Emotion is fundamental and necessary to the human experience. It drives us to pursue careers, sustain social relationships, and to pursue health, but it also can occur with psychopathology and lead persons to self-destructive behavior. Developing a greater understanding of what emotion is, and what its role is in the human experience, can aid us not only in understanding ourselves, but also in creating more meaningful relationships with those around us.

This course is designed to provide you with an in-depth exposure to the science of emotion. A developed understanding of emotion is necessary for any successful mental health practitioner, as well as any parent, or friend. Additionally, graduate education and/or a future career in research will require a developed understanding of this binding force to the human psychological experience. This course is designed to provide a detailed understanding of what emotion is and, in the ways that it manifests. The last 130 years has seen waves of research focused on the topic of emotion, but the most recent three decades has truly seen a boon, so emotion is as important of a topic today as it has ever been.

Through textbook reading, in-class discussions and lectures, and through several writing assignments, you will be challenged to critically understand and apply the scientific findings of emotion to better understand the role that emotion plays in human lives. Topics covered in this course will include (but are not limited to) how emotion is related to: research design, biology, expression, regulation, gender, culture, group processes, and psychological dysfunction. You are expected to read material before each class to foster a more beneficial learning environment and to better generate in-class discussions.