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PSYC-290: States of Consciousness

Course Information

Course, prefix, number, & title: PSYC-290 States of Consciousness

Hours (Class, recitation, Laboratory, studio): 3; offered as needed

Credits: 3

Pre-requisites (if any): PSYC-101

Course Description in college catalog:

Examines theory and research related to altered states of consciousness. Topics include sleep, dreaming, hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, and parapsychology in its various manifestations. 

Academic programs for which this course serves as a requirement or an elective:

A.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences (Mathematics and Science)

General Education Outcomes: Below is a listing of General Education Outcome(s) that this course supports.

  1. Use analytical reasoning to identify issues or problems and evaluate evidence in order to make informed decisions

  2. Reason quantitatively as required in various fields of interest and in everyday life

  3. Use historical or social sciences perspectives to examine formation of ideas, human behavior, social institutions, or social processes

Course-specific student learning outcomes:

1. Students will demonstrate factual knowledge regarding the classification and comparison of different states of consciousness

2. Students will analyze, interpret, and integrate this knowledge within the larger framework of mind, philosophy, religion, and other disciplines

3. Students will differentiate various kinds of self-knowledge

4. Students will evaluate the efficacy of various models of mind and consciousness and draw conclusions regarding their personal views

5. Students will draw inferences from scientific research

6. Students will discriminate between adaptive and maladaptive expressions of altered states of consciousness

Program-specific outcomes

1. Students will understand psychological text effectively through readings in the textbook and ancillary documents and articles on states of consciousness.

2. Students will critically evaluate theories and research in states of consciousness

3. Students will construct written essays, responses, and/or papers demonstrating the use of evidence-based information in drawing conclusions about issues in states of consciousness.

4. Students will analyze research methods in states of consciousness and their use in evaluating theoretical concepts.

5. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate use of research methods in studying problems in states of consciousness.

6. Students will draw conclusions from scientific observations and research findings in the field of states of consciousness.

Other program outcomes (if applicable).

  1. Integrate knowledge and skills in the program of study

Methods by which student learning will be assessed and evaluated; describe the types of methods to be employed; note whether certain methods are required for all sections:

A variety of assessment methods are employed in individual sections, including but not limited to the following: objective tests, essay examinations, essay assignments, term papers, reflection papers, oral presentations, and/or group projects.

Academic Integrity policy (department or College):
Academic honesty is expected of all students. Any violation of academic integrity is taken extremely seriously. All assignments and projects must be the original work of the student or teammates. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any questions regarding academic integrity should be brought to the attention of the instructor. The following is the Queensborough Community College Policy on Academic Integrity: "It is the official policy of the College that all acts or attempted acts that are violations of Academic Integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. At the faculty member's discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases though reported to the Office of Student Affairs may be resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor has the authority to adjust the offender's grade as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the student for the entire course." Read the University's policy on Academic Integrity opens in a new window(PDF).

Disabilities
Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Services in Science Building, Room S-132, 718-631-6257, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You can visit the Office of Accessibility Services website.

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