Psychology


Psy 101 Introduction to Psychology
Prerequisite to all other courses in psychology, majors and non-majors. Introduction to the principles, processes, problems and applications of psychology. In addition to attendance at lectures, students are required to serve as participants in course-relevant research or to complete a project of similar length and content. (Offered every semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 101 Introduction to Psychology (TAPE)
Introduces the student to the principles, processes, problems and applications of psychology. (Offered only at Academic Centers.) 3 credits.


Psy 102 General Psychology Seminar
Prerequisite, Psy 101. An initial seminar course providing in-depth immersion in the discipline of psychology. (For psychology majors only.) (Offered spring semester.)
3 credits.


Psy 201 Critical Thinking
Prerequisite, Psy 101. Students study methods of empirical and theoretical evaluation of psychological facts, assertions, research studies and theories. Development of a discrimination model setting the appropriate standards to be applied to differing forms of psychological assertions. Study of common fallacies misleading students of psychological processes and development of a critical thinking paradigm reducing the probability of common errors in thinking. (Offered every semester.)
3 credits.


Psy 202 History and Systems of Psychology
Prerequisite, Psy 101. Discussion and evaluation of psychology’s historical roots and the past and present influences that have led to its present form. (Offered every semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 203 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Prerequisite, Psy 101 as well as Math 104 or equivalent as approved by instructor. An introduction to statistics for the behavioral, social and health sciences. Both the calculation and interpretation of statistical indices and the application of these measures are emphasized. Course includes an introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics, the rationale of hypothesis testing and a survey of the common parametric and nonparametric statistical tests. (Offered every semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 301 Survey of Psychology
Prerequisite, none. A comprehensive survey of the field of psychology, covering major topics in psychology as a biological, social and humanistic discipline. (Offered only at the Academic Centers. Substitutes for Psy 101 as a prerequisite for upper-division psychology courses.) 3 credits.


Psy 302 General Psychology Seminar
Prerequisites, must be registered as a psychology major and assigned a psychology academic advisor. Completion of Psy 101 or instructor’s approval of equivalents. An initial seminar course providing in-depth immersion into the discipline of psychology. The course is intended for psychology majors only. (Offered only at Academic Centers.) 3 credits.


Psy 304 Research Methods
Prerequisites, Psy 101 and 203 or the equivalent. An introduction to the principles and procedures involved in behavioral science research. The scientific method and its application to psychological research is emphasized. (Offered every semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 305 Research Methods Laboratory
Prerequisites, Psy 101 and concurrent enrollment in Psy 304. Students will participate in several small laboratory experiments and conduct an independent behavioral science research project. (Offered every semester.) 1 credit.


Psy 310 Psychology of Learning
Prerequisite, Psy 101. An examination of the theoretical and methodological foundations of human learning. Particular emphasis is placed on an evaluation of the major paradigms involved in contemporary concepts of the learning process. Some emphasis is given to the application of behavioral principles to daily life. (Offered fall semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 315 Sensation and Perception
Prerequisite, Psy 101. An introduction to the sensory system and the perceptual basis of our experience. General topics include psychophysics, the visual system and the nonvisual sensory systems. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the interaction between the anatomy of the sensory system and the transduction of sensory stimuli into meaningful perceptual experiences. (Offered spring semester, alternate years.) 3 credits.


Psy 317 Cognitive Psychology
Prerequisites, Psy 101. A survey of the discipline of cognitive psychology, the study of mental processes and their underlying biology. Students examine attentional processing, encoding, memory, mental imagery and decision-making processes. Other topics addressed include consciousness, creativity, and methods for measuring information processing. (Offered spring semester, alternate years.) 3 credits.


Psy 319 Motivation and Emotion
Prerequisite, Psy 101. The basic objective of the course is to develop an understanding of the theoretical constructs underlying the processes of motivation and emotion. Particular emphasis is placed on methods for studying emotion and the application of the principle of motivation and emotion. (Offered fall semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 322 Theories of Personality
Prerequisite, Psy 101. An evaluative review of the major theories of personality emphasizing structure, dynamics, behavior and development of the normal and abnormal personality. Theories include Freudian, neo-Freudian, cognitive, somatic, social learning and humanistic explanations for human behavior and their differential implications for psychology. (Offered every semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 323 Child Development
Prerequisite, Psy 101. This course covers physical, cognitive and psychosocial development from conception to adolescence. Both theoretical and applied aspects of development, parenting and teaching children are emphasized. Concurrent enrollment in Psy 325, Child Development Lab, is required for psychology majors and strongly recommended for students seeking an emphasis in developmental psychology or related areas. (Offered every semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 324 Adolescence
Prerequisite, Psy 101. This course covers issues related to adolescent development such as: identity, peers, family, school, sexuality, morality, substance abuse and psychological problems. Course content and objectives will be reached through lectures, videos, discussions and guest speakers. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 325 Child Development Laboratory
Concurrent enrollment in Psy 323 is required. Professionally supervised fieldwork with children in an approved setting. (Offered every semester.) 1 credit.


