34 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 141INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE4
Survey of major topic areas in modern psychology and terminology of the discipline, giving students a more complete understanding of themselves and others. Discussion of topics such as the debate over nature and nurture, human development, physiological psychology, social psychology, and several other major areas within psychology, and discussions of the Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 374
This course focuses on the definition and understanding of processes basic to the development of complex human behaviors. Particular attention will be paid to the powerful developmental factors during the first 12 years of life and their relevance for later behavior. Open to first-year students. Offered Term 1
This course examines theories and research on adolescent and emerging adult development. Influences of biological, cognitive, and social factors on development will be discussed in various topics such as identity, the self, independence, delinquency, and resilience. Emphasis will be given to ecological factors surrounding adolescents such as family, peers, school, work, and social media. Open to first-year students. Offered Term . 1
We will explore how the brain perceives and creates music and how music affects brain structure and function and will practice reading research literature. Students will have the opportunity to conduct research by writing survey questions, collecting, and analyzing data, and presenting their results. (TLAS). Offered Term 1.
This course addresses the foundations of modern social psychology; social interactions and social processes; nature and characteristics of social groupings; types of social groupings; social change and stability; and development and change of attitudes. The course will also have practical application as found in current research on group influences and reactions in experimental and natural settings.
Basic research provides the central subject matter for the sciences. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of research methods used in psychology. Topics covered include Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 375
This lab offers practical applications of concepts covered in the lecture course. Topics covered include locating and critiquing primary research articles, basics of scientific writing with an emphasis on APA style, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, reliability and validity analysis, and professional presentation fundamentals. The lab must be taken in the same term as the lecture course. Corequisite: PSY 205. Offered both terms.
Students gain hands-on experience in selecting, calculating, and interpreting results of the statistical tests most commonly used in behavioral research. The course covers basic statistical concepts, concentrating on using statistics to test research hypotheses. Emphasis is placed on learning to choose an appropriate statistical test for a given research design. Open to first-year students. Prerequisite: q. Offered both terms. (Q)
This seminar-based course focuses on the development of skills necessary to conduct valid, reliable research in the behavioral sciences. In addition to text-based materials in research techniques, the course provides each student the opportunity to design, conduct, and present the results of a full-scale research project on the subject of their choice.
This course covers the physiological, cognitive, and social aspects of motivation and emotion through lectures, discussions, and interactive exercises. Some of the topics to be covered include types of needs, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, goal setting, theories of emotion/ individual emotions, and growth motivation. Practical applications will be emphasized throughout the course. Prerequisite: PSY 141. Offered Term 2.
This course focuses on the role of culture in developing human mind and behavior, and cultural similarities and differences in psychological processes around the world. The various psychological processes will be discussed in topics such as socialization, cognition and Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 376
This course focuses on the cultural variation in child development and family life around the world and within the U.S. Attention will be paid to the external conditions that affect the internal workings of these families. We will discuss topics such as cultural variation, acculturation, enculturation, and the values that are inherited from the country of origin (with the exception of Native Americans).
Industrial–Organizational Psychology is often viewed as a field with two distinct, yet related components. This course focuses on Industrial Psychology, which examines the analysis of jobs; the recruitment, selection, and training of employees; and the evaluation of performance in the workplace. We will discuss the psychological theories, research findings, and methods used to design effective, fair, and legally defensible personnel systems that human resource managers and organizations rely on every day. Offered Term 1.
This course examines evolutionary psychology, including a brief historical review of key themes in psychology and evolutionary biology. Concepts and principles of human evolution will be developed in the context of classic and contemporary issues in social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and personality psychology. Topics covered include Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 377
This course is an overview of the scientific study of human sexual thoughts, feelings, and behavior. This course will place emphasis on future directions for research on human sexuality. Topics include developmental and social perspectives of sexual thought and behavior, sexual motivation and arousal, and more specific topics, including sexual interests across the menstrual cycle, mate preferences, and infidelity.
PSY 281PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ETHICS IN PSYCHOLOGY4
This 4-credit course will introduce students to diverse career options available in the field of psychology and cover ethical issues and principles. Course activities and guest speakers will help prepare students to apply to graduate programs and employment opportunities. Examples of topics covered include career paths, licensing requirements, internships, the graduate school application process, résumé writing, as well as ethical quandaries around justice, consent, and confidentiality in human service fields and research.
An opportunity to explore lower-level topics within psychology of special interest to a student. Students may suggest programs of reading, laboratory, research, or clinical activity to individual faculty for their approval and guidance. Offered any term.
Relationships between behavior and underlying physiological mechanisms are examined. Basic anatomy of the nervous system, characteristics of sensory systems, neuro- and endocrine- interactions, and neural developmental processes are discussed. Also listed and described as BIOL 317. Prerequisite: PSY 141.
