PSYCHOLOGY AND THE EXPRESSIVE ARTS

COURSE SYNOPSIS

INSTRUCTOR:

Trina Nahm-Mijo

COURSE ALPHA:

PSY 275 WI

CLASS:

MW/1:30-3:00/Old Gym

OFFICE HR:

TBA

OFFICE:

EKH-227

PHONE:

Ex-7551/ 966-7154

URL:

http://www.hawcc.hawaii.edu/tnm

E-MAIL:

nahmmijo@hawaii.edu

PREREQUISITE: Completion ENG 100, 170 or HUM 100

TEXT: Windows to Our Children

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: On reserve at the UHH Library.

Cirlot, J.E., A Dictionary of Symbols

Cooper, J. C. , An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols

Nahm-Mijo, Trina, Spiritual and Physical Movement: An Inquiry into Human Growth Potential

Spiers, Vikki, The Art Experience: A Therapeutic Approach

Virshup, Evelyn, Right Brain People in a Left Brain World

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

General

1.

To learn how art gives form to our emotions and sensory experiences.

2.

To learn how to use artistic expressions as a psychotherapeutic tool for both personal and professional purposes.

3.

To develop expressive and creative skills, which will transfer to all other aspects of life and an adjustment in developing the full potential of the individual in society and within his/her self?

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Specific

1.

To develop an understanding of the following art forms as psychotherapeutic tools and foster personal expression through these mediums.

 

a.

The visual arts (drawing, painting, and clay)

b.

The writing arts (poetry)

 

c.

Music and rhythm

d.

Dance and movement

 

e.

Drama

2.

To use one or more of the expressive mediums listed above to explore a specific problem or concern in your present life situation and gain some insights in adjusting or acknowledging personal intra-psychic processes.

These areas, will be covered throughout the semester in the following order:

Week:

  1. Intro.: Jung, Images/dreams (Chpt. 1: Handout)
  2. History, Jung Cont. (p. 145-51: Handout)
  3. The Psychotherapeutic Process (Chpt. 9, 11)
  4. Clay Masks (Chpt. 4)
  5. Masks Cont., Visual Arts (Chpt. 2, 3)
  6. Visual Arts (same as above)
  7. Visual Arts (Chpt. 6)
  8. Writing Arts (Chpt. 5)
  9. Music/Other
  10. Music and Rhythm
  11. Dance and Drama (Chpt. 7, 8, 10)
  12. Dance and Drama: Fantasies
  13. Dance and Drama: Fantasies
  14. Dance and Drama: Fantasies
  15. Final Project Presentations
  16. Final Project Presentations
  17. Finals Day: Finish Project Presentations 

EVALUATION:

  1. Attendance and Participation in class activities and discussions: 45%
  2. Historical Outline: 4%
  3. Journal and Class Notes: Entries to be recorded after every class session. 26%
  4. Final Project: 15%
  5. Final Written Summery of Project: 10%

The following content areas will be explored through materials, discussion and experiential exercises in respect to their psychological dimensions:

  1. Visual Arts.
    1. Line
    2. Color
    3. Shape
    4. Texture
    5. Design
  1. Writing Arts (poetry)
    1. Meter
    2. Onomatopoeia
    3. Imagery
  1. Music
    1. Tone
    2. Rhythm
    3. Melody
    4. Harmony
    5. Texture
    6. Form
    7. Tonality
  1. Dance
    1. Basic Movements
    2. Space
    3. Force
    4. Time
    5. Rhythmic Movements
  1. Drama
    1. Sensory Awareness
    2. Pantomime
    3. Emotions
    4. Improvisations

  RETURN TO MAIN PAGE