Course Details

Cognitive psychology is concerned the scientific study of how we attend, perceive, remember, imagine, think logically, solve problems, communicate, and plan and execute actions. The current course will provide a detailed overview of the topics with special focus on the cognitive mechanisms and processes of memory.

This course provides an overview of lifespan development and serves as one of the core courses in the psychology major at JSLH. In contrast to traditional developmental psychology courses, the definition of human development for this course refers to the continuous changes in an individual over the course of their entire life, from conception to death – not just the developmental changes that are often seen in infancy to young adulthood. There are many aspects of developmental change, and each one occurs at a different time and speed for each person. This is because many factors influence human development, and moreover because an individual can select and avoid many factors and integrate their own experiences. 

In this course, we will examine the theoretical background of lifespan development and the foundations of cognitive development in early life. We will also focus on the development of social relationships and self-concept in both the first and second half of life. In short, students will learn how people develop not only in childhood but also in adulthood through their interactions with others.

What questions can psychology address? How can one answer psychological questions? What can be used to demonstrate a theory? This course will cover different methods commonly used in psychology to gain knowledge. Ethical and moral questions will also be raised in the pursuit of a scientific perspective. By the end of the course, the students will develop an understanding of the research methodology used by psychologists as well as the ethical constraints associated with it. The scientific method of hypothesis testing will be emphasised. Different research designs and methods used in the field (such as systematic observation, experiments, quasi-experiments, questionnaires, and structured and unstructured interviews) will be presented and critically evaluated. Students will also examine the opportunities offered in the field of psychology, discover areas and themes that are of interest to psychological researchers and practitioners, and have the opportunity to examine the practical and everyday challenges faced by those professionals.

The course is designed as a detailed discussion of social psychological processes, theoretically as well as in their everydayness. It unpacks the current state of social psychological knowledge by revisiting the classic studies in the field and aims to develop a critical understanding of social psychological research. It briefly traces the evolution of the sub-discipline to set the context and discusses the research methods utilized in the field. The major topics of discussion include social cognition, attribution and social explanations, self and identity, attitudes and persuasion, aggression, attraction and close relationships, pro-social behavior, social influence, people in groups and intergroup behavior, prejudice and discrimination. Each of these topics is centered on selected questions and case studies that direct the critical exploration of these areas. The case study approach will be used for in class lectures and discussions. Selected research papers, movies/ documentaries and literary texts will be analyzed to understand and explore the theories and concepts in each session. 

Abnormal psychology—studying the effects of neurological and psychological impairment—is one of the oldest and most important areas of research and study in psychology. This course will introduce students to the assessment of abnormal behavior and thought in children and adults. We will discuss diagnostic issues and methods used to study various forms of psychopathology. The focus will be on diagnosis, epidemiology, course of the disorder, etiology, and treatment issues. Topics include mood and anxiety disorders, psychosis and schizophrenia, and various neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. The goals of the course include greater awareness and knowledge of psychopathology in hopes that we can reduce the suffering and stigma associated with mental disorders.

Around the world today, there is growing recognition that a basic understanding of the brain and neural function is a critical component of almost every psychological discipline. Inasmuch, biological psychology (aka neuropsychology or behavioral neuroscience) is a key foundation of modern psychological sciences. This course will provide an introduction to the experimental study of the human (and, to a lesser extent, the animal) brain and its role in various psychological functions. The goal is to shed light on the complexity and elegance of the brain and mind, and its awesome ability to bring into existence all of your thoughts, actions, and memories. Topics of discussion will include the experimental methods and techniques used to study individual neurons and the central nervous system, the specialized brain systems devoted to movement and sensation, brain plasticity and memory, cognition, and emotion.

Clinical and Counselling Psychology course provides students with an understanding of counselling principles and skills for working with individuals, couples, and families. This course will enable students to explore the nature of counselling, the various theories of counselling and their influence on the therapist’s roles, therapy process, techniques and intervention designed. The clinical approach to psychology will be studied along with the understanding of the counselling processes itself - such as rapport building, confidentiality, and ethics and forms of counselling (individual, family and group counselling). This course provides a multicultural and diverse perspective into the helping profession and the process of assisting clients in making developmentally relevant and informed choices about their concerns and well-being.

