This mental health counseling course has greatly enriched my appreciation for the historical progress that the profession has taken since its infancy. Before I started this class, I had no idea that just a little over one century ago, scientists had basically no idea how the various levels of the mind worked, and that the first group to examine the phenomena of the levels of consciousness were actually called “alienists.” I would be interested in attempting a research project that analyzes the progress of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) over time – that is to say, the different ways it has been diagnosed, and treated, or, similarly, ignored and ostracized, over the past century. I feel almost certain that generations of young men and women who simply suffered from a treatable disorder were ridiculed and berated for decades because of their inability to meet rigid behavior standards in their educational environments. This, no doubt, led to a significant dropout rate until experts were able to define and treat the problem.

As a potential educational psychologist, I would find this line of research particularly instructive. There is considerable study presently in the educational differences between male and female students, with particular interest in the theory that educational environments are ideal for female learners, but not so beneficial for male learners, who require more physical interaction than a traditional school setting permits.

Team Course Experience response
I was fascinated to read about how many of the other students in this class were also intrigued by dream interpretation theory. The complex symbolism that can be applied to so many dreams was something new to me, and, apparently, also new to many of my classmates. I wonder how these symbols worked their way into the collective consciousness, so that they came to inhabit the dreams of so many humans. MORE…