of our own sleep.
PSYCH 222B: Neurobiology of Critical Thinking
Prerequisite: PSYCH 101
(SSci)
The goal of this survey course is to provide a diverse group of students with an introduction to the ways in which evolution of neural and cognitive mechanisms has shaped our perception of the world, and how these mechanisms operate to construct every individual’s own objective and subjective “reality”. We will discuss the question of how to define “reality” and explore ways to critically evaluate what we perceive.
PSYCH 222C: Scientific Thinking in Psychology
Prerequisite: PSYCH 101
(SSci)
This course will explore how to use scientific tools to identify, read, critically evaluate, and build on scientific knowledge. We will investigate how scientists ask questions and interpret data, consider what and how knowledge is disseminated, and challenge the historic practices that have limited access to scientific ways of knowing. This class will strengthen students' ability to efficiently take in scientific information, preparing them for future coursework in Psychology or other Natural and Social sciences.
PSYCH 222A: Neurobiology of Critical Thinking
Prerequisite: PSYCH 101
Area of Inquiry: SSc
The goal of this survey course is to provide a diverse group of students with an introduction to the ways in which evolution of neural and cognitive mechanisms has shaped our perception of the world, and how these mechanisms operate to construct every individual’s own objective and subjective “reality”. We will discuss the question of how to define “reality” and explore ways to critically evaluate what we perceive.
PSYCH 222B: Introduction to Health Psychology
Prerequisite: PSYCH 101
Area of Inquiry: SSc
This course will provide an introduction to health psychology, a field that focuses on the psychological influences on who gets sick, who stays healthy, and how people cope with illness. The course will address topics such as stress and coping, personality and health, social support and health, health behaviors, and adjustment to chronic illnesses. Students will be encouraged to think about how the course material connects to the world around them, and assignments will ask them to apply the course material to improve their own and others' health.
PSYCH 222C: Current Topics in Sleep
Prerequisite: PSYCH 101
Area of Inquiry: SSc
This course examines sleep and related phenomena, such as dreaming, sleep disorders, and circadian rhythms, from diverse psychological perspectives. We will explore ancient and modern beliefs about sleep, scientific methods of studying sleep, basic patterns of typical human sleep, and sleep in other animal species. We will discuss how the brain and environment regulate sleep, changes in sleep as we age. individual differences and personality factors in sleep, sociocultural aspects of sleep and dreaming, and the nature and treatment of sleep disorders. The influence of typical sleep and sleep deprivation on memory and other cognitive processes, emotion, mental and physical health, and task performance will be addressed, as will debates about why we sleep and dream, whether dreams have meaning, and whether we can control our dreams while asleep. We will also discuss behavioral guidelines to enhance the quality of our own sleep.
PSYCH 222A: Current Topics in Sleep
This course examines sleep and related phenomena, such as dreaming, sleep disorders, and circadian rhythms, from diverse psychological perspectives. We will explore ancient and modern beliefs about sleep, scientific methods of studying sleep, basic patterns of typical human sleep, and sleep in other animal species. We will discuss how the brain and environment regulate sleep, changes in sleep as we age. individual differences and personality factors in sleep, sociocultural aspects of sleep and dreaming, and the nature and treatment of sleep disorders. The influence of typical sleep and sleep deprivation on memory and other cognitive processes, emotion, mental and physical health, and task performance will be addressed, as will debates about why we sleep and dream, whether dreams have meaning, and whether we can control our dreams while asleep. We will also discuss behavioral guidelines to enhance the quality of our own sleep.
PSYCH 222A: Neurobiology of Critical Thinking
The goal of this survey course is to provide a diverse group of students with an introduction to the ways in which evolution of neural and cognitive mechanisms has shaped our perception of the world, and how these mechanisms operate to construct every individual’s own objective and subjective “reality”. We will discuss the question of how to define “reality” and explore ways to critically evaluate what we perceive.
