PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology
In this course students survey the research and theories of the science of human behavior with a particular focus on human mental processes. Among the topics discussed are development, learning, memory, perception, personality, motivation, social behavior, abnormal behavior and therapy. Also included is an introduction to the various careers associated with psychology. Key to the study of psychology is the scientific method and how it is applied to the analysis and measurement of individuals and groups.
Course Offered Online: Yes
General Education Fulfillment: Cultural Analysis and Interpretation
PSYC 101H - 101H Introduction to Psychology (Honors)
An introduction to Psychology. This course focuses on the scientific study of human and animal behavior, including mental process. Among the subjects studied are the effect of the body on behavior, how people think and learn, what motivates individuals, how children grow and develop, and what makes people behave abnormally. In addition, the course requires participation in seminars, the close interpretive reading of primary texts, and the writing of academic essays that focus on the interpretation of primary texts. May be taken concurrently with any Honors course.
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 110 - Descriptive Research Methods in Psychology
This course will introduce students to the scientific method as it applies to answering questions about human behavior through non-experimental research methods such as survey and observation. Topics include the ethical and practical limitations of collecting data in applied settings via surveys, interviews, and observation. Students will be introduced to basic descriptive statistics which they will use to evaluate data.
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 167 - Foundations of Statistical Methods for Social and Behavioral Sciences
Introduction to statistical concepts and methods used in the field of psychology, including quantitative description, probability, inferential methods, and hypothesis-testing. Specific topics covered include central tendency, variability, correlation, t-tests, analysis of variance, and non-parametric tests. The course emphasizes a conceptual understanding of statistics applied in the context of psychological research and trains students to use statistical software.
Additional Course Fee: $85
Prerequisite
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 201 - Child Psychology
Students examine the development of the child from conception through middle childhood. The influences of heredity as well as developmental processes such as physical maturation, cognitive changes, personality and social growth are studied.
Prerequisite
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 202 - Human Sexuality
Explores sexual behavior and sexual attitudes of individuals throughout the lifespan. It examines ways in which an individual's perceptions, learning, motivation and personality, along with cultural factors such as gender, ethnicity, religion and socioeconomic status shape his or her sexual attitudes and behaviors. Students will learn to critically analyze, reflect upon and evaluate different theoretical perspectives from psychology as well as from the related sciences.
Prerequisite
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 205 - Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology
The course examines the characteristics of psychological disorders. For each disorder, multiple theoretical explanations are examined, including the psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, biological, socio-cultural and humanistic. Secondary consideration is given to the treatments derived from the theories examined.
Prerequisite
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 209 - Adolescent Psychology
This course studies physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, during the period from childhood to maturity known as adolescence. Students will explore various psychological theories and perspectives related to adolescent development.
Prerequisite
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 210 - Experimental Research Methods in Psychology
This course will introduce students to the scientific method as it applies to answering questions about human behavior through the use of experimentation. Topics include the ethical and practical limitations of experimental design, issues of validity and reliability, sample selection and assignment, and variations of experimental design. Students will read and interpret literature in psychology and learn APA style of report writing. Students will analyze data with a commonly used statistical analysis program.
Additional Course Fees: $85
Prerequisite
ENGL 101, PSYC 101, PSYC 110, PSYC 167
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 211 - Personality Theory
This course examines the major theories of personality with emphasis on psychological growth and development. Theories representing the psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive and humanistic perspectives are reviewed and the implications of these theories are discussed.
Prerequisite
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 215 - Developmental Psychology
This course explores current research findings and significant theoretical perspectives related to the cognitive, socioemotional and physical domains of human development across the lifespan. A major theme of the course is the interaction between nature and nurture in human development.
Prerequisite
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 215H - Developmental Psychology (Honors)
This course explores current research findings and significant theoretical perspectives on the biosocial, psychosocial and cognitive domains of human development across the life span. A major theme of the course is the interaction between nature and nurture in human development. In addition, the Honors course requires participation in seminars, the close interpretive reading of primary texts, and the writing of academic essays that focus on the interpretation of primary texts.
Prerequisite
PSYC 101 or BIOL 109 or PSYC 101H
Co-requisites
One Honors Writing course (ENGL 101H, ENGL 102H, ENGL 195H, or ENGL 196H)
PSYC 220 - Cross-Cultural Psychology
This course introduces students to the factors that influence the cultural development of individuals and groups, covering topics such as privilege, sexuality and gender, abnormal psychology, motivation, development, violence, and social interaction. The course also covers the research methodologies used to study these topics.
Prerequisite
ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better and PSYC 101.
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 221 - Social Psychology
Examines the behavior of the individual in the social environment. Topics include attitudes, conformity, persuasion, prejudice, aggression and attraction.
Prerequisite
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 222 - Forensic Psychology
Students will examine the interplay between the disciplines of psychology and law. The course will examine the psychological and behavioral issues that impact both the criminal and civil justice systems, and conversely, how law and justice affect human behavior. Topics to be covered include police psychology, eyewitness testimony, competency/insanity, jury selection and decision-making, corrections and re-entry, victimology and victim services, employment law, family law, child custody, and juvenile delinquency.
Prerequisite
PSYC 101 or JUS 101 and ENGL 101
Course Offered Online: Yes
PSYC 230 - Cognitive Psychology
This course will introduce students to a sub-discipline within the field of psychology that focuses on the mental structures and processes that make sensation, perception, attention, memory, learning, language, problem-solving, and decision-making possible. Because these basic processes are involved at some level in all human behavior, students will gain fundamental knowledge that is applicable to every area of modern day psychology and the larger approach of cognitive science.
Prerequisite
ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better and PSYC 101.
PSYC 232 - Biological Foundation of Behavior
This course examines the biological influences on how we think, feel, and act. Students will examine the nervous system, considering both the anatomical and physiological structures, as well as the role these play in behavior. In addition, specific cognitive functions, motivations, emotions, and behaviors will be studied in more depth to understand their biological mechanisms. The course requires interpreting primary texts, case studies, and scientific or scholarly articles from peer-reviewed journals. In addition, in-class lab activities, appropriate to the field, are required to support analysis, application, and inquiry to the topics as well as understanding the scientific application to real life.