25 courses with the subject PSY, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
PSY 1330General Psychology4
Goals: To introduce the content and methods of the science of psychology. To provide a foundation for the further study of psychology. Content: Physiological processes, perception, learning and memory, cognition, emotion, development and personality, social processes, psychopathology and psychotherapy. Taught: Every semester
Goals: To provide introductory coverage of the principles of behavioral neuroscience. Content: The study of the biological basis of thoughts, emotions, and behavior is explored with particular emphasis on methodologies and approaches. Examination of the general scientific method with a focus on debunking the myths of neuroscience is a recurring theme in this course. Taught: Every semester
Goals: To explore developmental theories and methods used to describe and examine typical physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development across the lifespan. Content: Research methods, physical development (brain, motor, puberty, menopause, health and wellness), cognitive development (language, intelligence, school performance, memory processes), and socio-emotional development (sense of self, personality, well-being, relationships, threats to well-being). Taught: Every semester
Goals: To introduce students to current perspectives on major forms of psychopathology; classification, assessment and diagnosis; and etiology, course, and treatment of disorders. Content: Various forms of psychopathology (e.g., anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders) understood within a bio-psycho-social framework; etiology, course, and treatment of disorders; issues in classification, assessment, and diagnosis; contemporary issues in mental health and mental illness. Taught: Every semester
Crosslisted: Also listed as ECON 3200 Goals: Students in this course will be able to articulate the history of Judgement and Decision Making (JDM) research, explain key JDM theories, and apply JDM theories to specific areas of human behavior using appropriate methodology from economics or psychology. Content: We make judgments and decisions on a daily basis: some are trivial, others consequential; some are made as individuals, others as part of a larger household or organization. How do humans arrive at judgments and decisions in varied contexts? This course provides an overview of the topics in judgment and decision making (JDM) under conditions of risk, uncertainty, interdependence, or bounded rationality. We will apply JDM theories to varied contexts (e.g., medical decision making, consumer behavior, discrimination, and gambling), explore the history of this field of study, and contrast methodological approaches used to study JDM in psychology and economics.
ECON 1100 or PSY 1330, grade of C- or higher Credits: 4
PSY 3350Research Methods in Psychology4
Goals: To understand the logic of experimental methodology, basic principles of experimental design, data analyses, limitations of experiments, and ethical considerations related to psychology research. Content: Correlational and experimental research methods, threats to good experimental design, and interpretation of results. Students design research studies, conduct statistical analyses, and write up their own experiments. Taught: Every semester
PSY 1330 and a course in statistics (MATH 1200, QMBE 1310, or an equivalent) with grades of C- or higher. Students who are not declared psychology or neuroscience majors must have instructor permission to register. Credits: 4
PSY 3420Cognitive Neuroscience4
Goals: To introduce the important insights and theoretical principles of modern cognitive science. Content: Students study evolution of human cognition, consciousness, perception and attention, memory, knowledge representation, language, reasoning, problem solving, cognitive development, learning, and individual differences in cognition. Taught: Annually
PSY 1330 and PSY 1420, grades of C- or higher Credits: 4
PSY 3440Advanced Child Development4
Goals: To provide a broad overview of theories of child development and research in child psychology. Content: Research methods with children, genetics, learning and cognitive development, moral development, socialization processes, family dynamics, and child-rearing. Taught: Spring
PSY 1330, grade of C- or higher; PSY 1440 is recommended Credits: 4
PSY 3450Adult Development and Aging4
Goals: To explore developmental change across various domains of adulthood, including biological, cognitive, psychological, and socio-emotional, and how these domains interact with one another. Content: Perspectives on adult development and aging, methods and issues in studying adult development and aging, the neuroscience and biological theories of aging, longevity, health and functioning, developmental changes in cognition, stereotypes and beliefs about aging, personality development in adulthood, mental health and the adult life course, relationships and occupational choice across adulthood, dying and bereavement, and healthy aging. Taught: Fall
PSY 1330, grade of C- or higher; PSY 1440 is recommended Credits: 4
PSY 3460Family Development and Dynamics4
Goals: To think theoretically and comprehensively about family relationships, what influences them, and how they develop and change across the lifespan; to understand, recognize, and distinguish key theories in the field of family studies and analyze the usefulness and limitations of each theory in understanding relationships among family members; to integrate research and theory on key family relationships (parent-child, interparental, sibling) to form a more complete picture of individual and family development; to refine critical thinking skills through exploring, discussing, and analyzing diverse theoretical viewpoints in family studies; and to apply theoretical and conceptual frameworks to their own interests in family studies. Content: This course involves weekly writing assignments where students apply the tenets of a new and distinct theoretical framework to current empirical research on family studies, noting the benefits and limitations of each framework in guiding our understanding of new trends in family development and dynamics. The course also includes a final project, where students interpret a memoir about families through a selection of multiple frameworks, thereby demonstrating their ability to take on multiple perspectives of interpretation and analysis on families.
