School of Arts
& Sciences

Psychology Psyc 110S Human Relations (3-0) 3

This psychology course focuses on the relationship between the self and the social world. We begin by looking at the person as a system, exploring topics such as personality, motivation and stress. We will link these concepts to an understanding of how the intrapersonal system interacts with interpersonal system such as social groups, the family and the workplace. This course is concerned with how we create and are created by our social contexts and how we maintain and change them. This course is intended for students seeking a general studies class. Psychology majors are encouraged to take Introduction to Psychology instead.

Psyc 157 Introduction To Psychology (3-0) 3

An introduction to the scientific study of behavior, including the concepts of learning, motivation, perception, emotions, personality and sexuality. Abnormal, social, developmental, cognitive, and physiological psychology will also be discussed. Fall and Winter terms.

Psyc 218 Psychological Foundations Of Education (2-0) 2

An introduction to the psychological principles relevant to education. Topics include learning theories, teaching-learning processes, individual differences, human intelligences and issues of educational and cultural diversity. The psychological principles underlying educational practices (e.g. cooperative learning, testing, performance assessments, etc.) are also discussed. Note: This course last 7 weeks (1/2) of the trimester.

Prerequisite: Psyc 157.

Psyc 233 Personality (4-0) 4

This course provides an introduction to the major theories of personality, including psychoanalytic, learning, humanistic, biological, cognitive and trait theories. Emphasis will be placed on an understanding of personality structure and the ways that personality is manifested in behavior. Fall and Winter terms.

Prerequisite: Psyc 157.

Psyc 241Q Basic Statistics For Psychologists (4-0) 4

An introduction to the collection, organization and analysis of data from human and animal populations. Methods of sampling, treatment of data and reporting are covered. Descriptive statistics and statistical inference are taught, as are decision factors and error analysis. Students are introduced to the use of statistical computer software. This course is the same as Math 201 and BA 253; credit will be given for only one of these courses. Fall and Winter terms.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of TRS 92 and/or placement into Math 110Q or higher.

Psyc 254 Life Span Human Development (4-0) 4

This course applies psychological principles to human perspectives of development. The first portion of the course is devoted to studying principles, processes, theories and research methodology. The second part applies these concepts to each stage of the human life span from conception through aging and death and dying, with emphasis on child, preadolescent and adolescent development. Community resources are used for field trips, guest speakers, etc., throughout the second part of the course. Fall and Winter terms.

Prerequisite: Psyc 157 or Psyc 110S.

Psyc 265S Global Community Psychology (4-0) 4

This course will explore the impact of Western globalization on indigenous cultures. Specifically, we will examine how Western psychology, technology, and free market economic systems affect traditional and collective lifestyles and sustainable ecologies of people around the world. Student activities will be evaluated to determine their level of competence in communication, critical thinking, and holistic views toward and community development. This course will enhance the students' abilities to critically evaluate the cultural and psychological implications of Western globalization and will provide opportunity to expand experiences with culture and systems aspects of General Education.

Prerequisite: One college semester.

Psyc 270 Psychology Of Gender (4-0) 4

An investigation of women's and men's experience of gender as well as the ways that gender influences how people are perceived by others. We will explore a variety of explanations for the similarities and differences between females and males. These will include cultural, social, cognitive, developmental and biological approaches. The application of psychological theory to current gender issues will be considered. The course will include a critique of psychological theory and research on gender. Offered on demand.

Prerequisite: Psyc 157.

Psyc 296W Psychological Research Methods (3-2) 4

Introduction to the basic assumptions, concepts and methodology of experimental and non-experimental psychological research. Includes the study of scientific principles, critical evaluation of published research, and discussion of research ethics. Technical topics such as operational definitions, independent and dependent variables, measurement, techniques of observation and experimental design are presented. The laboratory is designed to provide skill in implementing experiments in a variety of psychological fields. This course also introduces students to the discourse and written conventions of APA-style experimental reports. Fall and Winter terms.

Prerequisites: Comp 150, LiB 150, Psyc 157 and Psyc 241Q.

Psyc 300 Methods Of Inquiry (4-0) 4

This course emphasizes qualitative research skills and methods of inquiry. Topics include case studies, observational methods, interview techniques, questionnaires and surveys. Students will also be exposed to information about self-assessment, creating and maintaining client files, confidentiality, legal concerns, minority and affirmative action issues, demographic trends and actuarial systems, agency policies, advocacy, and interfaces of service agencies with other community resources. Students will learn inquiry and writing skills and hermeneutic research approaches via laboratory experiences, community agency activities, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. Methods of inquiry for use with culturally diverse groups will also be addressed. Fall and Winter terms.

Prerequisite: Psyc 296W.

Psyc 305 Psychology Of Intuition (4-0) 4

Students will study and write about the psychology and philosophy of intuition. This writing intensive interdisciplinary course applies the methods of psychology, especially cognitive science, and of philosophy to intuition, especially that of writers. Offered on demand.

