Introduction to the course, getting to know your lecturer, break down of the course and introduction to historical foundations. An in-dept presentation of the teaching philosophy will ensure, followed by a breakdown of each assignment and review of dates. Preparation for Arts Meets Science Vernissage; Students will be group together and they will pick a topic for the first assignment. They will have until the week after to review the material and then create a poster in class

In this activity, students will watch selected psychology videos and work in groups to create educational posters that combine scientific accuracy with creative visual expression. Each poster will highlight key concepts, compare perspectives, apply ideas to everyday life, and raise critical questions. As part of the “vernissage,” students will display their posters around the classroom and learn from one another by engaging in a gallery walk. This activity helps students deepen their understanding of course content, practice critical analysis, and develop the ability to communicate complex ideas visually and collaboratively.

Topic: Debate Training and Social Media Platform Seminar Description: Debate skill-building workshop led by the AAU Debate Organization and launch of the class Instagram project, where students translate psychological ideas into engaging public content. Reminder: All students must finalize presentation groups and topics by the end of this week. Deadline: Article for the John Lennon Wall Magazine

Topics: Historical Foundations and Methods 1 Philosophical Roots: Influence of Philosophy and Physiology on Psychology Founding of Psychology as a Science: Wundt’s Lab, Structuralism, Introspection. Functionalism and Early American Psychology: James, Dewey Behaviorism & Paradigm Shifts: Watson, Skinner; Rethinking Methods and Focus Cognitive Revolution & Modern Perspectives: Gestalt, Information-Processing Hannah will give us a short workshop on how to edit Ongoing: Class Instagram updates.

Topic: Historical Foundations and Methods 2 Understanding Research Methods I: Scientific Method in Psychology, Variables, and Hypotheses Research Methods II: Experimental, Correlational, Observational Designs; Ethical Considerations Data Interpretation, Correlation vs. Causation, Basic Statistics in Psychology Natalie, lenka and izy will come and talk about how they created the post Student Presentations: Milgram’s Obedience Study: Understanding Authority and Moral Conflict The Psychology of Learning: From Classical and Operant Conditioning to Everyday Behavior Ongoing: Class Instagram updates

Development Across the Lifespan: Influential Longitudinal Studies, Modern Approaches Student Presentations: Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment: Power, Roles, and Human Behavior Harlow and Bowlby’s Attachment Theories: Love, Bonding, and Emotional Development Ongoing: Class Instagram updates.

Memory and Cognition: Ebbinghaus’s Studies, Contemporary Models Student Presentations: Memory and Forgetting: Psychological and Biological Perspectives Personality Theories: From Jung and Eysenck to the Big Five Model Ongoing: Class Instagram updates.

Language and Thought: Historical Debates (Skinner vs. Chomsky) Student Presentations: Emotion, Stress, and Motivation: Understanding Human Drive and Well-Being Ethics in Psychological Research: Lessons from Milgram, Zimbardo, and Beyond Ongoing: Class Instagram updates.

Get some time to rest and recover as things in the second semester get more interesting!

Topic: Core psychological process Outdoor Activity: Cultural and Social Contexts in Psychology: From Cross-Cultural Research to Diversity Considerations Ongoing: Instagram updates.

Topic: Expansion of Core Concepts Perception and Attention Emotion and Motivation Debate of the Day: Obedience is necessary for a functioning society. Ongoing: Instagram updates.

Consciousness: Sleep, Dream Research, Historical Shifts in Understanding Consciousness Debate of the Day: Modern parenting is too protective and limits children’s resilience. Ongoing: Instagram updates.

Psychological disorders Debate of the Day: Positive emotions are more important for success than intelligence. Ongoing: Instagram updates.

Ethics, Professional Standards, Historical Ethical Controversies (Milgram, Tuskegee) Contemporary Issues: Brain Imaging Techniques, Evolutionary Approaches, Big Data in Psychology

Topic: Integration and Ethical Professional Practice Ethics, Professional Standards, Historical Ethical Controversies (Milgram, Tuskegee) Contemporary Issues: Brain Imaging Techniques, Evolutionary Approaches, Big Data in Psychology Application in Various Settings: Clinical, Organizational, Educational Contexts Critical Reading of Research: Distinguishing Good Science from Pseudoscience Debate of the Day: Psychological knowledge should be used to shape public policy. Ongoing: Instagram updates.

Topic: Final Test Description: Comprehensive assessment of students’ understanding of key psychological concepts, theories, and research methods. Ongoing: Instagram project wrap-up.