Humanistic studies focus on questions of meaning and humanization in our changing society. In this course, we will approach these questions from a psychological perspective. Psychology is an important discipline in the study of human mental life and behavior. Today, psychology offers a dominant perspective on understanding human emotion, decision-making, relationships, and group behavior (a.o.). During this course, we will learn more about important psychological theories and concepts and explore questions like: What forms our identity? How do people make meaning in moments of disruption in their life? What ideas about mental illness permeate current day discourse? And how can we psychologically explain contempt or even violence towards others, and what psychological methods might be used to counter this?
After participation in this course B2-ZIN3 Psychology in Humanistic Studies, students are able to:
1. Identify and explain psychology as an academic discipline, including the types of questions it addresses and its research methods (learning outcome 1a).
2. Read, interpret, and engage with psychological literature, including both theoretical and empirical texts, to develop an understanding of psychological perspectives and how they relate to humanistic studies (learning outcome 3a).
3. Define, illustrate, and compare key psychological theories, models, and concepts related to meaning making and humanization (learning outcome 1a).
Preferred: Bachelor year 1
World View- , Academic - and Professional Education
This course contributes to the (1) academic and (2) professional training of students.
Students are able to process psychological literature and have knowledge of important psychological concepts and methods; students learn different perspectives on humans from different psychological traditions and how these relate to humanistic studies.\
Students learn to understand and discuss psychological literature with each other through activating work forms.
Students learn to distinguish between scientific and popular psychological literature.
Brief explanation of cohesion with other courses
Format
During the lectures, theoretical and empirical literature will be discussed in relation to current societal issues. References from media, newspapers and examples from popular psychological literature will be used in order to illustrate the learning material as well as the role of psychology in contemporary society. During the seminars, we will discuss the subjects more deeply by means of activating work forms. Students are asked to actively prepare and participate during the lectures and seminars, by studying the material, preparing questions and presenting in groups.