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Academic Year 2004/2005


Discovering the Person: History of the Psychological Sciences
CHUM 310 FA

Crosslistings:
SISP 312
PSYC 310

Discovering the Person: History of the Psychological Sciences surveys major developments in psychology and psychiatry from 1880-1980 with the aim of exploring the kinds of persons that were "discovered", the techniques of discovery, and the consequences for public and private practices. We examine characteristics of the new person emerging from these sciences including irrationality, complex sexuality, cognitive fallibilities, mechanical emotional processes, neurotic risks, challenged intelligence, complicity, addictive tendencies, and receding if not nonexistent will. We explore historical interpretations of psychological persons, from realist to dynamic nominalist and social constructionist interpretations, and consider the forms of historical evidence needed to understand the century-long process of finding and naming psychological kinds and characteristics. Attention is given to both modes of producing this knowledge (aggregate methods, case study, and theories) and dynamic relations of this knowledge and cultural conditions. Readings include primary source materials (example: James' introductory psychology text: Terman's study of intelligence, Maslow's writing on hierarchy of needs), histories of the disciplines (example: Roger Smith's HISTORY OF THE HUMAN SCIENCES), accounts of particular psychological subjects (example: Ian Hacking's history of multiple personality), and efforts to resist or challenge these scientific classifications. Students undertake a historical project on a selected problem in the history of modern psychology.

MAJOR READINGS

Hacking, I REWRITING THE SOUL: MULTIPLE PERSONALITY & THE SCIENCES OF MEMORY
Smith, R. HISTORY OF THE HUMAN SCIENCES
Rabinbach, A. THE HUMAN MOTOR: ORIGINS OF MODERNITY
Rosario, V.A. (ed) SCIENCE AND HOMOSEXUALITIES
Sokal, M. (ed) PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING AND AMERICAN SOCIETY, 1890-1930

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Short essays, exam, research paper.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA CHUM    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: PSYC105 OR PSYC101 OR [HIST253 or MDST253 or SISP253] OR [HIST254 or SISP254] Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005


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