Pictured (seated, from left to right): Dr. Clark Rose, Dr. Michelle Wollert and Dr. Ralph Hood all participated in CSCC’s Psychology Lecture Series: Psychology and Religion Panel Discussion with Dr. Liz Moseley moderating. (standing)
The Cleveland State Community College Psychology Department hosted a Psychology and Religion Panel Discussion. The discussion was a conclusion to the college’s Psychology Lecture Series that has included a number of speakers since February.
“This has been a fantastic experience both for our students and the college,” said Matthew Tolbert, associate professor of psychology. “The scholars we invited were exceptional, both in their expertise and their presentations, and we are grateful they were willing to take time to provide deeper learning experiences for our students. Additionally, we believe building relationships with the regional institutions our students choose to attend after graduating from Cleveland State only serves to benefit our students’ ability to continue their education. We hope to provide more events like this in the future.”
Speakers for the lecture series included Dr. Adolphus (Dick) Pelley of Tennessee Wesleyan, who spoke on Psychological Disorders in Childhood; Robert Coombs of Southern Adventist University, who spoke on Conceptualizing Healthy Relationships and Dr. Bob Fisher of Lee University, who discussed Language and the Brain.
Panelists for the panel discussion included Dr. Ralph Hood, professor of Psychology, UTC; Dr. Michele Wollert, coordinator of Academic Advising and Transcript Articulation, CSCC; and Dr. Clark Rose, professor of Psychology and chair, Department of Psychology, Bryan College. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Liz Moseley, associate professor of Psychology, CSCC.
Questions from the panel were:
? How does religion impact your practice of psychology?
? Do you interpret religion through psychology or psychology through religion?
? How does the belief in God affect a child developmentally?
? How do you differentiate spirituality and religion?
In addition to these questions, the panelists were asked to give a final statement regarding what they wanted students to remember about the topic of Psychology and Religion. Dr. Hood emphasized that Psychology and Religion should be considered as equal contributors to human experience and not that one is more important or better than the other. Dr. Wollert emphasized the importance of each person searching for and finding what gives them meaning. Dr, Rose emphasized the importance of loving God and treating those around us with love and respect.
“I feel that it is very important that we build relationships with all of the institutions in our area where our students transfer,” said Dr. Tolbert. “That’s why I decided to do this lecture series so our students could not only hear from local experts about deeper psychological topics, but they could also hear about the psychology departments at these four-year institutions.”
Both Dr. Hood and Dr. Rose were able to plug their respective institutions. Dr. Hood stated that he thought it wonderful that students could get a two year degree from Cleveland State before coming to UTC and he recommends doing so. He emphasized that if a student comes to UTC, he or she will be able to finish their baccalaureate degree in two years. Dr. Rose stated that Bryan College is a fully accredited institution and offers a baccalaureate degree in psychology. He stated that Bryan College is a faith-based institution that will provide an atmosphere of spiritual growth as well as academic education.