Courses

Course: PSYC 305: Topics in Psychology | Cultural Psychology
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Scott Semenyna

Humans exist (and thrive) in more ecologies than any other species. Understanding why and how humans accomplish this amazing feat requires us to look beyond WEIRD populations (those that are Western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic). This class will introduce students to cultural psychology, the methodological approaches used by cross-cultural psychologists and why human culture has led to our unique success. We will explore the way culture influences psychology and behaviour, affords opportunities for population change and innovation, and even creates environmental conditions that influence our biology. With these tools, students will understand why cross-cultural perspectives are vital to psychological science and help explain numerous aspects of human personality, emotion, health, thinking, perception, attraction, relationships, morality and many other features of our species.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in PSYC 104 and PSYC 105 and at least two 200-level PSYC courses.

Permission Required: No

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Insight and Change in Counselling Psychology
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Sean Rogers

Are you interested in learning more about how insight is defined and applied in a variety of approaches to counselling? This senior seminar course will examine theories of counselling, personality and change through the lenses of insight and client self disclosure. Students will develop an understanding of and greater appreciation for the modern insight-based approaches to therapy from the psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural and humanistic approaches. Concepts will include insight, self disclosure, depth in therapy, unconscious processes and the applications of these concepts in psychological growth and change. Students will explore these topics through lectures, journal articles and other relevant readings. They will be evaluated on class presentations, papers and participation in discussions.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in PSYC 212, PSYC 233 and at least six credits of 300- or 400-level PSYC courses and consent of the department.

Permission Required: Yes. Please enrol in mêskanâs to receive permission.

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Mental Health in 2SLGBTQ+ Populations
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS02
Instructor: Dr. Laura Offrey

In this seminar course, students will explore the field of 2SLGBTQ+ psychology and learn about emerging issues regarding mental health among 2SLGBTQ+ populations. Topics covered include: (1) the relationship between the queer community and the field of psychology (2) the evolution of developmental theory related to 2SLGBTQ+ populations (3) efforts to make the field of psychology more trans-inclusive and affirmative (4) the impact of the concept of intersectionality in better understanding 2SLGBTQ+ individuals who have multiple stigmatized identities and (5) advances in research and resultant recommendations for clinical practice. Students are expected to complete assigned readings prior to class and come prepared to participate in course activities including group discussions, class presentations and the completion of a multicultural identity paper.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in PSYC 212 and at least one other 200-level PSYC course and permission of the department.

Permission Required: Yes. Please enrol in mêskanâs to receive permission.

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Psychology of Sexual Consent
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS03
Instructor: Dr. Aimee Skye

This senior seminar course will examine attitudes, behaviours and beliefs about sexual consent through cognitive and social psychological lenses. Students will develop an appreciation for the complexity of sexual consent as a concept and explore how our perception of consent and exchanges about it are shaped by factors such as contextual information and sociodemographic variables, schemas and scripts, communication practices, biases and myths, social roles and norms, prejudice, training, and education. Readings will be assigned throughout the course, and assessments could include in-class discussions, group work, presentations, papers and other assignments.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in PSYC 212 and in at least two 300-level courses.

Permission Required: Yes. Please enrol in mêskanâs to receive permission.

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Introduction to Paraphilias: The Psychology of Atypical Attractions
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS04
Instructor: Dr. Carissa Augustyn

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of various atypical sexual attractions known as “paraphilias.” Examples of paraphilias include sexual attractions to children (pedophilia/hebephilia), animals (zoophilia) and inanimate objects or non-sexual body parts (fetishism). This senior-level seminar will invite students to think critically about various theoretical and applied issues related to paraphilias including distinguishing between sexuality that is “atypical” versus “disordered,” ethical considerations for labelling someone as having a paraphilic disorder and the intersection between paraphilias and the law (i.e., sexual offending). Students will be expected to read assigned readings (journal articles and other relevant readings) and actively participate in class activities. Students will be evaluated on class presentations, written assignments and participation in discussions. (Please note: this course may include discussion of potentially upsetting topics such as sexual assault and child sexual abuse).

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in PSYC 212 and PSYC 339 and consent of the department.

Permission Required: Yes. Please enrol in mêskanâs to receive permission.

