PSY - Psychology Course Descriptions
Presents a picture of the science of psychology as it exists today. Factors that are characteristics of individuals in general are studied. These topics include the nervous system, emotions, perception, sensation, thinking, motivation, and personality development.
Prerequisite for all psychology courses.
is based on the principle that a scientific study requires the measurement and description of phenomena in an objective, systematic manner. This course introduces the student to the fundamental statistical techniques used in the behavioral sciences and other areas of research. These methods include sampling techniques, measures of central tendency, variability, probability, and inferential testing (e.g., t-tests, correlation, confidence intervals).
Two years of high school mathematics including high school algebra or MTH 155.
Examines the physical, cognitive, social, and personality development of the child from conception through adolescence. Human development involves the study and critical review of the child development and the developmental theories of early and middle childhood, as well as those of adolescence and young adulthood. Knowledge of physiological, sociological, and psychological forces as they influence the behavior of the child and maturing adolescent are vital to the understanding of the human personality. This course also examines some of the problems involved in these phases of the development sequence.
Is a continuation of the study of human personality focusing on the psychological, physiological, and sociological forces as they influence maturity and decline in behavior during early, middle, and late adulthood.
Recognizes the fresh insight of contemporary psychology into human behavior, such as new approaches for helping individuals overcome their problems and fulfill their personal potential. Through small group discussion and interpersonal encounter, students learn to cope with such problem areas and to discover personal potentials.
Examines the physical, cognitive, social, moral, religious, and personality development of the maturing adolescent. Knowledge of physiological, sociological, and psychological forces, as they influence the behavior of the adolescent, is vital to the understanding of the human personality. Some of the problems involved in this phase of the developmental sequence are also explored.
Explores the growth of a social personality, the effects of crowd behavior, the development of values and attitudes, and the mechanics of group life in general. The recognized scholars Maslow, Goffman, Berger, Luckman, and others, are included in this study of the whole person.
Is the understanding of the mental processes that one undergoes to understand the world, one another, and to make a decision. This course will examine the cognitive means that accompany processes of memory, attention, categorization, logic, problem solving, reasoning, decision making, and speech development.
Emphasizes the psychological approach to learning, methods of evaluation, transfer of learning, training, developmental patterns of pupils, and teacher-student interaction, along with focus on language development. Although when compared to some other sciences, educational psychology is relatively young, the problems this course deals with are very old. Solutions to some of these problems are offered through the ideas of James, Thorndike, Watson, Skinner, Goddard, Bayler, Bruner, Piaget, Erikson, White, Marcia, Elkind, Gardner, Chomsky and others. Students will be given opportunities to engage in small group discussions as well as experiential exercises designed to bring to life the ideas of several of the educational theorists.
Is designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles of multivariate statistical analysis. Possible topics to be covered include multivariate data screening, analysis of covariance, MANOVA, discriminant analysis, cluster analysis, multi- dimensional scaling, factor analysis, profile analysis, path analysis, structural equation modeling, hierarchical linear modeling, and meta analysis.
Surveys the important and widespread applications of psychology to industry and business, involving many different areas of general psychology. Some of these applications have been in the following areas: motivational research, evaluation and interviewing of employees, factors in adjustment, and efficiency in work such as employee morale, training, job evaluation, and fatigue.
Provides an introduction to research practice and experimentation. Class lectures, demonstrations, laboratory experiments and survey research enable the student to learn and apply the scientific method in psychological research. 3 credit hours per semester.
Builds on the foundation provided in PSY 307 by putting into practice what was learned in the introductory course and taking it to another level. It involves more independent research and in-depth data analysis. In addition there are opportunities for poster preparation and the writing of papers that could be submitted for journal publication. 3 credits per semester.
Investigates one of the most complex phenomena studied by psychology. It is so because in our daily lives we continually meet and deal with other personalities, anticipate their actions, and understand their feelings. Personality theories that underlie the various approaches to psychotherapy are studied in this course. Among the theories examined are: psychoanalysis, behaviorism, cognitive-behaviorism, social learning, phenomenology, and existentialism.
Builds upon the long history of interest in human motivation-why people behave in certain ways. This history can be traced from the early speculation of philosophers to the scientific research of contemporary psychologists. In this course, the student will survey the major philosophical points of view concerning motivation and will study intensively the work of psychologists interested in motivation. The student will also study emotion in this course. Emotions are linked closely to motivation because they influence the way people perceive and adapt to the world. Psychologists believe that emotions determine the quality of motivated behavior.
