PSYC 100: Understanding Psychology (4 sem. hrs.)
J. Butler, L. Stokes-Crowe, Staff
Prerequisite: None
An introductory-level survey course in psychology with a focus on how psychology can be applied to other fields of study and life in general; intended for students who do not plan to major or minor in psychology. Covers topics in biological foundations of behavior, learning and memory, developmental psychology, motivation and emotion, abnormal psychology and psychotherapy, personality and social psychology.
PSYC 107: Statistics (4 sem. hrs.)
C. Brown
Prerequisites: To register for Psychology 107, a student must have a 23 or
higher Mathematics Placement Level. Contact the Math Workshop for details
regarding this prerequisite. A student may not receive credit for more than one
statistics course.
This is a course in applied statistics. Its emphasis is on the mechanics of summarizing and analyzing data, with examples from the behavioral sciences. The purpose of the course is to prepare students for other courses in Psychology and related disciplines and to help them interpret data.
PSYC 110: Proseminar I: Physiological (2 sem.
hrs.)
J. Wilson
Prerequisite: None
This course is an introduction to the study of the biological bases of behavior, including the structure and function of neurons, brain organization, and sensation and perception. Required texts include a basic psychology textbook and O. Sacks' The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat. Grade in course is based on 3 exams in multiple choice and essay format. In addition, students are required either to participate in a limited number of research studies or to write a research paper.
PSYC 130: Proseminar III: Developmental (2 sem.
hrs.)
M. Zembar
Prerequisite: None
This course examines development across the life-span. The first half of the course focuses on prenatal development and the changes in physical, motor, cognitive and social skills that take place in the early years of life. The second half of the course focuses on developmental issues unique to adolescents (puberty, at-risk behavior) adults (marriage, career development) and the aged (retirement, Alzheimer's disease). Students are required to participate in a limited number of research studies and to gain practical experience with children and adults by completing an observational and interview project.
PSYC 150: Proseminar V: Abnormal (2 sem.
hrs.)
L. Stokes-Crowe
Prerequisite: None
This course is an introduction to the realm of psychology that focuses on identifying and treating psychological disorders, along with promoting healthy living. The course applies different theoretical views to behavior disorders and treatment approaches for disorders.
PSYC 160: Proseminar VI: Social (2 sem.
hrs.)
C. Brown
Prerequisite: None
This course is an introduction to social psychology, the scientific study of how others influence our beliefs, emotions, and behavior. Topics include conformity, persuasion, social cognition, attribution, attitudes, prejudice, aggression, and nonverbal communication. Three tests assess performance. In addition, students are required either to participate in a limited number of research studies or to write a research paper.
PSYC 207: Experimental Design ( 5 sem. hrs.)
E. Eimer
Prerequisite: Psychology 107 or another statistics
course.
This laboratory course offers a systematic introduction to relevant aspects of the scientific enterprise, namely the design and analysis of experiments. The focus of the course is on the design of experiments in an analyzable manner, and on their subsequent statistical analysis. In the laboratory, participants will perform statistical analysis by calculator and computer. Course performance evaluation is based on lab projects and class contribution. Considerable discussion is devoted to the nature and limitation of scientific models and scientific knowledge. Text: Elmes, Kantowitz, & Roediger, Research Methods in Psychology. 6th ed. (1999), St. Paul, MN: West Pub.Co.
PSYC 211: Sensation & Perception (4 sem.
hrs.)
J. Wilson
Prerequisites: Psychology 107 & 110
The study of sensation is a bio-psychological endeavor that is concerned with the body's reaction to stimuli. Perception is the study of how the world is represented in our minds, how information about the world is organized and how our experiences and expectations influence what we perceive. Demonstrations and films will be used to augment the lectures. Students will read E.B. Goldstein's textbook. Sensation and Perception, and selected readings on reserve in the library. Grade in course is based on student's performance on five tests, a research project, and class attendance and participation.
PSYC 232: Psychology of Adolescence (4 sem.
hrs.)
M. Zembar
Prerequisites: Psychology 130 and preferably Psychology
231
This course examines the physical and psychological consequences of becoming an adolescent. Current psychological theories and research are presented to clarify the changes that occur during this stage of development. Emphasis is placed on contemporary issues such as eating disorders, parent-adolescent conflict, peer pressure, teenage motherhood, delinquency, etc. The format of the course includes lecture/discussion, films, and in-class group exercises. Outside assignments include a weekly journal, short papers and a group presentation. The class typically meets 3 times a week and is writing intensive.
