Advanced study and research in selected topics.

This course presents historical, theoretical, methodological and ethical perspectives on the testing and assessment of human intelligence, personality and behavior.

This course will review the developing literature in a new or re-emerging area of psychology. Contemporary ideology in the area and appropriate applications will be considered. 

A study of contemporary approaches to diagnosing, understanding, and treating mental disorders. Students learn the DSM classification system via case studies and readings, and they are exposed to emerging research in the field of abnormal psychology.

This course provides an introduction to the major theories of personality, including psychoanalytic, humanistic, cognitive, behavioral, and trait theories. Emphasis will be placed on an understanding of why people think, feel, and act as they do, as well as personality assessments and related research.

This course is designed to introduce students to the theory and research in positive psychology. We will examine the research findings on happiness and thriving, and do many activities designed to increase well-being and build personal strengths.

This course is designed to introduce students to cross-cultural and multicultural perspectives in psychological theory. We will explore and compare a variety of cultures, look for cultural bias in existing psychological theory, and introduce the basics of cross cultural research methods.

Adolescence is a unique developmental period as children transition to adulthood. This course provides an overview of the biological, cognitive and social changes that take place during adolescence and young adulthood. The various contexts in which development occurs (e.g., family, peers, school, work and the media) will be emphasized during the course.

This course provides a basic understanding of physiological mechanisms that influence behavior. Introductory neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neuropsychology will be reviewed. Neurotransmitter and endocrine influences on behavior will be discussed.

This course examines topics in developmental psychology including biosocial, socioemotional and cognitive growth.  Current specialized concepts, theories and empirical findings are applied to case studies in child psychology. The course explores how genetics, environment, culture and parenting affect children and adolescents.  Child and adolescent psychopathology may also be covered.