Psychology Course Descriptions

A course designed to help students develop insight into their own psychological processes and those of others. Provides an introduction to the content and scope of psychology as a behavioral science and a study of such topics as development, adjustment, learning, intelligence, motivation, emotion, and personality. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-1. (3)

This course will expose students to the multiple methods psychologists use to study topics in psychology. Students will complete preplanned laboratory inquiry studies on a variety of topics to practice the different research methodologies used by psychologists to study behavior, thoughts, and perceptions. Prerequisite or corequisite: PSY 101 or completion of equivalent. (1)

The study of human growth and development from birth to death. This course explores the role of heredity and environment in producing changes in physical, intellectual, and social behavior throughout the life-span. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-1. (3)

Students will evaluate their personal strengths and career interests and explore career options with a B.A. in psychology and graduate training in psychology. Students will develop a plan to reach their personal career goals. Students will participate in activities designed to prepare them for successful entry into their chosen career. Prerequisite: C- or better in PSY 101; prerequisite or corequisite: PSY 105. (1)

An introduction to psychological research methodology with particular emphasis on descriptive and inferential statistical procedures used in the analysis of behavioral data (measures of central tendency, variability, chi-square, correlation, t-tests, ANOVA, etc.). Prerequisites: MA course numbered 119 or above and a grade of C- or better in PSY 101 and PSY 105. (3)

Designed to provide students with an understanding of how individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behavior are influenced by the presence of others. Social perception, social cognition, attitude formation and change, aggression, prosocial behavior, interpersonal attraction, and social influence will be reviewed. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 110. (3)

A survey of major psychological disorders with emphasis on methods of diagnosis and treatment. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or PSY 110. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-2. (3)

Familiarizes the student with the basic principles of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology within the context of behavioral processes. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 110. (3)

A survey of principles of human learning and cognitive psychology. This course examines how information is acquired and used, with special emphasis on the nature of memory, thinking, judgment, and problem solving. Prerequisite: PSY 101 and PSY 105. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ. (3)

Laboratory-based course emphasizing the design, construction, implementation, analysis, dissemination, and critique of various types of psychological studies (observation, correlation, experimentation, etc.) Prerequisites: C- or better in PSY 105 and PSY 201. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ. (3)

Students will explore the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial theories of child development from birth to age 8. Particular emphasis is placed on contemporary topics in early childhood development and an appreciation of cultural perspectives. Students will be prepared to apply theoretical knowledge to early educational child-care settings and parent-teaching practice. Prerequisites: EN 102 and PSY 110. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2, WI. (3)

Study of the biological, cognitive, and social transitions during adolescence and emerging adulthood, including issues confronting the adolescent in contemporary culture. Prerequisite: PSY 110. (3)

The purpose of this course is to examine the developmental tasks from young adulthood throughout middle and advanced age. In this course, students will explore the impacts on well-being of such events as choosing a mate, starting a family, and making career choices across adult life. Prerequisite: PSY 110. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3)

The study of the research and issues that pertain to the social origins and consequences of gender typing. Topics include differences and similarities in ability, personality, biology, and gender roles. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 110. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3)

Overview of the application of psychology to the behavior of people in workplace settings. Topics include personnel psychology, the training of employees, organizational behavior, workplace design, and the improvement of working conditions. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or PSY 110 and three (3) credits in psychology coursework. (3)

Provides a comprehensive introduction to the general theories and methods related to culture and diversity. The course will explore psychological and political underpinnings of culture and diversity, emphasizing social psychological approaches. The course will examine the cultural sources of diversity in thinking, motivation, self, ethnic identity, development, stereotyping, and prejudice. Applications to real-world phenomena such as business, education, and health will be discussed. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 110. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-2. (3)

Provides students with an introduction to the field of forensic psychology. This course will focus on the interface between psychology and the justice system, including legal proceedings, law enforcement agencies, and correctional institutions. Attention will be given to the way psychologists can influence the system on such issues as assessment of competency and insanity, legal decision making, jury composition, criminal behavior, and correctional psychology. Offered fall semester. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or PSY 110 and three (3) credits in psychology coursework. (3)

Study of major approaches to interventions with individuals, groups, and families, including analysis of strategies useful to particular counseling problems. Offered fall semester. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or PSY 110, and EN 102 and PSY 230. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation. (3)

A summary of current research pertaining to different types of addiction, including physical, social, and psychological causes of addiction; assessment and classification of disorders; treatment options; and community resources for dealing with addictions. Offered spring semester. Prerequisite: PSY 230 or PSY 250. (3)

Students in this course will learn to distinguish normal versus disturbed developmental processes in children and adolescents as well as how to recognize and deal with a variety of problems. Offered spring semester. Prerequisites: PSY 110 and three (3) credits in psychology coursework. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3)

Explore theories and issues related to teaching students with exceptionalities. A variety of disabilities that impact school performance will be surveyed and studied. The course will address educational provisions mandated by federal and state laws, which ensure the rights of all individuals with disabilities. Field experience: 10 hours. Prerequisite: PSY 110. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3)

Designed to engage students in critical thinking as it applies to the study of human behavior in sport. Explores factors related to success and skill development in any realm of human performance, basic principles of confidence, motivation and goal setting, as well as the prominent theories related to happiness and positive mood and how they relate to human performance and exercise. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 110. (3)

This course is designed to introduce students to abnormal non-human primate behavior through reading primary-source articles and conducting naturalistic observations of great apes living in pseudo-natural environments (e.g., zoo, sanctuary). There will be specific emphasis on learning about atypical behaviors that may be symptomatic of psychopathologies similar to those seen in humans. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or PSY 110 and EN 102. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2, WI. (3)

Topics of special interest to advanced undergraduates in psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 110 or permission of instructor. (3)

Senior students participate in a supervised field experience in cooperating public and private agencies in the Washington area. Prerequisites: PSY 200 or CCS 399, 90 credits of coursework completed, a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, and permission of internship coordinator. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: EXP. (3 or 6)

This course will prepare students to supervise PSY 105 General Psychology Laboratory courses. After preparing students to supervise sections of the laboratories, the course will focus on addressing concerns that arise while teaching, especially while supervising the laboratory sections. Students will discuss teaching-related issues, such as consistent evaluation of student products via rubrics, using an active teaching style, and using a Socratic-type method to answer questions. The course also will help students prepare for a future career in psychology by assisting them in the completion of items necessary for admission to a graduate program. This course is a substitute for PSY 400. Prerequisites or corequisites: psychology major, selection by a faculty committee, and concurrent supervision of the laboratories associated with PSY 105. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: EXP. (3)

A student in this course will conduct collaborative research (scholarly work leading to new knowledge) under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisites: PSY 302, application, and approval of department chair. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: EXP. (1-6)

Designed to provide for the application of the knowledge, skills, and strategies acquired and developed through the student’s academic program. The project is intended to tie the student’s professional goals and coursework with practical application and current research-based data of the discipline. Students will be asked to delve deeply into a specific topic; develop an innovative solution to a discipline-specific problem; design and construct an expressive art/literature/technological creation; or explore an area of study, a process, a topic, or a medium that is not otherwise available through the current curriculum. (1-9)

This capstone seminar is designed for psychology majors nearing the end of their undergraduate program. Students will critically analyze psychological literature from disparate areas of the field to produce a major integrative paper with an applied focus. They will be prompted to reflect carefully on the discipline of psychology, including its historical roots and modern perspectives, and hone their skills in scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and written/oral communication. Prerequisites: EN 102, a C- or better in PSY 302 and in one 300-level psychology WI course, and senior status. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ, WI. (3)