My Fun Science: An Interview with Dr. Rice
When you think of STEM classes, you probably don’t think of psychology. Dr. Rice thinks you should.
For our teacher spotlight this month, Tim Rice, D. Min., LPC. answered our questions about his Psychology class.
Thank you for answering our questions. First, please describe your class, and tell readers how your class is unique.
Tim Rice:
You are welcome. I’m happy to be with MyFunScience for a 2nd year.
In one sense, my class is not unique. It is a CLEP Test level introductory Psychology class. Students who do well in the class should do well on the psychology CLEP.
My class is different because of the emphasis on worldviews. Students who do well in the class do more than pass the CLEP. They understand the worldviews that underlie psychology’s theories – Freud, humanism, evolution, and the rest. They understand what the Bible has to say about psychology. That’s the emphasis of my lectures – every week – to help student see that the Christian worldview provides the best framework for understanding human psychology.
MyFunScience:
You say that every Christian high school student should study psychology. That’s hyperbole, right?
Tim Rice:
No. I don’t think I’m exaggerating. I usually say that students should deal with psychology. Not every student needs to take a class, but I think they need to deal with the worldviews issues I mentioned before.
Your kids might not take psychology in college, but psychology influences every other class they take. Your kid might not even go to college, but psychology influences the culture and even the Church.
Lots of your readers may have taken psychology in college and encountered professors who were antagonistic toward people of faith. You’ve heard the stories about Christian students ridiculed in college classes. That’s a real thing in many college classes – especially Psychology class. I say, prepare them now.
MyFunScience:
What are the class expectations?
Tim Rice:
It is a 1 semester, ½ credit course. Students attend lecture for about 1.5 hrs/week. They read from the textbook and complete a fill-in-the-blank study guide for each chapter. I also assign 5 or 6 additional outside readings and lecture videos. They take a weekly multiple-choice quiz, a final exam, and they participate in 10 class discussion board post. Students also write 4 academic essays in the style of the American Psychological Association (APA).
MyFunScience:
What else would you like readers to know?
Tim Rice:
I’m biased. I love psychology. I believe that every topic in every Psychology class points toward God. Psychology class should be interesting and fun, and it should strengthen students’ faith. That’s what I try to do every week.