Honors
HNRS 141-01: Hormones, Happiness and Health: The Social Neuroscience of Stress
Social Neuroscience is an emerging interdisciplinary field that attempts to understand human phenomena from the integrative perspectives of biology, psychology, sociology, culture, and other disciplines. In this class, we will examine the multi-faceted concept of stress. Stress is inevitable in our lives, and it is important to understand the potential effects that stress might have on our emotions, our social relationships, our productivity and our health. Beginning with the "classic" stress theories, we will examine the biological responses that the body engages in when confronting a stressful situation, and the potential long-term harmful health effects of stress (that is, the harmful physical effects of chronic stressors in our environment). We will examine and discuss the ways in which quality social relationships offer a "buffer" of sorts against these negative effects, and the ways in which religion and spirituality are thought to provide a powerful coping strategy to deal with stress in our lives. We will look at how societal factors such as racism and gender bias can result in chronic stress for minority groups of individuals, and how these power prejudices can have deleterious health consequences. Finally, we will examine effective coping strategies for dealing with stress, including yoga, meditation, physical exercise and relaxation therapy.
Fall Term: 2008
Credits: 4
Fulfills: GE Requirement in Science (Y)
Meeting times: 8:30-9:20 MWF
Instructor: Susan Kennedy
Open to: First-years/Sophomores Only, limited by quota