Psychology

The course introduces the fundamental conceptual aspects of the study of human behavior that have informed the applications of the science of behavior change. Behavioral principles are essential to understanding all aspects of "what humans do" and why they behave in such ways. The number of therapeutic approaches and interventions which have been researched and developed from the science of behavior analysis has rapidly expanded especially in recent decades. Such behavioral interventions have impacted significantly across a wide range of clinical issues including for example: child development and behavioral/emotional difficulties, individuals living with brain injury, people living with dementia, the assessment and treatment of self-injurious behavior and other challenging behaviors, accelerated educational outcomes, and best practice in treatment for children with neurodevelopmental and related conditions. The course content is designed to provide an introduction to the impact and scope of behavior analysis as a "helping profession" across contexts and populations.

This course reviews content with practical applications that aim to develop intervention and evaluation skills in psychology and mental health in the field of public health. It also considers reviewing the public health principal models, programs and instruments. Additionally, the course includes designing a transversal project that integrates the reviewed concepts with data retrieved in real escenarios (professional interviews, and if conditions allow it, visits to health centers).

This course examines the philosophical and spiritual roots, cultural influences and scientific studies of contemplative practices adopted in modern societies. Beginning with the introduction of the history and theory of contemplative practice and followed by the
scientific description of the impact on the mind-body connections developed through these practices, students will be guided to critically review the relationship of contemplative practices with four major themes: personal awareness and health, relational well-being with others, and the collective well-being in and across our societies. 

This course seeks to immerse students in a professional work environment. Students have the opportunity to observe and interact with co-workers, and learn how to recognize and respond to cultural differences. Students compare concepts of teamwork and interpersonal interactions in different cultures as experienced on the job. Seminar work helps students apply academic knowledge in a business setting and identify opportunities to create value within the company. Students research a specific topic related to their work placement and present their findings in a final research report.

This service-learning course combines a structured curriculum and extensive partnership with a local community-based organization to offer tangible community service. Here, student community service includes direct
engagement as well as a research-based action plan addressing a specific challenge or goal identified by a community-based organization. Students begin by exploring key community-based organizations: examining their
mission, vision and goals, and the place of the organization in the local community. Each student then works with an assigned partner organization and invests at least 90 hours partnering with the organization, working with them
and investigating ways to solve a challenge or issue the organization has identified. Student service-learning includes exploring the proximate and ultimate drivers of the organization's chosen challenge, and the organization's
infrastructure, resources, limitations and possibilities for reducing barriers to achieving the organization's self-identified goals. In concert, coursework probes the role of community-based organizations in both local and global
contexts, common challenges of community-based organizations in defining and implementing their goals, the role of service-learning in addressing these issues, and effective ways for students to help them achieve their mission,
vision, and goals. Coursework also guides the student's service-learning experience by helping students develop sound international service ethics, provide tools to investigate solutions to common development issues, aid in
data analysis and presentation, and provide best practices to illustrate findings and deliver approved joint recommendations orally and in writing. Throughout, students use service-learning as a means to expand their global awareness and understanding, explore shared aspirations for social justice, and develop skills to work with others to effect positive change.

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.