2007-2008
Last updated: 3/1/2008
NOTE: The
number of credits is listed in parentheses after the course name.
PSY
300 History and Systems of Psychology (3).
A historical survey of the evolution of particular schools of thought
and systematic approaches in psychology. Theories and systems such as
Gestalt, psycho dynamic and behavioristic psychology are examined in
terms of their antecedents, the problems on which they focused and
their contributions to contemporary psychology (e.g., James, Freud and
Skinner) are studied within the context of the theories with which they
are associated. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or permission of the instructor.
PSY 301 Psychological Testing (3).
This course surveys the major psychological tests used in schools,
clinics, industry, government and psychological research. This course
covers how such tests are constructed, administered, interpreted and
validated, and outlines current issues and controversies of the field.
Topics include the history and ethics of testing; tests of achievement,
interests and special abilities; personality assessment; the use of
these tests in identifying exceptionality; and the controversy
surrounding intelligence tests. Prerequisites: PSY 101 and MTH 11 0 or
MTH 111 (or an equivalent semester of Statistics I) or permission of
the instructor.
PSY 302 Personality (3).
Introduction to the theoretical and empirical investigations of the
development, maintenance and modification of the unique thoughts,
emotions and behaviors characteristic of the individual. Topics include
theoretical perspectives based primarily upon the concepts of conflict
(e.g., Freud, Jung), fulfillment (e.g., Rogers, Maslow), consistency
(e.g., Kelley), trait (e.g., Allport, Cattell) and learning (e.g.,
Skinner, Bandura) and empirical investigations of self-esteem, anxiety
and defense mechanisms. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or permission of the
instructor.
PSY 303 (BIO 270) Animal Behavior (4).
See BIO 303 for description. Prerequisite: PSY 101 and eight hours of
biology or permission of the instructor. Three lectures and two hours
laboratory per week for one semester.
PSY 309 (CCM 409) Culture and Mental Disorder
(3).
See course description for CCM 409.
PSY 315 Childhood Disorders (3).
This general introduction to the field of childhood psycho-pathology
will consider basic issues in the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of
common behavioral disorders and developmental deviations. Topics
included are: childhood schizophrenia and autism, phobias and
psychosomatic disorders, mental retardation and specific learning
disabilities, hyperactivity and anti-social behavior. Prerequisites:
PSY 101 and 215 or 280 or permission of the instructor.
PSY 320 Aging and Adult Development (3).
This course will examine the psychological development of young adults
through late adulthood. The primary focus of this course will be on the
development of intelligence, memory and dementia, personality,
interpersonal relationships and sexuality in older adults. This course
will challenge popular stereotypes of older adults and discuss how
culture influences adult development. Students will be required to
write a term paper on a topic related to psychology and adult
development. Prerequisite/Corequisite: PSY 201 or permission of the
instructor.
PSY 325 Sensation and Perception (3).
The study of the physical structures and psychological processes
involved in sensory systems. Topics include how people see, hear,
smell, taste and touch, as well as methods for studying both the senses
and the way that people make use of sensory information. Various
theoretical and philosophical questions about sensation and perception
are also addressed. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or permission of the
instructor.
PSY 330 (PGS 330) Cross-Cultural Psychology
(3).
Cross-cultural psychology is an approach emphasizing evaluation of
psychological knowledge in the context of culture. Do the discoveries
psychologists have made apply to all people from all cultures or only
to some people, depending on culture? This course explores the impact
of society and culture on human behavior, identity and personality
development, social interaction norms, and even perceptual tendencies.
We will examine what it means to say that humans are socio-cultural in
nature. We will also examine those areas where humans differ, due to
varied cultural experiences. Areas of interest will include education
and development, views on intelligence, perceptual and cognitive
processes, motivation, sex and gender and aggression. The examination
of these issues will aid students in developing the ability to
understand and interact with individuals and groups in other countries
and in our own heterogeneous nation. Prerequisites or corequisites: PSY
101 (prerequisite), PSY 201 (corequisite), or equivalent social
sciences research methods course.
PSY 335 (CJS 335) Psychology & the Law
(3).
The legal system is a pervasive and important part of our lives. The
goal of this course is to help students develop an understanding of the
psychological aspects of the functioning of the system and the effects
of the legal system on us. This course will address the social
psychological aspects that impact and are impacted by the legal system.
Students will develop an understanding of many issues, including how
psychologists contribute to the law and the legal system, psychological
theories of crime, psychological issues related to the selection and
performance of police officers, the dynamics of eyewitness testimony,
jury selection and performance and confessions. Prerequisite: PSY 101
or permission of instructor.
PSY 340 Brain and Behavior (3).
A study of the relationship of the brain and body to behavior. Emphasis
is on the central nervous system. Topics include neuroanatomy, neural
cell processes, hemispheric functions, hormonal regulation of behavior,
physiological mechanisms involved in attention, arousal and sleep, and
the neural bases of emotions, learning and memory, and psychological
disorders. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or permission of the instructor.
PSY 350 Health Psychology (3).
Health psychology is a survey course exploring the relationship between
behavior and health. All topics will be covered from a bio-psychosocial
perspective, illustrating the interaction among variables within an
individual’s environment. Topics discussed within the course include:
psycho-neuroimmunology, anger/hostility and health, smoking cessation,
weight control, health care systems, heart disease, cancer, AIDS,
psychosomatic illness, gender and socio-cultural differences, stress,
pain management and alternative treatments. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 360 Human Sexuality (3).
An examination of the behavioral, emotional and cognitive components of
human sexuality. An emphasis will be placed on psychological, social,
health and legal aspects of behavior that define our human sexuality.
This course intends to help students clarify their attitude toward
their own and others’ sexuality. Areas to be investigated include
sexual values, intimacy, sexual anatomy, gender identity, STDs and
sexual variance. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or permission of the instructor.
PSY 370 (IRL 370) Organizational Psychology
(3).
See course description for IRL 370.
PSY 380 Counseling and Psychotherapy (3).
An introduction to techniques and theories of counseling and
psychotherapy. Components, which are believed to underlie effective
counseling and therapy regardless of theoretical orientation and which
are applicable to a variety of interpersonal situations, are studied in
some detail. The major theoretical approaches to counseling are
covered, and students are introduced to research on the process and
effectiveness of psychotherapy. One area in which such skills are
applied—the treatment of persons with emotional problems—will be
examined. This course does not attempt to train professional
counselors, but to provide a framework and a basis for understanding
and evaluating the counseling process from which students can, after
further training and experience, become effective counselors.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 and 280 or 302 or permission of the instructor.
PSY 390-399 Independent Study (1-3).
A student who wishes to pursue an independent study project for
academic credit must submit, prior to registration, a proposed plan of
study that includes the topic to be studied and goal to be achieved,
the methodology to be followed, schedule of supervision, end product,
evaluation procedure and number of credits sought. The proposal must be
approved by the supervising faculty member, the department chair and
the dean of arts and sciences. It will be kept on file in the dean of
arts and sciences’ office. Three hours work per week for each credit.
Hours and credit to be determined by the instructor and student.
Experiential course.