This course provides students with a better understanding not only of death and dying, but also of life and living. Some of the topics considered are the feelings of the terminally ill, grief, cultural attitudes concerning mortality, funeral customs, euthanasia, suicide and near-death experiences. Through readings, films, field trips and class discussions, students examine both the intellectual and emotional aspects of death and dying and their effect on the meaning of life. Readings include works by Kubler-Ross, Rando, Chen and supplementary articles. Read more

This course focuses on human development from infancy through childhood, adolescence and adulthood, with particular emphasis on adolescent development. Students consider the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, sexual, moral and spiritual dimensions in which development takes place, and the role that gender plays within each dimension. Readings include excerpts from Erikson, Gilligan, Kohlberg, Piaget, Pipher, Thompson and Hammerschlag and articles describing current psychological research on adolescent development. Read more

Students who have fulfilled their diploma requirement in philosophy, psychology and religion may undertake an Independent Study Project. The student must arrange for a project adviser from within the department, submit a written proposal, and obtain approval from the academic adviser, project adviser, department head and dean of faculty. Read more

When over-relying on a strict rationalism, many Western men and women lack the ability to fathom the depths of those symbolic events — myths, dreams, rituals — which for most of human history have been the focus of meaning. How are these events related to what modern thinkers call the “unconscious mind”? Is anything lost in ignoring dreams? Is there any room for myth and ritual in today’s world? These and other questions are considered. Readings include Campbell, Johnson and supplementary articles. Read more

Sigmund Freud revolutionized Western life and thought. Freud’s many brilliant colleagues, some of whom differed significantly with him, broadened the impact of his work. Together they initiated a movement that has caused a significant shift in Western sensibility, leading some writers to refer to the peoples of the Western world as “psychological man.” The course explores some of the fundamental theories of Freud and Jung, using their selected works as primary texts. Read more

Social psychology studies human beings in relation to others. Men and women formulate personal and communal identity through social interactions, and this course focuses closely on those interactions. Throughout the term, students examine many of the important and compelling theories, ideas and research topics in the field of social psychology through selected readings, Internet research, projects, papers and films. The course encourages students to integrate the information learned with their experiences and communities. Read more