47 courses with the subject PSYC, 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.
PSYC 001Introduction to Psychology1
An introduction to the basic processes underlying human and animal behavior-studied in experimental, social, and clinical contexts. Analysis centers on the extent to which typical and atypical behaviors are determined by learning, motivation, neural, cognitive, and social processes. PSYC 001 is a Prerequisite for further work in the department. Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Ward. Spring 2027. Ward. Fall 2027 Staff. Spring 2028 Staff.
PSYC 004First Year Seminar: Psychology in Schools1
Schools are excellent settings in which to understand human thinking and behavior. Educational psychology, or the study of human teaching and learning, provides a great applied introduction to psychological concepts. This area of psychology also draws upon different areas of the discipline, including cognitive and developmental psychology. In this seminar, we will consider and explore psychology in school settings. To do so, we will rely primarily on academic texts, in addition to essays, film, and personal narratives to support our learning and exploration. In many ways, we will build on our own schooling experiences (what has worked and what hasn’t) to think globally about school learning, teaching, and belonging. PSYC 004 does not serve as an alternate prerequisite for further work in the department. Social sciences. 1 credit. Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 007First-Year Seminar: Early Social Cognition1
Humans are helplessly social: we spend much of our lives interacting with others, continuously encoding and processing information about our social world. What are the origins and developmental trajectory of our social cognition? Are we prejudiced from the start? How do we learn us vs. them distinction? When and how do young children come to appreciate the content of others’ minds? This course explores the underlying cognitive processes that shape infants’ and children’s understanding of the social world. Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS. Spring 2028 Foster-Hanson.
PSYC 009First Year Seminar: Psychology and Sustainability1
(Cross-listed with ENVS 036 ) Environmental issues such as climate change and pollution are, at their core, issues with human behavior. Thus, psychology has a key role to play in addressing these problems. This seminar will explore several interconnections between psychology and environmental sustainability, including how psychological biases lead to climate inaction, how understanding morality and culture is important for encouraging environmentalism, and how people can develop more sustainable relationships between themselves and nature. And is eligible for ENVS credit. PSYC 009 does not serve as an alternate prerequisite for further work in the department. Social Sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for ENVS. Fall 2026. Jacobs. Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
The course examines individual, interpersonal, and social factors that contribute to social and emotional well-being, as well as interventions designed to promote well-being. Although the course focuses on psychological well-being across a variety of contexts and life stages, a heavy emphasis will be placed on well-being during the college years. PSYC 018 does not serve as an alternate prerequisite for further work in the department. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Gillham. Fall 2027 Gillham.
How can one answer psychological questions? What counts as evidence for a theory? This course addresses questions about the formulation and evaluation of theories in psychology. The scientific model of psychological hypothesis testing is emphasized, including the critical evaluation of various research designs and methodology, understanding basic data analysis and statistical issues, and the application of those critical thinking skills to social science findings reported in the media. Students also learn to design and conduct psychology studies, analyze data generated from those studies, and write up their findings in the format of a psychology journal article. This course is required for the major prior to the student’s senior year. STAT 011. Statistical Methods I must be taken prior to or concurrently with the course. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
STAT 011 or equivalent if not taken previously. Social sciences. Writing course. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Staff. Spring 2027. Staff. Fall 2027 Staff. Spring 2028 Staff. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 030Behavioral Neuroscience1
A survey of the neural and biochemical bases of behavior with special emphasis on sensory processing, motivation, emotion, learning, and memory. Both experimental analyses and clinical implications are considered.
PSYC 001 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS Spring 2027. Fobbs. Spring 2028 Fobbs. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 031Cognitive Neuroscience1
This course provides an introduction to cognitive neuroscience–the study of how the brain enables the mind. We will begin with an overview of the neural substrates of cognition and the tools for understanding the structure and function of the human brain. We will then cover neural processes that support functions such as sensory perception and attention, memory, motor control, language, executive control, and emotional and social functioning. We will also discuss how the neural bases of cognition change over time and how they are affected by various diseases and disorders.