PSYCH 222B: Current Topics in Sleep
This course examines sleep and related phenomena, such as dreaming, sleep disorders, and circadian rhythms, from diverse psychological perspectives. We will explore ancient and modern beliefs about sleep, scientific methods of studying sleep, basic patterns of typical human sleep, and sleep in other animal species. We will discuss how the brain and environment regulate sleep, changes in sleep as we age. individual differences and personality factors in sleep, sociocultural aspects of sleep and dreaming, and the nature and treatment of sleep disorders. The influence of typical sleep and sleep deprivation on memory and other cognitive processes, emotion, mental and physical health, and task performance will be addressed, as will debates about why we sleep and dream, whether dreams have meaning, and whether we can control our dreams while asleep. We will also discuss behavioral guidelines to enhance the quality of our own sleep.
Introduction to Health Psychology
This course will provide an introduction to health psychology, a field that focuses on the psychological influences on who gets sick, who stays healthy, and how people cope with illness. The course will address topics such as stress and coping, personality and health, social support and health, health behaviors, and adjustment to chronic illnesses. Students will be encouraged to think about how the course material connects to the world around them, and assignments will ask them to apply the course material to improve their own and others' health.
PSYCH 222A: Current Topics in Sleep
Prerequisite: Psych 101 (may contact instructor for an add code if you haven't completed Psych 101)
Areas of Knowledge: I&S
This course examines sleep and related phenomena, such as dreaming, sleep disorders, and circadian rhythms, from diverse psychological perspectives. We will explore ancient and modern beliefs about sleep, scientific methods of studying sleep, basic patterns of typical human sleep, and sleep in other animal species. We will discuss how the brain and environment regulate sleep, changes in sleep as we age. individual differences and personality factors in sleep, sociocultural aspects of sleep and dreaming, and the nature and treatment of sleep disorders. The influence of typical sleep and sleep deprivation on memory and other cognitive processes, emotion, mental and physical health, and task performance will be addressed, as will debates about why we sleep and dream, whether dreams have meaning, and whether we can control our dreams while asleep. We will also discuss behavioral guidelines to enhance the quality of our own sleep.
PSYCH 222A: Neurobiology of Critical Thinking
Prerequisite: Psych 101
Areas of Knowledge: I&S
The goal of this survey course is to provide a diverse group of students with an introduction to the ways in which evolution of neural and cognitive mechanisms has shaped our perception of the world, and how these mechanisms operate to construct every individual’s own objective and subjective “reality”. We will discuss the question of how to define “reality” and explore ways to critically evaluate what we perceive.
PSYCH 222B: Current Topics in Sleep
Prerequisite: Psych 101
Areas of Knowledge: I&S
This course examines sleep and related phenomena, such as dreaming, sleep disorders, and circadian rhythms, from diverse psychological perspectives. We will explore ancient and modern beliefs about sleep, scientific methods of studying sleep, basic patterns of typical human sleep, and sleep in other animal species. We will discuss how the brain and environment regulate sleep, changes in sleep as we age. individual differences and personality factors in sleep, sociocultural aspects of sleep and dreaming, and the nature and treatment of sleep disorders. The influence of typical sleep and sleep deprivation on memory and other cognitive processes, emotion, mental and physical health, and task performance will be addressed, as will debates about why we sleep and dream, whether dreams have meaning, and whether we can control our dreams while asleep. We will also discuss behavioral guidelines to enhance the quality of our own sleep.
PSYCH 222A: Sleep
This course examines sleep and related phenomena, such as dreaming, sleep disorders, and circadian rhythms, from diverse psychological perspectives. We will explore ancient and modern beliefs about sleep, scientific methods of studying sleep, basic patterns of typical human sleep, and sleep in other animal species. We will discuss how the brain and environment regulate sleep, changes in sleep as we age. individual differences and personality factors in sleep, sociocultural aspects of sleep and dreaming, and the nature and treatment of sleep disorders. The influence of typical sleep and sleep deprivation on memory and other cognitive processes, emotion, mental and physical health, and task performance will be addressed, as will debates about why we sleep and dream, whether dreams have meaning, and whether we can control our dreams while asleep. We will also discuss behavioral guidelines to enhance the quality of our own sleep.