Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Psychology
Berkshire’s Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Psychology program offers a complementary alternative to the traditional science-based psychology major. With a holistic psychology degree, you’ll understand and appreciate an individual’s deepest values, emotions, inter- and intrapersonal relationships, and relationships with the physical and spiritual world.
Throughout the program, you’ll get a sense of the whole person by developing knowledge and skills important to health and growth, like self-reflection, consciousness, and creativity. Using the perspectives of existential-humanistic, phenomenon science, transpersonal, and scientific psychology, deeper layers will be revealed. As a graduate of the program, you’ll be prepared to help others increase acceptance and responsibility for their lives and will be well-equipped to pursue advanced study.
Preparation for the Major
PSY 100* Introduction to Psychology – 4.50
A survey of the field of psychology that provides an overview of the scientific principles and theories in psychology. Topics include: biological psychology, abnormal behavior, motivation, emotion, sexuality and gender, and personality theory.
MTH 210* Probability and Statistics – 4.50
Prerequisite: MTH 12A and MTH 12B, or Accuplacer test placement evaluation
An introduction to statistics and probability theory. Covers simple probability distributions, conditional probability (Bayes Rule), independence, expected value, binomial distributions, the Central Limit Theorem, hypothesis testing. Assignments may utilize the MiniTab software, or text-accompanying course-ware. Computers are available at the University’s computer lab. Calculator with statistical functions is required.
COM 324 Critical Thinking and Ethics – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Examines critical thinking and ethics, and their application to academic, personal, and professional situations. Covers systems of logical reasoning, critical analysis, and evaluation of message content, including supporting evidence, and logical fallacies. Discusses the morality and ramifications of decision-making in media industries.
Requirements for the Major
PSY 426 History and Philosophy Psych – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102; PSY 100
Explores the intellectual history and contemporary diversity of psychology in dialogue with a cultural understanding about the nature of the person. Topics include: psychology and science, philosophy of mind, functionalism, measurement, applied psychology, gestalt, behaviorism, the unconscious mind, phenomenological and existential psychology, clinical psychology and mental health, and qualitative perspectives.
PSY 466 Personal Growth & Development – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Integrates views of human nature and developmental change across the lifespan, including personality theory, therapeutic practice, and mystical traditions. Emphasizes humanistic-transpersonal growth through the integration of emotion with embodied knowledge. Experiential and theoretical focus on feminist, existential, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sufi views of self in relation to cultural norms and ideals.
PSY 467 Multicultural Mental Health – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Examination of the ways in which culture influences the definition of mental health and abnormal psychological functioning. Exploration of cultural effects on mental health and expressions of mental health problems. Review of different means of classifying mental disorders.
PSY 468 Spirituality and Global Health – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Mastery of Standard English is critical to success in this program.
Exploration of spirituality as a foundation for global well-being. Analysis of the philosophical and experiential dimensions of Buddhism, mystical Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Taoism, Vedic, Yogic, pagan, and indigenous wisdom traditions. Consideration of emerging paradigms supporting psycho-spiritual and pluralistic models for individual and global health.
PSY 470 Qualitative Analysis – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Examination of qualitative methods appropriate for phenomenological, observational and ethnological content in research. Discussion of philosophical/conceptual issues, connections among theoretical and practical frameworks, research questions, and methods of data collection and analysis. Practice activities involved in the planning and implementation of a research study.
PSY 471 Intimate Relationships – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Explores intimate relationships from multiple theoretical perspectives. Examines familial relations, romantic relations, and deep friendships. Discusses parallels and differences between queer and heterosexual relationships. Explores benefits and costs of intimate relationships. Discusses power dynamics, intimate violence, and relationship dissolution. Analyzes roles of evolution, gender, and culture, in shaping relationships.
PSY 472 Social Construction – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Exploration of the way in which knowledge, meaning, and understanding is constructed by groups. Examination of human behavior within groups with an emphasis on the idea that reality is constructed through interaction with other individuals, organizations, the environment, media, and language. Analysis of how social phenomena such as discrimination, implicit attitudes and decision-making are created, institutionalized and enforced by groups of people and become traditions.
PSY 473 Somatic Psychology – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Study of the relationship between mind and body. Exploration of the history of metaphysical dualism along with contemporary moves to view the mind and body as one with respect to psychological health. Included are Eastern, Western, and feminist perspectives.
