The Human Person
Philosophy 151: The Human Person
professor S. Joel Garver
linked with
Psychology 155: Introduction to Psychology
professor Mary Ellen McMonigle
Winter/Spring 2008
doubles description:
Both philosophers and psychologists address the nature of the human person: the mind, development, perception, emotions, relationships, nature/nurture, and so on. The psychology component will approach these issues from the standpoint of the past century or so of scientific and clinical psychological theory and practice. The philosophy component will examine human nature from the standpoint of thinkers ranging from Aristotle through Enlightenment figures to 20th century theorists such as Freud, Skinner, and Sartre. The two courses will be linked through several common writing assignments based on films and reading. In addition, homework, informal writing, and linked reading will further expand our common themes.objectives:
La Salle University's program of linked courses for all first year students serves several purposes.First, it is a central element of the core curriculum. As such it is guided by La Salle's heritage as a Catholic university, reflecting its commitment to the interdependence of intellectual and spiritual growth.
Second, the Double should foster relationships with your fellow students, help you link up what you learn to everyday life, reveal ways in which various aspects of your own life are connected, and assist you by reinforcing common themes.
Third, the linked courses should encourage cooperative learning among students, underlining the idea that education is a community enterprise of persons working in collaboration.
doubles assignments:
The links between Psychology and Philosophy are complex and continual. These links will be made more explicit in the following ways:First Doubles Assignment: Early in the semester we will be watching the film Marnie, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It is a story that picks up on various themes from Freudian psychology, with a particular focus upon one woman's struggle with the ongoing effects of a childhood trauma. After watching the film, we will have some class discussion and you will be required to complete a written assignment that will be graded for credit in both courses.
Second Doubles Assignment: In your Psychology class you will be reading Victor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning. Related materials from Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus will be assigned in Philosophy. A common writing assignment will be generated from these readings, exploring the relationship of existential philosophy to psychology, perhaps applying Frankl's method to a particular clinical case or personal experience.
Third Doubles Assignment: Late in the semester we will be watching another film, most likely a film called What's Cooking? The film explores human relationships, ethnicity, gender roles, and family dynamics. After watching the film, we will discuss it and you may be given a written assignment that will be graded for credit in both courses.
Informal writing: Either or both of your professors may ask you to do some brief informal writing in class in which you consider and make your own connections between materials in both courses.
Homeworks: Some homework assignments may be focused upon links between philosophy and psychology.
Reading: Several readings will overlap or draw upon the same author between both courses, particularly, Freud, Skinner, Lorenz, and Frankl.