Fall Semester 2007
Level III offerings
337 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Memory is a fundamental part of human existence, but what do we currently know about the neurobiology that underlies this remarkable ability? Students in this seminar course will present and discuss recent published research that examines the neurobiology of learning and memory
from molecular, cellular, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience perspectives, with a focus on memory. Prerequisites: Psych238:Biopsychology or Neuro234:Introduction to Neuroscience. Offered most years.
In this seminar, we will explore the amazing journey
that humans make from conception until approximately 3 years of
age. Together, we will consider a number of fascinating, even
profound questions, including:
What abilities are babies born with? How do they learn about their
world?
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How do babies communicate, first nonverbally and then through language?
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When and how do babies develop a sense of self?
These questions, and many others, have been considered since antiquity, and the answers given have depended on the way in which infants were viewed at the time. Scientific observations of infants and theoretical speculations about infancy began in earnest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Beginning in the middle of the 20th century, the scientific study of infancy gained widespread attention, and researchers added a host of new questions to be considered. For example:
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How do interactions with parents, siblings, and others affect babies' intelligence?
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How does institutionalization affect infants and very young children?
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What influence does daycare have during the first year of life?
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How are infants and very young children affected by maternal depression?
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What is the impact of poverty on early development?
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What can be learned from cross-cultural studies of infants?
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How early can signs of psychopathology and abnormal development be detected?
A note about Linguistic Studies Concentration credit: One of the most significant developments during the period of infancy is the development of language. Language acquisition is influenced by biological, cognitive, and social factors. The ability to understand and use language contributes, in turn, to development in these domains. Because we will be considering these issues throughout the semester, this course counts toward the Linguistic Studies Concentration.
390 Gender & Mental Health
This seminar examines the impact of gender on the prevalence, diagnosis, nature, and treatment of mental illness. Students review the psychological, sociopolitical, and biological aspects of specific psychiatric illnesses that disproportionately affect one gender (e.g., depression, eating disorders, substance abuse). Students also explore the influence of gender in the process and outcome of psychotherapy and other mental health services. The course format is primarily discussion-based, and students also conduct oral presentations. This course is only open to seniors and juniors. Prerequisites: Psychology 125, 231, and 264, or permission of instructor.
This seminar will focus on a limited number of issues affecting women, which we will explore in greater depth. Issues such as the following will be addressed: women's health issues (what are the differences between men and women? what health issues particularly or exclusively affect women? are there different responses to similar conditions? to similar treatments? what are the causes? are there any commonalities?); women's mental health issues (depression, addictions, anxiety-related disorders); women, hormones, pheremones and the like; gender differences in the brain; women and violence (domestic abuse, child physical and sexual abuse, effects of early abuse); women and poverty; cross-cultural issues and women and therapy. Students will be expected to take an active role in the seminar, which will include a research project on a topic relevant to the issues under discussion.
Recent findings about the complex relationship between the immune system and the mind, and its implications for health and illness, will be examined. Topics include a basic understanding of the immune system, research on the relationships between stress and other environmental, psychological or behavioral factors, the immune system and disease. This will include findings from psychoneuroimmunology, the psychological factors associated with various illnesses as well as with recovery or prevention, and an examination of psychological and alternative healing methods. The course draws upon recent animal and human research in psychology and biology, and permits study of a burgeoning new field which is changing traditional medical models and practices. Students will be expected to take a very active part in this seminar, including discussing the readings and preparing and co-leading two discussion sessions. It is recommended that students have at least an introductory background in biology and a more substantial background in psychology (abnormal psychology is particularly helpful, although not required; biopsychology or neuropsychology are also useful as background courses). Group research on a topic in health psychology will complement the course material.
Interim Course offerings 2008
Psychophysiology, an area of cognitive neuroscience,
reveals new insights about cognition and emotions by measuring
corresponding changes in physiological activity such as brain
waves, heart rate, muscle tone, body temperature, and blood pressure.
Interim provides hands-on introductory experience in our new laboratory
in techniques of electroencephalography, electrocardiography,
electromyography, skin temperature measurement, and biofeedback,
based on leading theory, models andmethods in psychophysiology. Opportunity for individual or team
projects using psychophysiological techniques to study specific
areas of interest. For more information, see
http://www.stolaf.edu/people/thorshm/course-225-01.htm
226 Human Dev. in East Asia: Perspectives from China and Japan
Students reflect on their own culture as they explore childhood and family life in China and Japan. Developmental and cross-cultural research, memoirs, works of fiction, and films are used to study parents' beliefs and childrearing practices as well as the development of the self, peer relationships, school achievement, and role changes during adulthood. With life expectancy increasing around the world, students also discoverhow China and Japan are responding to the graying of their populations. Prerequisites:Psychology 125 or Asian Studies 111 or Asian Studies 121.
Spring Semester 2008
Level III offerings
This seminar explores research on mental imagery and visual perception, focusing on the use of imagery in thinking. Drawing on both 19th-century empirical studies of visual imagery and contemporary brain scan research, students explore individual differences in mental representations of problem solving and abstract concepts, including numbers, colors, and time. Students also research mental conceptions as represented in dance notation, pictorial instructions, and scientific images. Prerequisites: Psychology 125, 231, and 235 or 237. Offered every year.
This seminar explores recent advances and the state of current knowledge of mechanisms involved in behavioral responses to drugs of abuse at the systems, cellular and molecular levels. The action of stimulant drugs, alcohol and the opiates on reward pathways are discussed in terms of behavioral neurobiology, pharmacology and gene expression. Consideration is given to the role of environmental cues and stress in relapse to drug-seeking both in animal models and human studies. Prerequisites: 125 AND 231 AND 238 or Neuroscience 234.
375 Clinical and Counseling Psychology
This course examines perspectives on psychotherapy from a variety of theoretical orientations. Students review empirically supported treatments for specific clinical disorders, as well as “nonspecific” factors that enhance (or hinder) the therapeutic process. Students explore ethical issues that psychologists face when providing counseling services, and they also examine current views on multicultural and other diversity issues in psychotherapy. The course format is primarily discussion-based, and students also conduct oral presentations. This course is only open to juniors and seniors and is offered every year. Prerequisite: Psychology 125 and 231 and 264 OR 271.
Complex cognitive processes such as memory, language, and spatial perception have a neurological basis. This course provides students the opportunity to examine the relationship between the basic principles of human brain structure and function and their expression in cognition. We will examine cerebral asymmetry, recovery from head trauma and traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities and motor disorders. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisite: 238 OR Neuro 234
This seminar course approaches the study of animal behavior from the blended viewpoints of evolutionary behavioral ecology and comparative psychology. Mechanisms of learning, cognition, and development, as well as aggression, territoriality, and mating are examined at the organismic and cellular level. A deeper understanding of the neural and environmental determinants of behavior in a wide variety of species helps students better understand themselves and their place in nature. Prerequisite: Biology 126 or Psychology 125.
