Introductory psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate courses and often serves as the gateway to choosing psychology as an academic major. However, little research has examined the typical structure of introductory psychology courses. The current study examined student learning objectives (SLOs) and course content in introductory…

Research methods and statistics courses constitute a core undergraduate psychology requirement. We analyzed course syllabi and faculty self-reported coverage of both research methods and statistics course learning objectives to assess the concordance with APA's learning objectives (American Psychological Association, 2007). We obtained a sample of…

Discusses an interdisciplinary course on the psychology and philosophy of William James. Describes course organization and goals. Explains that the course includes sections on James' life and personal characteristics, his psychological and philosophical works, and specific psychological and philosophical topics that he addressed. Assesses…

Summarizes the results of a survey that revealed several dichotomies between what instructors felt introductory psychology courses delivered and what students wanted. Students desired a knowledge of people and relationships while the instructors felt the courses provided a broad overview of the discipline. Includes statistical data and analysis.…

Argues that the bulk of most undergraduate psychology curriculum is geared towards preparing students for graduate study. Proposes several specific curriculum changes designed to give the general undergraduate a working and useful knowledge of some of the fundamental concepts concerning psychology. Includes course outlines and structured…

A course for teaching an advanced undergraduate course on the psychology of adult development and aging is described and evaluated. Course goals, content, and format are discussed. Students generally viewed the course favorably. (RM)

Describes and evaluates a college level psychology of aging course which actively involved students in projects that integrated personal experience with cognitive learning. Intellectual mastery is a sufficient goal in many college courses. However, in courses on aging, additional objectives, such as emotional growth and attitude change, must be…

Reviews a study designed to determine which topics students and parents believe should be included in an introductory psychology course on the college level. Parents and students believed that anxiety and punishment should receive major emphasis and that little importance should be attached to the history of psychology, perception and attention,…

The major goals of this two-semester seminar are to help first-year graduate students understand the links among perspective, theory, assumptions, problem formulation, methods, and findings in psychological research and to optimize their transition into the PhD program. The seminar is described and evaluated and suggestions for change are made.…

Contends that, although computers are used frequently in undergraduate experimental design and statistics courses, they also can be used in courses with different instructional objectives. Describes a course designed to teach the roles of professional psychologists through the use of computers. (CFR)

A graduate level practicum that introduces clinically-oriented psychology students to the applied and practical aspects of the field of psychiatry is described. The course format, goals, and benefits are examined. (RM)

Recounts experiences in developing and implementing a one-hour credit elective service course for psychology majors entitled "Psychology as a Profession." The objective of the course is to provide systematic information about career options in psychology and to help undergraduate psychology majors plan their careers. (DB)

Describes and evaluates a college psychology course on death education (thanatology). Course objectives were to help students become aware of the feelings involved in facing death, encourage discussion on the subject of death, motivate students to change their attitudes about death, and encourage practical planning for funeral arrangements.…

Explains how to teach undergraduate students in a comparative psychology course to undertake social science research. Information is presented on selecting appropriate research projects, choosing students with a variety of research styles, and course evaluation. (DB)

Describes a comparative psychology course in which advanced college students learn by observing animals in their natural habitats in Kenya. The author tells how the objectives of master of observation, taxa adaptive behavior, echo systems, conservation, and field methods are satisfied. (RM)