Academic Bulletin Psychology - Course Descriptions - 2009-10

A survey of concepts, principles, and theories of an empirical science of behavior. Topics include behavioral biology, learning, memory, sensation, perception, cognition, motivation, emotion, social behavior, personality, and psychopathology. This course is offered both semesters.

An introduction to the principles and techniques involved in the design and analysis of psychological research. Development of abilities in quantitative analysis and reasoning, decision-making, and hypothesis testing are aided by conducting behavioral research projects. This course is offered in the fall semester.

Prerequisite: Psychology 101 (may be taken concurrently).

A continuation of Research Methods and Statistics I, with a focus on more advanced research designs and statistical procedures. Classes are supplemented by laboratory sessions where students conduct behavioral research projects which they present at a regional research conference. This course is offered in the spring semester.

Prerequisite: Psychology 201. Note: Psychology 202 assumes mastery of the content from Psychology 201; we strongly recommend that students take Psychology 202 only if they received a grade of “C” or better in Psychology 201.

This course explores the ethnic and cultural sources of psychological diversity and unity through cross-cultural investigation. Topics include human development, perceptual & cognitive processes, intelligence, motives, beliefs & values, and gender relations. This course is not offered in 2009-2010.

Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

Biology, psychology, and culture converge to create and define all of us as gendered beings. Students enrolled in this course will explore this multifaceted dimension of human behavior by surveying current theory, research and data on the construction of men’s lives, with a special focus on the construction of masculinity. Students will complete research projects on a question of their own formulation. This course is not offered in 2009-2010.

Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or 102.

Through lecture and discussion, students will examine classic and current theory and research on the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development of children from the prenatal period through adolescence. Through weekly naturalistic laboratory assignments in the community, students will learn and practice several observational methods and will design and conduct their own mini-study. This course is offered fall semester.

Prerequisite: Psychology 201 (may be taken concurrently).

A study of developmental changes during adulthood. Continuities and changes across age will be examined in terms of biology, intellectual ability, personality, and social interaction. The assumption that aging means unidirectional decline in growth and development is challenged. Involvement in some practical experience will bring students into direct contact with adults at various stages of development. This course is not offered in 2009-2010.

Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

A survey of research findings and methodologies of social psychology. Topic coverage deals with social perception, attitude formation, attitude change, and the psychology of group processes and interactions. Students are encouraged to develop their own research ideas. This course is offered in the spring semester.

Prerequisite: Psychology 201 (may be taken concurrently), or permission of the instructor.

An examination of the major disorders of human behavior, including their forms, origins, and determinants. Treatment strategies and issues are explored in depth. Emphasis on empirical studies and current research developments in psychopathology. This course is not offered in 2009-2010.

Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

An overview of the major information processing feats of the human mind, such as problem solving, reasoning, memory, language, visual perception, and the development of expertise. Students will explore the scientific techniques used to understand these invisible mental processes, and our current knowledge of how these processes are implemented in the brain. This course is offered in the fall semester.

Prerequisite: Psychology 101, 201 (may be taken concurrently).

An introduction to the biological bases of behavior. Examination of nervous system structure and function is followed by an examination of the neurophysiological foundations of motor ability, sexual behavior, ingestive behavior, sleep and arousal, learning and memory, reinforcement, and language. This course is offered in the fall semester.

Prerequisite: Psychology 101, plus either Biology 101 or 111 (may be taken concurrently).

This course examines deficits in human cognitive function resulting from brain damage. It draws on principles of neuroscience, psychology, and neurology for insights into how the brain mediates the ability to use and integrate capacities such as perception, language, actions, memory, and thought. This course is offered in the spring semester.

Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

Individual students will work with a faculty member to design and carry out intermediate level empirical or library research on a topic of their choice. A brief proposal outlining the work to be conducted, and an anticipated timetable for completion, must be approved by the faculty supervisor no later than two weeks following the first day of classes. If the faculty supervisor believes the project will require longer than one semester to complete, the student may be allowed to register for a one year course (with no additional course credit); this should be determined prior to registration.

Prerequisite: Psychology 202 and permission of the instructor.

Individual students will work with a faculty member to design and carry out intermediate level empirical or library research on a topic of their choice. A brief proposal outlining the work to be conducted, and an anticipated timetable for completion, must be approved by the faculty supervisor no later than two weeks following the first day of classes. If the faculty supervisor believes the project will require longer than one semester to complete, the student may be allowed to register for a one year course (with no additional course credit); this should be determined prior to registration.

Prerequisite: Psychology 202 and permission of the instructor.

