32 courses with the subject PS, 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.
PS 100Psychological Science3
This course is designed for non-major students in psychology. The course will provide an overview of the core concepts in the discipline of psychology. Topics covered are the search for direction, improving academic performance, roots of happiness, the potential effects of stress, coping, self-regulation, self-presentation, friendship and love, marriage and intimate relationships, gender and behavior, careers and work, and development and expression of sexuality. This course does not count for the Psychology major or minor. Prerequisite: none.
A survey of the areas of study within psychology with an emphasis on the scientific method, empirical studies, and differing perspectives within the field. Among the topics covered are psychological pioneers, learning, memory, perception, consciousness, development, social psychology, abnormal behavior, and therapy. Prerequisite: none.
A course dealing with the concepts involved in learning as derived from experimentation with both nonhuman and human subjects. Topics covered include habituation and sensitization, the laws of classical and operant conditioning and relevant phenomena, observational learning, learned helplessness, biological constraints on learning, and forgetting. The separate 2-hour laboratory component involves demonstration of basic principles and phenomena using experiments and computer simulations. Note: either PS 315 or PS 438 is a core requirement for Psychology majors, but this course may count as a Psychology elective in the physiological/cognitive area for minors, or for majors who have taken PS 438 as a core course. Prerequisites: PS 101 and PS 274 with a “C” or better or permission of the instructor.
A lecture-laboratory course that provides a comprehensive study of human cognition. Besides an extensive coverage of memory, the course includes an analysis of major areas such as pattern perception, attention, concept formation, semantic organization, problem solving, expertise and creativity, and decision making. The major cognitive theories are discussed, and empirical studies are emphasized in each area. Major principles and phenomena are demonstrated in a separate, 2-hour laboratory component each week. Prerequisites: PS 101 and PS 274 with a “C” or better.
Study of how the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others, i.e., the “psychology of the situation.” Topics covered include social perception and cognition, aggression, helping behavior, prejudice and discrimination, attitudes, persuasion, attraction, and self-justification.
PS 101 with a “C” or better or permission from the instructor.
PS 326Abnormal Psychology3
Exposes students to the primary models for defining and evaluating normal and abnormal human behavior in American society. Students will be acquainted with the many ways in which biological, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive factors can contribute to distress or impairment, both to the individual and the people around him or her. Students will be exposed to models of how abnormal behavior can be defined, how 174
Introduces students to the history and theory of counseling with special attention to multicultural, gender, and developmental issues. An overview of the various counseling styles and techniques will be provided with an emphasis on acquiring the basic skills needed to establish effective helping relations. Prerequisites: PS 101 and PS 329, both with a “C” or better.
Examines the theories and research focusing on the biological, sociological, and cultural influences on the psychological characteristics of women. Topics include gender socialization, including gender similarities and differences, the construction of sex roles and stereotypes, communication, intimacy, work, achievement, and mental health, violence against women and mental and emotional adjustment. Prerequisite: PS 101 with a “C” or better or permission of the instructor.
This class is designed to provide students with a historical overview of the development of Black Psychology and the African- American "frame of reference." The early sessions will focus on the historical and cultural antecedents of Psychology from an African perspective. The later sessions will partially be devoted to the discussion of the areas of interest identified below. Since "Afrikan Psychology" or Afrocentric Psychology is a relatively young and developing field, conceptual, humanistic, and scientific perspective- based discussions of relevant issues and concerns will be a major part of the course, which will involve a combination of lecture, review of relevant audiovisual media, and extensive discussion. Prerequisite: PS 101 with a “C” or better or permission of the instructor.
Covers topics that fall outside the scope of other psychology courses, but that are of timely interest to psychology students and faculty. Each semester the course will focus on a different topic. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: Human Sexuality, and GRE preparation. This course does not meet specific requirements for the major or minor in psychology; however, it does count toward free elective requirements for graduation.
PS 370Special Topics in Clinical/Applied Psychology3
Covers topics that fall within the scope of the clinical/applied specialty area in psychology but to a greater degree than covered in the courses currently offered, and/or that are temporally relevant to psychology students and faculty. Each semester the course may focus on a different topic, which include, but are not limited to the psychology of deviant behavior, forensic psychology, and industrial/organizational psychology. This course 175
PS 380Special Topics in Social/Developmental Psychology3
Covers topics that fall within the scope of the social/developmental specialty area in psychology but to a greater degree than covered in the courses currently offered, and/or that are temporally relevant to psychology students and faculty. Each semester the course may focus on a different topic, which include, but are not limited to the psychology of aging, and psychology of religion. This course counts toward the psychology elective requirements for graduation. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
PS 390Special Topics in Physiological/Cognitive Psychology3
Covers topics that fall within the scope of the physiological/cognitive specialty area in psychology but to a greater degree than covered in the courses currently offered, and/or that are temporally relevant to psychology students and faculty. Each semester the course may focus on a different topic, which include, but are not limited to drugs and behavior, cognitive neuroscience, neurobiology of learning/memory, plasticity of behavior, and technology and learning. This course counts toward the psychology elective requirements for graduation. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
This course presents the history and focus of health psychology and psycho- neuroimmunology and describes the major concepts and research used. Major topics covered include stress, its relation to illness, and ways to cope with it; the relationship between lifestyles and health; substance abuse; nutrition; pain mechanisms and management; and terminal health problems. Prerequisite: PS 101 with a “C” or better and junior standing or permission of the instructor.