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Anxiety Disorder Mechanisms
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS05
Instructor: Dr. Alex Penney

This course is an in-depth exploration of selected dysfunctional beliefs that cause and maintain anxiety-related disorders. These mechanisms of change will include beliefs such as intolerance of uncertainty, metacognitive beliefs, anxiety sensitivity, fear of negative evaluation, perfectionism and so on. Students will learn how these mechanisms are measured, the foundational and contemporary research regarding these mechanisms and cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques used to decrease each belief. Students will be expected to attend all classes and read relevant research articles as assigned. Students will also work in groups to teach their classmates about the research behind a specific mechanism, acquire and describe the questionnaire(s) used to measure the mechanism and demonstrate the application of therapeutic techniques for the belief. Additional topics to be covered include psychometrics and data analysis, transdiagnostic therapy models and transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques.

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C+ in PSYC 339 and consent of the department.

Permission Required: Yes. Please enrol in mêskanâs to receive permission.

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Animal Communication
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS06
Instructor: Dr. Shannon Digweed

The topic focuses on the various systems of animal communication. We will survey the diversity of communication systems found in animals and how they are tailored to a variety of social and ecological challenges that they face. This seminar course will explore how communication systems function, how they evolve and how they are organized mechanistically including the psychological and cognitive mechanisms that cause communication. The goal is for students to appreciate the importance of integrating contributions from peer reviewed research sources across visual, acoustic and olfactory communication within foraging, predator, mating and social contexts. This seminar course will emphasize class discussions stemming from a mix of classic papers, recent empirical studies, and popular articles that address core conceptual issues and provide detailed examples of phenomena in animal communication.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in PSYC 212 and one of PSYC 358, PSYC 373, or BIOL 371 and consent of the department.

Permission Required: Yes. Please enrol in mêskanâs to receive permission.

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Introduction to Counselling
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS07
Instructor: Dr. Kirsten Klingle

Are you interested in learning more about the practice of counselling psychology and how to promote positive mental health and well-being among others, including individuals, families and groups? Do you dream of one day working with people in a helping capacity? If you answered "yes" to the above, this course was designed for you. Introduction to Counselling Psychology will teach you about the history, theory, practice, research as well as areas of specialization within the field of counselling psychology. This senior-level seminar will offer practical learning experiences and will invite you to think critically about the material, all the while enhancing personal reflexivity. Students will be asked to actively participate in discussions of the course text and other materials and will be assessed on several assignments, all of which are aimed at deepening your understanding and igniting your passion for psychology (warning: enthusiasm for psychology may increase as a result of taking this course).

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and at least six credits of 300- or 400-level PSYC courses and consent of the department.

Permission Required: Yes. Please enrol in mêskanâs to receive permission.

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Psychology of Mortality
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS08
Instructor: Dr. Nicholas Jacobs

Death is an ungraspable phenomenon that will reach us all, and as such, this course is intended to explore the existential mystery that is our end. While we may go to great lengths to avoid confrontations with death, it remains a fundamental aspect of existence warranting thoughtful and careful consideration. Engaging at the intersection of psychology and philosophy, this course examines how mortality—the awareness of our death—impacts and informs our experience of life. Mortality is explored through a variety of perspectives, including philosophy, social psychology, depth psychology, and transpersonal and spiritual perspectives.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and department consent.

Permission Required: Yes. Please enrol in mêskanâs to receive permission.

Course: PSYC 405: Topics in Psychology | Testosterone, Sex and Society: Fiction, Fact and Finding Truth
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS09
Instructor: Dr. Scott Semenyna

This course is intended as a broad introduction to the influence of biology and culture on sex differences in behaviour, personality, cognition and sexual orientation. This seminar-style class will present opportunities to discuss contentious scientific findings regarding the impact of testosterone (T) on behaviour and the broader social context in which this science occurs. Emphasis will be placed on systematic research examining these questions, which may conflict with people’s everyday views and interpretations. The primary goal of this course is to enhance critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning in a seminar format. All students will be expected to contribute positively to class discussions of the course material.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in PSYC 212 and at least six credits of 300- or 400-level PSYC courses.

Permission Required: Yes. Please enrol in mêskanâs to receive permission.

