CLASSES

The following is the list of classes I teach. 

Spring 2010

Introductory Psychology:  This course is designed to be both a project-based (i.e., conceptual and creative
     activities, discussions, and applications) and lecture-based (traditional formal presentations) so that
     students would have both kinds of learning experiences.  The goal of the class is for students to
     understand scientific psychology as an alternative of their everyday way of thinking about human
     nature.

Research Methods in Psychology (Psy 3610):  This course concerns how psychologists go about
     the business of collecting data and testing hypotheses about behavior. Lectures will focus on
     designs for collecting, procedures for analyzing, and standard practices for reporting research  
     data. But at its heart, this is a "hands on" course, meaning that you will learn about research by
     working on a research proposal, conducting a research project, analyzing data, and writing up
     results.  This semester we will be testing a dual process accounts of rational thinking on the 
     ratio-bias task.

Practicum (Psy 4390):  In this course, students learn to apply psychological knowledge by
     volunteering at one of two educational institutions.  The Treehouse is a children's museum
     based on principles of family literacy.  The institution is designed for children to learn the
     world of symbolic forms (including stories, math, arts, theatrical forms, and cultural
     symbols) through interactions with parents, guardians and staff.  The DaVinci Academy of
     Science and the Arts is a charter high school.  DASA is based on principles of project-based
     learning meaning that students learn by completing projects on topics of interest.

Fall, 2009

Research Methods in Psychology (Psy 3610)

Practicum (Psy 4390)

Spring, 2009

The Science and Practice of Psychology (Psy 2010):  The central goal of this class is to consider
     psychology as a science which informs how it is practiced. We will consider the problems and
     limits of pop psychology represented by rows of unhelpful self-help books in bookstores and
     therapy-as-entertainment on TV. The course will also help students understand the nature of
     and prepare for a career in scientific psychology.

History and Systems of Psychology (Psy 4090): The central goal of the class is to help students
     answer the question: What are the modern ideas about human nature and where did they come
     from? The first part of the course we will survey contemporary ideas about the nature of
     human nature. We will then travel backwards in time to find the intellectual, social, and
     technological innovations that lead to the emergence of these ideas. Over the course of the
     semester, students will explore the historical antecedents of modern ideas that they consider
     interesting and critical

Practicum (Psy 4390)

Seminar (Psy 4990): Students enrolled in seminar will hear 6 presentations over the course of the
     semester by WSU professors and faculty from other schools.  May of the presentations will be
     research based, but some will be presentations based on applied issues.  For each presentation,
     students will be expected to read relevant papers (which will be made available) and write a
     review and critique of the presentation. 

Fall, 2008

Introductory Psychology (DaVinci Academy)  (Concurrent Enrollment):  This is a college-level
      Introductory Psychology class reconfigured to support project-based learning for students at   
      the DaVinci Academy of the Science and Arts.  Students learn psychology not only
      listening to lectures and reading a textbook,  but also by extensive class discussions in which
      they try to resolve issues in the discipline.  Also, students apply their knowledge with a 
      placement at the Treehouse, work on demos, and complete individually tailored assignments. 

Spring, 2008

Research Methods in Psychology (Psy 3610)

Adolescence Psychology (Psy 3140)

Fall, 2007

Research Methods in Psychology (Psy 3610)

Adolescent Risk Taking (Psy 4900)

Other Courses

Introductory Psychology (Psy 1010)

Child Psychology (Psy 3000)

Applying Psychology to Schools (Psy 4830)