PSY 100 THE PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR (1)
Designed to introduce students to the diverse discipline of psychology. Required course work and entrance examinations for the field are discussed. Activities may include guest speakers, interviews, and site visits. Fall semesters. Pass/fail only.
PSY 101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Introduction to the study of human behavior and cognitive processes. Major topics typically include biological foundations, life-span development, learning, personality, perception, memory, states of consciousness, stress, and social psychology. Fall and spring semesters.
PSY 210 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Social psychology is the study of human behavior, thoughts, and feelings, in social contexts. This course will focus on major theories and theorists in the discipline of social psychology, place those contributions within a larger historical context, and strive to find connections between course content and daily life. Spring semesters. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 220 PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Explores the subfield of personality psychology. Personality refers to an individual’s unique, characteristic, way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Major historical and modern theories in personality, the relation of those theories and major research methodology, and the links between personality characteristics and outcomes in everyday life. Topics may include theories of individual differences, the link between personality characteristics and outcomes such as aggression, interpersonal behaviors, and beliefs about the self. Fall semester, even years. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 230 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Provides an introductory exploration of human cognition. Topics may include thinking processes as related to perception, memory, attention, reasoning, decision making, and problem solving. Both classic and current issues are discussed. Fall semester, odd years. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 240 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Cultural, biological, and psychological aspects of the abnormal personality. Case histories are analyzed in the context of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Various theories of deviance and disorder are discussed. Spring semesters. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 250 TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Introduction to a major field within psychology. Topics may include social psychology, perception, and cognitive psychology. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 261 LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT I: CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS (3)
This course examines the psychological development of infants and children through adolescence from biological, cognitive, social, and emotional perspectives. Foundational and contemporary theories and research in developmental psychology are explored. Biological, cognitive, and social influences explored. Fall semesters. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 290 LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR (3)
This course introduces the theoretical foundations, central concepts, and principles of learning and behavior. The course explores mechanisms of behavioral change as they relate to experience. The course focuses on classical and operant conditioning as foundations for modern learning theory, but also introduces more advanced aspects of behavior and cognition. Spring semester, odd years. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 302 EMOTION (3)
Examines major theories of emotion from a variety of perspectives. Analyzes the function and structure of emotion; the interplay between emotion, behavior, cognition; and physiology. Spring semester, odd years. Prerequisite: PSY 210 or PSY 230.
PSY 303 PSYCHOLOGY OF GENDER (3)
Examines the current research on gender similarities and differences. Covers major theories and theorists that shed light upon the psychology of gender. Topics may include: gender role stereotypes, gender identity, and how gender impacts relationships, communication, and health. Fall semester, even years. Prerequisite: PSY 210 or PSY 261.
PSY 305 HUMAN SEXUALITY (3)
An in-depth analysis of various aspects of human sexuality, emphasizing the biological, environmental, and social contexts in which sexual behavior occurs. Topics include different theoretical perspectives on human sexuality, gender roles, sexual orientation, relationships, sexual behavior, sex education, and sexual dysfunction. Fall semester, odd years. Prerequisite: any 200-level PSY course.
PSY 312 SELF (3)
Explores the psychological self from multiple perspectives including social, developmental, and cognitive. Issues discussed include development of the self, self-motives and their influence on behavior, and the self in social processes. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: PSY 210.
PSY 313 STEREOTYPES AND PREJUDICE (3)
Focuses on the stigmatization process from a psychological perspective including the impact of stigma, or devalued social identities, on members of stigmatized and majority groups; the construct of stigma and its origins; stigma management; and other related topics. Fall semester, odd years. Prerequisite: PSY 210.
PSY 331 SOCIAL COGNITION (3)
An in-depth analysis of social cognition. Examines how people make sense of themselves and of others in their social world. Topics include modern and historical theories of social cognitive process, how people make sense of their personal characteristics and the characteristics of others, and how thought processes influence social interaction. Spring semester, even years. Prerequisite: PSY 210 or PSY 230.
PSY 350 TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Provides an opportunity for in-depth exploration of an aspect of the field of psychology not dealt with extensively in other psychology courses. Topics may include developmental theory, forensic psychology, or applied behavior analysis. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 353 RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Introduction to the methods of psychological inquiry. Students learn how to design and conduct research, and how to become critical consumers of it. An overview of the various psychological research strategies is presented and students perform some preliminary research. Focuses on conceptual and applied dimensions of psychological research. Fall semester, even years. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 354 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (3)
Cross-listed with SOC 354. Designed to give students a broad overview of the statistical methods used in the social sciences. Topics include measures of central tendency, probability, hypothesis testing, and association between variables. Spring semesters. Prerequisites: MAT 145; PSY 353 or SOC 353; or instructor permission.
PSY 361 LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT II: ADULTHOOD AND AGING (3)
This course examines theories and research related to the psychological development of adults. Students analyze the biological, cognitive, and social-cultural contexts in which aging occurs and their influence on adult development. Spring semester, even years. Prerequisite PSY 261.
PSY 363 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (3)
Provides an in-depth examination of the theory and research concerning interpersonal development in humans from infancy through adulthood. The relationships between cognition, language, and social development are highlighted. Spring semester, odd years. Prerequisite: PSY 260.
PSY 370 INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELING (3)
Assists students in the development of interviewing and communication skills, including responsive listening and problem solving, and introductory counseling techniques. Spring semester, odd years. Prerequisite: PSY 240.
PSY 380 HISTORY AND SYSTEMS (3)
Provides a foundation of the discipline of psychology. The history and development of psychological thought beginning with the Greeks and continuing through the present will be discussed. Spring semester, even years. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 395 EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Focuses on research methods and design as applied to contemporary problems in psychology. Examines how to perform experiments in learning, memory and problem solving; apply statistical methods for data analysis; and critically evaluate classical and current research. Course involves an independent research project. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: PSY 353 or instructor permission.
PSY 396 READINGS IN PSYCHOLOGY (3)
An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Offered as needed. Prerequisites: PSY 101, junior or senior standing, and instructor permission.
PSY 397 DIRECTED RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY (1-3)
This course is for students who desire to investigate a research problem in psychology or assist in faculty research. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: instructor permission.
PSY 389 INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOLOGY (1-3)
This experiential learning opportunity focuses on exploring career interests, applying knowledge from the classroom, and developing practical on-the-job skills. Students are responsible for establishing their own internships. The internship may be taken for one, two, or three credit hours, with a minimum of 20 hours of supervised on-site work per credit hour. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 and instructor permission. Pass/fail only.
PSY 495 CAPSTONE PREP COURSE (1)
Prepares students for PSY 499 Senior Capstone. Students will be introduced to the requirements of the capstone experience, determine their topic, and develop a prospectus. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: Senior standing and instructor permission. Pass/fail only.
PSY 499 SENIOR CAPSTONE IN PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Students prepare a research thesis on a topic of interest to the student. The thesis is intended to demonstrate the student’s ability to synthesize and apply knowledge. Offered as needed. Prerequisites: Senior status and instructor permission. Pass/fail only.