EDUCATION

Northern Illinois University, De Kalb, Illinois.
Ph.D. Psychology/Neuroscience and Behavior (August, 1994).
Doctoral candidacy exam passed (August, 1992).
M.A. Psychology (December, 1991).

Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois.
B.S. Psychology (May, 1989).

Teaching

Traditional format
Introductory Psychology
Human Sexuality
Abnormal Psychology
Social Psychology
Academic Cooperative: Positive Psychology
Academic Cooperative:  Scientific Method
Student Development

Interdisciplinary/Team-Teaching format
On Being Normal (Science [Abnormal Psychology] and Humanities [World Cultures])
Making Sexual Sense (Science [Human Sexuality] and Literature of Sexuality)
Social Psychology (Science [Social Psychology] and Literature of Groups)
College Algebra (Implications of Math Anxiety on Learning Algebra)
Positive Psychology
Student Development

Online format
Introductory Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Developmental Psychology: Lifespan
Human Sexuality
College Algebra (Implications of Math Anxiety on Learning Algebra)

Teaching Philosophy

Let me begin by saying, I believe in the philosopher-practitioner model for the science of psychology.  To this end, I believe the strength of the science of psychology lies within its many, diverse schools of thought.  Some combination of this diversity equals truth about the organism, human. 

Yes, I’m interested in truth and I believe there is an objective truth to all emotions, behaviors, thoughts, and perceptions—those variables of which psychology is most concerned.  As with the science of psychology, the psychology department at NVC, of which I am a part, is composed of many, diverse schools of thought.  But instead of relying on theories to gain these diverse schools of thought—as the science of psychology does in general, we rely on our students.  Some combination of all the diversity in emotions, behaviors, thoughts, and perceptions that our students bring to our psychology department equals truth about being human. 

My purpose is to help my students in finding their own truth. 

I accomplish this purpose through teaching. 

Dr. Don's Vita

Back to faculty