Dreaming - Psych 380 – Spring 2015

TR2s – BORZ 116

Professor: Tim Kasser, SMAC E 119, x 7283,

Purpose of the course: To better understand the nature of dreams and how to work with them.

Texts: S. Freud. On Dreams

J. Allan Hobson. The Dreaming Brain

Articles on reserve in SMAC library

Format of the course: The course is primarily a small-group discussion in which members of the class will present their own dreams; we will then use information and theory to discuss how to work with the dreams so as to understand them and ourselves. Students will have opportunities to be on both ends of the dream work process, i.e., they will have chances to be in both the “dreamer” and the “interpreter” roles. Discussions concerning

people’s dreams in class will be considered confidential, and members will NOT share personal information about other class members with non-members of the class.

Departmental Goals: Psychology 380 works towards the following departmental goals. The entire class works towards Goal 7; the particular assignments that are especially relevant to each goal are noted with (G#) after each.

G3) Understand the basic theoretical approaches and classic empirical findings of psychology

G6) Make effective oral presentations that are clear, well-organized, and interesting.

G7) Demonstrate an empathetic understanding of people of diverse abilities, experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives.

Class requirements: Because the class is offered on only a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading scheme, all assignments will be graded on the same basis. Students will receive a Satisfactory in the class by receiving a Satisfactory on all of the following assignments.

I. Class attendance and participation. Students are expected to participate fully, to regularly attend class, and to be in the room on time. Only 2 absences are acceptable; showing up less than 30 minutes late counts as 1/2 an absence; showing up more than 30 minutes late counts as a full absence. If a student has more than 2 absences, s/he will write a 5-page research paper on a topic about dreaming (approved by the professor and due within 1 week) for each additional 1/2 absence.


II. Student-lead presentation (Gs 3 & 6). Students will form groups of three to make a presentation and engage in a dream-related activity for half of the class period. Topics will be approved by the class members early in the term. These presentations can certainly involve presenting some information, but mostly should be interactive and discussion-based.

III. Visual expression of a dream. Students will use some artistic visual expression to paint or draw a dream.

IV. Dream Diary. Throughout the term, students will keep a dream diary in which they record their dreams. This dream diary will be turned in to the instructor every few weeks, and he will read a few of the dreams. If the student desires that a particular dream not be read, s/he is to write DO NOT READ at the beginning of the dream, or to cover it with paper. If the student desires ONE particular dream to be read, s/he is to include a note to the instructor directing him to the particular dream on which the student desires feedback.

V. Dream Interpretation (G3). Students will conduct an in-depth interpretation of one of their own dreams using three of the theoretical perspectives covered in class. Papers will be assessed on the basis of their comprehensiveness in explaining the dream and the appropriate use of theoretical constructs.

VI. Regular Naps. Because naps during the day are times when people are especially likely to enter REM, I would like you to try to take at least two naps per week.

Schedule

Date / Topic / Reading / Assignment
3/26 / Syllabus
What’s a dream? / None
3/31 / Psychoanalysis / Freud
4/2 / Psychoanalysis / Freud
4/7 / NO CLASS
4/9 / Jungian Approach / Jung & Whitmont
4/14 / Dream Art Show / Edwards – Ch. 6 / Dream Art
Group A diaries
4/16 / Biology of Dreams / Hobson – Chs. 6, 9, & 15
4/21 / Biology of Dreams / Hobson Chs. 11-14 / Group B diaries
4/23 / Presentations I & II / TBA / Presentations
4/28 / Flunk Day Contingency
4/30 / Gestalt Dreamwork / Polster & Polster
5/5 / Gestalt Dreamwork / None
5/7 / Dream Theatre / Zinker
5/12 / Presentations III & IV / TBA / Presentations
Group A diaries
5/14 / Dream Incubation / Reed
5/18 (evening) / Dream Campout / None
5/19 / Dream Incubation / None / Group B diaries
5/21 / Senoi / Garfield
5/26 / Senoi / NONE
5/28 / What’s a dream? / NONE
Finals / N/A / N/A / Final Paper