Courses

Haverford College

PSYC 357: Feminist Neuroscience [Spring 2023 & Fall 2022] [Profile on HaverBlog’s Cool Classes]

As societal conceptions of gender and sex change, so to do scientific approaches to neuroendocrinology (the study of hormones and the brain) and sex differences research. In this seminar, we will trace the history of this scientific field before placing it in conversation with feminist and queer theories. Students will utilize close reading, writing, and presentation techniques to consider sociological concepts and reframings of neuroscience.; Crosslisted: Gender & Sexuality Studies; Prerequisite(s): PSYC 217; Enrollment Limit: 12

PSYC 200: Research Methods and Statistics [Spring 2023]

A general overview of the experimental method and its use in the psychological study of behavior, coupled with in-depth treatment of statistics as applied to psychology research. Lab exercises focus on designing experiments, collecting data, applying statistical methods (using a data analysis software package), and presenting data through written assignments. 90 minutes of lab per week required in addition to lecture.; Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 or PSYC B105 or Psychology AP Score of 4 or instructor consent. ; Enrollment Limit: 35; Lottery preference(s): (1) Psychology majors, (2) sophomores, (3) seniors [non-psychology majors], (4) juniors [non-psychology majors], (5) first-year students Quantitative, Social Science, C: Physical and Natural Processes, B: Analysis of the Social World

PSYC 217: Behavioral Neuroscience [Fall 2022]

Interrelations between brain, behavior, and subjective experience. The course introduces students to physiological psychology through consideration of current knowledge about the mechanisms of mind and behavior.; Crosslisted: Psychology, Biology; Prerequisite(s): Any one of the following or instructor consent: PSYC 100, PSYC B105, BIOL H123, BIOL H124, BIOL H128, BIOL H129, Psychology AP Score 4 ; Enrollment Limit: 35; Lottery Preference(s): Priority to senior psychology or neuroscience majors, followed by junior psychology or neuroscience majors, followed by psychology or neuroscience minors. Natural Science, C: Physical and Natural Processes, B: Analysis of the Social World

UCLA

PHYSCI 98TW: Sex, Gender, and Feeding – Intersections in the Brain [Spring 2022]

Using papers investigating sex and/or gender contributions to feeding, this seminar explores how (neuro)science benefits from interdisciplinary study. Students will gain confidence interpreting data, appreciation for the scientific method, and insight into how science and society impact one another

PHYSCI C127: Neuroendocrinology of Reproduction [Winters 2021 & 2022]

Understanding of reproductive neuroendocrinology throughout mammalian lifespan, with emphasis as appropriate on human condition. Discussion of general concepts of endocrine feedback and feed-forward loops, sexual differentiation, and structure and function for components of hypothalamo-pituitary gonadal axis. Exploration of sex differences in physiology and disease

CLUSTER M72CW: Feminist Neuroscience [Spring 2020]

Studies investigating sex differences in the brain are gendered. The influences of society on the scientific process cannot be ignored. Treating research as unbiased promotes scientific misunderstanding both within and outside the laboratory. Thus, learning to evaluate, interpret, and critique primary scientific literature is vital for scientific and social literacy. Students will first learn how to read, summarize, and interpret their own conclusions from neuroscience articles through active learning, group presentations, and multimodal composition. Students will then use traditional writing techniques to examine this primary research through feminist and queer theory lenses. Critical and rhetorical analyses will be used to identify and extract explicit & implicit biases from scientific questions, methods, and interpretations. By the end of the quarter, students will be able to articulate and evaluate, using textual support, the ways in which societal gender assumptions influence neuroscience sex differences research.

CLUSTER M72A&B: Sex from Biology to Gendered Society [Fall & Winter 2017-2018 & 2019-2020]

Limited to first-year freshmen. Examination of many ways in which sex and sexual identity shape and are shaped by biological and social forces, approached from complementary perspectives of anthropology, biology, medicine, and sociology. Specific topics include biological origins of sex differences, intersex, gender identity, gender inequality, homosexuality, sex differences, sex/gender and law, and politics of sex research.