PSYCHOLOGY (PSYC)
PSYC 101 - GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY I
Prerequisite: None
This course centers around the question, How do we explain human behavior? Inquiries are framed in the context of the major theoretical perspectives emergent from the sociohistorical evolution of psychology as a field of study. Behavior topics are examined by comparing and contrasting the assumptions, research methods, and conclusions embedded within the biological, psychoanalytical, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, and sociocultural theories. Psychological inquiries also include evaluation of how these diverse approaches converge on questions about multiple influences on human behavior. Meets Core credit for social sciences.
Credit: 3
PSYC 102 - GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY II
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
A continuation of 101 with an emphasis on science and the scientific method as it pertains to selected psychological topics and issues. Meets Core credit for social sciences.
Credit: 3
PSYC 104 - PSYCHOLOGY OF ADJUSTMENT
Prerequisite: None
A detailed study of principles underlying a mentally healthy life style and its relationship to a meaningful life existence. Special attention is given to methods of preventing personal maladjustments and remedial treatment for adjustment disorders.
Credit: 3
PSYC 209 - DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: None
The investigation of the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that occur in the individual. Emphasis is placed on the genetic and environmental origins of behavior impacting development from birth to adolescence as well as the manifestations of these dynamic processes across the life span.
Credit: 3
PSYC 210 - RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
This course provides an introduction to psychological research techniques and methodology. Basic principles and procedures in the design, analysis, and write-up of research are provided. Students learn to select appropriate research topics, plan data collection and analysis, examine potential threats to internal and external validity, and ways to statistically analyze the data. In addition to lectures and readings, students will actively participate in the design of a semester-long project making sure it conforms to ethical standards in the field. The student will then write a research proposal using the most current A.P.A. style.
Credit: 3
PSYC 218 - PSYCHOLOGY OF ADOLESCENCE
Prerequisite: None
This course examines the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development of adolescents in the contexts of peers, family, schools, work, and culture/society, using the theoretical perspectives in psychology. Special consideration is given to the development of stable identity that will allow the adolescent to function effectively in adulthood. Meets Core credit for social sciences.
Credit: 3
PSYC 224 - PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING
Prerequisite: None
The focus of this course is the study of the later years of the lifespan (i.e., the stage of Integrity vs. Despair as identified by Erik Erikson). Topics will include theories of aging, research methods, cognitive processes and intellect in late life, self and personality development, mental health, and clinical assessment.
Credit: 3
PSYC 240 - SENSATION AND PERCEPTION
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
An introductory study into how the sense modalities (sensation) provide the necessary information for the mind to analyze and interpret this information (perception) to create a mental world. Laboratory experiences will emphasize vision and audition.
Credit: 3
PSYC 241 - CROSS CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: None
This course offers a broad introduction to the research and theoretical foundations of cross-cultural psychology. The impact of culture on processes mediating psychosocial development, and behavioral patterns will be stressed.
Credit: 3
PSYC 264 - CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Prerequisite: None
A study of the factors involved in the physical, language, cognitive, social, emotional, and aesthetic development of all children, both typical and atypical from birth through age 8. The young child is studied within the contexts of family, culture, and society. Two class hours and one laboratory hour a week.
Credit: 3
PSYC 280 - SPORT PSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: None
This course is an introduction to the field of sport psychology, a subspecialty of psychology that is concerned with identifying and understanding psychological factors that can be applied to sport in order to enhance athletic performance and personal growth. Students will be introduced to major theories of sport psychology, including strengths and critiques of those theories. Major themes of the class include the study of factors influencing motivation, ways to manage competitive stress, improving concentration, effectively using visualization, coping with failure, the importance of pre-performance routines, and building and maintaining confidence.
Credit: 3
PSYC 297 - DIRECTED RESEARCH
Prerequisite: Permission
Students will work under the close supervision of a faculty mentor to implement faculty-designed research protocols, manage data from those protocols, and/or assist with the dissemination of results of such work. May be repeated for up to a total of 6 hours. (Note: Although 18 hours of Directed Research [PSYC 297/397/497] may be taken, only 3 hours may count toward a psychology major or minor).
Credit: 1-3
PSYC 299 - SPECIAL TOPICS
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
A course for students with a particular interest in the special topic being discussed that semester. Topics selected are not typically covered in the regular scheduled psychology courses. The focus will be on reading assignments class discussions, and the sharing of ideas rather than formal lectures. May be repeated for different topics.
Credit: 1-3
PSYC 301 - MEASUREMENT IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
This course prepares students to engage in thoughtful evaluation, selection, administration, and interpretation of tools for measuring psychological variables, with applications to both research and clinical settings.
Credit: 3
PSYC 305 - SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
The psychological study of the individual in relation to social groups, social forces, and social problems. PSYC/SOC credit.
Credit: 3
PSYC 306 - CONSUMER BEHAVIOR
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
An analysis of the basic concepts and principles of consumer behavior. Emphasis will be placed on the cognitive, behavioral and social influences as they relate to consumer attitudes, perceptions and purchases. The course explores the consumer decision process and marketing efforts to influence and shape that process. PSYC 306/MKT 326 credit.
Credit: 3
PSYC 307 - PERSONALITY
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
A detailed investigation of the psychodynamic, behavioristic, humanistic, and dispositional perspectives as related to the four basic issues of each (i.e. theory, research, assessment, and therapy.)