Is studied in an attempt to explain man's observations of the world around him. Each man lives in his own world, for his world is determined by what and how he experiences it. By studying the sensory processes, the organization of visual and auditory experiences, and perceptual anomalies such as illusions, students gain a better understanding of "why things look as they do" to the perceiver.
Assists students in developing counseling skills through an analysis of contemporary models of counseling designed for behavior change or adjustment. Theories and rationale behind these counseling models will be presented with actual counseling case materials.
Discusses general principles of interaction in human relation situations. Through demonstration and participation, students learn to work effectively with groups and to achieve deeper self-understanding by employing the various group techniques used in personal, social, and emotional adjustment.
Deals in further depth with many of the issues presented in the introductory counseling course. Emphasis will be placed on actual experience in counseling through extensive use of role-playing situations and actual counseling cases. Close supervision will give the opportunity for interaction with the instructor in the development of the student's counseling skills.
PSY 319 or permission by instructor
Is a seminar in contemporary psychology and Christian Humanism emphasizing the intimate and dynamic correlation of nature and grace. An interdisciplinary approach is designed to critically examine contemporary issues and areas of concern. Psychological perspectives on being human such as development, personality, motivation, value, psychopathology, addiction, and therapeutic interventions will be brought into dialogue with theological perspectives on human beings such as finitude, human nature, conversion, holiness, growth, vocation, and spirituality. The primary focus will be on developing skills for practical understanding and application.
Completion of at least two courses in psychology and two courses in theology
Is designed to aid students in an understanding of issues related to family, gender, and spirituality. These three separate, yet integrated areas will be explored in the context of the counseling relationship. Topics may include an awareness of issues faced in marriages and by families, therapeutic interventions dealing with the issues and problems marriages and families face, issues of gender equality and differences as they influence marriage and family, healthy and unhealthy approaches to religion and how both affect therapeutic intervention, and a presentation of models of psychological intervention, specific treatment issues, and techniques from multiple theoretical orientations that can be utilized when working with religiously-committed clients.
Allows students to examine their faith and enhance recognition of how it influences their lives and others that they will serve through their professions. It will help students to understand and provide guidelines for how to use Catholic Social Teaching in their work with clients. It will also enhance awareness of other faith traditions and religions.
Deals with the most fascinating of topics-the disorganized personality. It explores a wide variety of unusual human experiences ranging from minor maladjustments encountered in daily living to more severe disorders requiring hospitalization or prolonged treatment. Students gain an understanding of mental and emotional dysfunctions as classified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5, as well as etiologies, and treatment. Should be taken as a junior/senior course.
Makes a principal distinction between modern scientific psychology and philosophical psychology through its emphasis on quantitative measurement as a means of acquiring knowledge about human behavior as contrasted to the speculative approach. To describe human abilities, psychologists have developed measures of intelligence, achievement, aptitudes, interest, and personality. This course examines these types of evaluation instruments and gives the student the opportunity to administer and interpret such tests. Should be taken as a junior/senior course.
Provides an introduction to the relationship of brain and hormones to psychological functioning. It will examine basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology important to behavior, and present the biological bases of motor movement, sleep, emotions, perception, memory, language, motivation and psychopathology.
Is required for completion of the major. It aids students in improving their professional skills through a directed, extensive 150-hour experience in a psychological, psychiatric, mental health, or human services setting. Psychology majors may serve their internship as undergraduate research assistant. 3 credit hours per semester.
Senior status
Is an optional second experience for students in order that they are exposed to further opportunities for skill development in clinical or research settings. It requires 150 hours in the chosen facility. 3 credit hours per semester.
Senior status
Studies the purpose, structure, and techniques of effective interviewing, history taking, and recording client data. Selected types of assessment techniques are also presented.
seeks to challenge the senior psychology major to integrate various aspects of their learning from previous semesters including coming up with a scientific question that can be investigated within the semester or participating in an existing project. The project's experimental techniques, statistical analysis, and the work performed must be presented formally at the end of the semester. The project and credits allocated to a specific project must be approved by the department.
Notes
Allow course to be retaken twice, up to 6 total credits.
Requires senior majors to write a thesis on an approved psychological topic. The thesis will primarily involve library research. Guidance and supervision will be provided by a departmental faculty member.
Notes
Senior majors must choose either PSY 434 Thesis or PSY 435 Coordinating Seminar to complete their major course requirements for graduation.
Senior status
Is a formal presentation of an extensively researched and approved topic of psychological interest.
Notes
Senior majors must choose either PSY 434 Thesis or PSY 435 Coordinating Seminar to complete their major course requirements for graduation.
Senior Status