PCOM385: Advanced Community Psychology: Externship

Supervision is provided in a variety of community action programs which have preventive as well as treatment goals. Day and hour assignments can usually be arranged, but effective study participation will require a 3 hour block of time in order to serve directly in a community setting. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PCOM 245.

PCOM387: Methods in Evaluation Research

This course focuses on the application of psychological research methods and knowledge to the evaluation of the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of community programs. Emphasis will be on techniques for program planning and for constructive innovations in community settings. Meets the University Writing Requirement for PSED, PSEL and PSYC majors. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: PCOM 385.

PSYC101: Introduction to Psychology

This course is an introduction to the study of human behavior and surveys major topics within the diverse discipline of psychology. Topics covered will come from each of four core areas offered by the psychology department: Social/Applied (e.g., Social, Industrial-Organizational, Health), Biological Basis of Behavior (e.g., Physiology, Perception, Motivation/Emotion, Comparative Animal Behavior), Cognition (e.g., Learning and Memory, Conditioning and Learning, Cognition, Language) and Personality (e.g., Personality, Abnormal, Development). Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science for non-psychology majors only. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Social Science, Survey Course for non-psychology majors only. 3 sh.

PSYC203: Introduction to Psychological Research

The course will introduce students to different methods of psychological research including survey, correlational and experimental methods. Introductory descriptive statistics and correlational analysis will be covered. Basic aspects of sound scientific writing, including conducting a literature search and writing a scientific manuscript following American Psychological Association guidelines, will be emphasized. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC220: Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychology

An introduction to basic statistical methods in the behavioral sciences. The course begins with a review of descriptive statistics. The main course emphasis will be on probability theory and inferential statistics and their application to psychological research. This includes such methods as z-tests, t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation and nonparametric statistics. Laboratory sessions provide students with the opportunity to apply concepts from class using computers, particularly statistical software packages. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or PSYC 288; and PSYC 203.

PSYC246: Psychology of the Black Experience

Covers the historical impact of scientific and institutional racism on the psychological study of blacks. Survey and critical analysis of traditional European approaches with non-traditional methods for comparison. Future development and advancement of a black psychology considered. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Social Science, Survey Course. Meets the Human and Intercultural Relations Requirements (HIRR). Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC265: Psychology of Women

The course will investigate contemporary issues in the psychology of women (an opportunity for original research will be provided). Theoretical positions and recent research in the area will be examined. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Social Science, Topic Course. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC300: The Teaching of Psychology

Students in this course will simultaneously learn concepts in teaching psychology, and work with a Psychology professor who will mentor them as the student acts as a teacher's assistant. Students will engage in a critical examination of the teaching of psychology. The course will run as a seminar where issues of curriculum development, teaching techniques, and ethical aspects will be discussed based on journal articles. The work as an assistant includes anonymous record keeping, leading study groups and providing a brief lecture. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301; Psychology majors only; departmental permission.

PSYC301: Experimental Psychology

Introduction to laboratory methods of research in areas such as motivation, perception and learning. Emphasis is on design and execution of exploratory investigations. Meets the University Writing Requirement for PSED, PSEL and PSYC majors. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 203 and PSYC 220;or PSYC 220 and PSYC 288 or CMPT 288 or LNGN 288 or PHIL 288.

PSYC302: Health Psychology

The theoretical, empirical and clinical aspects of health psychology will be presented. The relation of health psychology with other areas of psychology and other scientific disciplines will be discussed. The historical developments of the field, its research methodologies, theoretical models and exemplary interventions will be described. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC303: Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Application of psychological principles and practices in business and industry. Problems of communication, group dynamics, man-machine relations, employee attitudes, accident prevention, industrial job selection techniques, motivation, executive leadership. Commonly used selection tests will be evaluated. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC304: Social Psychology

Focuses on social behavior of the individual and the group, social perception, motivation, and learning; attitudes and values; development and dynamics of social groups; inter-group tension and prejudice; mass phenomena; psychological approaches to social issues. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC305: Physiological Psychology

Anatomical, neural and biochemical bases of behavior are studied. Topics include localization of function, neuro-hormonal interaction, sensory and motor functioning, emotions, the relationship of neurophysiological processes and personality. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC308: Perception

Discusses the theory and procedure of perceptual research. Theoretical approaches; modern psychophysical and perceptual research; traditional problems of perception, constancies of size and color brightness. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC310: Introduction to Psychological Testing

Tests of intelligence, aptitude, achievement and personality; principles of psychological testing; approaches to test construction. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC313: Cognition

The study of the acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of knowledge, utilizing behavioral, observational, and computer modeling methods. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC314: Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making

