Courses in the history and philosophy of psychology address issues at the theoretical and historical foundations of modern psychology, including epistemological concerns about the methodology of psychological investigation. The rating represents the breadth of material available, the effectiveness of the lecturer, and the accessibility of the website and lecture topics in general. If you have comments or suggestions, feel free to email me at eric@psychlectures.com. Enjoy!
History of Psychology
Prof. Donna Chirico, Fall 2006 – York College podcasts
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Brains & Culture: Love, Lies, and Neurotransmitters
Prof. Joseph Dumit, Fall 2002 – MIT OpenCourseWare
“Subject examines the brain as a cultural object in contemporary media, science, and society. Explores cultural assumptions about neuroscience by drawing on anthropology, history, semiotics, and the cognitive sciences. Topics include historical views of the brain; digital images of the brain; psychopharmacology; mental illness; neurotransmitters; and the culture of brain science. Class assignments include three brief analytical papers and one oral presentation.”
[syllabus] – [calendar] – [required reading] – [assignments] – [downloadable content]
Culture, Embodiment, and the Senses
Prof. Erica James, Fall 2005 – MIT OpenCourseWare
“Culture, Embodiment, and the Senses will provide an historical and cross-cultural analysis of the politics of sensory experience. The subject will address western philosophical debates about mind, brain, emotion, and the body and the historical value placed upon sight, reason, and rationality, versus smell, taste, and touch as acceptable modes of knowing and knowledge production. We will assess cultural traditions that challenge scientific interpretations of experience arising from western philosophical and physiological models. The class will examine how sensory experience lies beyond the realm of individual physiological or psychological responses and occurs within a culturally elaborated field of social relations. Finally, we will debate how discourse about the senses is a product of particular modes of knowledge production that are themselves contested fields of power relations.“
[syllabus] – [calendar] – [required reading] – [lecture notes] – [assignments] – [downloadable content]
Identity and Difference
Prof. Heather Paxson, Spring 2007 – MIT OpenCourseWare
“How can the individual be at once cause and consequence of society, a unique agent of social action and also a social product? This course explores how identities, whether of individuals or groups, based on single behaviors or institutional practices, are produced, maintained, and transformed. Students will be introduced to various theoretical perspectives that are used to make sense of identity formation, including essentialism, constructivism, stigma, deviance, discourse, and performance. We will explore the utility of these terms in discussing issues of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion, etc.”
[syllabus] – [required reading] – [related materials] – [assignments] – [downloadable content]
