Program Overview

Psychology in the Media Capstone

Introduction

The Psychology in the Media Capstone is a course designed to address how psychological concepts, principles, and theories are depicted in popular media, specifically film and documentary. This seminar provides students with the opportunity to integrate, apply, and reflect on many aspects of the psychological science major.

Course Description

In this capstone, students will watch psychologically-relevant films and documentaries, read classic and contemporary research connected to the concepts depicted in the films and documentaries, and synthesize what they have learned from these sources in oral and written formats. The course aims to help students understand how the discipline of psychology provides a framework for understanding the world as depicted in film.

Learning Outcomes

By means of reading, analyzing, writing, and participating in class, students will develop a knowledge base in psychology and apply that knowledge to media, ethical and social responsibility in a diverse world, professional communication skills, as a professional in the field of psychological science, and hone their scientific thinking and critical thinking skills.

Course Structure

• The required readings will be provided in a digital format.
• Students are required to view the films outside of class prior to discussion.
• The films are available from a variety of free and subscription streaming services.

Instructor Information

The course is taught by Dr. Leigh Shaw, a professor in Psychological Science and the Director of General Education at Weber State. Dr. Shaw earned her BS with Honors in Psychology from the University of Wyoming, and her MS and PhD in Psychology from the University of Utah. She is a Developmental Psychologist with training, expertise, and decades of teaching experience in child and adolescent development.

Learning Pact

The learning pact between the instructor and students includes:

1. The instructor will provide a clear, organized course designed to ensure students meet the course outcomes in a meaningful way.
2. The instructor will provide a variety of assignments to ensure students' learning needs are met.
3. The instructor will be actively present in students' learning and provide a supportive and safe environment for discussion.
4. Students will strive to be active participants, maintain open communication with the instructor, and contribute to collaborative activities.
5. Students will treat their peers with dignity and respect and strive to have patience with technology.

Capstone Course

A capstone course is a final course that completes a student's major, providing the opportunity to integrate, apply, and reflect on many aspects of the psychological science major. The capstone course serves two main purposes:

1. To give psychological science majors a final opportunity to practice and demonstrate critical thinking, reflection, and integrative learning skills.
2. To allow the department a final opportunity to assess whether it has been successful in its mission to train students to be psychologically literate citizens.