PSYC 253: Counseling Psychology (4 sem. hrs.)
L. Stokes-Crowe
Prerequisite: Psychology 150
An introduction to the art and science of counseling psychology. The history of counseling, theoretical perspectives that underlie the practice of counseling, as well as the counseling process will be examined. Practical exercises will provide an opportunity to learn communication skills vital to the practice of counseling.
PSYC 280: Intimate Relationships ( 4 sem. hrs.)
J. Butler
Prerequisite: None
Students in this course will explore research related to the formation, maturation, and dissolution of close interpersonal relationships. The focus of the course is to compare folk wisdom and personal experiences to the available data on the functioning of relationships. Topics will include gender differences in relationships, attachment styles and co-dependency, homosexuality, evolutionary influences, and the functions of passion, intimacy, and commitment. In addition to exams, students will take part in class discussions and projects and write commentaries on films and TV shows. Prior experience with psychology courses would be helpful but not necessary .
PSYC 321: Learning, Memory, and Cognition (5
sem. hrs.)
E. Eimer
Prerequisites: Psychology 120 and Psychology
207
This course serves to introduce participants cognitively and experientially to the field of learning. It examines methods, findings, and theoretical interpretations in the study of learning, memory, and conceptual processes. Class sessions are conducted in lecture/discussion form.
The course includes an intensive laboratory component. Lab exercises include studies of acquisition, extinction, and spontaneous recovery as a function of different reinforcement schedules, and the study of cognitive animal learning processes. The lab is partly computer-controlled. Course participants write several drafts and eventually an integrated final report in the laboratory.
PSYC 341: Psychological Testing (5 sem. hrs.)
J. Brookings
Prerequisites: Psychology 140 and Psychology 207 ( or
another statistics course)
This is a laboratory course examining principles of test construction, validation, and interpretation, with emphasis on measures of cognitive ability, personality characteristics, and vocational interests.
PSYC 390: Junior Seminar
J.
Brookings
This seminar meets one hour per week and is designed to help students understand their various options as psychology majors. This includes topics such as senior research projects and internships, their senior comprehensive and GRE exams, possible career paths, graduate school applications, and graduate school and job interviews. This class may include guest speakers and field trips based on students' interests. Students are required to take this no-credit seminar for one semester during their junior year.
PSYC 400: Research: Social (4 sem. hrs.)
C.
Brown
Prerequisites: Psychology 160, Psycholgoy 207, Psychology 361 and
permission of instructor
Students in this course will work with the instructor on research in the area of social psychology. Students will become familiar with the current literature in a specific area of social psychology, and meet twice weekly to discuss research literature, develop hypotheses, and design studies to test their hypotheses. Teams of students will plan and conduct studies, analyze the data and write research papers summarizing their findings. It is anticipated that these papers will be submitted to regional conferences. Microcomputers will be used extensively in each of these stages. Course grades are based on class participation, contributions to the projects, and the research paper.
PSYC 400: Research: The Self in a Social World
(4 sem. hrs.)
J. Butler
Prerequisite: Psyc 207 and consent of
instructor
In this course, students will be exploring how our mental processes help us to understand events and to function in everyday life. Students will use tools from social and cognitive psychology to explore topics such as self-esteem, self-regulation, risk-seeking, and performance in high-pressure situations. Students will read past research literature about a specific topic, design and conduct a laboratory experiment on their chosen topic, and write a research paper describing their work. Emphasis will be placed on becoming comfortable with reading and writing in APA writing style, on analysis of day-to-day activities from the perspective of social psychology, and on formal research presentation at a conference (when possible).
PSYC 400: Research : Interpersonal Rejection (4
sem. hrs.)
J. Brookings
Prerequisites: Psychology 140, Psychology 207,
and permission of instructor
In this course, students will design and complete one or more research studies on personality variables related to interpersonal rejection. Students will participate in designing the studies, collecting and analyzing the data, writing up the results, and submitting them for presentation at a professional conference. Preparation for the research will involve reading and discussing published studies on interpersonal rejection, and becoming acquainted with relevant research methodologies and instruments. Course grades are based on class participation and contributions to the project(s).
