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Stories We Tell Course Pairing

The Long and Winding Road: Psychology for Life (PY101. 02T)

How have you become the person that you are today and will become tomorrow? In this course we will come to understand human behavior and mental processes as well as how they are affected by a person's physical state, mental state, and environment. Incorporating the Stories We Tell theme, we will focus in particular on consciousness, memory, cognition, and human development as they inform people's ability to create and retain stories. Also, we will investigate how stories shape other psychological phenomenon such as psychopathology, intergroup relationships, motivation, etc.  Special attention will be given throughout the course as to the construction of the self, issues of transition, and what promotes a successful adaptation to adult roles.

Faculty Biography

An associate professor of Psychology, Carolyn Barry received her Ph.D. in human development from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has taught Introductory Psychology for nearly a decade, including in the former freshmen-year program Alpha. As a developmental psychologist who investigates factors that support psychosocial adjustment for twenty-somethings, she is completing her first edited book on emerging adults' meaning-making. She has served as a Core and Major Advisor as well as held leadership positions as Undergraduate Program Director in Psychology and as Vice-Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee. In 2011, she earned the Faculty Award for Excellence in Service-Learning and Engaged Scholarship for her proficiency in utilizing service-learning in her teaching.

God's Stories and Ours: An Introduction to Theology (TH201T)

The vast majority of the foundational texts of Judaism and Christianity are cast as stories.  Theology focuses on interpreting these stories and discerning their implications for our relationships to God, the world and each other.  These stories also raise questions:  How should Christians live with and pray to the God revealed in these stories?  How do these stories fit with stories from other religions? What happens when participating in the Christian story comes into conflict with the cultural narratives that shape life in the U.S.?  Engaging these questions is of the very essence of theology and will comprise a large portion of this class.

Faculty Biography

Stephen Fowl is a Professor in the Department of Theology.  He has taught at Loyola since 1989.   He received his PhD from the University of Sheffield in England.  He has written eight books, edited several others and written dozens of articles.  Dr. Fowl has just returned from a wonderful sabbatical year in Seattle in time to be chair of the Theology Department. He loves teaching first year students and helping them come to grips with the joys and challenges of theology.

Mentor Biography

Deborah Miller is the Director of the Academic Advising and Support Center. She earned her Master’s degree from Loyola’s Department of Psychology in 1998. After working as a counselor in Philadelphia, Deborah returned to Loyola as an administrator in 2001. Deborah is excited to join Messina and work with students as they transition to college life and academics.