Prerequisite: Comp 150 and Psyc 157.

Psyc 310 The Psychology Of Religion (4-0) 4

In this course, we will explore the psychology of spirituality and religious experience. Topics will include: the history of Psychology of Religion; the motivational basis of religious participation; the relationship between mental health and religion; development of religious ideas across the lifespan; and social-psychological factors in religious conversion and commitment. This course is the same as RS 310; credit will be awarded for only one of these.

Prerequisites: Psyc 110S or Psyc 157.

Psyc 325 Group Dynamics (4-0) 4

In this course we will explore the psychology of groups. Topics will include group structure, interpersonal communication, leadership and group decision making. Students will participate in a variety of group exercises and will relate their experiences to the theory and research of the field of group dynamics.

Prerequisite: Psyc 157.

Psyc 327 Physiological Psychology (3-2) 4

This course will focus on establishing a basic understanding of physiological mechanisms that influence behavior. Introductory neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuropsychology will be presented. Current findings that emphasize neurotransmitter and endocrine influences on behavior will be discussed. Laboratory experiences will include dissection, physiological modeling, and experimental demonstration. . Offered on demand.

Prerequisite: Psyc 296W.

Psyc 328 Industrial/Organizational Psychology (4-0) 4

This course explores the ways that psychology can help us to understand the behavior of people in the workplace. It includes study of the motivation and development of the individual employee as well as the group dynamics of the organization in which the employee functions. Equal emphasis will be placed upon understanding relevant psychological theory and learning how to apply psychology in practical situations.

Prerequisite: Comp 150 and Psyc 157.

Psyc 330 Animal Behavior (2-4) 4

This course emphasizes the field of ethology. The course will describe the behavior of a wide range of animal species (including various insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals). Human behavior will not be emphasized. The course will require students to understand and implement various behavioral techniques such as estimation, classification, and analysis. Theoretical orientation will be based on historic ethological and evolutionary perspectives. The lab will require both laboratory and field work. Offered on demand.

Prerequisite: Psyc 296W.

Psyc 333 Expressive Arts Therapy In The Community (2-0) 2

This course is for juniors and seniors who are interested in and/or have experience with special needs populations. After training, art, dance and movement processes will be developed with a group of adults with chronic mental illness. Usually offered in the Winter term.

Prerequiste: Consent of instructor.

Psyc 340 Creativity (4-0) 4

An interdisciplinary inquiry course exploring biopsychosocial expressions of creative process through study of theory and applications to current social issues. Areas for exploration include the creative brain, paradigm shifts, the creativity of change, and specific student interest in creativity through movement, visual arts, improvisation, free writing and dialogue. Offered on demand.

Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

Psyc 342 Psychological Testing (4-0) 4

A course designed to introduce the student to the area of psychological tests and measurements, providing training in the concepts and applications of intelligence tests, personality inventories, and projective techniques, as well as aptitude and interest scales. Students take, score, interpret and discuss some of the most commonly used psychological tests.

Prerequisite: Psyc 241Q and Psyc 233.

Psyc 354 Topics In Child Psychology (4-0) 4

This course offers a more concentrated focus on child psychology than Psyc 254 (Life Span Human Development). The course will cover interesting aspects of developmental psychology including biosocial, socioemotional and cognitive growth. Current methods, theories and empirical findings on child development will be examined with a focus on child and adolescent psychopathology. The course explores how factors such as genetics, culture and parenting influence various dimensions of infancy, childhood and adolescence.

Prerequisite: Psyc 254.

Psyc 372 Language, Mind And Brain (4-0) 4

This interdisciplinary course focuses on the unconscious processes occurring in our minds that allow us to understand and produce language. Topics include animal communication, evolution of language, dyslexia, use of sign language, bilingualism, childhood language acquisition, language disorders caused by brain damage, and hemispheric differences in language processing.

Prerequisite: Psyc 157.

Psyc 375 Multicultural Psychology (4-0) 4

This course will present an overview of multicultural viewpoints in developmental, clinical and research psychology. Predominant western European psychological theory will be compared and contrasted with thinking from non-Western constructs and ideology. Multiculturalism as a psychology of people will be explored from a global perspective and from the perspective of various ethnic and minority groups within the United States. Students will attempt to integrate culturally diverse thinking and research to explore ways to increase cultural sensitivity and tolerance of difference in community, workplace and human service contexts.

Prerequisites: Comp 150 and Psyc 157.

Psyc 383 History Of Psychology (4-0) 4

Classroom activities make this course a hands-on experience. We focus on the people who have created clinical and experimental psychology, including Wundt, James, Skinner, Chomsky, Piaget, Freud, Jung, Erikson, Maslow, and Rogers, to name only a few. We also consider the systemic context within which different schools of thought emerged, which helps to integrate different areas of psychology.

Prerequisite: Psyc 157.