Goals: Successful completion of this course will result in a base knowledge of psychopharmacological approaches, perspectives, and methods. Students will be able to use this knowledge to critically examine drug interaction understanding and drug effects from a skeptical, scientific stance. Content: This course will provide comprehensive coverage of the principles of psychopharmacology, neurophysiology, synaptic transmission, and the neurotransmitters most commonly associated with psychoactive drug effects. This course will focus on the characteristics of major psychoactive drugs, their psychological and behavioral effects, and the mechanisms by which such effects occur. These drugs will include alcohol, opiates, cocaine and amphetamines, nicotine and caffeine, marijuana and cannabinoids, and several hallucinogens. Special emphasis will be placed on each drug’s misuse potential with particular focus on the neural mechanisms of addiction and withdrawal. Origin and reduction strategies of the opioid epidemic will also be featured. In addition, this course will cover the drugs used to treat psychological disorders of mood, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Taught: Annually
Goals: To examine scientific theory and research related to mindfulness and health; to evaluate evidence and practices related to the influence of mindfulness on physical and psychological well-being; to understand methodologies and applications of mindfulness approaches in lab-based and clinical contexts across the lifespan. Content: We will cover a variety of scientific perspectives on mindfulness and health, including information about genetic, physiological, immunological, psychological, and relationship factors. We will discuss mindfulness and health in the context of pain and disease, physical and psychological outcomes, and mental disorders and interventions (with a focus on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). Applied exercises and practices will make use of methods studied in the empirical literature and we will use our own data to track impact of the practices. Taught: Annually in summer
Goals: To introduce students to current theories, research, and applications of psychological science related to risk and resilience. Content: Descriptions of models and frameworks of risk and resilience; individual perspectives; protective systems; the role of families and schools; the impact of culture; and prevention and policy approaches.
Goals: To provide an overview of the major approaches to psychotherapy; to compare and contrast models of psychotherapy; to become familiar with contemporary trends in psychotherapy. Content: Major theories of psychotherapy are presented, including psychoanalysis and psychodynamic models, humanistic models, behavioral models, cognitive models, multicultural approaches, Eastern-influenced approaches, and eclectic and integrative models.
Goals: To introduce the prominent social psychological theories and research relating to social behavior. Content: A survey of classic and contemporary theories in impression formation, person perception, prejudice and stereotyping, interpersonal attraction and relationships, altruism and aggression, conformity and persuasion, and group processes. Taught: Annually
Goals: To examine research and theory on cross-cultural psychology from international and domestic perspectives. To gain an overview of how cross-cultural issues relate to and influence different areas of psychology and to present the methods psychologists use to study culture and its effects on behavior and emotion (from social psychology to clinical psychology). Content: Topics include (but are not limited to) cultural universality and specificity, ethnic identity, cultural variations in human development, personality, emotion, cognition, social interactions and psychopathology, psychology of immigration and acculturation, mindfulness-based approaches, and psychological assessment and treatment of culturally diverse populations. Taught: Annually
PSY 1330 and a statistics course (MATH 1200, QMBE 1310, or an equivalent) with grades of C- or higher Credits: 4
PSY 3840Addictive Disorders4
Goals: To examine research and theory on the causes and consequences of alcoholism, binge drinking, drug addictions, and behavioral addictions. Content: A wide variety of perspectives on normal-range substance use, college drinking, alcoholism, nicotine dependence, drug addictions, and behavioral addictions will be covered including: behavioral genetics, neuroscience and psychophysiological research, developmental issues, environmental factors, co-occurring disorders, clinical psychological treatment and prevention, psychiatry, and epidemiological, social, emotional, attitudinal, and experimental studies. Students will engage in data analysis, write-up and interpretation of real data sets on addiction, and read and critique research articles on various topics. Taught: Annually
PSY 1330, and PSY 1420 or PSY 1480, with grades of C- or higher Credits: 4
PSY 3850Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder4
Goals: To describe and critically analyze research, theory, and practice in the field of psychopathic and antisocial personalities and forensic psychology. Students will learn key descriptive, causal and treatment approaches to the field. Content: We will discuss psychopathic and antisocial personalities and distinctions between these and other psychiatric disorders. Using case histories, we will examine different expressions of the psychopathic personality, including criminal and successful types, as well as the serial murderer. Other topics will include: diagnostic approaches, developmental issues, treatment, forensic psychology practice, gender differences, personality profiling; causal factors in criminal and psychopathic behavior; research on emotion, and thought processes in psychopaths. Taught: Annually in summer
PSY 1330 and PSY 1480, grades of C- or higher Credits: 4
PSY 3870Topics in Social and Cultural Psychology4
Goals: To introduce contemporary theories and research in social and cross-cultural psychology and explore multiple perspectives on current challenges in social and cross-cultural psychology. Content: This course explores the intersection of culture and social psychology. Relevant theories, research, methods, and issues will be examined. Topics include culture and self (e.g., identity, language, development, morality), culture and others (e.g., person perception, family, friendships, relationships, work), and culture and well-being (e.g., health and happiness), relationships, and work.
