Story in Psy:Narrative Perspectives

Catalog description

Employing a pro-seminar format, we explore how stories and story construction serve as an increasingly influential and integrating paradigm by which to understand human behavior. We will look at the historical and conceptual foundations of the narrative perspective and compare this approach with more traditional models of human psychological functioning. We will pay particular attention to autobiographical memory, self- narrative, and identity development of the contemporary world as well as narrative approaches to psychotherapy & health care as examples of the perspective's scope. We will consider recent advances in narrative research methodologies, particularly those qualitative approaches which focus upon interview and other autobiographical sources of data. Students will be expected to prepare an individual presentation on a topic of their choosing and personal interest. Senior standing required.