Course | Description |
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PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology | Psychology is the systematic study of behavior and mental processes. This introductory course provides a survey of topics and approaches within psychology that reflects the breadth and diversity of the discipline. It is intended to increase the student’s appreciation of the relevance of psychological concepts in everyday living and will provide a basic foundation for subsequent coursework in psychology. This course fulfills the Social Science General Education requirement. |
PSY 102 Topics in Psychology | This course reinforces current and develops new technical and critical thinking skills that help students better understand the subject matter and methods of psychology. It focuses upon the nature and appropriateness of various print and web-based resources for investigating psychological topics; science vs. pseudoscience; professional ethics; data collection and analysis; and current issues and controversies in psychology. Information about graduate study and careers in psychology are also explored. |
PSY 201 Psychology of Child Development | The social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth factors that influence the development of the individual during infancy, childhood, and early adolescence are considered in this course. |
PSY 202 Psychology of Adult Development & Aging | Adult development and aging deals with the description and explanation of changes that occur during the adult life course. This course examines age-related changes in physiological functions, cognition and memory, personality and social development. |
PSY 203 Adolescence Adolescence | This course addresses the issues of human development during the adolescent stage of life. Major topics included are influences on development, issues of concern for the adolescent and family, and peer relationships. |
PSY 205 Interpersonal Communication and Effectiveness | This course integrates theory with experience in order to enhance self-awareness, self-control and the ability to maximize interpersonal effectiveness. A primary emphasis of the course is on developing specific interpersonal skills through the effective use of communication techniques such as listening, observing, paraphrasing and perception checking. This course fulfills the Social Science General Education requirement. |
PSY 206 Culture of Gender | (previously called Psychology of Women) This course will provide a review of the empirical research and conceptual discussions surrounding gender and examine the implications of gender for relationships, work, parenting, and health. The focus of this course goes beyond sex alone to explore the roles that society has assigned to women and men and the other variables that co-occur with sex, such as status, and gender-related traits for relationship, work, parenting, and health are examined. This course fulfills the Social Science General Education requirement. |
PSY 240 Biopsychology: The Biological Basis of Human Behavior | This course investigates human behavior from a perspective emphasizing biological mechanisms, which underlie the conscious choices we make. Various daily biological and physiological needs necessitate a balanced interaction between our bodies and minds. In this course, we will study human nature as a singular mind/body unit, with the hypothesis that consciousness can be molded by physiological function. Conversely, it also holds true that the body is influenced by our consciousness. Hence, there is the continual dynamic dance between the tangible and intangible components of our self-awareness. Emotional health and physical health are integrally related as one depends upon the other. Various components of behavior will be reviewed, such as the nervous system and brain, the biochemistry of behavior, motivated behavior, learning and communication, and physiological/neurological disorders. Completion of BI 114 or 141 strongly recommended |
PSY 297 Research Design and Analysis I | This required two semester course will introduce psychology majors to research design, methodology, statistical analysis of data, and communication of research findings in an integrated fashion, and takes the place of MA 200 (Statistics) and PSY 305 (Research Methods). The first semester will introduce the student to scientific thinking, research ethics, critique of scientific ideas, variables, sampling and probabilities, summarizing data, and hypothesis testing. In the second semester, quasi, single-case, between and within experimental designs, t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and correlational research will be explored. In addition, survey design and research, naturalistic and qualitative designs, data analysis and interpretation, and the communication of research findings will be considered. |
PSY 298 Research Design and Analysis II | This required two semester course will introduce psychology majors to research design, methodology, statistical analysis of data, and communication of research findings in an integrated fashion, and takes the place of MA 200 (Statistics) and PSY 305 (Research Methods). The first semester will introduce the student to scientific thinking, research ethics, critique of scientific ideas, variables, sampling and probabilities, summarizing data, and hypothesis testing. In the second semester, quasi, single-case, between and within experimental designs, t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and correlational research will be explored. In addition, survey design and research, naturalistic and qualitative designs, data analysis and interpretation, and the communication of research findings will be considered. |
PSY 304 Abnormal Psychology | A study of the specific psychological disorders and their characteristics, etiology, prognosis and treatment from the perspectives of major theoretical formulations and recent research. Topics typically covered include: classification of abnormal behavior, stress-related disorders, anxiety disorders, dissociative and somataform disorders, mood disorders and suicide, personality disorders, sexual disorders, schizophrenia, organic brain disorders, and disorders of childhood. |
PSY 307 Psychology of Group Dynamics | This course is an introduction to group processes utilizing current theory, research, and applications. It will focus on the effects of this specific type of social interaction on the affective, behavioral, and cognitive responses of the individual. Processes within the group (e.g., norms, roles) and pressures from external sources (e.g., politics, economic climates) will be considered with the goal of applying this knowledge in social, work, family and organizational group activities. |
