2016-2017 Undergraduate General Catalog


200

PSYC 200 Drugs and Mental Health

A detailed, critical, scientific analysis of the effects of the major categories of psychiatric drugs, for the treatment of depression, mania, anxiety, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders. The course first focuses on understanding the research strategies that are used in the evaluation of psychiatric drugs. Then it uses this understanding to critically evaluate the research that has actually been done. Research comparing drug treatment to psychological treatment is also reviewed.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

PSYC course; BIOL course

PSYC 210 Life-Span Human Development

An examination of human development throughout the life span, investigating the physical, cognitive and social changes that occur as we both age and reach cultural milestones (marriage, retirement, etc.). Genetic, cultural and other influences on development will be discussed, along with the research methods psychologists use to separate and understand these influences. Students will learn how to optimize healthy development, and acquire new understanding of the developmental stage of others.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

Recommended but not Required Prerequisite: PSYC 115

PSYC 232 Abnormal Psychology

A study of the various ways in which persons' lives can be warped or crippled by psychological problems. The origin, nature and diagnosis of mental disorders will be studied.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

PSYC 115

PSYC 235 Counseling and Psychotherapy

This course is an introduction to the field of counseling and psychotherapy beginning with an overview of basic skills and principles associated with being a counselor. The bulk of the course will focus on prominent theoretical orientations in psychotherapy, counseling and behavior change including such theories as cognitive, existential, humanistic, psychodynamic, interpersonal, systemic and multicultural psychotherapies. Students will be encouraged to think critically about their own perspective on mental health and behavior change as well as critically evaluate the various approaches to psychotherapy.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

PSYC 115

PSYC 240 Cognitive Psychology

Focuses on basic human cognitive functions such as attention, perception, memory, problem solving, reasoning, decision-making, and language comprehension and production. Students will study foundational theories and historical experimental findings in the field of cognitive psychology, explore recent research trends (including findings from neuroscience and neuropsychology) and relate their understanding of cognitive psychology to their own personal experiences.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

PSYC 115

PSYC 250 Social Psychology

This course surveys social psychology, which is the area of psychology that scientifically studies the manner in which individuals' thoughts, behaviors, and feelings are influenced by and influence others. Students will examine psychological research and theories about the social dimensions of human cognition, action, and emotion. Topics include the nature of the social self, how persuasion occurs, how love relationships form and last, why prejudice is so persistent, and why sometimes people fail to help those in need while others become inspiring exemplars of caring and courage.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

PSYC 115

PSYC 260 Behavioral Neuroscience

The functioning of the neuron and nervous system will be explored, particularly as related to human behavior. Anatomical and physiological considerations regarding selected functions, including vision, audition, sleep, emotion, stress, memory, learning, and various disorders will be examined.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

PSYC 115; BIOL 110 or 120

PSYC 270 Statistics

The basic course in statistical inference oriented toward the elements of description, estimation, and the testing of hypotheses. Topics include probability distributions, confidence intervals, tests of means, proportions, and differences, correlation and regression, analysis of variance, and chi-square tests of qualitative data. Principles are applicable to both social and physical sciences.

Credits

4

Cross Listed Courses

ECON 270

PSYC 271W Research Methods

A beginning study of experimental and research methodology in contemporary psychology. Specific examples from different areas of psychology are used to teach the student basic concepts and methods of observation, measurement, hypothesis formation, experimental design, data collection, data analysis, interpretation and generalization. Laboratory projects provide hands-on experience with an emphasis on experiments.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

PSYC 115; PSYC 270

PSYC 299 Independent Study

Individual study and research under direction of department faculty.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

Permission of the Instructor and Department Chair