Course: PSYC 437: Topics in Forensic Psychology| Stalking and Criminal Harassment
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Kristine Peace

This seminar course will focus on examining the broad spectrum of definitions and behaviours associated with criminal harassment (stalking) including prevalence, forms, stalking myths, stalker typologies, risk factors associated with victimization and perpetration as well as anti-stalking campaigns and reduction. Statistical, empirical and legal case data will be integrated into the discussion of topics. The format of the class is a senior seminar. Research readings will be assigned throughout the term. Students will be expected to actively participate through activities such as in-class discussion and/or group work, guided reflections or social annotations, topic presentations, feedback and an empirically based application assignment.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in PSYC 212 and PSYC 337.

Permission Required: No

Course: PSYC 467: Special Topics in Perception | Attention, Perception and Action
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Chris Striemer

This course will examine how the brain controls various aspects of visual perception, visual attention and visually guided actions. These topics will be examined using a variety of experimental approaches including human neuropsychology, functional brain imaging and neural disruption techniques. Students will be introduced to these topics through reading primary research articles and presenting them for discussion in class. In addition to exploring these topics in depth in class, students will also participate in experiments that relate closely to topics covered in class. Through completing these experiments, students will have the opportunity to collect and statistically analyze data and present the results of these experiments through writing research reports that compare the classes’ performance in these experiments to those of a neurological patient(s) who have completed the same tasks. Through completing the experiments and preparing the associated research reports, students will obtain hands-on experience with the research process, as well as an in-depth understanding of how brain damage influences performance in each of the areas covered.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in PSYC 212 and PSYC 267. PSYC 275 or PSYC 377 are encouraged but not required.

Permission Required: No

Course: PSYC 305: Topics in Psychology | Psychology of Emotion
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS03
Instructor: Evan Schillabeer

This course surveys affect and emotion with a particular emphasis on the historical and theoretical development of emotion research. We examine the assumptions and conceptual frameworks underlying different approaches to understanding emotion, both in early theorizing and in more recent scholarship. Students explore how emotions have been conceptualized across psychology and related social sciences including perspectives that understand emotions as physiological responses, cognitive appraisals, discursive phenomena and culturally embedded practices. The course considers the relationship between emotion and social interaction, the role of culture and language in shaping emotional experience and ongoing debates about the nature and origins of emotion. Students critically compare theoretical perspectives, paying close attention to the assumptions each makes about the nature of the self, society and emotional experience. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to reflect on how different theoretical frameworks shape the questions researchers ask about emotion and the methods they use to study it.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 104 and PSYC 105 and at least one 200- level PSYC course

Permission Required: No

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Socio‑Economic Status and Child Development
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Anna Krasotkina

Children cannot choose the family into which they are born, yet the socio-economic status of that family significantly shapes the opportunities and challenges they encounter, starting even before birth. This course explores how socio-economic status impacts a child’s language, socio-emotional and cognitive development, as well as their physical and mental health trajectory.

Prerequisites: A minimum grades of C- in PSYC 212 and PSYC 223, a minimum grade of C+ in either PSYC 324 or PSYC 326, and department consent. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Insight and Change in Counselling Psychology
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS02
Instructor: Dr. Sean Rogers

Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating both classical and cutting-edge research, discussing and critiquing findings within broader societal contexts. Students are encouraged to question assumptions, connect research to real-world situations and participate actively in discussions about how society influences child development.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212, PSYC 233 and at least six credits of 300- or 400-level PSYC courses and department consent. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Exploring Autism: History, Research and Practice
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS03
Instructor: Dr. Laura Gilmore

This course explores the biological, psychological and social aspects of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the lifespan. This course uses a combination of historical and current academic research articles, assessment materials and manuals, and government and community resources. Topics include a brief history of autism research and treatment; neurobiological and genetic aspects of autism; medical versus neurodiversity models; assessment and diagnosis of autism; evidence-based autism therapy; critical thinking and credibility of research and treatment for autism; and autism supports across the lifespan.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and one of PSYC 326, PSYC 339 or PSYC 377, and consent of the department. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Psychology of Sexual Consent
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS05
Instructor: Dr. Aimee Skye

This senior seminar course examines attitudes, behaviours and beliefs about sexual consent through cognitive and social psychological lenses. Students develop an appreciation for the complexity of sexual consent as a concept and explore how our perception of consent and exchanges about it are shaped by factors such as contextual information and socio-demographic variables, schemas and scripts, communication practices, biases and myths, social roles and norms, prejudice, training and education. Readings are assigned throughout the course, and assessments could include in-class discussions, group work, presentations, papers and other assignments.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and in at least two 300-level courses and department consent. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Cognitive Neuroscience
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS06
Instructor: Dr. Cameron Hassall

Cognitive neuroscience bridges psychology and neuroscience to investigate how the brain gives rise to the mind. In this course, we discuss the biological basis of high-level cognitive processes, such as memory, language, decision-making and emotion. 

