The faculty of psychology

Psychology as a science studies mental activity and human behaviour. Psychologists study basic functions such as learning, memory, language, thinking, emotions and motives. They investigate development throughout the life span from birth to death. They are involved in mental and physical health care. Also phsychologists treat people who are emotionally distressed.

Psychology occupies a strategic position between natural and social sciences on the one hand, and between sciences and humanities, on the other.

Diagram

The following diagram illustrates the place of psychology among the sciences and humanities

Natural Sciences Physics Chemistry Pharmacology Mathematics II. Social Sciences Anthropology Sociology Economics Political Science Linguistics

Zoology Neurophysiology and Anatomy Psychology

III. Humanities Philosophy Literature History of Art Religion IV. Applications Education Law and Criminology Management Medicine Psychiatry

Each of the subjects listed in the four groups has its own relationship with psychology. For example, a knowledge of physics and chemistry is necessary to provide a scientific basis for experimental psychology. Psychology is also closely linked to sociology. But whereas sociologists direct their attention to groups, group processes, and social forces, social psychologists focus on group and social influences on individuals. Psychology and biology are also closely connected. Physiological psychologists investigate the role of the brain and the nervous system in such functions as memory, language, sleep, attention, movement, perception, hunger, anger and joy. On the other hand, psychologists took much from the theory of knowledge, logic and philosophy of science..

The word “psychology” is derived from the Greek word meaning “study of the mind or soul.” So in the definition of psychology there are three basic words: “science,” “behaviour,” “mental processes.”

“Science” means rational investigation of processes and phenomena. By “behaviour” psychologists mean everything that people and animals do: actions, emotions, ways of communication, and developmental processes. “Mental processes” characterize the work of the mind and the nervous system.

Major Spesialists in Psychology

SPECIALIST	PRIMARY ACTIVITIES
Clinical psychologist	Assesses and treats people with psychological Problems; conducts research
Counseling psychologist	Counsels people with adjustment problems and promotes achievement in educational and work settings; combines research, consultation and treatment
Industrial (organizational) psychologist	Combines research, consultation, and program development to enhance morale and efficiency on the job
Educational psychologist	Develops, designs and evaluates materials and procedures for educational programs
Social psychologist	Studies how people influence one another
Developmental psychologist	Studies change in behaviour with age
Experimental psychologist	Conducts research
School psychologist	Establishes programs, consults, treats youngsters’ problems, and does research in the school setting
Cognitive psychologist	Studies mental processes
Community psychologist	Treats distressed people within the community; initiates community action and develops community programs to enhance mental health
Engineering psychologist	Designs and evaluates environments, machinery, training devices, programs, and systems to improve relationships between people and environment
Personality psychologist	Studies how and why people differ from one another and how those differences can be assessed
Physiological psychologist	Studies the physical bases of behaviour and cognition
Psychometric (quantitative) psychologist	Develops and evaluates tests; designs research to measure psychological functions

THE FACULTY OF HISTORY

Rostov State University’s Faculty of History offers a wide variety of courses and majors in the humanities. Originally, the History Department was included in the Philology Department. Now, the two departments are separate and the History Department ranks among the largest in the University.

Since its inception, the History Department has been one of the most active and respected faculties in the University. The Department’s first Chairperson was a world famous historian, Professor Pokrovsky. The department has produced many outstanding innovators, researchers and teachers of historical science. Current enrolment in the department is 75 students with an additional 15 students studying on commercial terms.

The department provides the following specialties: world history, history of social movements and political parties, archaeology and regional studies.

The curriculum consists of the following areas of study:

1. Subjects within the major: the history of primitive society, ancient history, the history of the middle ages, modern and contemporary history, local history, historiography, resource studies, the science of bibliography, the history of native cultures, the history of world religion and the history of the Russian Orthodox Church.

2. Subjects in the humanities and socio-economic disciplines: philosophy, educational methodology, sociology, politics, and economics.

3. Subjects in the natural sciences: computer technology, environmental planning studies and so forth.

The History Department is broken up into seven sub-departments:

• the Department of Russian History of Feudalism and Special Historical Disciplines;

• the Department of 19^th and Early 20^th Century Russian History;

• the Department of Contemporary Russian History;

• the Department of Social Movements and History of Political Parties in Russia;

• the Department of Ancient and Medieval History;

• the Department of Modern and Contemporary History;

• the Department of Political History.

Three of these have a common research area; Russian History. This field deals with a broad range of topics including the history of the Don River region and the people of the Northern Caucasus which track the history of this rich region from the time of feudal lords to modern times. The Department of Ancient and Medieval History devotes itself to

the study of the spiritual and economical culture of the Don region during the Middle Ages concentrating on the link between the people of this region and the social and political development of Western Europe.

The Department of Modern and Contemporary History is concerned with the social and political history of modern Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.

The professors and instructors of these departments rank among the leading experts in historical research. Recently, the historical sciences have experienced an exciting phase of development. New approaches, new techniques and new areas of interest have allowed many documents and artifacts to be reinterpreted. This has made history a more appealing subject to study.

Graduates of Rostov State University’s History Department are sought by a wide range of employers. After finishing their course work and graduating, students often become civil servants, politicians, librarians, museum curators, archive managers, tour guides or business people. Young specialists also work as teachers in secondary schools and universities.