PSBB087 Psychology in Everyday Life: the Past, the Present and the Future

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Vít Janů (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Marek Blatný, DrSc.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jarmila Valchářová
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Mon 16:00–17:40 C42, except Mon 18. 11. to Sun 24. 11.
Prerequisites
SOUHLAS
The admission process consists of a short motivation letter written by the student (max. word count: 300 words). The aim is to describe and explain your personal motivation for studying the topic, and its importance for future studies, occupation, or life. Enter your motivation letter via an application for enrollment permission/exception, which can be found on the "Registration and enrollment" page.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 16/15, only registered: 2/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases. Social inequalities and injustice. Climate crisis. Floods, fires, droughts, hurricanes and other disasters. Civil unrest. Wars. All that and more happens in the world around us. We, as individuals and as the society, need to deal with it not only physically, but also mentally. We live in a time of multiple crises, but what happens to psychology during such times? We adapt to our historical, social and cultural context, and so does psychology. Nevertheless, as much as we - and psychology - is shaped by the environment around us, we also have the power to shape the world and the society. The course combines various perspectives on the topics, i.e. the perspectives of psychology and other sciences; philosophy and critical studies; and writers and artists. Thus, the objectives of this course are: - to explore and describe the historical and sociocultural aspects of psychology, critical health studies, and one's own mental processes; - to understand how a context, narratives, and language shape discourses of psychology, everyday life, and health; - to understand biopolitical and necropolitical theories and frameworks; - to read and write critically, creatively, and thoughtfully about issues and challenges surrounding psychology and health; - to situate oneself in relation our own context and environment, and take action in what we believe that matters.
Learning outcomes
After taking this course, students will be able to think critically and comprehensively about how psychological and health discourses are shaped in a given social, cultural and historical context. Students will be able to reflect the importance and the role of psychology in the ever-changing world, and how both psychology as a science and one's Self interact with the environment around us, with the context, with the Past, the Present, and the Future.
Syllabus
  • 1. Those who came before us: Kin, and time; 2. Who's in charge: The importance of context, biopolitics and necropolitics; 3. What is lost in translation: Narratives, language, and translations; 4. What should we care about? Nomenclature for the time being; 5. Psychology in the time of the pandemic and wars; 6. Am I alone in this? Individualism versus collectivism; 7. There is a world that we don't see: Psychology, blindness, and disabilities; 8. Beyond the ordinary: Highs and lows of psychoactive substances; 9. I know you know I don't know: The limits and the possibilities of psychological assessment and diagnoses; 10. There is beauty in this world: Caring for aesthetics; 11. Mother Nature: Caring for nature, environmental psychology; 12. This is me: Caring for the Self; 13. What comes next: Taking responsibility for what we do and what's to come.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • Vuong, O. (2023). On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. Vintage Books.
  • Foucault, M. (1990). History of Sexuality: Volume One, An Introduction. Vintage Books.
  • Mbembe, A. (2019). Necropolitics. Duke University Press.
  • Brand, D. (2022). Nomenclature: New and Collected Poems. Duke University Press.
  • Kimmerer, R. W. (2015). Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. Penguin Books.
Teaching methods
The lessons are carried out in the form of lectures once per week, case studies, class discussions, scientific literature reading, group work and discussions.
Assessment methods
The minimum mandatory attendance is 80%. Students are required to write three (self-reflective) essays during the semester, each in the minimum range of 4-5 pages. The final oral exam takes form of a group discussion and critical analysis of the reviewed topics.
Náhradní absolvování
It is not possible to take the course while studying abroad, as there is a minimus mandatory attendance.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Souhlas se zápisem na základě krátkého motivačního dopisu.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2024/PSBB087