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212, PSYC 258, and PSYC 377 and department consent. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes.

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Psychology and Consumer Culture
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS07
Instructor: Dr. David Watson

Materialism is an area with wide-ranging implications, from being associated with on an individual level to low subjective well-being, to on the societal level, inculcating a culture of consumption contributing to larger environmental issues such as global climate change. Therefore, some of the issues surrounding materialism and consumer culture are explored.

The three areas of focus are:

1. The problems of materialism and consumption
2. Theoretical issues on materialism and consumerism
3. Clinical issues related to materialism and consumerism: compulsive buying, the influence of commercialism on child development and the effect of wealth upon individual identity

This is a seminar course, so critical analysis of scientific papers in these areas and class participation are an essential part of the classroom experience.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and department consent. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Advanced Sports Psychology
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS10
Instructor: Dr. Lisa Rogerson

This fourth-year seminar provides an advanced exploration of psychological constructs within elite performance environments. Students critically evaluate specialized topics such as mental toughness, psychology of injury, fear of failure and self-compassion. Moving beyond theory, the course emphasizes the synthesis of current research and its practical application to athletes and coaches. Through independent research presentations, group discussions and collaborative critiques, students navigate the conceptual challenges of the field, bridging the gap between empirical evidence and high-pressure performance.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and consent of the department. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Introduction to Counselling
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS11
Instructor: Dr. Kristen Klingle

Are you interested in learning more about the practice of counselling psychology and how to promote positive mental health and wellbeing among others including individuals, families and groups? Do you dream of one day working with people in a helping capacity? If you answered ‘yes’ to the above, this course was designed for you! Introduction to Counselling Psychology teaches you about the history, theory, practice, research and areas of specialization within the field of counselling psychology. This senior-level seminar offers didactic learning experiences and invites you to think critically about the material, all the while enhancing personal reflexivity. Students are asked to actively participate in discussions of the course text and other materials and are assessed on several assignments, all of which are aimed at deepening your understanding and igniting your passion for psychology. (Warning: enthusiasm for psychology may increase as a result of taking this course.)

Prerequisites: A minimum grades of C- in PSYC 212 and at least six credits of 300- or 400-level PSYC courses. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Psychology of Mortality
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS12
Instructor: Dr. Nicholas Jacobs

Death is an ungraspable phenomenon that will reach us all, and as such, this course is intended to explore the existential mystery that is our end. While we may go to great lengths to avoid confrontations with death, it remains a fundamental aspect of existence warranting thoughtful and careful consideration. Engaging at the intersection of psychology and philosophy, this course examines how mortality—the awareness of our death—impacts and informs our experience of life. Mortality is explored through a variety of perspectives including philosophy, social psychology, depth psychology and transpersonal and spiritual perspectives.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and department consent. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Psychology of Self-Estrangement
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS13
Instructor: Evan Shillaber

This fourth-year seminar examines self-deception and self-estrangement as problems of self-knowledge, agency and practical reason. Drawing on psychoanalytic, existential-humanistic and narrative traditions, the course explores how persons come to misrecognize their own motives, commitments and valuation and how such misrecognition is sustained through defensive structures, affective-discursive expression and normativity. Self-estrangement is treated not merely as a psychological symptom but as a disturbance in authorship and practical identity—an alienation from one’s reasons, desires and sense of responsibility for one’s life. Readings and discussion help to situate self-deception within broader debates about meaning, authenticity and moral psychology. The seminar also considers the methodological and conceptual challenges involved in studying self-deception and the conditions under which self-understanding and self-awareness become possible.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and PSYC 337, and consent of the department. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 305: Topics in Psychology | Cultural Psychology
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS03
Instructor: Dr. Scott Semenyna

Humans exist (and thrive) in more ecologies than any other species. Understanding why and how humans accomplish this amazing feat requires us to look beyond WEIRD populations (those that are Western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic). This class introduces students to cultural psychology, the methodological approaches used by cross-cultural psychologists and why human culture has led to our unique success. We explore the way culture influences psychology and behaviour, affords opportunities for population change and innovation, and even creates environmental conditions that influence our biology. With these tools, students understand why cross-cultural perspectives are vital to psychological science and help explain numerous aspects of human personality, emotion, health, thinking, perception, attraction, relationships, morality and many other features of our species.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 104 and PSYC 105 and at least two 200-level PSYC courses