Psy 328 Abnormal Psychology
Prerequisite, Psy 101. A systematic study of emotional disturbance and the major classifications of mental illness from the perspective of symptoms/behaviors, etiology, diagnosis and treatment. (Offered every semester.)
3 credits.


Psy 333 Physiological Psychology
Prerequisite, Psy 101, Psy 102 or equivalent as approved by instructor. An investigation of the relationship between brain and behavior. Students will study the structure and function of the nervous system, including the biological bases of psychopathology and normal function. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.

Psy 336 Social Psychology
Prerequisite, Psy 101. An introduction to the scientific study of the way individuals think, feel and behave in social situations. Topics include: group behavior, attitudes, stereotypes, nonverbal communication, health psychology, aggression, social perceptions, relationships and helping behavior. (Offered every semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 348 Psychological Approaches to Literature
Prerequisite, Psy 101. A study of psychological theories of the 20th century and their influences on the criticism of literature and/or film. Psychologists such as Freud, Jung, and Lacan will be studied in connection with their approaches to textual analysis. The course may also focus on such psychological movements as Gestalt, Behaviorism, and archetypal analysis as they have affected understanding of literature and/or film. (Offered fall semester, alternate years.) 3 credits.


Psy 350 Psychology of Helping
Prerequisite, Psy 101. An introduction to the basic concepts and skills of interpersonal communication and problem solving for the non-clinical counselor. Some of the areas of application studied are health care, personnel, the clergy, law enforcement, teaching, the family and human services. This course will not apply as preparation toward a graduate program in professional counseling, nor will it apply as a psychology major requirement. (Offered alternate years.) 3 credits.


Psy 395 Topic Courses in Psychological Process
Prerequisite, Psy 101, as well as approval of advisor. An examination of selected topics in the area of psychological processes and the foundations of psychological understandings of human behavior. Course may be repeated for credit. 1-3 credits.


Psy 415 Sports Psychology
Prerequisite, Psy 101. (Same as Kine 415.) An examination of the principles of psychology as they apply to an understanding of sports-related issues. Topics of interest to the sports world will be discussed according to theoretical constructs of psychology. The class is not designed to include any physical activity. It is designed for students interested in coaching at any level, athletes, and those interested in a more comprehensive analysis of issues underlying sport. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 416 Human Communications Workshop
Prerequisite, Psy 101. A workshop course designed to assist the group members to identify and understand those factors in addition to “the facts” which influence the perceptions on which communication/interaction is based. The workshop will address issues related to interpersonal awareness, group interaction, the conceptualization of interpersonal relationships, and communication skills. (Offered as needed.) 3 credits.


Psy 418 Community Mental Health
Prerequisite, Psy 101. A survey of major problems of mental health in the community; includes field trips to selected facilities where individuals and families may go for help. Includes guest lecturers as appropriate. (Offered fall semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 421 Cross-Cultural Psychology CH II
Prerequisite, Psy 101. This course has been designed to introduce major issues and terminology used in cross-cultural psychology, an interdisciplinary approach that uses models and research methods from psychology, anthropology and sociology. The course emphasizes a comparative approach. 3 credits.


Psy 432 Introduction to Psychological Measurement
Prerequisites, Psy 101, 203 or equivalent. Concepts of test construction, standardization, validity, reliability as applied to a wide range of psychological instruments of intelligence, interests, values and personality. (Offered fall semester and summer.) 3 credits.


Psy 433 Psychopharmacology
Prerequisites, Psy 328, 333, and 432 or equivalents as approved by the instructor. An in-depth examination of the behavioral and central nervous system effects of pharmacologic substance use and abuse and the application of such substances to the prevention and treatment of psychophysiological and psychopathological dysfunction. (Offered fall semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 436 Health Psychology
Prerequisites, Psy 101, 336, or instructor’s consent; a familiarity with basic biology from high school, college or Psy 101 is assumed. An in-depth study of theories of health psychology, illness behavior, and behavioral medicine. The mind-body relationship and health treatment models (e.g., managed care) will be explored. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.