A lecture/laboratory course that examines basic mechanisms of sensation and the resultant perceptions associated with them, primarily from a biological/cognitive perspective. Emphasis is placed on visual, auditory, and somatosensory mechanisms, although some time is devoted to the chemical senses as well. This course has many hands-on demonstrations and laboratory exercises to facilitate understanding of the concepts of this course. Prerequisites: PS 101, 274, and 313, all with a “C” or better.
A lecture and laboratory study of animal behavior from the perspectives of comparative psychology, ethology, sociobiology, evolutionary biology, and behavioral ecology. The course explores the ethics of animal research and provides students with instruction on observational and experimental methodology for use with animals. Additional topics covered are the biological determinants of behavior; courtship, mating, reproduction, and parental behavior among animals; animal communication; aggression and appeasement display; social organization in animal groups; and animal cognition. The lab component involves application of principles from the course in field and/or laboratory settings. instructor.
PS 101, PS 274, and PS 313, all with a “C” or better or permission of the
PS 436Tests and Measurements3
Explores the theory and technique of administering, scoring, and interpreting psychological tests. An overview of the principles and practices of group and individual 176
Detailed examination of behavioral modification techniques, behavioral principles, and their application in educational and human service settings. In the major course project, each student selects a behavior (instructor-approved) they wish to change and collects data to design an appropriate behavior modification program, which they implement, monitor, and revise, using their data. The project is written up and presented. This course is a core requirement for Psychology majors but can count as a psychology elective in the clinical/applied area for minors, or for majors who have taken PS 315 as a core course. Prerequisites: PS 101 and PS 274, all with a “C” or better, or permission of the instructor.
Discussion of the development of psychology as a formal discipline and the changes that have occurred since its founding. Topics include pre-scientific thinking about psychological issues; philosophies that influenced psychology; the origin of the early systems of psychology and their maturation and legacy; contemporary psychology; and the role of women and African Americans in the history of psychology. Prerequisites: 18 credits in Psychology with a “C” or better, including PS 101, and senior status.
This course requires students to apply theoretical knowledge and training acquired in psychology courses in a field placement or laboratory setting by completing 100 supervised hours of field or research experience (~ 10 hours/week during the semester the course is offered, or in some cases over the summer). Students at some internship sites may need to purchase a student liability insurance policy at nominal cost (<$50) &/or pay for a background check. including PS 101, PS 300, PS 254, PS 274, PS 329, and either PS 326 or PS 330 (or other PS 3xx or 4xx course relevant to placement); and prior permission of the instructor. Students must arrange their internship placement with the instructor during the semester prior to taking PS 455.
Junior standing; at least 18 credits in Psychology with a “C” or better
PS 456Senior Thesis3
This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply previous psychology training to the development of an individual psychology research project; to review, integrate, and critically evaluate the psychological literature in the student’s area of choice; to effectively communicate research ideas and write a formal APA research paper. Students may follow one of two tracks: experimental/descriptive research (which could stem from the proposal developed in PS 275) or an extensive literature review. Following completion of the study at the end of the term, students are also required to orally present their research to an audience of their peers, faculty, and invited guests and defend their thesis to a committee of 3-4 people. Prerequisites: PS 255 and PS 275, both with a “C” or better, and Senior standing. 177
Open to students who have demonstrated a high level of academic proficiency and who are motivated to engage in self- directed reading and scholarly activities. Usually involves conducting an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty member and writing the results of this research as an APA-style manuscript and/or presenting the research at a professional conference. Prerequisites: minimum GPA of 2.80, junior standing, successful completion of PS 101, PS 254, and PS 274, all with a “C” or better, permission of the instructor, and approval by the VP for Academic Affairs.
Open to students who have demonstrated a high level of academic proficiency and who are motivated to engage in self- directed reading and scholarly activities. Usually involves conducting an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty member and writing the results of this research as an APA-style manuscript and/or presenting the research at a professional conference. Prerequisites: minimum GPA of 2.80, junior standing, successful completion of PS 101, PS 254, and PS 274, all with a “C” or better, permission of the instructor, and approval by the VP for Academic Affairs.
