PSY-245 Mindfulness in Psychology: The Science and Practice of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
This innovative course begins with an 8-week immersion in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program, teaching students practical mindfulness skills to enhance wellbeing and manage stress. Following this hands-on introduction, the course transitions into an academic study of the clinical research and theories underpinning mindfulness-based programs. Students engage in lectures, presentations, and critical reviews, cultivating a comprehensive understanding of mindfulness from both experiential and empirical standpoints.
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Course Outline
Course Description
This innovative course begins with an 8-week immersion in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program, teaching students practical mindfulness skills to enhance wellbeing and manage stress. Following this hands-on introduction, the course transitions into an academic study of the clinical research and theories underpinning mindfulness-based programs. Students engage in lectures, presentations, and critical reviews, cultivating a comprehensive understanding of mindfulness from both experiential and empirical standpoints.Credit Hours
3Topic Outline
- 1. Weeks 1–9: MBSR curriculum
- The first 8 weeks are the experiential, evidence-based Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. To maintain the emphasis on exploration and discovery, specific details are intentionally kept minimal here. Preparatory readings and home assignments will be given in a timely way throughout the 8 weeks. Each week will require active class participation, dedicated practice outside of class, and a guided written reflection about your experience.
- a. Week 1: MBSR Module 0, orientation and introduction to the MBSR program; course overview, logistics, and guidelines discussion
- b. Week 2: MBSR Module 1, "Wholeness and Capability"
- c. Week 3: MBSR Module 2, "Perception and Creative Responding"
- d. Week 4: MBSR Module 3, "Power of Presence"
- e. Week 5: MBSR Module 4, "Stress and Responding"
- f. Week 6: MBSR Module 5, "Mindfulness in Action"
- g. Week 7: MBSR Module 6, "Communication and Connection"
- h. Week 8: MBSR Module 7, "Integration and Inputs"
- i. Week 9: MBSR Module 8, "Reflection and Commitment"
- 2. Weeks 10–13: Unpacking mindfulness-based approaches in psychology
- After the 8-week program, the course transitions into an academic exploration of mindfulness-based programs, their clinical outcomes, and the mechanisms and theories that explain their effectiveness. Through lectures, group presentations, and reading and discussing the literature, students will critically examine what we can (and cannot) say about the role of mindfulness in different psychological contexts.
- a. Week 10: Mindfulness, anxiety, and depression
- b. Week 11: Mindfulness and stress
- c. Week 12: Mindfulness and working memory
- d. Week 13: Mindfulness and health
- 3. Weeks 14–15: Research project
- For their final assignment, students will compose a paper exploring the application of mindfulness techniques in a specific context of interest, such as teaching mindfulness to children, its efficacy in workplace contexts, or its role in enhancing focus. This paper will critically examine existing research and summarize the potential benefits and challenges of implementing an MBSR program for the selected population. The paper must incorporate articles that were not included in the course reading assignments.