Psychology Courses
Courses:PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology, 1.0 credit. E. The fundamental facts and principles of psychology. Special emphasis is placed on how psychologists answer questions and on processes related to normal functioning.
PSYC 206 — Developmental Psychology, 1.0 credit. E. A lifespan approach (from conception to death) to developmental literature and research. The psychological, cognitive and social development of the individual throughout the lifespan is emphasized. Course includes lectures, films and discussion. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology, 1.0 credit. E. Beginning psychology, with content adapted to the consideration of teacher education, especially principles of learning, motivation, and child and adolescent development. Emphasis is placed on the application of those principles in teaching situations. Registration is restricted to education students.
PSYC 227 — Personality Dynamics, 1.0 credit. E. A survey of empirical approaches to understanding personality and adjustment. Personality issues such as emotion, perception, motivation, self-research, and healthy development will be covered. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 230 — Statistics and Psychological Measurement, 1.0 credit. E. A treatment of the basic statistical methods underlying research and measurement in the behavioral sciences. Both descriptive and inferential statistics are studied, with special emphasis on applications to psychological testing and research. Prerequisite: high school higher algebra or consent of instructor
PSYC 300 — May Seminar: Psychology in Europe, 1.0 credit. MS. Travel in Europe focusing on the practice, instruction and research of psychology. The emphasis is on integrating the student’s knowledge of history, culture, socioeconomic systems, and the science of psychology. Students visit with psychologists and other students while also experiencing the culture of a variety of locations. Prerequisite: PSYC 382 — Pre-May Seminar
PSYC 301 — Research Methods in Psychology, 1.0 credit. E. A study of research design in psychology and a survey of variables affecting the results and analysis of research. Students design and carry out research projects in consultation with the instructor. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology, and PSYC 230 — Statistics and Psychological Measurement
PSYC 318 — Learning and Behavior, 1.0 credit. E1. A study of the basic principles of learning and behavior, with a research emphasis. Topics include simple reflexive behavior, Pavlovian conditioning, and operant conditioning. The role of learning in the lives of both human and nonhuman animals will be addressed. An animal laboratory component allows students to employ the basic principles of learning. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 319 — Behavioral Neuroscience, 1.0 credit. E2. A study of the fundamental physiological correlates of behavior and mental processes. Topics include: the structure and function of the nervous system, neural communication and how neural activity corresponds with behavior. Methods used to study the nervous system and recent findings in behavioral neuroscience will be discussed. Prerequisite:
PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 320* — Essentials of Learning and Conditioning, 0.5 credit. B1, B3. A study of the basic principles of learning and behavior, with a research emphasis. Topics include simple reflexive behavior, Pavlovian conditioning, and operant conditioning. The laboratory experience allows students to employ the basic principles of learning; many of these principles are applied to everyday life. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 321* — Introduction to Physiological Psychology, 0.5 credit. B2, B4. A study of the fundamental physiological correlates of behavior and mental processes. Topics include: the structure and function of units of the nervous system; organization of the nervous system; and methods used to study the nervous system. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 323 — Perception, 0.5 credit. D. An investigation of the many factors that influence the individual’s perception of the world. A major emphasis is placed on reviewing research in such topics as attention, set, constancy and how they are related to such diverse areas as advertising, illusions, subliminal perception, prejudice, accident prevention and other contemporary issues. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 324 — Drugs and Behavior, 1.0 credit. E2. The objective of this course is to introduce you to the topic of behavioral pharmacology. We will cover topics such as basic pharmacology, neurophysiology of drug effects, drug tolerance and drug abuse. Some issues we will cover include: Why do people take drugs? What effects do drugs have on the body? What is drug addiction? These questions will be considered from behavioral, pharmacological and neurophysiological perspectives. Prerequisites: PSYC 321 — Introduction to Physiological Psychology or BIOL 121 — Vertebrate Biology or consent of instructor
