QUESTION: Psychology & Writing Course

[Stephanie Van Duinen]

Hello,

I just found out I'm going to be teaching a course called 'Psychology and Writing' - an elective for kids who need elective recovery.  I've found a bunch of great resources for a psych class in this forum, but i'm wondering if anyone knows some good resources for 1) incorporating informal and formal writing into a psych class and also 2) some sort of intro psych curriculum.  I have a general idea of what I'd like to do, but since the turnaround is so short (I have to start teaching this ASAP), I'd be interested to know how other psych teachers organize their course.

Thanks in advance!

Stephanie

[Ryan Goble]

Hey Steph - about two weeks before you posted this a simmilar ? came up in the Teaching w/ Moving images group..

Check out:
Psychology through literature and film

and consider connecting with Linsday as she is also in NYC!

[Ryan Goble]

You also REALLY want see if you can order this http://www.prisonexp.org/documentary.htm and this http://www.learner.org/catalog/series138.html

[Shirley Durr]

Possible intro psych curriculum (with the assumption that your kids are high school level).

Psychology for Kids Vol. 1 & 2 (Books with CD-ROM) 40 Fun Tests That Help You Learn About Yourself by Jonni Kincher

A friend of mine used this book a few years ago and, I believe, it included some writing ideas. The link is to the Free Spirit website and they may have other resources you can use.


Books by Dale Carlson (sometimes with others) that seem to address what you’re seeking. I've included blurbs about a couple of them. Other books by Carlson are listed on this website but may or may not be relevant.:
1. Where's Your Head? Psychology for Teenagers
2. Who Said What? Philosophy Quotes for Teens
3. Are You Human or What? Teen guide to the new science of evolutionary psychology. We have evolved from reptile to mammal to human. Can we mutate, evolve into humane? Topics include: Evolution has equipped us, not for happiness, but for survival and reproduction of the species, To survive, we are programmed for fear and pain: every one of us had ancestors who managed to survive, mate, and pass on the best adapted programs for staying alive, Our brain programs, hardware and software, have already conquered every other species: we’ve won, we can stop fighting, It’s time to pay attention to our psychological welfare as well as our technology
4. The Teen Brain Book: Who and What Are You? These topics are listed with this book: First brain science book for teens, How the teen brain develops, how the brain circuits work, Genetic & environmental influences shape the "self", How to rewire yourself to be happy

Teaching High School Psychology: This blog is a resource for any teacher of high school psychology, whether Advanced Placement or Introduction to Psychology and may be a valuable resource for you in your new challenge.

Psychology and You: An Informal Introduction is a high school textbook that's been around for awhile but I understand there's a different edition from the one I remember. I'm not sure how new it is, though.

[Kia Jane Richmond]

Hi there - I teach a class at the college level (English 110 - Good Books) in which we focus on psychological disease/mental illness in literature. Students read books such as The Lovely Bones, The Quiet Room, Cut, etc. and do a variety of written and nonwritten responses. If you are interested in hearing more, let me know.

I also have done some research on issues related to emotions and writing, and would be happy to share those materials with you as well. I'm just trying to get a better sense of what types of things you are looking for in terms of writing/psych connection. Kia Jane Richmond, Associate Professor of English, Norhern Michigan University, [e-mail]