Psychology

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The causes and consequences of behavior and the study of mind and experience are at the center of investigations in psychology. Students may choose among several areas of interest within the discipline of psychology.

The Psychology Department offers the student many opportunities for independent study and research in a variety of settings. Recent graduates have participated in community mental health programs, outpatient facilities for the mentally ill, and centers for the elderly and the terminally ill. In addition, psychology majors can pursue research as an assistant to faculty or design and implement their own research under the guidance of the members of the faculty. Formal internships, field studies, part-time jobs and volunteer opportunities exist within the local community.

The Department seeks to provide a course of study consistent with liberal arts ideals. Students are strongly encouraged to become independent producers of original thought in addition to being intelligent consumers of information generated by others.

Psychology Major

Consists of 32 credits to include the following required courses:

• PSY 206 Social Psychology
• PSY 312 Research Design and Analysis I
• PSY 313 Research Design and Analysis II
• PSY 330 Introduction to Neuropsychology
• PSY 404 Abnormal Psychology
• PSY 406 History and Systems of Psychology
• Three credits of PSY 494* or 497*
• Nine credits of upper-division electives to be approved by the Department.
  
  *The 494/497 experience must be a senior capstone project designed in conjunction with the advisor and the Department.

Psychology majors who are considering graduate training in psychology are strongly urged to take more than the required credits in psychology and a variety of natural science and mathematics courses. Those majors considering psychiatry as a vocation are reminded that the likelihood of admission into the relevant programs requires a very strong natural science and mathematics background. The student is cautioned that pursuing either course of study will require higher levels of commitment and involvement with an advisor(s).

Psychology Minor

Consists of 20 credits, approved by the Department and the student’s major advisor, and must include at least three credits of 494 and/or 497. Students should schedule a meeting with the advisor and Psychology Department at their earliest convenience.

Human Services Concentration

See Anthropology/Sociology Department.

Psychology (PSY)

LOWER DIVISION

PSY-100 General Psychology 3.0 cr.

Fall, spring. An introduction to the basic concepts and problems of psychology. Students are expected to acquire familiarity with the practice of a scientifically based psychology from a variety of perspectives, both academic and applied. This course will not count toward the psychology major. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-128 Human Sexuality & Intimacy 3.0 cr.

Winter. This course presents the collected theories and data on human sexuality and intimacy. The concepts of gender and sex will be discussed as will the psychology of relationships. The course will also cover current knowledge of patterns of human intimacy and sexual behavior. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-204 The Psychology of Child Development 3.0 cr.

Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: PSY 100 recommended. A topically oriented study of the basic processes of child development (through puberty). Topics will include attachment, social development, cognitive development and language development. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY OR SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-205 The Psychology of Adolescent Development 3.0 cr.

Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: PSY 100 and PSY 204 recommended. A topically oriented study of the basic processes of development during adolescence and young adulthood. Topics will include attachment, social development, cognitive development and language development. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY OR SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-206 Social Psychology 3.0 cr.

Spring. An introduction to the study of individuals in group settings. Topics may include attachment/bonding, affiliation, aggression, helping, and development. For each topic studied, there will be discussion of important findings and the research methods used within the field of study. This is the first required course for the psychology major and should be taken not later than the first semester of the sophomore year. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-254 Psychology & the Movies 3.0 cr.

Winter. This course will examine the effects that professional psychology has had on the view of human nature as portrayed in film. Topics will include common presentations of the normal, abnormal, and extra-normal functioning of persons in this medium. There will be consideration of correct and incorrect representations of the categories of abnormality in the current Diagnostics and Statistics Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. Films will be combined with readings and discussion. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-294 Independent Study 1.0 to 3.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: permission. Independent study of special topics in psychology for the non-major or major not yet qualified for PSY 494. This course does not fulfill the general graduation requirement for independent work.

UPPER DIVISION

PSY-300 Psychology of Attribution, Achievement & Motivation 3.0 cr.

Winter. A course dealing with the basic research of attribution theory, achievement, and motivation. Gender differences and the psychology of obsession and compulsion will also be studied. Works of literature that explore view points other than those from the field of psychology will be examined. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-301 Development of Personality 3.0 cr.

Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: PSY 312 or 313 or permission. A study of the classical and contemporary theories of personality development. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-312 Research Design & Analysis I 4.0 cr.

Fall. Prereq.: PSY 206. MAT 211 strongly recommended. An introduction to the research methods used in psychology. The course includes use of the professional literature of psychology, extensive laboratory experience, and report writing. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-313 Research Design & Analysis II 4.0 cr.

Spring. Prereq.: PSY 312. This course focuses on more advanced research analysis. Extensive laboratory experience and report writing are required. Students will design, execute, and analyze an independent research project. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-330 Introduction to Neuropsychology 3.0 cr.

Fall. Prereq.: permission. A systematic investigation of the structure and functions of the human brain. The course will focus equally on structural and functional explanations. Equal time will be spent on "normal" and "abnormal" brains. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-331 Introduction to Psychopharmacology 3.0 cr.

