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Social Sciences and Psychology

PSY 102 - Psychology Seminar

About this Class

The Psychology Seminar is a one-credit course providing specific orientation to students entering the Associates of Science in Psychology degree program.  Orientation to the curriculum, technology requirements, math and writing pathways, and to the available college resources will be emphasized.  The course will also introduce students to the expectations regarding their portfolio and will provide initial assessments on both cognitive and non-cognitive skill sets. Finally, the course will also focus on the development of a plan of completion, transfer, and career development.

  1. Identify the key required and elective courses within the Associates of Science in Psychology curriculum.
  2. List the technology requirements for the program.
  3. Develop a plan to meet the technology requirements of the program.
  4. Develop a plan to complete the program in a specified time frame.
  5. Begin the development of their academic portfolio.
  6. Identify college resources for assistance and services.
  7. Engage in the assessment of personal cognitive and non-cognitive skills.
  8. Develop a plan for transfer and/or career development upon graduation.

Special Assignment

The class will read the book Enlightenment Now by Stephen Pinker and participate in a number of discussions on the content.

Enlightenment Now

When I first read Stephen Pinker’s book, Enlightenment Now: A Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress, I was staying for a few days in a seaside cabin for a little vacation with my wife.  I had read about the book and had seen Pinker’s videos, so I had a bit of an idea as to what I was getting into.  I was about to be surprised!

This book took over my consciousness for several weeks, well beyond the cabin stay.  It was dense, challenging, and so clearly in line with important things that needed to be said and communicated.  I knew that I would have to incorporate this book into one of my classes.

This book not only challenges our perceptions of the world and our progress, but it highlights what psychologists bring to these discussions: reason, science, humanism, and progress.  In this assignment we will explore and discuss parts of this book.