PSYC 001 Social Sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS Spring 2027. Staff. Spring 2028 Ezzyat. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 031ASocial, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience1
This course focuses on the neural underpinnings of cognitive (memory, attention), social (theory of mind, empathy), and affective (emotion, evaluation) processes, as well as how they interact with and contribute to each other. We consider how such processes are implemented at the neural level, but also how neural mechanisms help give rise to social and emotional phenomena. Many believe that the expansion of the human brain evolved due to the complex demands of dealing with others - competing or cooperating with them, deceiving or empathizing with them, understanding or misjudging them. In this course, we review current theories and methods guiding social, cognitive, and affective neuroscience, taking a multi-level approach to understanding the brain in its social context.
PSYC 001 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS Fall 2026. Metzger. Fall 2027 Staff. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 033Cognitive Psychology1
Cognitive psychology is one of the intellectual foundations on which modern psychological science is built. This course has two principal goals. On the one hand, it provides an integrated overview of a variety of subfields of cognitive psychology including perception, attention, memory, language, concepts, imagery, thinking, decision-making, and problem solving. On the other hand, it develops a coherent conceptual framework for understanding how behavioral experiments can illuminate the workings of the human mind.
PSYC 001 or COGS 001 or permission of the instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS Spring 2028 Grodner. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 034Psychology of Language1
(Cross-listed as LING 034 ) The capacity for language sets the human mind apart from all other minds, both natural and artificial, and so contributes critically to making us who we are. In this course, we ask several fundamental questions about the psychology of language: How do children acquire it so quickly and accurately? How do we understand and produce it, seemingly without effort? What are its biological underpinnings? What is the relationship between language and thought? How did language evolve? And to what extent is the capacity for language “built in” (genetically) versus “built up” (by experience)?
PSYC 001 , or COGS 001 , or permission of the instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS, GLBL-core Fall 2027 Grodner. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 035Social Psychology1
Social psychology argues that social context is central to human experience and behavior. This course provides a review of the field with special attention to relevant theory and research. The dynamics of cooperation and conflict, the self, group identity, conformity, social influence, prosocial behavior, aggression, prejudice, attribution, and attitudes are discussed. And is eligible for PEAC credit.
PSYC 001 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Ward. Spring 2028 Ward. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 036Clinical Neuroscience1
This course examines how disruption in brain systems can give rise to cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms in neuropsychiatric disorders. We will focus on a mechanistic approach to psychopathology that emphasizes neural circuits and large-scale brain networks, integrating evidence from neuroimaging, lesion studies, neuromodulation, behavioral and basic science research. Topics will include disorders involving cognitive control, reward and motivation, emotion regulation, perception, and belief, with attention to how these core cognitive and neural processes vary across individuals and cut across traditional diagnostic categories. Throughout the course, we will emphasize how insights from basic neuroscience are translated to clinical science, linking neural mechanisms to symptoms and to current and emerging approaches to treatment.
PSYC 001 Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Chen. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 037Multicultural Psychology1
As individuals, we function in environments we share with others. In those contexts, we learn about what it means to be and how to behave as members of a group or groups. Further, societally, group membership is associated with power and privilege for some, and marginalization for others. In this course, we will review how researchers have conceptualized culture, difference, and multiculturalism. A significant portion of the class will be spent considering race, ethnicity, and culture from a psychological perspective, particularly as they relate to interactions between dominant and nondominant groups. Identity, discrimination, intersectionality, and privilege are a few of the topics we will discuss. GLBL-Core eligibility
PSYC 001 Social Sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for GLBL-Core eligibility. Fall 2026. Thelamour. Fall 2027 Thelamour. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 038Clinical Psychology1
This course is an introduction to clinical psychology. We will survey the field of psychopathology and psychotherapy in the context of specific disorders and syndromes, and with regard to etiology, course, and treatment. Although we will give attention to different theoretical orientations and methods of investigation, we will primarily emphasize empirically supported approaches. That is, we will explore what research tells us about clinical psychology.
