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Section VII: Courses of Instruction
Psychology
PSYC 203. Introduction to Psychology (3)
A survey course introducing the core areas of psychology, including neuropsychology, learning and memory, intelligence, developmental psychology, stress and health, personality, abnormal psychology, psychotherapy, and social psychology.
PSYC 206. Special Topics in Psychology (3)
Introduction of selected topics in psychology which are not included in the psychology curriculum.
PSYC 301. Adolescent Development (3)
Designed for those with a professional interest in adolescence. Course content emphasizes cognitive, physical, and psychosocial-affective variables which affect adolescent development.
PSYC 302. Psychology of Aging (3)
This course explores both the physiological and psychosocial correlates of the aging process. Topics include the sensory-motor, hormonal, biochemical, nutritional, and neurological aspects of aging; factors related to substance abuse, memory loss, attention deficits, delirium, and dementia; and key factors in the mental health of the elderly. Consideration is also give to cultural and social-political aspects of aging, as well as death and the process of dying. Prerequisite: PSYC 203.
PSYC 304. Computers in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (3)
This course will introduce the use of computer technology in the behavioral and social science disciplines. Available technology and software will be described. Students will learn to communicate and collaborate with others electronically, to use Internet resources to find information, and to use computers to collect, analyze, model, and present data. Prerequisite: PSYC 203. Completion of a statistics course is strongly suggested, but not required.
PSYC 305. Social Psychology (3)
A study of the interaction of individuals in group situations, the products of collective activity, and their influence upon the individual. Prerequisite: PSYC 203.
PSYC 306. Special Topics in Psychology (3)
Introduction of selected topics in psychology which are not included in the psychology curriculum.
PSYC 311. Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3)
An introduction to the methods, techniques, and approaches to an understanding of personality and the treatment of emotional disturbances.
PSYC 312. Practicum in Psychology I (3)
This course consists of on-site practical experience and a supervisory discussion/content seminar related to paraprofessional work in psychology in one of the following areas: 1) teaching, 2) research, 3) clinical work. Prerequisite: Permission of the psychology faculty.
PSYC 313. Practicum in Psychology II (3)
Same course description as PSYC 312. A second practicum in psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 312.
PSYC 314. Field Experience in Art Therapy (3)
Same course description as PSYC 312 Practicum in Psychology. This course shall function separately in title only from that of PSYC 312 Practicum in Psychology. In order to meet undergraduate art therapy recommendations of the American Art Therapy Association, it is necessary for the practicum to be identified as Field Experience in Art Therapy. The course will be offered at the same time, etc., as PSYC 312 (when demanded) and will meet all the requirements and expectations of PSYC 312.
PSYC 316. Art Therapy (3)
An introduction to therapeutic techniques using artistic productions as an aid to psychotherapy. The course involves an analysis of approaches with specific clinical populations; e.g., juvenile delinquents, geriatric clients, etc. This course also includes a historical and theoretical appraisal of the use of art therapy in both clinical practice and research.
PSYC 320. Human Sexual Behavior (3)
A course designed to investigate the scope of intrapersonal and interpersonal human sexual behavior. A psychological approach is emphasized, examining the acquisition of sexual scripts through learning, varieties of sexual experience, both typical and atypical, and the psychodynamics of sexual adjustment. Prerequisite: PSYC 203.
PSYC 321. Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3)
The application of psychological theory and methodology to individuals and groups in organizational settings. Topics include managerial appraisal and consultation, employee training and development, personnel research, improving employee relations, and designing optimal work environments.
PSYC 323. Conversational Sign Language I (3)
This course involves both the teaching of the American Sign Language (ASL) as a skill to be acquired by the student in both the receptive and signing modes, and the development of a knowledge of cultural differences between deaf and hearing people. A further objective of the course is to have the student experience at least one social situation frequented by people who are deaf.
PSYC 324. Conversational Sign Language II (3)
This course involves advanced skill acquisition of the American Sign Language (ASL), both in the signing and receptive modes. The culture of deaf people is also further explored along with the literature on deafness and appraisal of state legislative activity favoring ASL as fulfilling the foreign language requirement for high school graduation.
PSYC 325. Health Psychology (3)
This course explores contemporary trends and techniques in the field of health psychology. Included are such topics as psychological intervention in physical illness, adherence, activity level, obesity, smoking prevention, acute and chronic stress, stress appraisal, delay in seeking treatment, immunological competence, interventions with children, lifestyle change programs, holistic psychology, and the health care system.
PSYC 326. Psychology of Substance Abuse (3)
The focus of this course is to provide an in-depth understanding of the nature of addiction to various psychoactive substances and its treatment. This includes a study of the psychological and social factors associated with substance abuse and theories of etiology, along with an understanding of the scope of services and critical issues in services for persons with psychoactive substance use disorders.
PSYC 330. Family Therapy (3)
The focus of this course is on the major schools of family therapy. The family is viewed as a unit of treatment and as a multigenerational emotional system. Case studies are emphasized.
PSYC 364. Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3)
This course consists of an introduction to the scientific study of human development over the lifespan. Prerequisite: PSYC 203.
PSYC 365. Psychopharmacology (3)
Psychopharmacology is the study of drugs that influence mood and behavior. This course will address principles of drug action, basic physiological mechanisms by which psychoactive drugs work, drugs used to treat mental/emotional/neurological disorders, and drugs of abuse. Social issues surrounding drugs will be only briefly discussed, as it is most important to understand drug mechanisms and effects before forming opinions on social policy. Students will be required to write a research paper on a topic of interest to them within the field. Prerequisites: PSYC 203 and PSYC 361 or 363.