Prereq.: permission. PSY 330 recommended. An introduction to the effects of drugs on the central nervous system and resulting effects on behavior. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-350 Introduction to Psychological Counseling 3.0 cr.

Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: junior or senior standing or permission. An introduction to current theories, methods, and research in the practice of psychological counseling. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-360 Environmental Psychology 3.0 cr.

Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: PSY 312 or 313 or permission. A study of the branch of psychology that deals with the interaction between the physical world and human behavior. Each student will conduct empirical research on some aspect of the relationship between environment and behavior. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-370 Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine 3.0 cr.

Prereq.: PSY 312 or 313 or permission. This course examines the relationships between individual behavior and health. Attention is given to theory as well as clinical and laboratory research. Topics of investigation include sleep, diet, stress patterns, exercise, smoking and other lifestyle variables. Therapeutic strategies will be critically reviewed. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-397-497 Internship 1.0 to 3.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: permission. Supervised work and study or research in an institution or with an organization providing for the application of psychological theories and principles to current problems. Students majoring in other fields are eligible for consideration. Students are required to observe the guidelines of the American Psychological Association. NOTE: PSY 397 does not fulfill the general graduation requirement for independent work. Internships taken as PSY 397 are marked Pass/Fail only. See internship guidelines. (IF 497, MEETS INDEPENDENT WORK)

PSY-398 Practicum in Research Methods 1.0 to 2.0 cr.

Fall, spring. Prereq.: PSY 312, 313, and permission. Students receive 2 credits in the fall and 1 credit in the spring. Training in teaching and research techniques. Includes meetings with professor on a weekly basis and work with small groups of students in psychology courses. May be repeated for a maximum of three credits. Pass/Fail only.

PSY-399T.1 Hitchcock's Cinema: Gaze Toward Psychodynamics 3.0 cr.

Winter. The psychodynamic perspectives of Freud and Lacan will be studied using Hitchcock's films as a lens, so to speak. The purpose of the course will be to investigate what Lacan and Freud said and then examine representations of their work through popular culture. As Hitchcock's work is so broad, the course will concentrate on films produced from his late work (1970s) back through the late period of British films (late 1930s). (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-399T.2 Motivation & Belief 3.0 cr.

Winter. Students will investigate the research literature related to motivation, cognition and behavioral choice. They will also examine literature regarding true believers, cults, serial killers, and persuasion literature. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-399T.3 Visual violence: It's all in what you see 3.0 cr.

Winter. Prereq: junior standing or permission. The course will examine the fascination of modern cinema producers and watchers with the serial killer genre. The question to be asked is why are we so visually interested in telling this tale in so many forms and across so many cultures. We'll consider Hoffman's theory of visual intelligence and how it can be used to understand the fascination with visual aspects of these deviant and highly uncommon individuals. Are we seeking some sort of ultimate self destruction (Freud's thanatos)? Is it an expression or our need for greater and greater fascination with something dangerous outside ourselves or are we reflecting some natural story element that we all understand? Films will include, among others, Lang's 'M', to the trilogy of the ever ambiguous Dr. Lecter. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-399T.4 Film Noir

The difficult concepts of Jungian Shadow and Lacanian Mirror will be investigated through the medium of the detective 'film noir'. Effects of these two concepts will be examined with the goal of understanding how they have affected the narrative history (theory) of cinema and psychology. Reading and discussion will be combined with viewing the film.

PSY-404 Abnormal Psychology 3.0 cr.

Spring. Prereq.: junior or senior standing or permission. A critical study of the origin and development of atypical and maladaptive modes of behavior with emphasis on theory, treatment and research. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-405 Seminar: Contemporary Issues 3.0 cr.

Fall. Prereq.: PSY 312 or 313 or permission. A senior-level investigation of contemporary issues in psychology with a strong emphasis on individual use of the literature. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-406 History & Systems of Psychology 3.0 cr.

Fall. Prereq.: PSY 312 and senior standing. A study of the origins and development of psychological theory tracing the fundamental issues which have guided psychological thought. Emphasis is on world views with a secondary emphasis on great persons. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-424 Motivation & Emotion 3.0 cr.

Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: PSY 312 or 313 or permission. The study of theories of motivation and emotion with emphasis on their use in understanding human behavior. The course is conducted as a seminar with reading in original source materials and an active research component. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-430 Learning & Behavior 3.0 cr.

Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: PSY 312 and 313. The study and application of principles of learning that have emerged from an experimental analysis of human and animal behavior. Some of these principles are operant conditioning, reinforcement, discrimination, generalization, and extinction. Each student will demonstrate the application of one or more principles in the modification of behavior. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)

PSY-494 Independent Study 1.0 to 3.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: permission. Intensive independent study of, or research in, special topics in psychology. It is highly unlikely that permission will be given to students without advanced standing and the preparation necessary for doing original thinking at the undergraduate level. It is strongly suggested that the psychology majors expecting to attend graduate school use this option to conduct original research. Students engaged in research are required to observe the guidelines of the American Psychological Association. See independent study guide lines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)