Psy 440 Human Sexuality
Prerequisite, Psy 101. A descriptive and empirical approach to understanding human sexuality. Physiological, psychological, and sociocultural factors influencing healthy human sexual expression will be emphasized. Gender identity, sex roles, variations in sexual behavior, love and attraction and basic treatments for sexual dysfunction will be included. (Offered fall semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 444 Psychology of the Lesbian and Gay Experience
Prerequisite, Psy 101. A systematic study of the psychological issues affecting lesbians and gay men. The course integrates the most recent research-based information with life experiences of lesbian/gay people in such areas as development, psychosocial identity, relationships and clinical services. The course emphasizes an affirmative approach and is appropriate for gay, lesbian and heterosexual students. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 448 Psychology in Literature and Film
(Same as Eng 448.)


Psy 450 Introduction to Counseling
Prerequisites, Psy 101, 322, or 328. This course provides an introduction and overview of professional counseling. Selected theories will be evaluated briefly and methods of their application to specialties such as group, family, marriage, child chemical dependence and crisis intervention will be emphasized. Attention will be given to specific communicative skills in counseling, to ethical and legal issues and to strategies for counselor self-care. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 455 Family Systems and Dynamics
Prerequisite, Psy 101. An exploration of a variety of theoretical orientations in the study of family systems. The theoretical foundations of such approaches to family counseling as structural, strategic, transgenerational, experiential and behavioral are studied. (Offered fall semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 478 Senior Project/Thesis I
Prerequisites, Psy 101, 203, 304, 305 or equivalents. The second course in research methods and statistics serves to introduce students to multivariate design and analysis including factorial analysis of variance and regression analysis. Emphasis will be given to the calculation of statistical indices using computerized statistical packages and the interpretation of these results. (Offered fall semester.) 3 credits.

Psy 479 Senior Project/Thesis II
Prerequisite, Psy 478. The senior project is the endeavor in which the student demonstrates what he or she has learned in psychology by producing a seminal product, either as the crowning achievement of his or her education to date or as an example of his or her suitability for graduate education. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 481 Organizational Psychology
Prerequisite, Psy 101. The application of psychological methods and techniques to understand, evaluate and maximize human behavior in industrial and other organizations. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.


Psy 492 Intern Program: Fieldwork in Psychology
Prerequisite, Psy 101 and approval of faculty advisor, internship supervisor and chair. Supervised experience in an approved setting where psychological services are provided. Additional meetings, assigned readings and written evaluations of related readings and the field experience are required. Approval of academic advisor and division chair required. Graded pass/no pass. (Offered every semester.) 1-3 credits.


Psy 495 Topic Courses in Psychological Process
Prerequisite, Psy 101 as well as approval by advisor. An examination of selected topics in the area of psychological processes and the foundations of psychological understandings of human behavior. Course may be repeated for credit. 1-3 credits.


Psy 499 Individual Study
Prerequisites, Psy 101 and approval of instructor, academic advisor and the division chair. Supervised individual study or research on a special problem or in a selected area of psychology. Open to junior and senior psychology majors who have a 3.0 GPA. (Offered every semester.) 1-3 credits.

Graduate Courses


Psy 501 The Counseling Process


Psy 508 Life Span Development


Psy 511 Psychological Assessment


Psy 532 Research and Bibliographic Methods


Psy 533 Psychopharmacology


Psy 541 Clinical Theories and Techniques of Marriage and Family Therapy


Psy 556 Family Systems and Studies


Psy 561 Marital Systems and Studies


Psy 565 Child/Adolescent Psychopathology


Psy 570 Advanced Psychopathology and Diagnosis


Psy 575 Advanced Individual Counseling


Psy 578 Ethical and Professional Issues


Psy 581 Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Disorders


Psy 586 Assessment and Treatment of Substance Abuse


Psy 595 Topic Courses in Psychology


Psy 599 Independent Study


Psy 613 Clinical Issues in Human Diversity


Psy 652 Theory and Practice of Group Counseling


Psy 661 Advanced Marriage and Family Therapy


Psy 665 Advanced Child/Adolescent Counseling
Psy 678 Master’s Thesis Research I


Psy 679 Master’s Thesis Research II


Psy 688 /689/690/691 Practicum I, II, III, IV


Psy 695 Advanced Topic Courses in Counseling


Psy 699 Independent Study