PSYC 325 — Health Psychology, 0.5 credit. E1. This interdisciplinary field of psychology and medicine is explored through an investigation of the development and integration of behavioral and biomedical knowledge and techniques. The application of this knowledge and these techniques to chronic pain, cardiovascular problems, headaches and other traditionally stress-related disorders is considered. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology, or BIOL 101 — General Biology or BIOL 121 — Vertebrate Biology, or consent of the instructor
PSYC 326 — Advanced Developmental Psychology, 1.0 credit. E2. The course is designed to be taken after completing an introductory level developmental course, and investigates four topic areas in greater depth. Students will study: (1) the nature versus nurture debate and behavioral genetics; (2) emotional development, including in-depth study of the research on emotions, and the development of self-regulation of emotion; (3) attachment, childcare and parenting; (4) social context — deprivation and enrichment, with focus given to how children can overcome difficult social beginnings (such as spending the first year of life in an orphanage). Special emphasis is given to research findings and theory to explain the complexity of the developmental process. Prerequisites: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or
PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology, and PSYC 206 — Developmental Psychology, or consent of the instructor
PSYC 327 — Personality Theory and Psychotherapy, 1.0 credit. A2. This course will provide an in-depth analysis of major personality theories, as well as deal with issues surrounding research associated with each theory. Students will study clinical applications and current status of psychoanalysis, phenomenology, behaviorism, social-learning, and trait approaches to personality. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 328, NEU 328 — Human Neuropsychology, 1.0 credit. D. This course will provide a comprehensive understanding of brain and nervous system physiology. The focus will be on how the nervous system governs behavioral and cognitive processes. Functional and dysfunctional physiology and what this tells us about maladaptive behaviors will also be discussed. Prerequisite: PSYC 321 — Introduction to Physiological Psychology
PSYC 340 — Advanced Learning, 0.5 credit. D. An in-depth study of the major theories of learning and the research associated with each theory. Classical theories are discussed, but the emphasis is on contemporary work. Prerequisite: PSYC 320 — Principles of Learning and Behavior
PSYC 345 — Psychology of Sport, 1.0 credit. E1. This course focuses on the many facets of sport and exercise psychology. Topics include: sport socialization and motivation to participate, performance enhancement, coaching, team building and leadership, and the role of sports and exercise in the lives of children, adolescents and adults.
PSYC 347 — Psychology and Religion, 1.0 credit. A2. This course explores an empirical investigation into the role that religion plays in people’s lives. Current and historical research that explores psychological dimensions of religion is reviewed. Students read original works in the field and analyze recent research investigating a wide range of religious behavior and thinking. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology or consent of the instructor
PSYC 351 — Social Psychology, 1.0 credit. E1. This course presents psychological principles important to an understanding of human interaction and emphasizes how interaction in the social world influences individuals’ thoughts and behaviors. The role of research in identifying these principles is stressed. Topics examined include attitudes, prejudice, love, human sexuality, conformity, compliance and obedience. A special emphasis is placed on applying social psychology through service. Prerequisites:
PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 357 — Abnormal Psychology, 1.0 credit. E. A systematic examination of personality maladjustment and disorganization. A clinical approach is emphasized, and case studies are included. Among topics discussed are affective disorders, psychoses, substance use disorders, personality disorders, mental retardation and treatment approaches. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology or consent of the instructor
PSYC 361 — Cognitive Psychology, 1.0 credit. E1. This course addresses major theories and classical research in cognitive psychology. An emphasis will be placed on applying these theories to the full spectrum of everyday memory experiences, from exceptional memory (e.g., expertise, flashbulb memories) to amnesia (e.g., childhood amnesia) and places in between (e.g., tip-of-the-tongue phenomena, eyewitness testimony, false memories). Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 380 — Special Topics, 0.5 to 1.0 credit. E. Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.
