Course Listing Ph200 - Py206
PHILOSOPHY Ph200 Philosophy 4 credits An introduction to philosophy designed for students in all degree programs, this course addresses fundamental problems such as knowledge and belief, mind and body, freedom and determinism, the existence of God, moral and aesthetic values and the individual and society. This course fulfills the College’s General Core requirement. Ph/Hu240 The Search for God: Our Relationship with the Sacred 4 credits Why am I here? What is the soul? Who or what is God? What is the meaning of life? How can I find my path in the world? These enduring questions are those humans have asked themselves for millennia. By exploring such questions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the universe, the sacred and ourselves. This is a "thought" course, one which pushes students to delve deeply into their own personal beliefs concerning society, the sacred, their place in the scheme of the universe and how to live a just and honorable life. This semi-historical approach looks into the realms of the mystical through the study of literature, artifacts and sacred texts. Discussions, guest speakers, videos, journaling and presentations challenge the students to expand their awareness by considering diverse viewpoints on the sacred and humanity’s role in the world. This course fulfills the Ethics/Philosophy requirement for the General Core. Ph250 Comparative Religions 4 credits An introduction to the plurality of world religions designed for advanced students in all degree programs, this course compares the systems of belief of the major religions of the world today (Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity) as well as other religions. Some field work is included. This course fulfills the College’s General Core requirement.
PSYCHOLOGY Py103 Interviewing and Counseling 4 credits Students will study current theories of counseling and learn basic interviewing and counseling
techniques through participation in class exercises and role plays. Students are required to demonstrate acquisition of these skills. Servicelearning may be a component of this course. Py150 Psychology 4 credits This course provides an overview of the field of psychology. Topics will include biological bases of behavior, learning, memory, developmental psychology, personality and abnormal behavior. Service-learning may be a component of this course. Py204 Families and Society 4 credits This course examines current trends in marriage and the family and clarifies personal values as a basis for making sound choices and achieving more successful intimate relationships. Py205 Child Growth and Development 4 credits This course will survey the major topics and psychological theories in developmental psychology from conception through preadolescence. The focus will be on individual maturation, both physical and mental, and how this affects the emotional, moral, cognitive and social development of the child. Consideration will be given to current controversies in the field: nature/nurture; continuity/discontinuity; and individual vs. group differences. Social issues will be discussed in the framework of the impact on the individual. Prerequisite: Py150 or approval of Division Chair. Py206 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging 4 credits This course aims to expose students to information about physiological, psychological and social factors which influence one’s experience of early adulthood, families, middle adulthood and later adulthood. Theories of life-span development will be explored. Variables such as marital status, educational level, gender, childbearing status, ethnicity and culture will be examined for their influences on the experience of adult development and aging. Different approaches to research in the area of adult development will be presented, and students will have the opportunity to engage in original research. Prerequisite: Py150 or approval of Division Chair.
Southern Vermont College Catalogue 2012-2014
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