An introduction to the principles of searching for and reporting on published literature in psychology. Students will learn strategies for searching databases, identifying credible sources, and developing a theoretical background on a topic. This course features extensive training and practice in writing APA-style manuscripts, and is intended to prepare students for PSY 495/496, Senior Project. This course is offered in the fall and spring semesters, 2009-2010.

Prerequisite:  Psychology 201

Various topics at the advanced level may be offered from time to time.

In this seminar specific topics of human (child and adult) development will be studied in depth. The topics covered will reflect contemporary issues and methodology in the field and currently focus on narrative psychology. Students will design and carry out an experimental (qualitative) or observational project in collaboration with the professor. This course is offered in the spring semester.

Prerequisites: Psychology 201, Psychology 220 or 221.

Students will cover a particular area of research in social psychology in more depth than is possible in a survey course. The topics covered will reflect contemporary issues in the field and may differ in different semesters. The course will cover primary research and theoretical works. A research proposal will be constructed, and students may carry out a research project in collaboration with the professor. This course is offered in the fall semester.

Prerequisites: Psychology 202 and Psychology 222.

This course is designed for students who have completed Cognitive Psychology (PSY 231) and are interested in conducting research on memory and other cognitive processes. Students will learn research techniques specific to cognitive research. Topics will vary from year to year, and will include questions from both classic and contemporary cognitive psychology. This course is offered in the spring semester.

Prerequisites: Psychology 201, Psychology 231.

Students in this course will become involved of research in an area of physiological psychology or developmental psychobiology. The topic covered will reflect contemporary research issues in the field and may differ in different years. A major course component will be collaboration with the professor in designing, conducting, and writing up an experiment that is directed toward possible publication. This course is offered in the spring semester, 2008-2009. 

Prerequisites: Psychology 201, Psychology 233 (may be taken concurrently), and one of the following: Psychology 104, Biology 101, or 111).

Individual students will work with a faculty member to design and carry out empirical or library research on a topic of their choice. This advanced-level project requires that students become well versed with the primary literature of the field. Prior to registering, the student should discuss his research idea with (and obtain the approval of) the faculty member who will supervise the project. A brief proposal outlining the work to be conducted and an anticipated timetable for completion must be approved by the faculty supervisor no later than two weeks following the first day of classes; students not meeting this deadline must drop the course until a later semester. If the faculty supervisor believes the project will require longer than one semester to complete, the student may be allowed to register for a one-year course (with no additional course-credits); this should be determined prior to registration. Typically, one-half course credit is granted for a faculty directed project. If the student is primarily responsible for designing and carrying out an independent project, a full course credit may be given (this must be determined prior to registration). In either case, completion of the course requires submission of an APA-style written report (to the faculty supervisor) and a 15-minute oral presentation of the project to psychology faculty and students prior to final examination week of the semester the grade is awarded.

Prerequisites: Psychology 202, completion of at least one intermediate-advanced course sequence, and permission of instructor.

Individual students will work with a faculty member to design and carry out empirical or library research on a topic of their choice. This advanced-level project requires that students become well versed with the primary literature of the field. Prior to registering, the student should discuss his research idea with (and obtain the approval of) the faculty member who will supervise the project. A brief proposal outlining the work to be conducted and an anticipated timetable for completion must be approved by the faculty supervisor no later than two weeks following the first day of classes; students not meeting this deadline must drop the course until a later semester. If the faculty supervisor believes the project will require longer than one semester to complete, the student may be allowed to register for a one-year course (with no additional course-credits); this should be determined prior to registration. Typically, one-half course credit is granted for a faculty directed project. If the student is primarily responsible for designing and carrying out an independent project, a full course credit may be given (this must be determined prior to registration). In either case, completion of the course requires submission of an APA-style written report (to the faculty supervisor) and a 15-minute oral presentation of the project to psychology faculty and students prior to final examination week of the semester the grade is awarded.

Prerequisites: Psychology 202, completion of at least one intermediate-advanced course sequence, and permission of instructor.

Students in this two half-course sequence will complete a year-long capstone project intended to integrate the content and skills they have learned in the major and develop expertise in an area of interest. This project will consist of either an empirical study or a community-based practicum. The empirical study will be one that the student plans and carries out with general guidance from a faculty mentor. For the community-based practicum option, students will work with a professional involved in the delivery of psychological services. All projects will culminate in an APA-style manuscript and a poster presentation. Students intending to register for Psychology 495 must first meet with a faculty member in the Psychology Department to choose which type of project they wish to pursue and to propose an area of specialty. Psychology 495 will be offered every fall semester, and Psychology 496 will be offered every spring semester.

Prerequisite: Senior standing as a psychology major or minor.