Goals: To explore the application and contribution of psychological knowledge across a range of topics and to effectively translate and communicate psychological science for the public’s benefit. Content: This course will review the application and contribution of psychological knowledge across a broad range of topics that can benefit the public. Selected topics include neuroscience, sensation and perception, learning and memory, intelligence, emotion and motivation, development and personality, mental and physical health, and working life.
Goals: To introduce students to the concept of human belief and doubt in philosophy, psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. The course primarily aims to explore the differences of two theoretical belief models with emphasis on how each one of these belief models may shape our society. This includes issues dealing with the right of free speech, mass communications, advertising, propaganda, lie detection, and religious beliefs. Students will cultivate their own perspectives with cumulative essays and in class discussion, as well as improving lecture skills with multiple in class presentations. Content: Wide-ranging perspectives on human belief: philosophical, cognitive science, and cognitive neuroscience; lesion method in cognitive neuroscience, prefrontal cortex functionality, cognitive science of religion, authoritarianism, dual-processing, cognitive dissonance. Taught: Spring
PSY 3420, grade of C- or higher, and declared major in psychology or neuroscience Credits: 4
PSY 5440Childhood and Society4
Goals: To examine controversial issues in child development that have substantial implications for public and social policy. The topics examined will link development, education, and cultural practices from infancy through adolescence. Content: Specific topics vary by semester and will include topics of both historical relevance and contemporary debates within child development (e.g., adolescent risk behavior, child care, children and the law, developmental theory and educational practices, family diversity, media exposure, parenting styles, public health, poverty, and technology use). Taught: Fall
PSY 3440, grade of C- or higher, declared psychology major, and senior standing Credits: 4
PSY 5720Clinical Health Psychology4
Goals: This seminar is designed to examine the interrelationships between behavior, emotion, health and psychological disorders and dysfunction. Students will be introduced to the assessment, treatment and causes of physical and psychological health issues. Content: The role of the practicing psychologist in a medical setting will be discussed and how psychologists function in the context of health care settings will be a major focus of the course (ranging from ethics to assessment and treatment) and we will examine how they operate with other medical professionals. Emphasis will be on clinical intervention and assessment of physical and mental disorders in context. Taught: Annually
PSY 1480, grade of C- or higher, declared psychology major, and senior standing Credits: 4
PSY 5750Capstone: Positive Psychology4
Goals: To introduce students to the scientific study of positive characteristics, positive experiences, and positive institutions; to critically examine particular topics in positive psychology in depth; and to make connections between theory and practice in positive psychology. Content: Variable from session to session.
PSY 3350, grade of C- or higher, declared psychology major, and senior standing
PSY 5800Psychology of Politics, Ideology, and Identity4
Goals: This course will introduce historical and contemporary perspectives in political psychology. Students will consider topics from multiple levels of analysis to better understand how psychological processes interact with mass politics and shape our social reality and institutions. Content: Topics will vary by semester and reflect current issues. Sample topics include: methodology across disciplines, Ideology and partisanship, identity, motivated reasoning, misinformation, elite communication and media, polarization, worldview, morality, race, immigration, gender, conspiracy theories, campaigns, personality, collective action.
