PSYC439

This senior capstone course will introduce students to the paradigm of Phenomenological Psychology. Phenomenology is the science of how we subjectively experience the world. It approaches psychology from within the standpoint of consciousness. Phenomenological psychologists apply qualitative methodology to comprehend phenomena that are not accessible to the experimental methods of the physical sciences. Using careful descriptive procedures phenomenologists study a wide range of psychological phenomena such as: states of consciousness (normal and abnormal), the spectrum of imaginary experiences, meanings, values, relationships and emotions as well as our subtle awareness of time, space and reality itself. Students will be introduced to the epistemological approach, the specific methods, and the
overall subject matter of the field of phenomenological psychology. Most importantly, students will learn phenomenology by doing phenomenology. Students will perform an original qualitative phenomenological research project and will elucidate a particular topic from within the phenomenological perspective. Specifically, students will be trained in descriptive interview
techniques, phenomenological analysis of descriptions, bibliographical research methods, writing literature reviews, oral presentation skills, and (most importantly) critical theoretical analysis of descriptive qualitative data. Classes will alternate between l. theory sessions and 2. applied research sessions.