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Courses
How to request letters of recommendation
101 General Psychology (Formerly Psy 11)
A general study of the field of psychology, suitable for both the student
who wishes only one course in psychology and the student desiring a basic
course as foundation for further study in psychology. (Each fall and spring)
120 Statistics for Psychologists
Standard statistical tools used in psychology to summarize data, describe
relationships among variables, and make inferences from samples to populations.
Discussion of theory of probability and probability distributions, hypothesis
testing, and exploration of computer packages. Examples and problems are
derived from psychology research. Prerequisite or corequisite for Psychology
201. May not be taken by students who have completed Social Sciences 120,
Mathematics 120, or equivalent. (Each fall or spring)
125 Research Practicum (Formerly Psy 56a) (1/4 course credit
unit)
Supervised research study in psychology using analytical and behavioral
science research techniques. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and Psychology
201. May be repeated for a total of one course credit unit.
201 Research Methods in Psychology (Formerly Psy 31)
Study of the basic research techniques used in the scientific study
of psychological processes. Extensive laboratory work includes application
of inferential statistics to psychological data. Comparison of the strengths
and weakness of various experimental, quasi-experimental, and qualitative
research designs, with attention to ethical and theoretical issues as well
as methodological ones. Involves completing a review of the literature
in a defined area of psychology culminating with a detailed research proposal.
Ensures that all students can adhere to standards outlined in The Publication
Manual of the American Psychological Association. Prerequisite: Psychology
101 and Social Science 120, Mathematics 120, or equivalent. (Each fall
and spring)
215 The Physiological Basis of Behavior (Formerly Psy 32)
An intensive study of the physiological aspects of organisms which
affect and control behavior. Primary attention is directed toward an investigation
of the central nervous system functions. Laboratory exercises are part
of this course. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Each fall or spring)
220 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (Formerly Psy 33)
An examination of some of the problems studied by psychologists in
the fields of informationprocessing, perception, and cognition together
with representative theories and methods proposed for their solution. Prerequisite:
Psychology101. (Each fall or spring)
222 Environmental Psychology
An examination of such topics as: effects of
temperature on human behavior, psychological
constraints of architecture, efforts to induce
people to produce less trash, effects of office
lighting on work productivity and satisfaction,
and international policies over land. Environmental
psychology looks at both ways in which
physical environments affect human thoughts,
moods, and behaviors, and ways in which
human behavior may impact the physical environment,
particularly as it relates to ecological
issues. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 recommended. (Every other year)
225 Research Practicum (Formerly Psy 56b) (1/4 course credit
unit)
Supervised research study in psychology using analytical and behavioral
science research techniques. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and Psychology
201. May be repeated for a total of one course credit unit.
230 Educational Psychology (Formerly Psy 34)
Intensive study of the application of psychological theory and research
to education. Exploration of how the classical psychological theories can
be applied to understanding and facilitating the learning process in the
classroom. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Each fall or spring)
235 Psychology of Gender (Formerly Psy 47)
Surveys the field of gender psychology, considering the views of experts
in the field. Course explores gender differences and possible etiology
of these differences; gender identity development and sexual orientation;
communication styles; gender and violence; and gender issues in physical
and mental health. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Each fall or spring)
240 Social Psychology (Formerly Psy 44)
An examination of scientific theory and research concerning how the
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are affected by other
individuals or by the group. The course investigates such topics as attraction,
persuasion, and attitudes. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Each fall or
spring)
245 Death and Dying (Formerly Psy 45)
Intensive study of the psychological factors related to the phenomenon
of loss. Coursework emphasizes the relationship between loss and behavior
as evidenced through physiological and psychological changes in the organism.
Topics in the course include coping techniques for working with dying patients
and bereaved individuals, grief, hospice care, acute and chronic illness
trajectories, and euthanasia. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Each fall
or spring)
250 Topics in Psychology (Formerly Psy 40)
A study of selected topics offered on an occasional basis. Prerequisite:
Psychology 101. May be repeated when topic varies.
255 Health Psychology (Formerly Psy 48)
This course focuses on health psychology and behavioral medicine in
the areas of theory, empirical research, assessment, and clinical treatment.
Specific topics may include stress and coping, psychoneuroimmunology, psychophysiological
disorders, the physician-patient relationship, and prevention and health
promotion. The changing health care environment and the role of the psychologist
in medical settings will also be discussed. Students will have an opportunity
to explore topics related to Health Psychology in community settings through
observation, research, and intervention. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.
