I can't say it was a course I taught, but I didn't see it as mainstream. It was a thoroughly enjoyable graduate level course called analysis of fantasy. The course looked at the effects of themes that run through works of fantasy like fairytales we read to children, popular cartoons and movies, and other works of fiction. It is definitely either an upper level (maybe) or graduate level topic because it does require a background in personality theory, psychoanalytic concepts, and feminist theory. I found that it had value in understanding from a developmental standpoint, how many of our cultural stereotypes and beliefs are reinforced through these vehicles and through the marketing of toys. It was one of my favorite courses. I never looked at children's books, comics, and toys the same way again.
Haydee Gelpi Broward Community College Florida -----Original Message----- From: Gary Peterson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 3:41 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: Re: non-mainstream courses I periodically teach a 200 level elective, special topics class on the Psychology of Paranormal Experiences which is partly a class on critical thinking and partly a way to reinforce basic findings and principles covered in General Psychology. I am going to be teaching our Career Development in psych class next fall and would be interested in resources/comments regarding others' experiences. Finally, I am toying with the idea of a class in Forensic psych as a fun special topics class and am also interested in ideas--especially exercises, field trips, invited guests, etc. The students attracted to this class may especially need to hone their critical thinking skills. What is the attraction of psych students to prisoners anyway?! Ooops, I am possessed by Mike Sylvester ;-) Gary Peterson Gerald (Gary) L. Peterson, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Psychology Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI 48710 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 1-517-790-4491 > I was wondering what Tipsters were teaching beyond the core > courses. For instance, classes in parapsychology (even if it is > a way to disguise a course in critical thinking), forensic > psychology, or perhaps psychology in film (making that the entire > emphasis). I once saw a book that took a 'psychology through > science fiction' approach, although I was not particularly > enamored with it. In a recent faculty meeting it was suggested > that we might want to consider some courses that would draw > non-majors, so applied courses and edutainment courses are what > come to mind for me. I thought that people on TIPS might have > already had some experience in this. > > -- > __ Rick Stevens > __ Psychology Department > __ University of Louisiana at Monroe > __ http://www.ulm.edu/~stevens > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
