Psychology Undergraduate Courses

PSY 195 Special Topics (1-5)
Special topics in the discipline, designed primarily for freshmen. Students may enroll in 195 Special Topics multiple times, as long as the topics differ.

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

PSY 201 Introduction to Psychology (3)
An introduction to the scientific study of human behavior, providing an overview of the major problems, methods, and contributions of psychology. Content areas include development, language, learning, cognition, physiological psychology, motivation and emotion, perception, psychometrics, personality, and abnormal and social psychology. The course can be taken in one of two formats: traditional lecture or individualized instruction.

Prerequisite: GSR 102 or the equivalent.

PSY 295 Special Topics (1-5)
Special topics in the discipline, designed primarily for sophomores. Students may enroll in 295 Special Topics multiple times, as long as the topics differ.

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

PSY 311 Development I: Child Psychology (3)
This course examines the physical, psychological, social, and cognitive development from conception to the end of childhood. It will include discussion of the interaction of genetic and environmental factors in shaping of personality. It will describe language development and social and emotional adjustment of the child.

Prerequisite: "C" or better in PSY 201.

PSY 313 Development II: The Psychology of Adolescence (3)
A study of developmental processes in adolescence. Included is the study of puberty and the intellectual, social, moral, emotional, religious, sexual, personality, and family transitions occurring during this period. Emphasis is given to the influence of the above changes on personal identity and current problems of the adolescent in American society. Also included is a discussion of levels of aspiration and vocational choice.

Prerequisite: PSY 311 or the equivalent.

PSY 315 Development III: Adulthood and Aging (3)
A study of the developmental process from adulthood until death. Includes the establishment of identity, vocational choices, marriage and the family, crisis of middle adulthood, problems of the aged, death, and bereavement.

Prerequisite: PSY 311 or the equivalent.

PSY 317 Health Psychology (3)
This course discusses research into the ways behavior, mental states, culture, and physical health interact. Factors underlying health, disease, prevention and treatment occur within cultural contexts that affect our views, behaviors, lifestyles and approaches will be explored. This course will also examine how socio-cultural settings in America influences development, health beliefs, and health behaviors.

Prerequisite: PSY 201.

PSY 319 The Psychology of Exceptional Children (3)
A study of methods of identification, diagnosis, and remediation of physical, psychological, and learning problems of exceptional children. The course will include discussion of the characteristics of exceptionality and indicate how these characteristics affect the total adjustment of the developing individual.

Prerequisite: PSY 311 or the equivalent.

PSY 321 Abnormal Psychology (3)
This course serves as an introduction to psychopathology in adults and children. Students will be introduced to the classification used by psychologists, the Diagnostic Statistical Manual. Disorders such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, cognitive disorders, personality disorders and sexual and gender-identity disorders will be covered. Historical background, causes, and some treatment approaches will also be included.

Prerequisite: PSY 201.

PSY 324 Cognition (3)
This course will provide an overview of various components of human cognition, including learning, memory, perception, and higher-level functions. In addition, this course will introduce experimental techniques used to advance our understanding of human cognition.

Prerequisite: PSY 201.

PSY 331 Statistics for Behavioral Sciences (3)
This course covers an introduction to statistical procedures for psychological research. Topics include distributions and graphs, measures of central tendency and variation, z-scores, probability, hypothesis testing, t-tests, Anova, correlation and regression, and Chi square. Students are introduced to the use of SPSS (or a similar program) for analysis and interpretation of data.

Prerequisite: PSY 201 and MAT 013 or GSR 104 or the equivalent: or permission of the instructor.

PSY 332 Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
This course covers an introduction research methods. Topics include developing research question, ethical issues in research, reliability and validity, describing variables, using tables and graphs, experimental and non-experimental designs, and APA style. The students will read research reports, design and conduct a research project, use statistical procedures and SPSS (or a similar program) introduced in PSY 331 for analysis and interpretation of their data and will write up the results using APA style.

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in PSY 331.

PSY 358 Social Psychology (3)
This course examines the influence of groups on the behavior of the individual both within American culture and across other world cultures. Both theoretical and experimental approaches are presented. Topics include altruism, aggression, health, attitudes, personal space, jury behavior, prejudice, conformity, and environmental issues.

Prerequisite: "C" or better in PSY 201 and PSY 311.

PSY 395 Special Topics (1-5)
Special topics in the discipline, designed primarily for juniors. Students may enroll in 395 Special Topics multiple times, as long as the topics differ.

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

PSY 410 Psychology and Deaf People (3)
The course will consider the psychological development and psychosocial issues of Deaf people. Topics covered will include cognitive, linguistic, and personality development, mental health, and interpersonal behavior.

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in PSY 201 and PSY 311.

PSY 411 Psychology of Personality (3)
A study of human personality from the standpoint of factors and influences that shape its development. Consideration will be given to current explanatory theories, current research approaches, and exemplary personality tests.

Prerequisite: PSY 201 and one additional psychology course.

PSY 424 Neuropsychology (3)
The study of neurological and physiological processes that affect behavior, emotions, thinking, perception, and learning. The course will indicate how psychological factors are related to neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.

Prerequisite: BIO 105 and PSY 201.

PSY 434 Methods of Therapy Emotional Disturbance (3)
This course will involve discussions of the various techniques of therapy used with people with emotional problems. Topics will include the case history interview, professional ethics in therapy, behavior modification, eclectic therapy, psychosurgery, encounter groups, the school as a therapeutic community.

Prerequisite: PSY 321, and six additional hours in psychology.

PSY 441 Learning Theories and Applications (3)
The major principles and theories of learning will be introduced and explained from a historical perspective to show how experimental research and theories in this area have evolved to the present time. The course will emphasize the applications of learning research to education and educational technology.

Prerequisite: PSY 201 and senior standing or permission of the instructor.