Credit: 3
PSYC 308 - CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
This course is designed to provide students with an empirical and theoretical basis for the study of behavior disorders in children from birth to 18 years of age. Students will learn to use the DSM-5 as the basis for classification/diagnosis. Research regarding etiology and treatment methods will also be a major focus.
Credit: 3
PSYC 310 - ADVANCED RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: PSYC 210, MATH 108
Continues PSYC 210. This course will further a student's knowledge and experiences in the area of empirical psychology. In addition to critically evaluating current literature, students will be required to design, conduct, analyze, and report the results of a semester-long project. Practical and ethical considerations of actually conducting a research project will be emphasized.
Credit: 3
PSYC 320 - COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
The psychological study of the processes humans use to transform, store, manipulate, and retrieve information. Topics include perception and attention, knowledge recognition, pattern recognition, memory, problem solving, and language processing.
Credit: 3
PSYC 324 - THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
An introduction to and evaluation of the main psychological theories of learning as they apply to both human and animal behavior. Special attention will be given to the applications of those areas of theory and research which deal with factors which are known to influence the learning process.
Credit: 3
PSYC 330 - HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
This course is an introduction to the field of health psychology, a subspecialty of psychology that concerned with how people stay healthy, how and why they become ill, and how they behave when ill. The discipline of health psychology approaches those questions using elements of psychobiology, personality psychology, social psychology, and clinical psychology. Students will be introduced to major theories of health psychology, including strengths and critiques of these theories. Major themes of the class include the study of factors influencing the practice of health behaviors, the relationship between stress and physical function, and the impact of and management of chronic illness.
Credit: 3
PSYC 393/493 - ELECTIVE INTERNSHIP
Prerequisite: Permission of Department
Provides psychology majors experiential learning within various social service agencies and work settings related to the student's career interests under the supervision of an onsite coordinator. This offering may be repeated up to a total of 6 credit hours with permission of the student's advisor and the department chair. These credits cannot be used as substitutes for the required psychology course credits as identified in the catalog.
Credit: 1-3
PSYC 397 - DIRECTED RESEARCH
Prerequisite: Permission
Students will work under the close supervision of a faculty mentor to implement faculty-designed research protocols, manage data from those protocols, and/or assist with the dissemination of results of such work. May be repeated for up to a total of 6 hours. (Note: Although 18 hours of Directed Research [PSYC 297/397/497] may be taken, only 3 hours may count toward a psychology major or minor).
Credit: 1-3
PSYC 412 - PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: PSYC 101; 3 hrs. of biology recommended
A study of the anatomical, physiological and biochemical aspects of learning and memory, cognitive processes, motivational systems and basic sensory and motor functions.
Credit: 3
PSYC 414 - NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: PSYC 101; at least junior status; 3 hrs. biology recommended
A study of the central nervous system damage, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of brain damaged individuals. Topics may include neuropsychological disorders of movement, sensations and perceptions, language, memory, learning, developmental disorders, and psychiatric disorders. A review of the current literature surrounding such disorders will be an integral part of the course.
Credit: 3
PSYC 417 - ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
A thorough study of the history, assessment, and classifications of abnormal behaviors. The DSM-5 is used as the basis for the classification and diagnosis of all mental and emotional disorders.
Credit: 3
PSYC 455 - PSYCHOLOGY OF INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS
Prerequisite: PSYC 305 and at least junior status
This course is an overview of classic and contemporary theory and research on the psychology of intimate relationships, focusing primarily on romantic relationships. This course approaches the topic of close relationships from a psychological viewpoint, such as the examination of individual psychological processes, as well as the psychological underpinnings and scientific study of intimate relationships. As such, this course will cover theoretical perspectives, research methods, attraction, social cognition, interdependency, friendship, love, stressors in a relationship (e.g. infidelity, jealousy), relationship maintenance, conflict and conflict resolution, and dissolution. A review of the current literature (i.e., primary source articles) surrounding such topics will be an integral part of the course.
Credit: 3
PSYC 495 - SENIOR SEMINAR IN PSYCHOLOGY
Prerequisite: PSYC 210 & 6 hours in PSYC at 300 level or above
PSYC 495 is an advanced course in Psychology focusing on the current literature (i.e., psychological journal articles) in a selected topic. Students will develop their critical thinking and communication skills through reading, critiquing, and discussing research writing in a discussion-based seminar style setting.
Credit: 3
PSYC 497 - DIRECTED RESEARCH
Prerequisite: Permission
Students will work under the close supervision of a faculty mentor to implement faculty-designed research protocols, manage data from those protocols, and/or assist with the dissemination of results of such work. May be repeated for up to a total of 6 hours. (Note: Although 18 hours of Directed Research [PSYC 297/397/497] may be taken, only 3 hours may count toward a psychology major or minor).
Credit: 1-3
PSYC 594 - ADVANCED STUDY OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Prerequisite:
This course focuses on the advanced study of various stages of cognitive, language, physical, social, emotional, and moral development of children within the context of family, culture, and community. The interrelatedness of theory and research as a foundation for effective practices with children is emphasized.
Credit: 3
PSYC 640 - SPECIAL TOPICS
Prerequisite:
Individual or group studies of course work in psychology. Graduate standing, permission of the professor of record, and the approval of the director of graduate studies in education.
Credit: 1