This JSLH elective course is an exploration of mental illness and other facets of human psychological experience depicted in selected works of art in western art history. The primary goal of this course is to create greater awareness, understanding and knowledge of psychopathology through an artistic lens. It aims to elaborates on the lived experience of artists affected with mental health conditions, thereby putting the person with mental illness at the centre of understanding how psychological functioning impacts the human condition. This goal has been envisioned in alignment with graduate attributes of JSLH which place emphasis on knowledge, critical thinking, social responsibility, respect for diversity and ethics. 

This interdisciplinary course will be useful for students interested in global mental health, clinical psychology, counselling, visual arts and art therapy. Students can expect to learn about the artist, the historical era and the psychological expression of the human mind as represented in visual images. The specific areas of concentration will include but are not limited to art representing asylums, bereavement, depression and bipolar disorders, suicide, anxiety, schizophrenia and psychosis, substance abuse, traumatic life events, sexual issues and rape, eugenics and involuntary euthanasia (degenerate art), depth psychology (Freud and Jung), marriage and family life, aging, finding meaning and forensic psychiatry.

"Culture is a traveler, still negotiating its entrance into the walled city of psychology. Its arrival is at the central marketplace of psychology of the core of psychological science is inevitable, yet it is not certain where that market is located in our rapidly globalizing world." (Valsiner, 2009)

The course focuses on the different theoretical perspectives and variations of 'alliance' between culture and psychology. It explores the peripheral presence of culture within mainstream psychology and examines the arguments emphasizing the significance of indigenous, cultural and cross-cultural psychological research. It further unpacks, as the major focus of the course, the principles and theoretical premises of cultural psychology which, unlike mainstream psychology emphasizing the psychic unity, focuses on the ethnic/cultural divergences in mind, self and emotion. Emphasizing the mutual constitution of subject and object, self and other, psyche and culture, person and context, the course facilitates students' entry into the fascinating world of cultural psychology which presumes the principle of intentionality. The course has three modules navigating the intricate tapestry of culture and psychology and the major topics to be covered are- culture and cognition, culture and learning, culture and emotion, cultural selves, culture and creativity, culture and psychoanalysis and culture and mental health. The topics will be discussed using the selected works of Lev Vygotsky, Richard A. Shweder, Carl Ratner, Michael Cole, Jaan Valsiner, Sudhir Kakar, Ashis Nady and Yrjö Engeström.

The course delves into the traditional state of the field of political psychology, dissecting its established norms and exploring fresh theoretical perspectives and alternative methodological strategies. It is a rollercoaster ride through the intriguing twists and turns of the political mind. Have you ever wondered how you 'construct' your political opinions and ideologies? Or what causes passionate clashes of viewpoints? Or why some political affiliation resonates but others fall flat? Have you ever considered how media wields its influence to 'craft' your political preferences? Or how your psyche can hold the key to unveiling the mechanisms driving political extremism and violence? We will explore the answers by delving into the intricate interplay of power and the human mind within the political landscape utilizing case studies, movie analysis, and other exciting class 'interactivities.'

Have you ever turned to a book during challenging times, only to discover new perspectives or emotional resources that helped you navigate life's difficulties? Have you ever considered the intricate process behind the creation of such deeply resonant characters? If yes, this course invites you to embark on a compelling journey to explore the intertwined worlds of psychology and literature. It uncovers how narratives influence the human psyche, how the human psyche breathes life into indelible characters and narratives, and how the co-creation of these narratives can be a catalyst for social transformation. It begins with a focus on literature as a source of insights for psychology and unearths the layers in literature through the selected theoretical frameworks of psychology. It further explores the process of writing and unpacks the concept of literary creativity utilizing the perspective of distributed creativity. The two theoretical prisms from psychology- psychoanalytic and socio-cultural, accompany us in this journey, providing a space of possibilities.

This course is an interdisciplinary course designed to explore the multifaceted aspects of aging, from demographic trends to individual lifestyle choices that influence longevity. This course aims to provide students with a deep understanding of the biological, psychological, social, and technological factors that affect aging, as well as the cultural and literary representations of growing older. This course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, guest speakers, class discussions, and project-based learning. Students will engage with readings from a variety of disciplines and work on projects that apply course concepts to real-world situations.