Psyc 386 Psychology of Fatherhood (4-0) 4

This course will examine fathers' roles in the family within a cross-cultural perspective. Initially, we will look at various theoretical views to understand fathers; we later focus on the importance of studying fathers; socioeconomic, intellectual, and clinical implications of fathers' roles; cultural belief structures in fathering; and level of fathers' participation in the family. Finally, we will conduct a cross-cultural examination of fathering behaviors and discuss the degree of fathers' participation in childrearing and other household tasks.

Prerequisite: Psyc 241Q.

Psyc 387 Abnormal Psychology (4-0) 4

A study of historical, cultural, and contemporary approaches to understanding and treating psychopathology. Use of the DSM IV classification system is taught and case studies of psychopathology are analyzed. Offered in the Fall and Winter.

Prerequisite: Psyc 233.

Psyc 392 Foundations Of Clinical Psychology (4-0) 4

The course provides a foundation in the applications of psychological theory and research, toward a variety of intra-psychic, interpersonal and organizational problems in our society. Fall term. This course does not count for general distribution.

Prerequisites: Psyc 387, junior standing and consent of instructor.

Psyc 393 Health Psychology (4-0) 4

A study of the specific educational, scientific, and professional contributions of the discipline of psychology to the promotion and maintenance of health, the prevention and treatment of illness, the identification of diagnostic correlates of health, wellness and illness, and the interaction of personal, interpersonal and community aspects of wellness. Topics covered include the biopsychosocial model, family and community systems, the health care system and alternate methods of health care delivery.

Prerequisites: Psyc 157 and junior standing.

Psyc 394 Field School In Clinical Psychology 6

A one-month participation with a psychiatric team at a state hospital for mentally disturbed persons. Experiences include admission interviews, staffings, diagnostic techniques, treatment planning and implementation including occupational and recreational therapy. Offered in the first summer term.

Prerequisite: Psyc 387 and consent of instructor. Recommended, Psyc 342.

Psyc 395 Seminar + Practicum In Clinical Psychology (4-0) 4

The course provides an opportunity for students to engage in a supervised practicum in cooperation with an area health or human services organization. Weekly seminars will deal with professional issues and ethics common to all settings.

Prerequisites: Psyc 392 or Psyc 393, Psyc 420, and consent of the instructor.

Psyc 406 Case Studies In Neuropsychology (4-0) 4

This course explores the world of cognitive neuropsychology by looking into true stories of individuals how have suffered brain injuries or disorders that lead to very specific deficits. For example, we consider the artist whose visual world turned grey overnight, the amputee whose phantom arm sensations were remapped onto his cheek, the hippie whose memory left him stranded in the 60s, the attorney who couldn't recognize her own face in the mirror, and the surgeon who twitched uncontrollably with Tourette syndrome. Cases like these deepen our understanding of the inner workings of the human brain.

Psyc 420 Counseling Skills (4-0) 4

This course develops various counseling skills, processes, and abilities in students through academic and applied instruction. Prerequisites: Psyc 387 and consent of the instructor.

Psyc 425 Social Psychology (4-0) 4

This course provides an introduction to the many ways in which our thoughts, emotions and behavior are influenced by the people around us. We will explore topics such as aggression, attitude change, group dynamics and self-presentation. Emphasis will be placed upon theories of social behavior and the scientific research that supports them.

Prerequisite: Psyc 296W.

Psyc 426 Sensation And Perception (4-0) 4

This course examines human vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. While studying these sensory systems, we also consider the perception of art, music, illusions, speech, and pain. Numerous demonstrations and experiments are included in the lab and lecture so that abstract principles can be applied in meaningful, interesting ways. Usually offered in the fall term.

Prerequisite: Psyc 157.

Psyc 441 Memory, Learning And Cognition (4-0) 4

Principles of cognitive psychology explain how humans remember, learn, and think. Topics include attention, working memory as consciousness, autobiographical memory, remembering in infancy and childhood, semantic frameworks for learning, memory disorders and amnesias, problem-solving, creativity, and cognitive ways to improve learning, as well as the effects of emotion and trauma on memory for events. Class activities and demonstrations illustrate many concepts.

Prerequisite: Psyc 157.

Psyc 496 Senior Seminar (4-0) 4

Advanced study and research in selected topics. Fall and winter terms.

Prerequisites: Psyc 296W, Psyc 300 and consent of instructor.

Psyc 498 Thesis 1-6

Each student will be involved in the development and completion of a quantitative research project, a qualitative research experience, a comprehensive literature review, or a community-based agency experience. The focus of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to explore and expand their individual interests within the field of psychology under the direct supervision of a member of the psychology faculty. A research proposal may be required prior to receiving professor's consent. This course can be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours. Fall and winter terms.

Prerequisites: Psyc 296W, 300, senior standing and consent of instructor.

Psyc 499 Independent Study 1-6

Individual research is conducted under the supervision of a faculty member.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.