PSY 474 Ecopsychology – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Exploration of the symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural environment. Examination of the synthesis of psychology and ecology. Exploration of historical and sociocultural factors influencing perceptions of the natural world and the health consequences of the objectification of nature.
PSY 484 Senior Project – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102; Completion of all core courses prior to enrollment in PSY 484 is required.
Development of a major cumulative project integrating knowledge gained in the program with an applied area of student interest. Covers empirical, theoretical, and/or experiential study of specific topics in integrative psychology with an emphasis on creative activity aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of human experience or promoting social and/or global change.
Electives Area 1
PSY 441 Global Psychology – 4.50
Prerequisite: PSY 100
Covers the history, current status and future direction of cultural psychology theory and practice in the context of globalization. A critique of the Western bias of the field of psychology and of the effects of its application to non-European originated populations within the United States and around the world.
PSY 455 Psychology of Bereavement – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102; PSY 100
An exploration of the basic psychological concepts associated with death, dying, and bereavement. Course work will include lectures, discussions, exams, research, and experiential exercises.
PSY 458 Health Psychology – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102; PSY 100
An examination of the relationship between behavior, psychological variables, and physical illness and health. A strong emphasis is placed on health psychology theory, research and applications focused on wellness promotion and the prevention and behavioral treatment of illness.
PSY 475 Psychology of Consciousness – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Exploration of interdisciplinary theories of consciousness rooted in Eastern and Western philosophy, neuroscience, and quantum theory. Examination of how subjective experiences arise from objective brain processes, the neuroscience and neuropathy of consciousness, altered states of consciousness, mystical experiences and dreams, the effects of drugs and meditation, and the nature of self.
PSY 477 Play – 4.50
Examination of the role of play in learning, socialization, and mental health with an emphasis on cross-species comparisons of play. Consideration of cultural influences and the neurobiology of play.
Electives Area 2
ART 329 World Art – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
This course approaches the fundamentals of visual and applied arts from a global perspective and provides an overview of non-Western art from ancient times to the present. Specific areas of focus are the art of South Asia and the Islamic World, East Asia, Pre-Columbian Central and South America, Native North America, Africa and Oceania. Students learn how to look at, appreciate, and critically think and write about art from the perspectives of a diversity of cultures and historical eras.
MUS 327 World Music – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
An exploration of musical traditions and techniques in a variety of cultures, including Japan, India, Native America, South America, and Africa. Broadens students’ cultural understanding of music.
PHL 320 World Religions – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, are surveyed in their historical, literary, and historical contexts. The sociology of religion is extensively addressed, and parallels in myths, rituals, conversion, and rites of passage are compared. Recent and contemporary religious trends are also addressed.
Electives Area 3
COM 305 Intercultural Communication – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Looks at communication across cultures and considers how culture influences communication. Focuses on the dynamics of cross-cultural face-to-face interaction, conflict styles across cultures, societal influences on ethnocentrism and racism, cultural value orientations, non-verbal dimensions of communication, language interaction, stereotypes, relationship development, and cultural adaptation.
COM 385 Interactive Storytelling – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Introduces the evolution of storytelling, from oral delivery to written and interactive texts, and transmedia publication. Examines the effects of this evolution on storytellers and participants. Offers hands-on creation of online identities and texts.
SOC 410 Gender and Society – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 240
Examines the sociological and historical experiences of sex, sexuality, and gender in the USA, focusing on their intersectionality with race, class, and other social variables. Analyzes dominant representations of gender roles and stereotypes in public culture as well as LGBTQ and other representations that challenge prevailing power structures.
Degree and Course Requirements
To receive a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Psychology degree, you must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 76.5 units of which must be completed at the upper-division level; 45 units must be completed in residence at Berkshire, and a minimum 70.5 units of the University general education requirements. In the absence of transfer credit, you may need to take additional general electives to satisfy the total units for the degree.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of National University’s BA in Integrative Psychology program, you will be able to:
Articulate an understanding of human experience using major theories, concepts, and historical trends in psychology
Explain the dynamic relationships among nature, health, and humanity
Examine cultural and spiritual practices that influence self-awareness and well-being
Evaluate sociocultural contributions to personal growth, expression, and knowledge
Demonstrate skills in multiple modes of communication, presentations, and projects utilizing different literary and methodological formats
Exhibit original learning by gathering and critically evaluating information using current technologies
Apply your knowledge using holistic approaches to solve a real-world problem
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