PSY 310 Social Psychology | The goal of the course is to introduce students to the major theories and current areas of research in Social Psychology. The course includes topics which examine human behavior in social relationships such as helping, attraction and love, aggression, prejudice and discrimination. Students will gain insight into their own and others’ behavior in day-to-day interactions. Topics are particularly applicable to business, human service, and criminal justice majors. |
PSY 312 Cognitive Psychology | This course provides an introduction to the cognitive processes involved in attention, recognition, memory, knowledge, language, reasoning and problem solving. These concepts are approached in terms of an information processing model, considering the input (stimulus), processing (mental activity), and output (behavior). The neural basis of cognitive functions will also be considered in regard to the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. |
PSY 313 Sports Psychology | Sports Psychology is the study of psychological and mental processes that influence and are influenced by participation in sports and exercise and varying performance levels in sports and exercise. This subfield also studies the psychological aspects of health, sports, lifestyles and exercise. This course is designated as upper level as students will be expected to have the skills to conduct research using primary sources, analyze the research and discuss applications of the research findings. |
PSY 314 Personality Psychology | Personality psychology is concerned with the differences among and between people. It asks what are the sources of the consistent behavior patterns that distinguish each of us as individuals, unique from everyone else, and of the common human nature we all share. This course examines six domains or perspectives in personality psychology: dispositional, biological, intrapsychic, cognitive/experiential, social and cultural, and adjustment. Each perspective is examined for the particular focus it provides in explaining individual differences in behavior by examining key theories and representative research. |
PSY 320 Loss Grief and Dying | This multi-disciplinary course is developed to sensitize students to the issues of loss, grief, and dying that are part of every individual's life experience. Students will explore their own relationship with death and various loss-related experiences and explore the ways in which societal attitudes influence how and when we die and how we live as we deal with the knowledge of death and loss. Subject matter will encompass a blend of psychological, sociocultural, and historical perspectives on death. Topics will include issues of loss related to relationships, social role change, and life-span development, as well as detailed discussions of topics surrounding death, dying, and loss experiences. Both the roles of the interpersonal self and the professional self in working with those encountering death and grief/loss will be explored. |
PSY 322 Learning Psychology | Learning has been identified as a key issue in the endeavor to understand human behavior. This course will explore Behaviorist models, such as operant and classical conditioning, along with Cognitive models, focusing on memory. The themes of this course will be the adaptive nature, and neural basis of learning and memory. Applications are made to animal learning, artificial intelligence, development, behavior modification and training. |
PSY 332 Marriage and the Family | This course examines current and historical trends and dynamics related to marriage, family, relationships, and alternative lifestyles. A major theme of the course is the interaction between individuals and the societal environment in which they make their decisions. Increasing flexibility forces individuals to make many difficult choices with regard to family values and personal autonomy; students will explore how these decisions are often being made in the context of contradictory cultural values. Another focus of the course is the shift from viewing marriage as an institution to viewing it as a relationship which the partners expect to find companionship and intimacy. |
PSY 333 Psychology of Religion | This course will provide an introduction to the major issues, theories and empirical approaches to the psychology of religion. It will examine the role religion plays as a powerful meaning system that can affect the lives of individuals in terms of their beliefs, motivations, emotions and behaviors, and can influence their interactions on both interpersonal and intergroup levels. Psychological theory will be utilized to understand the role that religion, faith and spirituality play in different areas of human activity such as health and the recovery from physical illness, psychotherapy, sexuality, interpersonal relationships, violence, racial prejudice, personality development, adolescent behavior, aging and mental health. The course content will expose the student to the empirical study of religion and religious experiences. It should also be understood what this course is not. It is not a course about specific religious traditions or doctrines. |
PSY 342 Sensation and Perception | The study of Sensation and Perception revolves around three main themes: 1) The nature of the physical stimulation, 2) The anatomy of the organs which register and react to this external energy, and 3) The interpretation of the neural coding which arises from these stimulations. Each of the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch) will be considered in terms of these three themes. Current theories and philosophical views of sensation and perception will be considered in regard to their explanatory power in accounting for the empirical and phenomenological data. Special emphasis will be placed on the demonstration of and interaction with phenomena covered in this course. |
PSY 351 Psychology of Well-Being | Psychology of Well-Being is a study of the basic human drive towards happiness. As a psychological construct, happiness includes numerous perspectives and attitudes contentment, peacefulness, attainment of goals, health, wealth, spirituality, as well as cultural variations of its definition. This course will focus on the research associated with elements of positivism such as subjective wellbeing, personality traits associated with positivism, measurements of happiness, hardiness and mindfulness, cognitive styles of attribution and locus of control and, the physiology of emotion. Ultimately, students will learn about this field of Psychology, its complexities and its applications in both professional and personal contexts. |
PSY 381 Evolutionary Psychology | Evolutionary psychology is the scientific study of human nature, based on understanding the psychological adaptations we have evolved to cope with survival and reproductive challenges in prehistory. Topics covered include: human sexuality, aggression and warfare, status and prestige, social dominance, conflict between the sexes, parenting, family life, group cooperation, emotions, and psychopathology. As an emerging perspective in psychology, the evolutionary approach is already becoming an important source of new hypotheses, explanations, and research throughout many areas of psychology. |
