CRN 73126 PSYC 26: Applied Psychology

Course Information

Course Description

Critical exploration of psychological theory, research findings, and concepts relevant to human adjustment. Emphasis on the proactive and practical application of psychology to improve self awareness, facilitate personal growth, and enhance social relationships.

Adds and Drops

Please place an add request through your myRAM portal if you're interested in joining the class. This automated system allows me to manage space availability in a fair and efficient manner.

While I appreciate your enthusiasm for the course, using the portal rather than of emailing me speeds up the process for everyone and ensures all requests are treated equally.

Students may be dropped if they don't participate during the first week of instruction.

Materials

The course textbook is Psychological Adjustment, which is freely available online. We follow the textbook material closely, so please take a look through it to get a sense of the course content.

I use Canvas for all assignments and grading.

My Teaching Philosophy

I believe in a student-centric approach that encourages active learning, critical thinking, and the application of knowledge in real-world settings. I can promise you that you'll find this course challenging, but I'm committed to providing the necessary support for your academic success. I encourage proactive communication and collaborative problem-solving as keys to overcoming challenges.

Course Outcomes

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

Compare major theoretical perspectives in psychology and how they apply to the self and others.
Evaluate psychological research findings that focus on improved well-being and interpersonal relationships.
Apply psychological concepts to one’s own life that will enhance skills for healthy adjustment and personal growth.
Apply sociocultural concepts and intersectional identities to the self and others.

Time Commitment & Course Difficulty

Expect to spend around 9-12 hours a week on coursework, including readings, assignments, and activities.

Each week, you’ll explore concepts that are directly related to understanding yourself and others, with a focus on practical life skills. You’ll engage with textbook readings, watch supplemental videos, and discuss concepts in class with your classmates. These activities are designed to deepen your understanding and apply what yo learned in meaningful ways.

This course is structured to help you grow both academically and personally, but it will require your consistent effort and attention. While the material is approachable, success in this course depends on your engagement with the content and your ability to critically analyze and apply the concepts.

There will be two midterms, a final exam, and one essay, all of which are designed to challenge your thinking and reflect your learning.

This class is about more than just grades—it’s about developing skills that will serve you throughout your life. However, achieving a high grade will require dedication and active participation.

Important Dates

Dates for this class are not yet set in stone. This is my first time teaching the course and the pace of the units will remain uncertain until we cover them in class.

Nonetheless, you can expect:

One midterm in late September or early October.
One midterm in early-mid November.
A final exam in mid-December.
An essay due early December.

I look forward to having you in the class!