Bulletin 2007-2008 - Austin College

RELIGIOUS STUDIESagainst them because of their ethnicity, gender,religion, age, color, sexual orientation, socioeconomicstatus, ability status, native languageor some other status. Views of stigma andprejudice, how those views have changed overtime and where the research is currently willbe looked at in depth. Prerequisites: PSY 101,PSY 201, PSY 240. (Each fall or spring)415 Dynamics of theCounseling RelationshipA scholarly examination of the theory andresearch that define factors effecting changeand problem resolution in a counseling relationship.Students will be presented differentcounseling models, as well as examine howissues such as culture and sexual orientationneed to be recognized and worked with appropriatelyby ethical counselors. Students willacquire rudimentary counseling skills throughcounseling dyads with other class members.Prerequisite: Psychology 101, Psychology 201,Psychology 320 (or equivalent field experience),at least junior standing, and permissionof instructor. (Each spring)420 History and Schoolsof PsychologyA broad study of the historical roots of modernscientific psychology, the key contributors topsychology, recent controversial issues in psychology,and the interrelationship of psychologyto other fields of study. Intended to preparestudents for oral, written, and critical work commonin graduate programs in psychology. Prerequisite:three courses in psychology, includingPsychology 101 and Psychology 201, and atleast junior standing. (Each fall or spring)425 Research Practicum(1/4 course credit unit)Supervised research study in psychology usinganalytical and behavioral science researchtechniques. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 andPsychology 201. May be repeated for a total ofone course credit unit.350, 450 Advanced Topicsin PsychologyA proseminar on contemporary issues relevantto psychology offered on an occasional basis.Open to juniors and seniors by permission ofthe instructor. Prerequisite: Psychology 101and Psychology 201. May be repeated whentopic varies.460 Advanced Directed Study(Variable course credit)464 Teaching/Learning Participation(Variable course credit)An individualized study that includes sharingin the instructional process for a particularpsychology course under the supervision ofthe faculty member teaching the course. Openonly to certain highly qualified juniors and seniorsby invitation. (Additional details given inthe section on Other Learning Opportunities.)490 Independent Study491 Psychology Honors Thesis492 Independent StudyOff-Campus/NSOC495 Senior SeminarRELIGIOUS STUDIESTodd Penner, chair; Steve Stell,Ivette VargasTricia Sheffield (Lilly Visiting Scholar)Dogan Koc (Adjunct)Henry Bucher (Emeritus and Adjunct)Roy Melugin, Thomas Nuckols, andJames Ware (Emeriti)The Department of Religious Studiesoffers an array of courses that providebroad exposure to diverse religioustexts, traditions, practices, and themesthroughout various world cultures/regions from the ancient to the modernperiods. The program focuses on theintersection of religious meanings andspecific cultural contexts that shapethose meanings. The approach to thestudy of religion is therefore largelyinterdisciplinary, with any single courseproviding exposure to several differentmethods of analysis and interpretation.Using these diverse approaches, theReligious Studies Program investigatesthe complex, often ambiguous processes,products and performances ofreligious communities and individualsover time. We also seek to understand142 |COURSES OF INSTRUCTION