PSY 445 Field and Observational Studies of Human and Animal Behavior (3)
Techniques of field observation will be taught and used in analyzing the behavior of humans and animals. Lecture topics will include human and animal ethology and child behavior. There will be regular trips to schools, zoos, hospitals, museums, and other public places for the purposes of using techniques learned in class.

Prerequisite: PSY 311,331.

PSY 447 Psychological Tests and Measurements (3)
A survey of the construction, content, uses, abuses, and problems of psychological tests. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of tests including intelligence, achievement, interest, aptitude, and personality. In addition, students will practice writing essay and objective test questions.

Prerequisite: PSY 321,331.

PSY 448 Psycholinguistics (3)
The psychological aspects of speech and language. An attempt to clarify the role of speech and language in human behavior, and how speech differs from language. The acquisition of language by children, the relationship between language and thought, and the biological basis of language. A linguistic introduction to sign language.

Prerequisite: PSY 201.

PSY 450 Internship Seminar (3)
The course will prepare the student for the psychology internship experience. Topics covered include general issues in fieldwork in human services, agency systems and policies, general foundations of the helping process, diversity issues in human services settings, ethical and legal issues, interpersonal and professional relationships in psychology work settings, applications of psychological principles in applied settings, resume construction for internship applications, interviews with professionals in the field of psychology and orientation to the psychology internship.

Prerequisite: Psychology major or minor and permission of the instructor.

PSY 451 Internship I (3)
A one semester psychology internship in which the student works 10-15 or more hours per week in an applied psychological setting such as a mental health program or an educational setting under the supervision and guidance of the psychology course instructor and on-site mental health professionals in the field.

Prerequisite: Psychology major or minor, PSY450, and permission of the instructor.

PSY 452 Internship II (3)
This course is an additional, follow-up psychology internship for students who have successfully completed PSY 451 Internship I. The student works 10-15 or more hours per week in an applied psychological setting such as a mental health program or an educational setting under the supervision and guidance of the psychology course instructor and on-site mental health professionals in the field.

Prerequisite: PSY 451 and permission of the instructor.

PSY 453 Internship III (3)
A one semester, advanced psychology internship in which the student works 10-20 or more hours per week ( fall and spring semesters: 10 hours or more; summer session: 20 hours or more) in a variety of human services, research, psycho-educational, or professional association settings under the supervision of on-site professionals and with guidance and supervision from the psychology course instructor. Additionally, students are required to formally tie advanced psychological theories to current internship placement issues in a written format.

Prerequisite: PSY 452; permission of the instructor.

PSY 454 Internship IV (3)
A one semester, advanced psychology internship in which the student works 10-20 or more hours per week ( fall and spring semesters: 10 hours or more; summer session: 20 hours or more) in a variety of human services, research, psycho-educational, or professional association settings under the supervision of on-site professionals and with guidance and supervision from the psychology course instructor. Additionally, students are required to formally tie advanced psychological theories to current internship placement issues in a written format.

Prerequisite: PSY 453; permission of the instructor.

PSY 456 Gender Psychology (3)
This course provides an overview of topics on sex and gender from a psychological perspective. The course provides a review of the empirical research and conceptual discussions surrounding gender and examines the implications of gender on relationships and health. Topics covered in this course include gender research, gender-role attitudes, sex differences, gender theory, and how gender influences and informs a variety of psychological issues. Emphasis is also given to the role of culture on psychology and gender.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in both PSY 201 and an additional PSY course or equivalent.

PSY 457 Psychology of Human Sexuality (3)
A course on the developmental aspects of human sexuality in the context of human relationships. The course will include the social and learned influences on the development of gender identity and sexual orientation, a review of the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system, human sexual response, modes of sexual expression, values clarification, sexual responsibility, human sexual dysfunction, and sexual adjustment during pregnancy, illness, and aging.

Prerequisite: PSY 201 and one of the following: PSY 311, PSY 313, or PSY 315.

PSY 460 Multicultural Psychology (3)
This course explores the concepts of race, ethnicity, and culture as they pertain to the study of psychology. We will make use of social, cognitive, and developmental psychological theories to explore what it means to live in a multicultural society. We will evaluate the construct of race, how children and adults come to make sense of race, and what utility it has for psychologists. We will examine how culture shapes our values, worldviews, and the ways we communicate with one another. We will examine how and why individuals stereotype, how stereotypes affect behavior, and how privilege and discrimination shape the lived experiences of racial and ethnic minorities as well as members of dominant groups. We will also examine the intersection of multiple social identities (e.g. what does it mean to be a Latina, lesbian woman.)

Prerequisite: PSY 201 and PSY 358.

PSY 481H History and Systems of Psychology (3)
A study of the origins and development of modern psychological thought. The lives and contributions of leaders in psychology will be reviewed.

Prerequisite: PSY 201, admission to psychology honors program, and permission of the department.

PSY 486H Honors Seminar: Current Issues in Psychology (3)
The course will consist of assigned readings and discussion of current topics in psychology, e.g., sensory deprivation, sleep and dreams, sex roles, effects of overcrowding, the psychological implications of death, influence of mass media on behavior, etc. Content will vary from term to term depending on what topics are of current interest at the time. Seminar will include student papers, class presentations, and preparation of a proposal for research to be conducted in Independent Study during the following semester.

Prerequisite: Admission to the Psychology Honors Program and permission of the department.

PSY 495 Special Topics (1-5)
Special topics in the discipline, designed primarily for seniors who are majors or minors. Students may enroll in 495 Special Topics multiple times, as long as the topics differ.

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

PSY 499 Independent Study (1-3)
Under supervision of a faculty member, a student will prepare a paper on a special topic or conduct a research project involving the collection of data and preparation of a report.

Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission of the instructor.