PSY 397 Junior Seminar | The Junior Seminar provides students with a forum for exploring individual interests in psychology culminating with an in-depth, comprehensive literature review. In the process students will learn to engage in a thorough analysis and critique of theory, methodology, and results of psychological research. The seminar also provides structured exercises designed to help students explore options for graduate study and to be prepared to make applications to graduate programs. This course is intended for departmental majors and is a prerequisite for PSY 497 and PSY 498. |
PSY 406 Cross-cultural Study of Psychology | Given the increasing rate of intercultural contact through the media, technological advances in communication, and of face-to-face contact, an appreciation of human behavior as it develops and is understood within diverse cultures is essential. This course will include such topics as development, interpersonal relationships, perception, communication, education, emotion and gender within a multicultural context. |
PSY 407 Childhood Psychopathology: Assessment and Treatment | This course is intended to be an advanced level course focusing on the etiology, classification, assessment, and treatment of a select group of child and adolescent psychological disorders that are most frequently encountered by professionals in mental health and educational settings. |
PSY 408 Organizational Psychology | This course focuses on some of the major issues faced by members of organizations. These issues include the meaning of work and quality of work life; group dynamics and interpersonal relationships within organizations; common communication patterns and the effects upon organizational members; the impact of conflict, competition, and cooperation; and the interface between leaders and followers. This course combines theory with in-class experiential exercises |
PSY 410 Forensic Psychology | This course will introduce students to the fascinating world of psychology as it is applied to the American legal system. Students will learn about the wide range of topics investigated by forensic psychologists and how said researchers' work is currently being applied in real world settings by law enforcement agencies, those in the judicial system and those in the prison system. Topics will include psychological assessment, competency to stand trial, rights of criminal defendants, individual rights, jury decision making, jury consulting, eyewitness testimony, mental health law, juvenile justice, the family court system, and risk assessment. |
PSY 412 Psychological Tests and Measurement | This course will introduce students to the theory, methods, and applications of psychological testing. A major objective of the course is to improve the knowledge, understanding and practices of those who construct tests, those who take tests, and those who must interpret the meaning and value of tests. |
PSY 415 Psychology of Extraordinary Events | This course will explore the aspects of life and world events that move beyond the important and significant to what will be called extraordinary. The field of Psychology has defined many of the components of biological, behavioral and cognitive functioning in the realm of the normal and the abnormal. However, much less attention has been paid to the few but notable instances where events do not have a handy frame of reference, that is, when an event is extra-ordinary. In fact these events seem to defy definition, with most observers simply knowing or having a gut feeling when one has occurred. One of the first tasks in this course will be to define what is meant by an extra-ordinary event. Once defined, this course will explore the roles of biological and psychological functioning as they relate to such events. Functions such as arousal, stress, emotion, motivation, memory, social processes, adjustment and psychopathology will be explored by the use of book chapters, journal articles, movies, and movie clips. Through these explorations, this definition will be modified and a class produced concept map will be created as a record of the group’s thoughts on the subject. This course is intended to operate similarly to a graduate level symposium on a current topic in the field of Psychology, albeit appropriately focused for an undergraduate audience. |
PSY 424 Clinical Psychology: Theory and Practice | The field of clinical psychology integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate maladjustment, disability, and discomfort as well as to promote human adaptation, adjustment, and personal development. This course develops an understanding of the theoretical and professional issues relate to the delivery of psychological services to diverse clinical populations. The course introduces students to the field of clinical psychology and broad range of associated skills including practice, research and assessment. It emphasizes that clinical applications should be supported by empirical evidence. |
PSY 430 History of Psychology | This course provides students with an overview of psychology as it has developed and transformed over time. With such a perspective, a goal is to appreciate the evolution of psychological ideas and practices by studying the major theoretical approaches and the impact on today’s thinking. |
PSY 496 Senior Project | This one semester Psychology Capstone course requires students to synthesize skills and knowledge that has been gained throughout their study of Psychology. The student will be required to choose an area for study and research from a list of approved topics. A research proposal will be presented to a panel of faculty to simulate an ethics committee review. Data will be collected, and then statistically analyzed using SPSS. An APA style manuscript will be prepared, along with a poster or oral presentation of the project |
PSY 497 Senior Honors Project | This two-semester course is for department majors only with a specific area of interest and/or for those planning to pursue a graduate degree in Psychology or related area. The goal in the first semester is the development and proposal of an independent research project under the approval and direction of department faculty. The second semester is devoted to the completion of the project and submission of a publishable (APA style) product. |
PSY 498 Senior Honors Project | This two-semester course is for department majors only with a specific area of interest and/or for those planning to pursue a graduate degree in Psychology or related area. The goal in the first semester is the development and proposal of an independent research project under the approval and direction of department faculty. The second semester is devoted to the completion of the project and submission of a publishable (APA style) product. |