PSYC 001 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Wexler. Spring 2027. Staff. Fall 2027 Wexler. Spring 2028 Staff. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 039Developmental Psychology1
Do infants have concepts? How do children learn language? These questions and others are addressed in this survey course of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development during infancy and early childhood. The course asks how and why human minds and behaviors develop, examining the theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence on the nature of developmental change.
PSYC 001 . Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS Fall 2026. Baird. Fall 2027 Foster-Hanson. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 090Senior Field Placement in Clinical Psychology1
Senior Field Placement in Clinical Psychology provides field experience for students who are considering careers in clinical psychology, psychiatry, social work, and counseling. Students undertake field placements in varied settings to gain direct clinical experience. In past years, students have completed placements in organizations providing psychological and educational services to children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental difficulties, outpatient and in patient therapy programs for children and adults with anxiety and depression, and non-profits providing clinical and psychosocial support to survivors of violence, immigrants and other under served populations, Enrollment is limited to seniors and requires at least a B+ Average in Psychology as well as appropriate course preparation. PSYC 090 is a Community-Based Learning Course. To apply for a spot in PSYC 090, please complete the application available at this link. Enrollment is limited to seniors. This is only offered in the spring. If the course over-enrolls, priority is given to students who are completing majors and special majors involving psychology.
PSYC 001 and PSYC 038 Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for CBL Spring 2027. Krause. Spring 2028 Krause. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 094Independent Research
Students conduct independent research projects. They typically study problems with which they are already familiar from their courses. Students must submit a written report of their work. Registration for independent research requires the sponsorship of a faculty member in the Psychology Department who agrees to supervise the work. A Psychology Faculty Member must agree to supervise a student before he or she may enroll in PSYC 094. This course may not be taken as pass/fail. Fall 2026. Staff. Spring 2027. Staff. Fall 2027 Staff. Spring 2028 Staff.
A senior thesis, which is a yearlong empirical research project, fulfills the senior comprehensive requirement in psychology. It must be supervised by a member of the department and must be taken as a two-semester sequence for 1 credit each semester. Admission requirements include a B+ average in psychology and overall, an approved topic, an adviser, and sufficient advanced work in psychology to undertake the thesis. The supervisor and an additional reader (normally a member of the department) evaluate the final product. Students should develop a general plan in consultation with an adviser by the end of the junior year. Students are encouraged to begin thesis work during the summer preceding the senior year. A Psychology Faculty Member must agree to supervise student before enrollment. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 and PSYC 025 and permission of a research supervisor. Social sciences. Writing course. 1 credit each semester. Fall 2026. Staff. Fall 2027 Staff. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 097Senior Thesis
A senior thesis, which is a yearlong empirical research project, fulfills the senior comprehensive requirement in psychology. It must be supervised by a member of the department and must be taken as a two-semester sequence for 1 credit each semester. Admission requirements include a B+ average in psychology and overall, an approved topic, an adviser, and sufficient advanced work in psychology to undertake the thesis. The supervisor and an additional reader (normally a member of the department) evaluate the final product. Students should develop a general plan in consultation with an adviser by the end of the junior year. Students are encouraged to begin thesis work during the summer preceding the senior year. A Psychology Faculty Member must agree to supervise student before enrollment. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 and PSYC 025. Research Design and Analysis and permission of a research supervisor. Social sciences. Writing course. 1 credit each semester. Spring 2027. Staff. Spring 2028 Staff. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 098Senior Research Project0.5-1
As one means of meeting the comprehensive requirement, a student may select a topic in psychology in consultation with psychology faculty member. Usually prepared during the fall semester of the senior year, the student writes a substantial paper on the topic based on library research or original empirical research. In addition to submitting written reports, students participate in a poster conference at the end of the semester. One-half credit or one credit with a letter grade is awarded for all components of the project. Note that Psyc 98 projects are rare as most faculty do not have capacity to supervise these projects. The common routes for completing the seniors comprehensive requirement include Research Practica courses, Thesis (PSYC 096/097, Psyc 180), and the Field Placement in Clinical (PSYC 090). Registration for PSYC 098 requires the sponsorship of a faculty member in the Psychology Department who agrees to supervise the student’s work on the project. See the department website for further details www.swarthmore.edu/academics/psychology/academic-program/majors-and-minors.xml . A Psychology Faculty Member must agree to supervise student before enrollment. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 , PSYC 025 , and permission of a research adviser. 0.5 - 1 credit. Fall 2026. Staff. Spring 2027. Staff. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 102Research Practicum in Perception and Cognition0.5-1