PSYC 382 — Pre-May Seminar, 0.5 credit. D. Designed to orient the student to the practice, instruction and research of psychology in the United States. The student is also introduced to historical, cultural and socioeconomic factors that influence the development of psychology in the United States as well as in Europe. This course prepares students for the May Seminar. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 383 — Psychology of Gender, 1.0 credit. E1. The course focuses on gender as a factor in the human experience. The course is designed to be taken after completing at least one introductory level psychology course, or a relevant social sciences course in another discipline. Students will study research investigations of gender and whether or not gender differences exist, as well as consider how race, ethnicity and class interact with each other to produce individual differences in the human experience. Topics studied include stereotypes, gender development, politics and work, and “isms” such as sexism, racism, heterosexism and classism. Special emphasis is given to methodology, research findings, and theory in explaining how and why individuals differ. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology or another relevant social science course
PSYC 384 — The Life of a Psychologist: Women in Science Making Links Between their Work and their World, 0.5 credit. A2. This course revolves around the professional and personal lives of prominent female psychologists who are in different stages of their careers. Students will learn about the scientific contribution of their work, as well as the challenges and rewards they have experienced in their careers and personal lives. Women’s issues that are addressed include: balancing a career and a life, finding a voice, evaluating affirmative action, and developing an identity. Psychological research topics may include: research methods, false memories, social support, language development, nervous system plasticity, and gender research. Students can receive psychology or women’s studies credit. Prerequisite:
PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 390 — Cooperative Education, 0.5 to 2.0 credits. E.
PSYC 395 — Aggression, Violence and Victimization, 0.5 credit. D. The causes and consequences of aggression and violence are examined using a social-psychological perspective. Theories and current research regarding violent behavior are presented and critically evaluated. Special attention is given to the problems presented by violence within families and the practical control of aggression and violence. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 399 — Motivation and Emotion, 0.5 credit. D. A study of the origins and nature of motivation from ethological, physiological and learning perspectives. The theories, research and applications of both classical and contemporary approaches are considered. Prerequisite: PSYC 320 — Principles of Learning and Behavior or PSYC 321 — Introduction to Physiological Psychology
PSYC 407 — Psychological Assessment, 0.5 credit. D. A study of the principles of assessment in psychology. Personality and intellectual assessment serve as the focus, with such issues as test construction, validation and administration discussed. This course is designed for those entering applied areas of psychology and related fields. It also serves as an introduction to those students planning to attend graduate school. Prerequisites: psychology major or minor; junior or senior standing, or consent of instructor; and PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 420 — Cross-Cultural Psychology, 1.0 credit. E2. Students will be exposed to the history of cross-cultural psychology, as well as cultural influences on basic psychological processes such as cognition and perception. Personal attitudes and values will be explored, as well as intercultural contact, cultural change and intergroup relations.
PSYC 440 — Behavior Analysis and Modification, 0.5 credit. D. A philosophy, theory and technology of behavior acquisition and change is presented and critically evaluated. Individual and institutional examples of behavioral interventions are examined with a special emphasis on techniques used to change behavior in these settings. This course also stresses the acquisition and use of behavior management skills through demonstrations and assignments. Prerequisite: PSYC 320 — Essentials of Conditioning and Learning
PSYC 471 — Psychology in Contemporary and Historical Perspective, 1.0 credit. D. A study of the historical antecedents to contemporary psychology and related issues. The course traces the philosophical, medical, clinical, physiological and scientific history of psychology. These areas are considered in light of contemporary issues in psychology. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing and
PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 — Educational Psychology
PSYC 477 — Senior Capstone in Psychology, 0.5 credit. E. A course in which seniors participate in an in-depth treatment of one specific area of interest through independent, faculty-supervised research or directed readings. This course will help seniors integrate their psychology major with their future plans. One section each fall will focus on traditional research, preparing students for graduate school in psychology. Other sections will focus on applying psychology in the areas such as human services and business, and additional areas psychology majors plan to pursue after graduation. Prerequisite: PSYC 301 — Research Methods in Psychology and senior standing in psychology
PSYC 480 — Independent Study, 0.25 to 1.0 credit. D. This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth research of a particular topic under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Contact the department or program chair for more information.
*These are to be phased out after the catalog group prior to 2007 has graduated.
Psychology