Permission Required: No

Course: PSYC 305: Topics in Psychology | Psychology of Emotion
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS05
Instructor: Evan Schillabeer

This course surveys affect and emotion with a particular emphasis on the historical and theoretical development of emotion research. We examine the assumptions and conceptual frameworks underlying different approaches to understanding emotion, both in early theorizing and in more recent scholarship. Students explore how emotions have been conceptualized across psychology and related social sciences including perspectives that understand emotions as physiological responses, cognitive appraisals, discursive phenomena and culturally embedded practices. The course considers the relationship between emotion and social interaction, the role of culture and language in shaping emotional experience and ongoing debates about the nature and origins of emotion. Students critically compare theoretical perspectives, paying close attention to the assumptions each makes about the nature of the self, society and emotional experience. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to reflect on how different theoretical frameworks shape the questions researchers ask about emotion and the methods they use to study it.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 104 and PSYC 105 and at least one  200- level PSYC course

Permission Required: No

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | The Psychology of Hearing
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Tara Vongpaisal

Listening is a skill we do with remarkable ease. But making sense of sound involves a complex interplay between the sound source, the mechanics of our ears, and the brain structures that support our auditory system. In this course, students gain a broad and unified understanding of the psychology of hearing that includes the basics of sound acoustics and physiology of the ear, the perception of simple and complex sounds such as speech and music, the development of hearing skills across the lifespan, and the causes and consequences of hearing loss. Practical components include the use of sound analysis software and in-class auditory demonstrations.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and at least one 300- or 400-level PSYC course and department consent. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Cognitive Neuroscience
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS02
Instructor: Dr. Cameron Hassall

Cognitive neuroscience bridges psychology and neuroscience to investigate how the brain gives rise to the mind. In this course, we discuss the biological basis of high-level cognitive processes such as memory, language, decision-making, emotion and consciousness. Students build on what they already know about cognition and the brain by reading and critically evaluating a combination of old and new research articles. Students also gain an understanding of the current methods and debates in the field, as well as possible applications such as education, marketing, neurotechnology and the treatment of brain disorders.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212, PSYC 258, and PSYC 377 and department consent. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes.

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Anxiety Disorder Mechanisms
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS03
Instructor: Dr. Alexandar Penney

This course is an in-depth exploration of selected dysfunctional beliefs that cause and maintain anxiety-related disorders. These mechanisms of change include intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety sensitivity, fear of negative evaluation, perfectionism, etc. Students learn how the mechanisms are measured, the foundational and contemporary research regarding the mechanisms and cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques that can be used to decrease each mechanism. Additional topics to be covered include the history of psychotherapy, psychometrics and data analyses and trans-diagnostic therapy techniques. Classes are in a lecture format, similar to presentations that psychologists attend at conferences, with students expected to attend all classes. Students work in groups to present two lectures regarding the research, questionnaires and therapeutic techniques for a specific mechanism. Students are also encouraged to consider whether they are elevated in any of the beliefs and to participate in the therapeutic demonstrations. This course is geared towards students with a deep interest in anxiety disorders and students intending to pursue clinical psychology.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212, a minimum grade of C+ in PSYC 339, and department consent. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | The Psychology of Parenting
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS04
Instructor: Dr. Kathleen Corrigall

Over the course of development, parents face many complex decisions about how to raise their child, often while navigating information overload and conflicting advice from popular parenting resources. How and when should infants be introduced to solid foods? Is sleep training helpful or harmful? How should biting, hitting and temper tantrums be handled? When should children or adolescents be allowed to use cell phones or social media? In this seminar course, students examine how and when scientific evidence can inform common parenting decisions and consider situations in which research is limited, inconclusive or inconsistent with what works best for individual children, parents or families. Students also evaluate the advice offered by popular parenting resources and compare it with findings from primary literature. Student learning is assessed through written assignments and reflections, presentations and contrubutions to online and in-person discussions and activities.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and PSYC 223 and department consent. A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 324 is encouraged but not required. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Socio‑Economic Status and Child Development
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS05
Instructor: Dr. Anna Krasotkina