PSYC 367. Motivation and Emotion (3)
This course examines the organization of purposive behaviors and the origin of psychological experiences that accompany behaviors and emotions. Major theoretical perspectives and experimental paradigms will be considered (biopsychology, behaviorism, cognitive theory, decision-making strategies, and evolutionary psychology). The scope of topics will include biologically driven behaviors, the effect of conditioning and reinforcement of behaviors, behavior modification, how decisions are made, social motivation, emotions, and complex motives. Prerequisite: PSYC 203 and PSYC 361 or 363.
PSYC 370. Sensation and Perception (3)
Sensation and perception is the subfield of psychology which examines how elemental stimuli in the environment (e.g. light) are translated into a complex psychological phenomenon (e.g. perception of color). All five sensory modalities (vision, audition, olfaction, gustation, and tactile/body senses) will be addressed. Physiology of the sensory systems and theories of perception are the major thrust of this course. An attempt will be made to address applications of this field (e.g. acuity testing and therapy). Prerequisites: PSYC 203 and PSYC 361 or 363.
PSYC 392. Cooperative Education in Psychology (1-9)
Cooperative education is a form of education which integrates classroom study with paid, planned, and supervised work experiences in the public and privates sectors. Cooperative education allows students to acquire essential, practical skills by being exposed to the reality of the work world beyond the boundaries of campus, enhancing their self-confidence and career direction. An agreement is signed by the employer supervisor, the faculty supervisor, and the student. The co-op may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; minimum 2.3 GPA, 2.5 major GPA; approval of the Department of Psychology; placement by the Career Center.
PSYC 400. Experimental Psychology (4)
As the first course in a series of two, the Experimental Psychology class is designed to prepare students for the senior thesis capstone course. Students will gain an understanding of how to approach research questions in a scientific manner, which reduces as many alternative interpretations and potential sources of bias as is possible. Students will see that each research design is valuable for different types of questions and that the replication of findings using different methods, different subjects, at different times, and in different places is the key to giving theories strength and credibility. Through the study of the research methods that psychologists use, students will become more educated consumers of research findings appearing in the daily media. Prerequisites: PSYC 203 and MATH 314 or BADM 224.
PSYC 404. Psychology Seminar (3)
A course designed to serve the needs of students who are majoring or minoring in psychology and who expect to pursue graduate studies in the field. The purpose of this course is to allow faculty to expose students to topics not included in the present curriculum, or topics which, although included, are not covered in sufficient depth for pre-professional students. The seminar may include sharing the results of individually assigned readings, individualized research, and/or a discussion of theoretical or research topics as reported in contemporary literature and chosen by the faculty instructor. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
PSYC 406. Special Topics in Psychology (3)
Introduction of selected topics in psychology which are not included in the psychology curriculum.
PSYC 410. Psychology of Personality (3)
A study of a variety of theories of personality determinants, structure, and functioning. Prerequisite: PSYC 203.
PSYC 415. Psychological Tests and Measurements (3)
A course designed to develop knowledge of psychological instruments available for the appraisal of human behavior and skill in administering and interpreting those tests and measurements. Prerequisite: PSYC 203.
PSYC 420. History and Systems Of Psychology (3)
An overview of the historical and philosophical basis of psychology and the relationship of contemporary systems. Prerequisite: PSYC 203.
PSYC 430. Humanistic Psychology (3)
An exploration of the field of humanistic psychology. The theoretical orientations of selected humanistic psychologists (e.g. Carl Rogers, Leo Buscaglia, Viktor Frankl, Harold Greenwald, and Abraham Maslow) are covered in depth.
PSYC 460. Abnormal Psychology (3)
A study of the classifications, dynamics, symptoms, and treatment of abnormal behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 203.
PSYC 461. Survey of Physiological Psychology (3)
This course involves a study of structure and function of the nervous system. Students will gain an appreciation for the biological basis of everyday behaviors, such as language, movement, emotion, reading, writing, sleeping, learning, and personality. Likewise, students will gain an understanding of the physiological correlates of many types of psychological pathology, such as schizophrenia, depression, autism ADD/ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, learning disabilities, and stroke rehabilitate. The aim of the class is for students in many helping-related fields (e.g., psychology, nursing, education, gerontology) to gain an appreciation of just how pervasive the impact of physiological variables are within the context of a psychosocial approach throughout the lifespan. Prerequisite: PSYC 203.
PSYC 471. Cognitive Psychology (3)
An introduction to human cognitive processes including attention, perception, memory, concept formation, psycholinguistics, problem solving, and thinking. Course emphasizes the role of experimentation in understanding the information processing systems underlying human cognition, language, and memory. Prerequisite: PSYC 203.
PSYC 472. Psychology of Learning (3)
A survey of methods, empirical findings, and theoretical interpretations in human and animal learning, including such topics as classical and operant conditioning, animal cognition, and machine learning. The course also covers discrimination, generalization, and the role of reward, punishment, and other motivational variables in learning. Prerequisite: PSYC 203.
PSYC 485. Senior Thesis (3)
Students acquire and perform skills involved in conducting and reporting empirical research. These include the forming of hypotheses, designing research to test those hypotheses, analysis of the resulting data, and the writing up of a complete report of the research results following APA guidelines. This is the Department of Psychology's capstone course, designed to foster and evaluate the students' fundamental understanding of psychology as an empirical research science. Prerequisite: PSYC 400.
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