Since its earliest days, Boston has been a progressive site for
thinking and innovation regarding the role of the individual and
society. Now home to some of the world’s most respected
research hospitals, universities, and institutes, Boston continues
to examine ways to best address social issues and develop appropriate
policies and social service systems.
Students in the Psychology and Social Policy track explore some
of the complex issues facing American society, including race,
healthcare, aging, and the role of the family. Internship placements
are focused in the non-profit sector and provide experience working
with community and volunteer organizations; counseling, social
services, and healthcare providers; educational institutions;
and social activist organizations.
Fun Facts:
- In the nineteenth century, Boston social reformer Dorothea
Dix fostered a revolution in mental health care, fighting to
improve and establish hospitals throughout the country for the
mentally ill.
- Boston philosopher William James first proposed a system of
voluntary national service in 1906, introducing a concept that
would eventually lead to the development of organizations such
as the Peace Corps, VISTA, and AmeriCorps.
- Boston University was the first institution of higher education
in Massachusetts to grant degrees to women (in 1872), the first
university to open all of its divisions to women, the first
medical college to admit women, and the first university in
U.S. to award Ph.D.s to women (1873).
- Rosie's Place, the first shelter in the nation for homeless
women, opened in Boston in 1974.
Summer 1: Courses (May 19-June 26, 2009)
You'll spend your first six weeks of the Summer Study Internship
Program taking two courses of your choice from select offerings in psychology and social policy.
Summer 2: Internship (July 6-August 14, 2009)
For the second six weeks of the program, you'll be placed
as an intern in a Boston area organization or business that matches
your interests and experience. You should expect to work a minimum
of 35 hours a week, for five days a week.
Summer Study Internship Course (May 22-August 11, 2009)
The Summer Study Internship Course begins in Summer 1 and continues through Summer 2. 2 cr.
The courses below were available in Summer 2008. Check back on December 15 for an updated list of classes for Summer 2009.
Psychology and Social Policy Summer 1 Courses (pick two):
Psychology and Social Policy Summer 1 Courses (pick two):
CAS AN 206 Sex and Gender in Anthropological Perspectives
Cross-cultural examination of changing gender roles, expectations,
and activities. Focuses on economic, social, and ideological determinants
that structure the hierarchy of power and privileges accorded
the thoughts, activities, and experiences of women and men in
various societies. 4 cr.
CAS PH 251 Medical Ethics
Prereq: one philosophy course or sophomore standing. Examination
of a number of value problems arising within the context of medicine
and health care. Particular ethical problems of euthanasia, abortion,
human experimentation, reproduction, and allocation of scarce
resources; critiques of contemporary medicine as an institution.
4 cr.
CAS PS 101 General Psychology
Basic introduction to the field of psychology. Topics include
theories and findings governing learning, memory, perception,
development, personality, and social and abnormal psychology.
4 cr.
CAS PS 234 Psychology of Learning
Prereq: CAS PS 101. Survey of theory and techniques in learning
and their applications in different settings. Topics include problem
solving, memory, reward and punishment, and reinforcement schedules
as studied in animals, normal classrooms, and remedial settings.
4 cr.
CAS PS 241 Developmental Psychology
Prereq: CAS PS 101 or PS 105. Critical review of research and
theories pertaining to intellectual and social development of
infants and children. Role of early experiences and biological
factors in later formation of personality, and intellectual and
motivational behaviors; includes theories of Erikson, Piaget,
and Freud. Term paper may be required. Students may elect either
CAS PS 241 or PS 243, but not both. 4 cr.
CAS PS 336 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
Prereq: CAS PS 101. Provides an introduction to basic topics and
research relevant to cognitive psychology. Emphasis placed on
understanding how we perceive, attend, and remember information.
Related topics include language, problem solving, and intelligence.
4 cr.
CAS PS 372 Psychological Perspective on War and Peace
Considers psychological approaches to why some individuals support
governmental decisions to go to war, to kill, to torture, and
to tolerate civilian deaths while others resists war and strive
to achieve a culture of peace. 4 cr.
CAS PS 560 Cross-Cultural Psychology
Comparative study of psychological variables under different cultural
conditions in order to identify universal aspects of human behavior,
and to identify cultural influences on behavior. Applications
to psychotherapy, public health, child development, education,
business, and foreign relations. 4 cr.
Prereq: Graduate standing or six principal courses in Psychology.
CAS SO 215 Patients, Professionals, and Health Care
Social factors in health and illness, experience of illness, medicalization; socialization of professionals; organization of delivery and financing of healthcare; pharmaceutical and insurance markets; hospitals, nursing homes and hospices; problems and reforms of U.S. healthcare system. 4 cr.
CAS SO 304 Formal Organizations
Formal organizations as social systems. Theory of bureaucracy
and administrative functions. The bases of authority communication
systems, and formal and nonformal structures. Organizational development,
trends, and relations with the social environment. 4 cr.
MET PS 295 Psychology and Film: Images of Madness
Classic feature films (1920s to the present) portraying mental
illness are considered from both cinematic and psychosocial perspectives.
The public image of madness on the big screen is related to clinical
concepts and practices current during the period of the film.
4 cr.
MET PS 350 Depression and Disorders of Mood
Prereq: two psychology courses. Examines current theories and
research findings on depression and mania. Evaluation of major
biological and psychosocial theories and treatments. Attention
to personality, psychosocial risk factors, and depression in children.
Note: This course cannot be used as one of the principal courses
required for the CAS psychology major or minor. 4 cr.
MET SO 302 Women and Health in the 21st Century
Examines current issues directly related to the health experiences
of women in America and around the world. Topics include an historical
overview of women’s health and examine in-depth issues such
as: gender-specific medicine; puberty, body image, and eating
disorders; contraception and the abortion issue; infertility and
technology; pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding; violence
against women; incarcerated women and the female brain. Provides
a framework to integrate the social variables involved in exploring
the roles played by men and women as medical consumers and their
affects on overall health and attitudes. 4 cr.
