Psychology

This course encompasses analyses of the psychological impact of media content and presentation. The courses provides an understanding of how individuals process media contents as well as how the media affects individuals’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. A variety of topics such as the psychological processing of information, media violence, sexual content, stereotyping, and the effects of new communication technologies are covered. 

The extensive independent study field research paper produced by the student is both the centerpiece of the intern's professional engagement and the culmination of the academic achievements of the semester. During the preparatory session, IFE teaches the methodological guidelines and principles to which students are expected to adhere in the development of their written research. Students work individually with a research advisor from their field. The first task is to identify a topic, following guidelines established by IFE for research topic choice. The subject must be tied in a useful and complementary way to the student-intern's responsibilities, as well as to the core concerns of the host organization. The research question should be designed to draw as much as possible on resources available to the intern via the internship (data, documents, interviews, observations, seminars and the like). Students begin to focus on this project after the first 2-3 weeks on the internship. Each internship agreement signed with an organization makes explicit mention of this program requirement, and this is the culminating element of their semester. Once the topic is identified, students meet individually, as regularly as they wish, with their IFE research advisor to generate a research question from the topic, develop an outline, identify sources and research methods, and discuss drafts submitted by the student. The research advisor also helps students prepare for the oral defense of their work which takes place a month before the end of the program and the due date of the paper. The purpose of this exercise is to help students evaluate their progress and diagnose the weak points in their outline and arguments. Rather than an extraneous burden added to the intern's other duties, the field research project grows out of the internship through a useful and rewarding synergy of internship and research. The Field Study and Internship model results in well-trained student-interns fully engaged in mission-driven internships in their field, while exploring a critical problem guided by an experienced research advisor.

This course examines the effectiveness of the law and justice system from a psychological perspective. By experiencing a fictional case first hand, students will learn about the psychology of law and some of the misconceptions commonly held about criminal justice. 

This course introduces the recently emerging fields of decision-making neuroscience and neuroeconomics. Topics include the core elements of the brain mechanism related to decision-making, such as dopamine function, approach and avoidance circuits, value calculation, and the dilemma of stability versus flexibility. In addition, this course covers the neuroscientific model of decision-making and how to understand and apply it to various choices in everyday life. 

This course is intended for advanced-level undergraduate students who have completed an introductory psychology course and are familiar with basic terms in neuroscience and elementary statistics. 

This course examines the theoretical and practical understanding of the psychology of communication skills and their application in everyday life, conflict management, dating, the workplace, intergroup situations, and even in how you talk to yourself. The course is designed to give you an exciting scientific overview of, and basic working competence in, communication skills. It covers communication and social skills; listening and the difficulty of doing so; conflict escalation and resolution; mating, dating, and relationships; communication across group boundaries; trolling and romance scamming; persuasion; cross-cultural communication norms; sex and/or gender differences in communication patterns; public speaking; organizational communication and leadership; and self-communication.

This course examines fundamental concepts of nervous system organization and function. Anatomy of the brain and spinal cord is studied using models to understand the cortical and subcortical pathways as well as integrating centers that control movements and posture. The physiology component introduces students to mechanisms of signal generation and transmission, basic mechanisms of spinal reflexes, the function of the sensory systems and autonomic nervous system and motor pathways. 

CIEE supports qualified students who wish to pursue an academically rigorous independent research project while abroad. In order to enroll, students must submit a research proposal including a clearly defined research topic,
explanation of research plans, description of preparation in the planned area of study, list of resources, tentative outline of a final paper, and suggested schedule of progress. Students complete a total of 100-120 hours of
research and meet regularly with an advisor to complete an academically rigorous, ethically sound, and culturally appropriate research project and final research paper. Approval for participation in Directed Independent Research
must be obtained from CIEE and the student's home institution prior to arrival on the program.

This is an independent research course with research arranged between the student and faculty member. The specific research topics vary each term and are described on a special project form for each student. A substantial paper is required. The number of units varies with the student’s project, contact hours, and method of assessment, as defined on the student’s special study project form.