Psychology 375, Psychology and Film,
Spring 2011
Mondays 6:45-9:45pm (see below for specific dates), Science, room 108
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Text:
Office Hours:
Dr. Alison Thomas-Cottingham
Science 322D
896-5342
athomasc@rider.edu
Movies and Mental Illness-Wedding (additional readings will be posted on Blackboard)
Mondays 12:30-1:30pm, Wednesdays and Fridays 10:20-11:20am, and by appointment
*PLEASE BRING A HARD COPY OF THIS SYLLABUS WITH YOU TO THE FIRST CLASS MEETING ON JAN. 24.*
Course overview: Attitudes, perceptions and memories are shaped by motion pictures. Filmmakers create
enduring images by using cinematic techniques to portray social and interpersonal themes. The course will
examine various cinematic techniques, with an emphasis on how film portrays issues in clinical psychology
including mental illness and treatment of mental illness.
Blackboard: We will use Blackboard in this class for several functions, including article postings, lecture
outlines and grade postings. If you are not familiar with Blackboard, please see me as soon as possible.
Grading
Reflection paper -10% per paper
Midterm-20%
Final-20%
Class Participation-10%
Attendance-10%
Examinations: There will be two examinations. Each exam will contain a combination short answer and essay
questions. Make-up exams will NOT be given under any conditions. Your midterm exam will be given in
class. Your final exam will be submitted via Blackboard and is due on May 2nd no later than 9:45pm.
Paper: You will write brief (3-5 pages) reaction papers about four of the films. Each reaction paper will begin
with a one page summary of the film followed by your own film review and responses to an assigned
concentration regarding the film (techniques, attitudes toward mental illness, etc.).
Attendance: We will view and discuss all films in class, therefore regular attendance is important. Attendance
will be taken at the beginning of every class meeting. An unexcused absence on the day attendance is taken
will count against your attendance grade. If you have documentation to explain your absence (e.g, a doctor’s
note), then your absence will count as an excused absence. Such documentation must be provided no later than
the last day of classes. Doctor’s notes will not be accepted after the semester has ended
Class Participation: Class participation is also important. Participation will be both voluntary and involuntary
(e.g., sometimes I will call names from the class roster).
Rider email as official communication: "Your Rider email account is your email address for all official email
communications from the University. You are expected to check your Rider email account on a frequent and
consistent basis in order to stay current with University-related communications. Any email from me about this
course will only be sent to your official Rider email address. Any communication from you to me must come
from your Rider email address (IT Steering Committee of Rider University)."
Your final grade: You may use the grading scale below to calculate your final grade. I will not communicate
information about grades over the telephone or through email. You may access grade information through
Blackboard, or you may see me in person.
Grading Scale
Number grade
100-93
92-90
89-87
86-83
82-80
79-77
76-73
72-70
69-67
66-63
62-60
below 60
letter grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Date
January 24
Assignment
Course introduction, film techniques
Inpatient treatment-One Flew Over the Cuckoos’ Nest (1975)
February 7
reflection 1 is due, misconceptions of mental illness
Inpatient treatment-Girl Interrupted (1999)
February 21
reflection 2 is due, introduction to psychotherapy
Outpatient Treatment-Prime (2005)
March 7
family dynamics/ individual, group and family therapy
Outpatient treatment-Ordinary People (1980)
April 4
MIDTERM EXAM (6:45-8:00PM)
How are psychologists portrayed on screen?
The role of the therapist-Good Will Hunting (1991)
April 11
reflection 3 is due, ethical issues in psychotherapy
Ethical Violations-The Snake Pit (1948)
April 18
reflection 4 is due, using film in clinical practice, the impact of where and how we
watch film
Cinematherapy-Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
May 2
FINAL EXAM (DUE NO LATER THAN 9:45PM)