This course examines how human beings make decisions and judgments. It reviews how personal values, uncertainty and cognitive, social, and neurological processes affect decision making. This course draws upon a wide range of examples from many fields including psychology, economics, criminology, and medicine. Students will also learn strategies and techniques to enhance judgment. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC320: Developmental Psychology I

This course surveys human psychological development from the prenatal period to adolescence. The interacting forces of heredity, environment and physical, cognitive, emotional and socio-cultural factors are reviewed in the light of current research and theory in these areas. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC330: Forensic Psychology

An examination of the interaction between psychology and the legal system. Emphasis placed on the assessment and diagnosis of psychopathic behavior, court-mandated evaluations and the role of the psychologist as expert witness. The application of psychological knowledge within the criminal justice context. Ethical guidelines in forensic psychology. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Junior or senior Psychology or Justice Studies majors only.

PSYC332: Psychological Foundations of Personality

Explores current approaches and theories of personality development and organization. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC340: Human Learning and Memory

Covers research, language and methods of learning theory. Classical and operant conditioning, complex habits, remembering and forgetting, transfer of training, cognition and behavior modification. Review of animal research but primary emphasis is on people. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC348: Psycholinguistics

Explores the study of language through linguistic, behavioral, and cognitive methods. Basic linguistic ideas are used for the explication of problems in grammar, cognitive structure, meaning, and speech production and comprehension. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC353: Comparative Animal Behavior

The student will explore experimental and field studies of behavior in a few selected animal species with particular reference to the behavior of vertebrates. The course will involve detailed study of instinctive behavior and imprinting, respondent and operant behavior with emphasis upon the procedures and variables concerned with the acquisition of new forms of behavior. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC355: Motivation

The concepts of instincts, homeostasis, drive, reinforcement, arousal and inception are analyzed with reference to data drawn from many areas of experimentation. The primary emphasis is on the experimental, rather than the theoretical literature: motivational concepts relevant to human and animal research. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC358: Fundamentals of Conditioning and Learning

Major theoretical problems and theories of learning are considered. Includes experimental analysis of basic phenomena of conditioning and learning, studied primarily through experimental studies of infra-human organisms. Students may study selected topics more extensively. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC360: History and Systems of Psychology

Discusses the historical development of psychology, comparative analysis of the major schools of contemporary psychology, and new trends and movements in psychological theory. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC365: Abnormal Psychology

Topics include an overview of psychopathological processes: neuroses, psychoses, and characterological disorders; feeling, thinking and behavioral aspects during the life span; diagnostic and treatment procedures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC366: Health Psychology: Applications to the Community

The course will present psychological contributions to interventions designed to promote health, prevent illness and avert further disability. Appropriate techniques to assess, plan, and implement programs at the community level will be discussed. The multidisciplinary, multilevel nature of community programs will be emphasized. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 302.

PSYC375: Evolutionary Psychology

This course examines behavior from a Darwinian perspective attempting to understand how our behaviors have evolved throughout time. By examining behavior in terms of natural selection, this course provides a new and insightful perspective to all areas of psychology, including cognitive, social, developmental, and neuropsychology. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 220, PSYC 301.

PSYC402: Systems of Psychotherapy

An overview of classical and contemporary systems of psychotherapy. Emphasis is placed on understanding each system in terms of its underlying theory of personality, psychopathology and therapeutic impact. Studies of therapeutic efficacy are also covered. Other issues include such topics as the training of psychotherapists and the ethical issues involved in psychotherapy. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 365.

PSYC430: Contemporary Issues in Child Advocacy

An in-depth study of current topics in the field of child advocacy. The impact of Megan's Law, advocacy for adopted children, child right-to-life movement, and repressed memory syndrome are among the possible issues to be explored. A multi-disciplinary focus will be used to enhance student understanding and learning. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Junior or senior Psychology or Justice Studies majors only.

PSYC488: Seminar in Cognitive Science

Seminar discussion of foundation works and contemporary research articles in Cognitive Science. With the instructor's guidance and supervision, each student will define an area of Cognitive Science for comprehensive in-depth review of research and write a literature review. Professional issues in Cognitive Science are discussed. Cross listed with Linguistics LNGN 488. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: LNGN 300 or CMPT 288 or LNGN 288 or PHIL 288 or PSYC 288.

PSYC496: Psychology Honors II

This course constitutes the second semester of Psychology Honors. Students are expected to gather, analyze and interpret the data for their honors project, write the analysis and discussion chapters, and submit their completed honors thesis. Students who successfully complete this course will graduate with honors in psychology. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Completion of PSYC 495 with a grade of A or A-.