(Each fall or spring)
260 Intermediate Directed Study
(Variable course credit)
265 Psychology of Human Sexuality (Formerly Psy 49)
An examination of methodologies used in the study of human sexuality,
with attention to attitudes regarding sexual orientation, identity, and
gender. The course investigates the anatomy and physiology of sexual behavior
as well as accompanying psychological phenomena, and considers biological,
psychological, and cultural schools that serve as a basis for understanding
heterosexual, lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations. Prerequisite: Psychology
101. (Each fall)
320 Psychopathology (Formerly Psy 66)
An investigation of the types of behavioral disorders and psychopathologies,
including their diagnoses, causes, symptoms, and treatments. Prerequisite:
Psychology 101 and Psychology 201. (Each fall or spring)
325 Research Practicum (Formerly Psy 56c) (1/4 course credit
unit)
Supervised research study in psychology using analytical and behavioral
science research techniques. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and Psychology
201. May be repeated for a total of one course credit unit.
340 Cultural Psychology
The psychology canon suggests that we understand
such processes as language development,
moral reasoning, causal attributions,
and intelligence. However, how much of what
we know really is universal and how much
is relevant only to Western industrialized societies?
We will begin to address these issues
in this course. Psychologists have also often
studied the world as “the East versus the West”
or “collectivist versus individualist cultures,”
implying that collectivism and individualism
are mutually exclusive and monolithic. This
class will critically address these assumptions.
Prerequisite: Psychology 101, Psychology 201. (Every other year)
345 Life Span Psychology (Formerly Psy 71)
Intensive study of development of the person throughout the life span.
Theory and methods for examining cognitive, social, and personal development
are explored. Laboratory experiences involve application of developmental
psychology in understanding persons in educational, clinical, and community
settings. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and either Psychology 201 or Education
225, and at least junior standing. (Each fall and spring)
355 Conditioning and Cognitive Processes (Formerly Psy 72)
Investigation of fundamental principles of learning and conditioning
including animal cognition, the application of conditioning to clinical
and classroom settings, and the human cognitive processes of knowledge
acquisition, categorization, memory, problem solving, and reasoning. Extensive
laboratory exercises involve hands-on exploration of classic experiments
in cognitive psychology, the application of cognition, and the observation
of cognition and learning. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and either Psychology
201 or Education 225, and at least junior standing. (Each fall and spring)
410 Stigma and Prejudice
This course will cover a social psychological
perspective of stigma. The study of stigma inherently
involves a discussion of prejudice because
stigma involves how people experience
other’s prejudice towards themselves. Stigma
is connected to the experience of oneself in
particular social relationships and contexts.
People’s experience of themselves may involve
whether they believe another is prejudiced
against them because of their ethnicity, gender,
religion, age, color, sexual orientation, socioeconomic
status, ability status, native language
or some other status. Views of stigma and
prejudice, how those views have changed over
time and where the research is currently will
be looked at in depth. Prerequisites: PSY 101,
PSY 201, PSY 240. (Each fall or spring)
415 Dynamics of the Counseling Relationship (Formerly Psy 81)
A scholarly examination of the theory and research that define factors
effecting change and problem resolution in a counseling relationship. Students
will be presented different counseling models, as well as examine how issues
such as culture and sexual orientation need to be recognized and worked
with appropriately by ethical counselors. Students will acquire rudimentary
counseling skills through counseling dyads with other class members. Prerequisite:
Psychology 101, Psychology 201, Psychology 320 (or equivalent field experience),
at least junior standing, and permission of instructor. (Each spring)
420 History and Schools of Psychology (Formerly Psy 84)
A broad study of the historical roots of modern scientific psychology,
the key contributors to psychology, recent controversial issues in psychology,
and the interrelationship of psychology to other fields of study. Intended
to prepare students for oral, written, and critical work common in graduate
programs in psychology. Prerequisite: three courses in psychology, including
Psychology 101 and Psychology 201, and at least junior standing. (Each
fall or spring)
425 Research Practicum (Formerly Psy 56d) (1/4 course credit
unit)
Supervised research study in psychology using analytical and behavioral
science research techniques. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and Psychology
201. May be repeated for a total of one course credit unit.
350, 450 Advanced Topics in Psychology (Formerly Psy 60)
A proseminar on contemporary issues relevant to psychology offered
on an occasional basis. Open to juniors and seniors by permission of the
instructor. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and Psychology 201. May be repeated
when topic varies.
460 Advanced Directed Study (Formerly Psy 69)
(Variable course credit)
464 Teaching/Learning Participation (Formerly Psy 64)
(Variable course credit)
An individualized study that includes sharing in the instructional
process for a particular psychology course under the supervision of the
faculty member teaching the course. Open only to certain highly qualified
juniors and seniors by invitation. (Additional details given in the section
on Other Learning
Opportunities.)
490 Independent Study (Formerly Psy 95)
491 Psychology Honors Thesis (Formerly Psy 96)
492 Independent Study Off-Campus/NSOC (Formerly Psy 01)
495 Senior Seminar (Formerly Psy 99)
