Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Psychology

4.5 Quarter Units

A survey of the field of psychology that provides an overview of the scientific principles and theories in psychology. Topics include: biological psychology, abnormal behavior, motivation, emotion, sexuality and gender, and personality theory.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: MTH 12A and MTH 12B, or Accuplacer test placement evaluation

An introduction to statistics and probability theory. Covers simple probability distributions, conditional probability (Bayes Rule), independence, expected value, binomial distributions, the Central Limit Theorem, hypothesis testing. Assignments may utilize the MiniTab software, or text-accompanying course-ware. Computers are available at the University’s computer lab. Calculator with statistical functions is required.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Examines critical thinking and ethics, and their application to academic, personal, and professional situations. Covers systems of logical reasoning, critical analysis, and evaluation of message content, including supporting evidence, and logical fallacies. Discusses the morality and ramifications of decision-making in media industries.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102; PSY 100

Explores the intellectual history and contemporary diversity of psychology in dialogue with a cultural understanding about the nature of the person. Topics include: psychology and science, philosophy of mind, functionalism, measurement, applied psychology, gestalt, behaviorism, the unconscious mind, phenomenological and existential psychology, clinical psychology and mental health, and qualitative perspectives.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Integrates views of human nature and developmental change across the lifespan, including personality theory, therapeutic practice, and mystical traditions. Emphasizes humanistic-transpersonal growth through the integration of emotion with embodied knowledge. Experiential and theoretical focus on feminist, existential, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sufi views of self in relation to cultural norms and ideals.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Examination of the ways in which culture influences the definition of mental health and abnormal psychological functioning. Exploration of cultural effects on mental health and expressions of mental health problems. Review of different means of classifying mental disorders.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Mastery of Standard English is critical to success in this program.

Exploration of spirituality as a foundation for global well-being. Analysis of the philosophical and experiential dimensions of Buddhism, mystical Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Taoism, Vedic, Yogic, pagan, and indigenous wisdom traditions. Consideration of emerging paradigms supporting psycho-spiritual and pluralistic models for individual and global health.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Examination of qualitative methods appropriate for phenomenological, observational and ethnological content in research. Discussion of philosophical/conceptual issues, connections among theoretical and practical frameworks, research questions, and methods of data collection and analysis. Practice activities involved in the planning and implementation of a research study.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Explores intimate relationships from multiple theoretical perspectives. Examines familial relations, romantic relations, and deep friendships. Discusses parallels and differences between queer and heterosexual relationships. Explores benefits and costs of intimate relationships. Discusses power dynamics, intimate violence, and relationship dissolution. Analyzes roles of evolution, gender, and culture, in shaping relationships.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Exploration of the way in which knowledge, meaning, and understanding is constructed by groups. Examination of human behavior within groups with an emphasis on the idea that reality is constructed through interaction with other individuals, organizations, the environment, media, and language. Analysis of how social phenomena such as discrimination, implicit attitudes and decision-making are created, institutionalized and enforced by groups of people and become traditions.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Study of the relationship between mind and body. Exploration of the history of metaphysical dualism along with contemporary moves to view the mind and body as one with respect to psychological health. Included are Eastern, Western, and feminist perspectives.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Exploration of the symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural environment. Examination of the synthesis of psychology and ecology. Exploration of historical and sociocultural factors influencing perceptions of the natural world and the health consequences of the objectification of nature.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102; Completion of all core courses prior to enrollment in PSY 484 is required.

Development of a major cumulative project integrating knowledge gained in the program with an applied area of student interest. Covers empirical, theoretical, and/or experiential study of specific topics in integrative psychology with an emphasis on creative activity aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of human experience or promoting social and/or global change.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: PSY 100

Covers the history, current status and future direction of cultural psychology theory and practice in the context of globalization. A critique of the Western bias of the field of psychology and of the effects of its application to non-European originated populations within the United States and around the world.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102; PSY 100

An exploration of the basic psychological concepts associated with death, dying, and bereavement. Course work will include lectures, discussions, exams, research, and experiential exercises.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102; PSY 100

An examination of the relationship between behavior, psychological variables, and physical illness and health. A strong emphasis is placed on health psychology theory, research and applications focused on wellness promotion and the prevention and behavioral treatment of illness.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Exploration of interdisciplinary theories of consciousness rooted in Eastern and Western philosophy, neuroscience, and quantum theory. Examination of how subjective experiences arise from objective brain processes, the neuroscience and neuropathy of consciousness, altered states of consciousness, mystical experiences and dreams, the effects of drugs and meditation, and the nature of self.

4.5 Quarter Units

Examination of the role of play in learning, socialization, and mental health with an emphasis on cross-species comparisons of play. Consideration of cultural influences and the neurobiology of play.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

This course approaches the fundamentals of visual and applied arts from a global perspective and provides an overview of non-Western art from ancient times to the present. Specific areas of focus are the art of South Asia and the Islamic World, East Asia, Pre-Columbian Central and South America, Native North America, Africa and Oceania. Students learn how to look at, appreciate, and critically think and write about art from the perspectives of a diversity of cultures and historical eras.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

An exploration of musical traditions and techniques in a variety of cultures, including Japan, India, Native America, South America, and Africa. Broadens students’ cultural understanding of music.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, are surveyed in their historical, literary, and historical contexts. The sociology of religion is extensively addressed, and parallels in myths, rituals, conversion, and rites of passage are compared. Recent and contemporary religious trends are also addressed.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Looks at communication across cultures and considers how culture influences communication. Focuses on the dynamics of cross-cultural face-to-face interaction, conflict styles across cultures, societal influences on ethnocentrism and racism, cultural value orientations, non-verbal dimensions of communication, language interaction, stereotypes, relationship development, and cultural adaptation.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102

Introduces the evolution of storytelling, from oral delivery to written and interactive texts, and transmedia publication. Examines the effects of this evolution on storytellers and participants. Offers hands-on creation of online identities and texts.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ENG 102; HIS 234

Traces the ways masculinity and femininity have changed over time in various contexts around the world from 1492 to 1968. Explores the many ways people have constructed these two genders, infusing them with characteristics and values. Also investigates the ways gender becomes a discourse used in defining power relationships. This course demonstrates how gender can be a useful category for analysis when querying historical phenomena, including: empire building; revolutions, anti-colonial uprisings, and labor movements; the major utopian ideas of the 20th century; and post-war political and social realignments.