Course Syllabus
Course: PSY 1200
Division: Social and Behavioral ScienceDepartment: Behavioral Science
Title: Careers and Internship Seminar
Semester Approved: Spring 2021
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2026
End Semester: Fall 2026
Catalog Description: This course is designed to expose students to a broad range of disciplines and careers relative to the fields of Psychology, Therapy, Criminal Justice and Human Services. Students will be introduced to professions and professionals in these fields in order for them to understand and prepare for applying discipline knowledge to practical environments. All students in Social and Behavioral Sciences Certification programs should enroll in this course to fulfill certification and proficiency requirements. This course is repeatable for credit.
Semesters Offered: Fall
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 1; Lab: 0
Repeatable: Yes.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Justification: As students are seeking to become more "workplace ready," they need to not only learn practical and theoretical approaches in the classroom, but it is also necessary for them to be exposed to and familiar with disciplines and careers in their field. This course is designed to expose students to careers and professionals and to prepare them for future internships that are required in Behavioral and Social Science certification programs.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Explain social institutions, structures, and processes across a broad range of historical periods and cultures from a social and behavioral science perspective. Students will gain understanding of institutions and processes, both past and present, relating to careers and disciplines in the fields of Psychology, Therapy and Human Services. Students will show understanding through written journals and essays, as well as online discussions.
Develop and communicate hypothetical explanations for individual human behavior within the large-scale historical or social context. As students hear from professionals in the fields of Psychology, Therapy, and Human Services, they will be exposed to case studies and practices of said professionals. These lectures and experiences will broaden student understanding of behavior. Students will communicate understanding through written journals and essays, as well as online discussions.
Draw on the social and behavioral sciences to evaluate contemporary problems using social science research methodology. Since this is introductory seminar course, students will be briefly introduced to the social and behavioral sciences, the vast applications of these disciplines and theories. Students will show proficiency in understanding by researching one specific discipline or career and applying a research methodology, hypothetically, to gather more information about a relevant issue within that discipline or field.
Describe and analytically compare social, political, economic, cultural, geographical, and historical settings and processes other than one’s own. In this seminar, students will especially be introduced to the far-reaching issues of poverty and how it relates to the industry of Human Services. Most college students have not experienced severe poverty, so they will gain a diverse perspective of another culture or class. Students will communicate understanding through written journals and essays, as well as online discussions.
Explain and use the social-scientific method to test research questions and draw conclusions. Since this is introductory seminar course, students will be briefly introduced to the social and behavioral sciences, the vast applications of these disciplines and theories. Students will show proficiency in understanding by researching one specific discipline or career and applying a common social-science research methodology, hypothetically, to gather more information about a relevant issue within that discipline or field.
Write effectively within the social science discipline, using correct disciplinary guidelines, to analyze, interpret, and communicate about social science phenomena. Students will show proficiency by completing written journals, essays, online discussion, and a research project.
Content:
This seminar course will include professional strategies and careers in the fields of Psychology, Therapy, Criminal Justice and Human Services. The course will also address current events and issues pertinent to diversity in the field. Students will gain opportunities for networking and a glimpse into the professional environment of relevant disciplines. In addition, students will be given the occasion to inquire as to internship requirements, expectations, and opportunities in said disciplines.
Key Performance Indicators:
Attendance and Participation 60 to 70%
Written assignments 10 to 15%
Research Paper 15 to 25%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
No purchased texts or materials are required for this course. Materials may include OER.
Pedagogy Statement:
The course will include guest lectures from a diverse body of professionals. Students will explore fields of interest more indepth depending on their prospective career pathway. Students of all learning abilities and backgrounds will find the information acccessible via delivery of Canvas.
Instructional Mediums:
Online
Maximum Class Size: 75
Optimum Class Size: 60