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Wesleyan University

Introduction to Psychology Part 1

Wesleyan University via Kadenze

Overview

In this course, you will learn about the foundations of human behavior. Part 1 covers the fundamentals, including contributions of the brain, sensation and perception, emotions and development. Part 2 covers learning, mental health, memory, our social world and more. As you engage in the study of how people behave, think and feel, you will use digital tools in projects to investigate and communicate your learning.


This course is an instance of creative education. Psychology courses typically use lectures and tutorials to focus on key concepts, the history of psychology and the scientific methods used in psychological research. This course takes a different approach. It harnesses the creative and collaborative power of project-based learning using a series of digital projects which are scaffolded to create a coherent understanding of this important field of study. Each project is set up using Digital Intro to explain and frame the work students undertake alone or in small groups.


All of you will be bringing different backgrounds, skills, abilities, cultures, and perspectives. We want to fully embrace this vast resource to maximize growth and learning for each of us. Our collective wisdom will spark all sorts of beautiful and transformative experiences in ways we cannot even see coming!


Here are THE ESSENTIALS:

Lessons will be delivered through a series of video presentations aimed at teaching you about the field of psychology and preparing you conceptually for approaching a series of digital projects.

Projects will allow you to engage with the course concepts in ways that offer deeper learning. You will have opportunities to investigate for insight, design for change, advocate for influence, teach to learn, and make learning stick.

Our approach to mastery learning will support you in moving forward at your own pace based on your command of psychology content and completion of projects that allow you to communicate your understanding and insights.

Class sessions will include team collaboration and instructor and mentor support aimed at helping you make consistent and meaningful progress.

Each week, you will give and receive feedback, help, and encouragement.

By building a portfolio, you will have the opportunity to showcase your work and learning.

Opportunities for reflection are also woven into the course giving you the chance to give your learning meaning and value.

Syllabus

  • First Day
    • Introduction
  • Sensation and Perception: Vision
    • Sensation and perception in the context of vision
  • The Brain and Behavior
    • The role of the brain plays in behavior
  • Sensation and Perception: Sound
    • Sensation and perception in the context of sound
  • Development
    • Physical, cognitive, social, and moral development
  • Emotion: Experiences
    • Our experience of emotions
  • Emotion: Perception
    • How emotions are perceived

Taught by

Lisa Dierker

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