In this course, students conduct research projects singly or in small groups in collaboration with the instructor. Projects include designing, implementing, analyzing and reporting an experiment. Project topics are negotiated at the beginning of the semester. Past projects have studied eye-movements and decision-making, perception of the bodily self, self-motion and space perception, metaphor processing, and even experimental demand characteristics. All students meet together for a weekly lab meeting; additional weekly meeting times will be scheduled. When taken in the senior year, this course fulfills the comprehensive requirement in psychology. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 , PSYC 025 or permission of the instructor. 0.5 - 1 credit. Fall 2026. Durgin. Fall 2027 Durgin. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 103Research Practicum in Behavioral Neuroscience1
This practicum consists of a weekly seminar meeting and a laboratory component. Students will discuss topics related to behavioral neuroscience research and conduct a research project in collaboration with the instructor. Research projects typically relate to feeding and involve behavioral assays, pharmacological manipulations, and/or neuroimaging with mice as the model species. For the lab component, students are required to work in the animal facility for at least 1 hour per week between 9am- 5pm. When taken in the senior year, this practicum fulfills the comprehensive requirement in psychology and neuroscience. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 , PSYC 025 , PSYC 030 or BIOL 022 , or permission of the instructor. Lab: 1 hour between 9am- 5pm once or more per week. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Fobbs. Spring 2028 Fobbs. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 105Research Practicum in Psychology and Neuroscience: Social Imitation1
In this course students conduct research projects singly or in small groups in collaboration with the instructor. Projects include designing, implementing, analyzing and reporting an experiment. Project topics are negotiated at the beginning of the semester but will generally focus on topics related to social imitation, including why we tend to imitate others, what purposes social imitation serves, the consequences of social imitation for the experience of empathy, how imitation may give rise to emotional contagion, and how interpersonal factors such as similarity, attractiveness, and race bias may affect imitation. All students meet together for a weekly lab meeting; additional weekly meeting times will be scheduled. When taken in the senior year, this course fulfills the comprehensive requirement in psychology. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 ; PSYC 025. Research Design and Analysis ; either PSYC 031A. Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience or PSYC 035. Social Psychology and permission of the instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 106Research Practicum in Cognitive Development1
This course provides experience in conducting research with infants and young children. Students conduct research projects singly or in small groups in collaboration with the instructor. Students will design, implement, analyze, and report an experiment. Project topics are negotiated at the beginning of the semester and are focused on language and concept acquisition as well as the interaction between language and cognition early in development. All students meet together for a weekly lab meeting; additional weekly meeting times will be scheduled. When taken in the senior year, this course fulfills the comprehensive requirement in psychology. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 ; PSYC 025. Research Design and Analysis and permission of the instructor. PSYC 039. Developmental Psychology is strongly recommended. Social sciences. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 107Research Practicum in Developmental Psychology1
PSYC 001 or the equivalent, PSYC 039 (Developmental Psychology), PSYC 025 (Research Design and Analysis) Social Sciences. 1 credit. Fall 2027 Foster-Hanson. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 108Research Practicum in Clinical Psychology
In this class, you will work in small groups to develop, design, conduct, analyze, and report an empirical research project. The primary objective is to foster your understanding of all phases of the research process from conception to report. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001; PSYC 025. Research Design and Analysis; PSYC 038. Clinical Psychology. Social sciences. 1 credit each semester. Eligible for CBL Fall 2026. Siev. Spring 2027. Siev. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 109Research Practicum in Social and Emotional Well-Being1
