Lower Division Courses
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 SCIENCES)
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 SCIENCES)
PSY-199T.1 Death & Dying 3.0 cr.
Prereq.: Permission. An exploration of the psychology of the dying person and the psychological impact that death has upon survivors. The course will involve discussions based on readings and presentations by expert speakers such as morticians, physicians, hospice personnel, lawyers, counselors, philosophers, clergy, artists, and psychologists.
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. (SOCIAL SCIENCES)
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. (SOCIAL SCIENCES)
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 SCIENCES)
PSY-221 Educational Psychology 3.0 cr.
Fall, spring. Prereq.: Education concentration or permission. A study of the psychological principles applicable to educational theory and practice. This course fulfills a state requirement for teacher certification. (SOCIAL SCIENCES)
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 SCIENCES)
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 Liberal Arts Core requirement for independent work.
PSY-299T.1 Positive Psychology 3.0 cr.
An introduction to the field of Positive Psychology which is defined as the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. Readings and discussion will focus on the three core components of the field; positive emotions, positive individuals traits and positive institutions. (SOCIAL SCIENCES)
Upper Division Courses
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 SCIENCES)
PSY-310 Applied Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences 3.0 cr.
Fall, Spring. Prereq.: MAT-112. Introduction to the application of statistics in behavioral science research with emphasis on quantitative methods. Topics include sampling, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression. The course focus will be on the statistical methods used in experimental and quasi-experimental research designs. This course does not fulfill the LAC requirement in mathematics.
PSY-312 Research Design & Analysis I 3.0 lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall. Prereq.: PSY-206 and completed Liberal Arts Core mathematics requirement; MAT-112 strongly recommended. An introduction to scientific research methods used in psychology. Includes use of the professional literature of psychology, laboratory experience, and report writing. Course and lab must be taken concurrently. (SOCIAL SCIENCES)
PSY-313 Research Design & Analysis II 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
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 SCIENCES)
PSY-323 Cognitive Psychology 3.0 cr.
Prereq.: PSY-100 or PSY-206. The topics to be covered include various aspects of the psychology of human perception, attention, memory, thinking (including problem solving and reasoning), and consciousness. The material will include data and theory about the relationship between cognition and brain function. The course will emphasize not only the content material represented by these topics, but also the process by which researchers develop theories and collect evidence about relevant issues. (SOCIAL SCIENCES)
PSY-330 Introduction to Neuropsychology 3.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: PSY-206 or PSY-100, declared Psychology Major, and junior standing or 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 SCIENCES)
PSY-331 Introduction to Psychopharmacology 3.0 cr.
Prereq.: PSY-330 or permission. An introduction to the effects of drugs on the central nervous system and resulting effects on behavior. (SOCIAL SCIENCES)
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 SCIENCES)
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 SCIENCES)
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 Liberal Arts Core requirement for independent work. Internships taken as PSY-397 are marked Pass/Fail only. See internship guidelines. (497 meets INDEPENDENT WORK requirement)
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 SCIENCES)
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 SCIENCES)
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 SCIENCES)
PSY-399T.4 Film Noir: The Shadow and Psychology 3.0 cr.
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. (SOCIAL SCIENCES)
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 SCIENCES)
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. Topics vary. (SOCIAL SCIENCES)
PSY-405.1 Seminar: Forensic Pscyhology
See PSY-405. Prereq.: PSY-312 or 313 or permission. This course is a senior level seminar on the issues related to psychology and forensics. Topics to be covered will include: DSM IV TR characteristics, issues of instutionalization, ethics of conviction and incarcerating the mentally ill, psychological effects of isolation, psychological issues of criminality, definitions of mental illness defenses, issues of testifying, psychologist client priveledge, and others. Students will be expected to read and understand advanced material. The course will be guided discussion and lecture.
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 SCIENCES)
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 SCIENCES)
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 SCIENCES)
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 guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)