Children cannot choose the family into which they are born, yet the socio-economic status of that family significantly shapes the opportunities and challenges they encounter, starting even before birth. This course explores how socio-economic status impacts a child’s language, socio-emotional and cognitive development, as well as their physical and mental health trajectory.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and PSYC 223, and a grade of C+ in either PSYC 324 or PSYC 326 and department consent. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Data Science and Quantitative Modeling in Psychological Research
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS06
Instructor: Dr. Udi Alter

This seminar course introduces students to modern data science and quantitative reasoning in psychological research. Students learn how researchers use model-based approaches to investigate behavioural data with an emphasis on practical data analysis skills. The course focuses on the general linear model (GLM) along with topics such as model diagnostics, explanatory and predictive modeling, and interpreting quantitative evidence. Students also receive a gentle introduction to more advanced approaches used in contemporary data analysis such as machine learning techniques (e.g., cross-validation) and Bayesian methods. Throughout the course, students work with real psychological datasets using the programming language R to explore, visualize and analyze data. The course emphasizes practical analytical skills and quantitative reasoning that are valuable for graduate studies as well as data-related careers in many fields. Students explore these topics through lectures, readings and hands-on lab activities, and are evaluated through written analysis reports, presentations and class participation.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212, STAT 151 or STAT 161, and STAT 252; PSYC 312 recommended; and consent of the department. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Psychology of Mortality
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS08
Instructor: Dr. Nicholas Jacobs

Death is an ungraspable phenomenon that will reach us all, and as such, this course is intended to explore the existential mystery that is our end. While we may go to great lengths to avoid confrontations with death, it remains a fundamental aspect of existence warranting thoughtful and careful consideration. Engaging at the intersection of psychology and philosophy, this course examines how mortality—the awareness of our death—impacts and informs our experience of life. Mortality is explored through a variety of perspectives including philosophy, social psychology, depth psychology, and transpersonal and spiritual perspectives.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and consent of the department. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Memory, Technology and the Brain
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS09
Instructor: Dr. Christopher Madan

How is technology changing human memory, and what further changes may occur within our lifetimes? This course examines how technologies such as photography, social media, the internet and AI chatbots are reshaping the demands placed on memory and redefining how people remember in everyday life. The course also considers speculative memory-related technologies and their implications for identity, relationships and society. Ethical issues, such as privacy, consent, authenticity and grief, are central. Topics may include social media “highlight reels” and self-identity, memory-enhancing neural technologies and AI chatbots that simulate deceased loved ones. Students participate in seminar-format discussions of assigned readings and complete multiple assignments.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and minimum grades of C+ in PSYC 275 and PSYC 350 and department consent. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 405: Special Topics in Psychology | Introduction to Counselling
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS10
Instructor: Dr. Kristen Klingle

Are you interested in learning more about the practice of counselling psychology and how to promote positive mental health and wellbeing among others including individuals, families and groups? Do you dream of one day working with people in a helping capacity? If you answered ‘yes’ to the above, this course was designed for you! Introduction to Counselling Psychology teaches you about the history, theory, practice, research and areas of specialization within the field of counselling psychology. This senior-level seminar offers didactic learning experiences and invites you to think critically about the material, all the while enhancing personal reflexivity. Students are asked to actively participate in discussions of the course text and other materials and are assessed on several assignments, all of which are aimed at deepening your understanding and igniting your passion for psychology. (Warning: enthusiasm for psychology may increase as a result of taking this course.)

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and at least six credits of 300- or 400-level PSYC courses. For information on how to enrol, go to mêskanâs.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: PSYC 467: Special Topics in Perception | The Cognitive Neuroscience of Eye Gaze
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Michelle Jarick

Eye gaze is one of the richest forms of human communication. This course examines our perception of eye gaze and its effects on various aspects of social behaviours, cognitive processing and brain activity. This topic is discussed using a combination of experimental methods including behavioural/perceptual approaches and neuroimaging techniques. To facilitate this, students are assigned readings that focus on eye gaze perception from a cognitive neuroscience perspective, conduct oral presentations on a topic of interest and have the opportunity to participate in eye gaze experiments covered in class. Students gain an in-depth understanding of the significance of the eye gaze perception and learn to critically think about the research area, plus have some hands-on experience with how experimental research is conducted in this field. At the end of this course, students have a renewed vision of eye gaze from a scientific perspective.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and PSYC 267. PSYC 275 or PSYC 377 are encouraged, but not required.

Permission Required: No