This course provides experience in conducting research related to clinical psychology, prevention, and well-being promotion. The course focuses on the development and promotion of social and emotional well-being in adolescents and young adults. Students typically work in groups and collaborate on one or more research projects. Students may work on ongoing projects in the lab and/or develop new projects. Research projects typically focus on: 1) identifying and understanding the psychosocial and contextual factors that promote social and emotional well-being and protect against the development of psychological difficulties (e.g., depression and anxiety); and/or 2) evaluating school- and community-based programs designed to promote social and emotional well-being. Students gain experience in many aspects of the research process, including reviewing research literature, developing research questions and hypotheses, implementing research projects, entering and analyzing data, and presenting on projects and findings orally and in writing (in journal article format). In addition to the class meeting time, additional time is scheduled as needed to conduct research projects. Senior Comprehensive Credit: When taken in the senior year, this course fulfills the comprehensive requirement in psychology. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 or the equivalent and PSYC 025 : Research Design and Analysis; PSYC 038 : Clinical Psychology is strongly preferred. Social sciences. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Gillham. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 110Research Practicum in Cognitive Neuroscience1
This advanced research course provides in-depth training in the experimental methods of cognitive neuroscience, focused on human memory. Students will work individually and in groups on semester-long projects in collaboration with the Instructor. Projects will include literature reviews, experimental design, data collection, analysis, journal-formatted writing of results, and oral presentations. All students in the class must attend a weekly lab meeting; students will also meet weekly with the Instructor and their project group. Students will be expected to find additional time outside of class to complete research project tasks with their groups. When completed in the senior year, this course fulfills the comprehensive requirement for Psychology and Neuroscience. This course may not be taken pass/fail.
PSYC 111Research Practicum in Multicultural Psychology1
Students conduct research projects in small groups in collaboration with the instructor. Projects include designing, implementing, analyzing, and reporting on an empirical project. Projects will focus on the role racial/ethnic identity in various groups and within various contexts. In addition to the class meeting time, students should prepare to schedule additional time to conduct research projects. Senior Comprehensive Credit: When taken in the senior year, this course fulfills the comprehensive requirement in psychology. This course may not be taken as CR/NC.
PSYC 001 , PSYC 025 , and PSYC 037 or instructor’s permission. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Thelamour. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 112Research Practicum in Environmental Psychology1
ENVS eligble. In this course, students will conduct empirical research projects individually or in small groups in collaboration with the instructor. This includes designing and implementing a study, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting and presenting the findings. Project topics will be focused on how humans interact with the natural world, using a social psychological approach. This could include questions such as: How can we encourage pro-environmental behavior? What are the benefits of spending time in nature? What are the impacts of emotions elicited by nature such as awe and gratitude? What factors explain climate change denial? What are the antecedents and consequences of climate anxiety? In addition to the class meeting time, additional time is scheduled as needed to conduct research projects. When taken in the senior year, this course fulfills the comprehensive requirement in psychology. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 or the equivalent, PSYC 025, and PSYC 035. ENVS eligble. 1 Credit. Eligible for ENVS eligble. Spring 2027. Jacobs. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 130Seminar in Behavioral Neuroscience1
Course previously titled Seminar in Physiological Psychology An analysis of the neural bases of motivation, emotion, learning, memory, and language. Generalizations derived from neurobehavioral relations are brought to bear on clinical issues. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 and PSYC 030. Behavioral Neuroscience or BIOL 022 or permission of the instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS Fall 2026. Fobbs. Fall 2027 Fobbs. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 131Seminar in Cognitive Neuroscience1
This course is an in-depth examination of the neuroscience of human memory. By reading and discussing primary research articles, we will study current issues and theories as they relate to neural, cognitive, and computational explanations of human memory behavior. In the first part of the course, we will examine the anatomy of memory and basic memory phenomena. We will then learn about current theories and debates in the field of human memory. In the final part of the course, we will learn about how technological advances (like artificial intelligence) are influencing memory research, and what they mean for the future of our understanding of memory. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 and PSYC 031 , or permission of the instructor. Social Science. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS Fall 2027 Ezzyat. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 131ASeminar in Social Neuroscience: The Social Brain1