This course will cover the major approaches to the scientific study of human thinking from the information-processing and connectionist perspectives. Topics include perception, attention, memory, knowledge, language, reasoning, creativity, and problem solving. Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 378
Also listed and described as BIOL 323. PSY 323 fulfills the Biological & Comparative area course for the Psychology major, regardless of whether PSY 323L is taken.
Cognitive neuroscience aims to understand the ways in which the brain influences how people think, feel, and act. Throughout this course we will investigate higher mental processes—such as perception, attention, and memory—with a focus on how each are linked to neural processes. Methods (e.g., fMRI) to study these brain functions will be discussed along with notable empirical findings.
This is an upper-level class that covers the evidence-based understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders in adults. Topics covered include schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress, mood disorders, and others.
PSY 141, PSY 205 (can co-req for concentration students). Offered Term 1.
PSY 350SPECIAL TOPIC: HOMICIDE4
This seminar course focuses on key studies conducted on the psychology of homicide. We will review various types of homicide, including fratricide, infanticide, serial homicide, suicide, and parricide. We will explore demographic information of both victims and perpetrators and will examine circumstances that precede homicides such as partner violence, sexual jealousy, same- sex conflicts over status and reputation, stalking, and fatal attraction. Prerequisites PSY 205 & PSY 208. Offered Term 2
PSY 351BEHAVIORIAL DISORDERS OF CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE4
An examination of the theories, characteristics, etiology, and treatment of the major categories of behavior disorders that affect children and adolescents. Topics covered include autism, attention deficits and hyperactivity, intellectual disabilities, learning disorders, anxiety, aggression, substance abuse, and responses to trauma.
PSY 361THEORY & RESEARCH IN CLINICAL/COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY4
This course explores theories and research trends within the field of Clinical/Counseling Psychology. Students will learn to conceptualize individuals from a variety of perspectives and to critically examine evidence of treatment efficacy. This course will summarize the ethical guidelines, varied applications, and current state of clinical practice in the United States. PSY 361 is a prerequisite for PSY 362. Offered Term 1.
PSY 362PRACTICE & TECHNIQUES OF CLINICAL/COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY4
This course covers the basic techniques, skills, and intervention tools used in the counseling field. Students will be expected to engage in active role-play, to provide and receive interpersonal feedback, and to examine their individual assumptions in line with culturally informed practices. The course will emphasize general factors and an evidence-based orientation to counseling.
Personality is a very broad field of study. It refers to the set of enduring psychological traits within individuals that influence their interactions with, and their adaptations to different environments. This course introduces students to the history of personality psychology and the research and applications of personality science. This course also introduces students to biological, cognitive, intrapsychic, and social factors that influence personality. Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 380
This course examines the psychology behind eyewitness memory. Why do witnesses make memory errors? How can these mistakes be prevented? We’ll explore both questions by discussing notable research studies related to psychology and the law. Additionally, we’ll examine cases of individuals who have been wrongfully convicted based on faulty eyewitness evidence. Examples of topics covered include: the cross-race effect, child eyewitnesses, co- witness effects, false confessions, jury decision making, identification procedures, and the cognitive interview.
This is an experiential learning course which combines a field placement in the community with a formal reflective component and integrative project. Students will apply their knowledge of psychology in a relevant setting and reflect upon new learning experiences in a weekly seminar format. Placements must be arranged in advance via instructor consultation and include a minimum 112-hour commitment. Permission of instructor is required. Offered Term 2. (ELR)
An opportunity to explore advanced topics within psychology of special interest to a student. Students may suggest programs of reading, laboratory, research, or clinical activity to individual faculty for their approval and guidance. Offered any term.
Students participate in applied psychological programs at institutions or with psychologists in private practice in the Roanoke area. Emphasis is on direct, intensive experience with the application of psychological principles in practical circumstances. Application with faculty required prior to registration. Offered any term
This course allows students to apply the knowledge and skills they have developed over the course of their undergraduate careers in psychology. Students’ experiences in summarizing ideas in writing and in oral form will be practiced. Psychology majors will have opportunities to contemplate the future of the field of psychology through readings that highlight noteworthy and controversial recent findings. Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 381
senior psychology major or permission from the instructor. Offered Term 1.
PSY 490SENIOR HONORS THESIS (4, 4)
An extensive research project to be carried out over both regular terms and Short Term. A research proposal and literature review are due at the end of Term 1. Students will complete an APA-style thesis and present their projects at the Chapter 3 Science Seminar in Spring Term. Open to qualified senior psychology majors. Application with faculty is required prior to registration.
