Carolynn Kohn
Teaching Approach
I aspire to be the professor who is "popular" among students not because I am "easy" but because students find my courses demanding as well as interesting, enjoyable and valuable. Rather than lower my standards, I make myself available to students and assist them with the course material by providing study suggestions and different ways of examining the material to facilitate their learning.
My father is an excellent role model for me—he is a lifelong secondary mathematics teacher who never taught the same class the same way twice. He constantly updated, remodeled, rejuvenated and modernized his courses so that they remained timely and interesting, and neither he nor his students were ever "bored" by the material—even after 35 years! He always retained what worked, and tried out new things to replace what appeared not to work. He has had numerous students write or tell him that math was their least favorite subject—until they took his class, upon which they found they actually enjoyed learning math and felt they understood it for the first time.
I combine this style with the scientist-practitioner model, believing that teaching informed by current research enhances the overall learning experience. To achieve this, I frequently supplement textbook materials with recent articles, film clips and other timely materials. Finally, I emphasize critical thinking and skepticism throughout my courses, hoping to encourage my students to become informed lifelong learners, both in and out of the classroom.
Courses
Behavior Change (PSYC 53)
Pacific Seminar II (PACS02) Pseudo, Voodoo, and Junk Sciences
Couples & Family Therapy (PSYC 155 / 255)
Behavioral Treatments & Applications (PSYC 251)
Supervising & Teaching Behavior Change (PSYC 253)
Controversial Treatments in Applied Settings (PSYC 193 / 293)
Research Interests
My research interests are in the broad area of behavioral psychology. My current research focuses on substance use/abuse and treatment, smoking and smoking cessation, and environmental sustainability. My applied interests include use of behavior therapy to address obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxiety, issues facing couples and families, and general issues related to changing one's behavior.
Bio
I grew up in Los Angeles, CA. I received my B.A. in psychology from the University of California Santa Barbara and my M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical and Health Psychology from MCP-Hahnemann University (now Drexel University) in Philadelphia, PA. I spent my internship year at the Veteran's Hospital in Reno, NV and then spent 3 years as a postdoctoral fellow at University of California San Francisco. I taught at Cal State East Bay and Santa Clara University prior to coming to University of the Pacific in 2003. I am a licensed clinical psychologist as well as a board certified behavior analyst.
In addition to being a professor, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and my dog Murphy. I enjoy bicycling, hiking, traveling, reading and watching the Office, the Daily Show, and The Middle. Oh—and I absolutely love Halloween—it's my favorite holiday!
Contact Information
Carolynn Kohn, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Psychology
Psychology Room 127
Email
209.946.7316