Summer 2024 - PSYC 391 D200

Selected Topics in Psychology (3)

The Psychology of Stress

Class Number: 4754

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Iris Gordon
    igordon@sfu.ca
    Office: RCB 6240
    Office Hours: TBD
  • Prerequisites:

    PSYC 201. Other prerequisites vary by topic offering.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Course can be repeated for credit. Students may not take this course for further credit if similar topics are covered. See Psychology department website for course description.

COURSE DETAILS:

understand the effects of stress at a physiological and cognitive level.
• know in what ways coping affects the brain and mind.
• evaluate the impact of social interactions on stress and coping.
• develop science literacy through communicating, assessing and critiquing ideas

Please note that the prerequisites are PSYC 201W and PSYC 280.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course will focus on the effects of stress using the bio-psycho-social model. Topics will include the physiological manifestations of stress, changes in brain anatomy and cognition during stress, and the effects of different kinds of coping on brain and behaviour. As a seminar-level course, class will be highly interactive with student-led discussions, presentations,
activities, and reflections and thus attendance is mandatory.

Topics:
Bio: Feeding, Hormones, Aggression, Circadian Rhythms
Psych: Memory, Attention, Cognition, Emotions
Social: Trauma, Depression, Coping (Humor, Exercise, Meditation)

Grading

  • Discussion Forum: 15%
  • Personal Reflection: 15%
  • Participation: 20%
  • Term Paper/Project: 25%
  • Final Exam: 25%

NOTES:

This course will be conducted in-person, synchronously. There will be on-line components available on Canvas.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Reading list and/or excerpts will be available on-line and through the library.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html