Specialization Course Descriptions

PSYCHOLOGY

PSY 11 3 rec 3 cr
Introduction to Psychology
Scientific method in the understanding of human behavior. Introductory study of growth and development, motivation, emotions and mental health, learning, intelligence and personality evaluation.
Corequisite(s): ENG 02 or RDL 02 if required.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 22 3 rec 3 cr
Social Psychology
Introduction to social psychology, focusing upon the nature of aggression and violent behavior; role of social influence in determination of deviant and conformist behavior, attitude change and decision making; affiliation; primary and group relationships; social norms and interrelationship of personality and culture.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 23 3 rec 3 cr
Environmental Psychology
Relationship between individuals and their natural environments as well as built environments such as housing, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, hospitals, and other shared spaces. Focus is on the psychological aspects of issues such as crowding, stress, privacy, access, community identity, pollution, sustainability, and quality-of-life.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.

PSY 27 3 rec 3 cr
Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
This course is a survey of the field of Neuroscience including: an introduction to the structures and functions of the nervous system; understanding sensation, perception and movement; sleep and dreaming; learning and memory; and neurological disorders.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 11 or PSY 11.
Flexible Core: Scientific World

PSY 31 3 rec 3 cr
Abnormal Psychology
Major forms of psychological disorders, such as neuroses, psychoses, psychosomatic disturbances and character disorders; their origin, development and treatment.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 35 3 rec 3 cr
Dynamics of Human Motivation
Introduction to complex human motivation; emphasis on interaction of conscious and unconscious motives, inner conflict, and adaptive and maladaptive coping techniques. Applications to relevant contemporary problems, such as child rearing, psychotherapy, education and drug addiction.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.

PSY 40 3 rec 3 cr
Life Span Development
This course enables students to understand human growth and development, from conception through late adulthood, in varied contexts and cultures. The emphasis is on the interaction between biological, cognitive and social changes over time, within families and within communities. Research data and key ideas, not only from psychology and sociology, but also from neuroscience, genetics, economics, and anthropology are included. The goal is to provide students with a solid understanding of the causes and manifestations of human behavior.and sociology, but also from neuroscience, genetics, economics, and anthropology are included. The goal is to provide students with a solid understanding of the causes and manifestations of human behavior.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 41 3 rec 3 cr
Psychology of Infancy and Childhood
Major factors in psychological development from infancy through childhood; influence of the family biological, cultural, and socio-economic factors in producing normal and abnormal intellectual and emotional growth.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 42 3 rec 3 cr
Psychology of Adolescence and Adulthood
Study of development from adolescence to adulthood with regard to implications for self-realization, love, marriage, vocation, parenthood, retirement and aging. Changing attitudes and values about sex, drugs, aging and politics are explored in regard to different stages of adult development.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 43 3 rec 3 cr
Psychological Development During Maturity and Aging
Normal and abnormal psychological development during adulthood and old age. Emphasis on dynamics of the life cycle; theories of the mature personality; forces affecting continuing growth of the adult personality and intellect; biological, social and cultural determinants of aging; and influence of normal and abnormal aging processes on perception, psychomotor skills, learning, intelligence, and personality.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.
Flexible Core: Individual and Society

PSY 44 3 rec 3 cr
Psychology of Women
Development, personality characteristics, and needs of women; and similarities to and differences from men. Psychological aspects of uniquely feminine experiences. Issues are examined from a theoretical as well as an empirical perspective.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.

PSY 51 3 rec 3 cr
Principles of Group Dynamics
Introduction to theory of group behavior, including analysis of the psychological structure of groups, cohesive and disruptive forces, conflict and adjustment in group relationships and relationship of groups to society.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.

PSY 71 3 rec 3 cr
Clinical Techniques of Assessment: The Interview
Interpersonal approach in assessing psychological problems of individuals and minigroups. Practical experience with clinical interview techniques; psychological evaluation of data and case history write-ups. Methods of referral to appropriate professional and community resources are discussed.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 11.

PSY 81 3 rec 6 hrs fieldwork 3 cr
Field Work and Seminar in Psychology I
Supervised field work or independent research. Required seminar integrates practical experience with coursework.
Prerequisite(s): 9 credits in the social sciences (Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology) and/or permission of the department; 6 of these credits must be in Psychology..