Often interdisciplinary in approach and sometimes team taught, honors courses typically offer students occasions to extend their learning beyond the classroom. Students in this course develop an understanding of their own and others' intrapsychic, emotional and overt behavioral processes in relation to the physical and social environment. This course will examine the major historical and contemporary approaches to understanding personality and its development. Cross-cultural and gender influences on personality will be incorporated. A study of abnormal behavior, this course emphasizes contemporary approaches to understanding the causes and to treating abnormal behavior as well as understanding the specific disorders.
Human development is examined from the prenatal period through adolescence.
Current research methods and relevant theories will be used to address the multiplicity of factors contributing to children's development. The nature of psychological and physical change as well as stability throughout adulthood will be examined. A special emphasis is placed on understanding the experiences of aging individuals in the context of an aging society. Attributes of environmental settings which are associated with human performance and functioning will be analyzed. This course examines in depth a major issue, problem, or theme in the area of psychology.