This seminar focuses on a critical analysis of current social neuroscience literature, covering topics such as person perception, empathy, perspective taking, emotion, attitudes, relationships, stereotypes and prejudice. Students consider evidence from studies using a broad spectrum of methods, including behavioral measures, functional neuroimaging, neurophysiological recordings, neuropsychology and computational modeling. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001. Introduction to Psychology and PSYC 031A. Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience or PSYC 031. Cognitive Neuroscience or permission of the instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS Spring 2028 Norris. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 131BSeminar in Affective Neuroscience1
Students will engage in a critical evaluation of current topics in socio-affective neuroscience. Topics will include a contemporary investigation of neural bases of human social and affective (emotion) processes and related clinical disorders. The seminar will consider evidence from historic and emerging neuroscience methods including lesion-based approaches, neuropsychology, functional neuroimaging, scalp and intracranial electrophysiological recordings (EEG), as well as the emergence of neuromodulation as a therapeutic intervention for treatment-resistant clinical disorders (i.e., Parkinson’s Disease, treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder). This course cannot be taken as pass/fail. Social sciences.
Perception is fundamental to both cognition and action, yet much of it is both subjective and private and deeply biological. How is this fundamental aspect of our experience structured and how has it evolved? This seminar, which is a co-requisite of PSYC 032, provides a rich format for the discussion of scientific work in the study of perceptual systems and perception itself. Students normally additionally engage in collaborative research projects as part of the course. In conjunction with PSYC 032, this course serves as an honors preparation in Psychology, Cognitive Science or in Neuroscience. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001. Introduction to Psychology and PSYC 025. Research Design and Analysis , or COGS 001. Introduction to Cognitive Science , or permission of instructor.
Corequisite
PSYC 032. Perception Seminar along with one laboratory period weekly. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 133Metaphor and Mind Seminar1
Metaphor and other forms of figurative language use are fundamental to human thought. Can studying metaphor help us understand the representation of meaning in the brain and the communication of meaning between minds? How do metaphors affect our conceptualization of the world and of each other? This seminar examines scientific theories of metaphor use and understanding from psycholinguistics, cognitive science, philosophy of language, and neuroscience. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 033. Cognitive Psychology , PSYC 034. Psychology of Language or COGS 001. Introduction to Cognitive Science or permission of the instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 134Seminar in Language and Theory of Mind1
(Cross-listed as LING 134 ) We learn and use language in social contexts. This means that we have to keep track of the perspectives, beliefs, and intentions of the people with whom we communicate in order to speak and comprehend appropriately. The seminar will investigate the psychological underpinnings of these abilities and their linguistic consequences. Questions to be addressed include: How do children acquire the social reasoning skills necessary for using and learning language? How does language come to have meaning by virtue of its conversational context? How do speakers and hearers use the context to understand language in real time? What parts of the brain are responsible for this ability and what can this tell us? What are the linguistic abilities of populations with differences in social reasoning (such as in autism)? We will examine a variety of phenomena in exploring these questions such as reading between the lines, word learning, perspective taking, politeness, metaphors, and irony. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 034. Psychology of Language , PSYC 033. Cognitive Psychology , or COGS 001. Introduction to Cognitive Science , or permission of the instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS. Spring 2028 Grodner. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 135Seminar in Social Psychology1
The seminar will provide an opportunity for critical exploration of contemporary topics in social psychology, including findings from cross-cultural and social neuroscience research. Various perspectives and methods for investigating how human mind and social behavior interact with situational and environmental factors are considered. Real world implications and applications are also discussed. And is eligible for ENVS credit. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 and PSYC 035. Social Psychology or permission of the instructor. PSYC 025. Research Design and Analysis is strongly preferred. Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for ENVS. Fall 2026. Ward. Fall 2027 Ward. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 135BSeminar in Social Psychology: Psychology of Climate Change1
Environmental issues such as climate change are, at their core, issues with human behavior and social institutions. Thus, social psychology has a key role to play in addressing the climate crisis. This seminar will explore several interconnections between social psychology and climate change, including how psychological barriers lead to climate inaction, how social norms and persuasion principles can be used to encourage pro-environmental behavior, and the role of culture, relationships, and values in determining belief in climate change.
PSYC 001 and PSYC 036. Clinical Neuroscience or permission of the instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Chen. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 137Seminar in Multicultural Psychology: Immigrant Adjustment1
This seminar will bring students to use multicultural theories and concepts to understand the experiences of immigrants as they adjust to their new countries. Questions under consideration include “What does cultural adjustment look like for immigrants?” and “What stressors do undocumented immigrants endure?” The course uses an ecological framework to tackle the multifacetedness of the impact of immigration on the individual.
PSYC 001 and PSYC 037 , or permission of the instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Thelamour. Spring 2028 Thelamour. Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 138Seminar in Clinical Psychology1
Seminar in Clinical Psychology is an advanced study of special topics in clinical psychology, including etiology and treatments for several major disorders. In addition to considering adolescent and adult mental health difficulties within a developmental psychopathology framework, readings and topics will emphasize the role of context and culture in the understanding, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of psychopathology. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 and PSYC 038: Clinical Psychology or permission of the instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 138BSeminar in Clinical Psychology: Anxiety Disorders1
This course provides an in-depth look at anxiety disorders, including phobias, panic disorder, agoraphobia, GAD, social anxiety disorder, OCD, and PTSD. We will explore the etiology, psychopathology, and treatment of each disorder, as well as current controversies and future directions. We will give attention to different theoretical orientations and methods of investigation; however, we will primarily emphasize empirically supported approaches. That is, we will explore what research tells us about anxiety. Students may only use one clinical seminar, either PSYC 138A or PSYC 138B as an honors preparation. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 and PSYC 038 or permission of the instructor. Social Sciences. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Siev. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 138CSeminar in Clinical Psychology and Well-Being1
This course is an advanced study of special topics related to mental health and well-being. We will discuss mental health and well-being from a variety of perspectives including biological, psychological, developmental, and social-contextual. We will focus a broad range of interventions from the treatment and prevention of common psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety to the promotion of well-being. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
How could babies born all over the world, with roughly the same basic capacities, grow up into adults who think about the world so differently? In this seminar, we will explore how children come to understand and reason about the world and themselves in it. For example, how do children learn and think about different categories of things-from natural kinds like plants and animals, to social groups like race and gender, to human-made artifacts like robots and iPads? We will focus on the role of children’s own direct experiences in shaping how they think, as well as the inferences they make about the social interactions they have with people around them in their daily lives. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 and PSYC 039. Developmental Psychology or permission of the instructor. Social sciences. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS, ESCH. Spring 2028 Foster-Hanson. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PSYC 180Honors Thesis
An honors thesis, a yearlong empirical research project, fulfills the senior comprehensive requirement in psychology as part of an honors major in psychology. It must be supervised by a member of the department and must be taken as a two-semester sequence for 1 credit each semester. Students should develop a general plan in consultation with an adviser by the end of the junior year. When possible, students are encouraged to begin work on their thesis during the summer before their senior year. This course may not be taken as pass/fail.
PSYC 001 ; PSYC 025. Research Design and Analysis and permission of a research supervisor. Social sciences. Writing course. 1 credit each semester. Fall 2026. Staff. Spring 2027. Staff. Fall 2027 Staff. Spring 2028 Staff. Catalog chapter: Psychology Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/psychology Access the class schedule to search for sections.
