PY-103   Introduction to PsychologyCredits: 3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): SS.SV

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes, including motivation, emotion, intelligence, maturation, learning, personality, perception, and thinking.

PY-202   Career Preparation in PsychologyCredits: 1   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

An orientation to career opportunities available with a background in psychology as well as preparation for employment and graduate/professional training in psychology. For Psychology majors only.

PY-203   Child PsychologyCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): NU.EL

Physical and mental development from conception to early adolescence; motor, emotional, and social behavior; intelligence and language development; personality formation; play and other imaginative activities.

PY-204   Adolescent PsychologyCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): NU.EL

Students are given up-to-date knowledge of the field of developmental psychology in general but particularly focuses on issues that are relevant to individuals as they transition from being children to young adolescents; as they go through the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social changes of adolescence; and finally as they experience emerging adulthood. It will enable students to understand, contrast, and critically evaluate various developmental theories that apply to adolescent development. Both the normative patterns of adolescent development and individual variability within these norms are covered.

PY-205   Psychology of Adulthood and AgingCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

Development from mid-life to old age; physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and personality changes, interests, attitudes, and maladjustments with emphasis on later life.

PY-207   Social PsychologyCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

A survey of human behavior and mental processes in their social context. Addresses interpersonal processes, including social influence, relationships, prosocial and antisocial behavior, prejudice, and group dynamics. Also addresses intrapersonal processes, including the self, social perception, social cognition, cognitive dissonance, and attitudes.

PY-208   PsychopathologyCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

An examination of the theoretical and clinical perspectives underlying various psychological disorders, including etiology, symptoms and presentation, therapeutic recommendations, and an introduction to the diagnostic process.

PY-220   Research I: Methods and Basic Data Analysis LaboratoryCredits: 4   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103 and MA-101, or MA-105 or higher; and EN-101 and EN-102 or permission of the instructor

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): TL, WT

Introduces students to the essence of the scientific method and the use of empirical inquiry. Students will be introduced to various issues concerning data collection and other method procedures used in psychology. Students will learn to appropriately summarize, describe, and analyze obtained data to test research hypotheses.

PY-230   History of PsychologyCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

The historical development of psychology, including its relationship to other disciplines; the contributions of philosophy and the growth of scientific methodology.

PY-298   Special Topics in Psychology (200 Level)Credits: 1-3   

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

An intensive study of a particular subject or problem in psychology to be announced prior to registration. May be conducted on either a lecture-discussion or a seminar basis. If there is a prerequisite for this course it will be announced in the course schedule.

PY-301   Psychology of LearningCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Basic issues and methods in the scientific study of learning, with attention to major theories about mental and neural processes in conditioning, skill learning, and various types of cognitive learning and memory.

PY-302   Memory and CognitionCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103 and PY-220

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

Scientific study of mental processes, especially pertaining to the acquisition, retention, and use of knowledge and mental skills. Emphasis on memory, imagery, and natural language, with limited attention to developmental and individual differences.

PY-302L   Memory and Cognition Thesis LaboratoryCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-311 and PY-320 both passed with a grade of C or higher

Co-requisite(s): PY-302 and PY-491

Course Type(s): None

Techniques for the experimental study of memory, thought, and language processes. Includes pattern recognition, serial recall, memory organization, imagery, decision-making, and story schematization.

PY-304   Applied Behavior AnalysisCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

This course is an introduction to the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA), which is dedicated to the application of behavioral principles and procedures to real-world problems and settings. The topics covered will include: the basic principles and techniques used in ABA, the application of these principles to a diverse range of clients (e.g., individuals with disabilities and addictions, industry workers, children in classrooms, captive animals) based on scientific literature, training caregivers to conduct treatments based on the science of behavior, and legal and ethical issues in the treatment of clients in a diverse society. Prerequisite: PY-103

PY-305   Theories of PersonalityCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

An introduction to methods for studying personality and building personality theories; psychodynamically oriented theories as well as biosocial, behavioristic, cognitive, humanistic, and existential approaches.

PY-305L   Social and Personality Thesis LabCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-207 or PY-305, and PY-311 and PY-320 all passed with a grade of C or higher

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Research strategies used in the scientific study of personality and social psychology. Deals with the following topics: constructing surveys, writing quality question items, correlational design, two-group design, multigroup design, factorial design, within-subjects design, and the use of statistical methods in research. These topics will be covered in the context of student projects. Each student will design and carry out his or her own research project. Three hours per week.

PY-306   Introduction to NeurosciencesCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103 and 3 credits in Biology

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

The organization of the nervous system in terms of its anatomy, physiology, neurochemical correlates, and evolution; behavioral processes, such as attention, sleep, motivation, instinct, learning, and language.

PY-306L   Neurosciences Thesis LaboratoryCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-311 and PY-320 both passed with a grade of C or higher

Co-requisite(s): PY-306 and PY-491

Course Type(s): None

Human and animal neuroanatomy; surgical techniques, including lesion, stimulation, and perfusion; histology; drug and hormone administration; and physiological recording techniques. Three hours per week.

PY-310   Psychology InternshipCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-208, PY-220, and completion of fifty-seven credits

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): EX5

Supervised, volunteer work in approved facilities, professional development and training and supervision provided by the agency in consultation with the psychology department.

PY-311   Research II: Behavioral Statistics and LaboratoryCredits: 4   

Prerequisite(s): PY-220 passed with a grade of C or higher

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): TL

A continuation in statistical concepts and application, including analysis of variance, nonparametric techniques, regression equations, correlations. Laboratory: Instruction in data analysis using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), training in software tools for formatting and presenting research findings.

PY-320   Research III: Experimental Methods and LaboratoryCredits: 4   

Prerequisite(s): PY-220 passed with a grade of C or higher; and EN-101 and EN-102, or permission of the instructor

Co-requisite(s): PY-311

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): WT

An introduction to theory and application of experimental methods in psychology. Three hours of lecture, two hours of individual laboratory work per week.

PY-321   Qualitative Research MethodsCredits: 4   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): WT

An interdisciplinary overview of qualitative research methods employed in the social sciences and education. Qualitative methods are offered as an alternative way of knowing about individuals and groups. Topics covered include: theory, fieldwork, interviewing, observational studies, time sampling, writing field notes, questionnaires (survey research), archival research, and conducting qualitative research in various settings. Emphasis also placed upon the factors that affect the fieldwork process (e.g., gender, emotions). Also listed as AN-321.

PY-322   Industrial Organizational PsychologyCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

The application of psychological principles to human problems in business and industry: personnel psychology, counseling, motivation, supervision, organizational structure, efficiency, and engineering psychology.

PY-331   Psychology of WomenCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): GS

The current state of knowledge about the psychology of women based on theoretical and empirical contributions from psycho-biology, personality, social and life-span psychology.

PY-331L   Psychology of Women Thesis LabCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-311, PY-320, both passed with a grade of C or higher; and either PY-331 or GS-225 or SO-225

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Research strategies used in the study of the psychology of women. Deals with the following topics: constructing surveys, writing quality question items, two-group design, multigroup design, factorial design, within-subject design, correlational design, and the use of statistical methods in research. These topics will be covered in the context of student projects. Each student will design and carry out his or her own research project. Three hours per week.

PY-332   Psychology of the Male ExperienceCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): GS

Examines stereotypes about men in Western society, many of which are challenged in the light of empirical research; theoretical and empirical contributions from personality, social and life-span psychology, and psychobiology; consideration of methods and sources of bias in research used in gender studies.

PY-335L   Gender and Sex Roles Thesis LaboratoryCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103; and PY-311 and PY-320, both passed with a grade of C or higher

Co-requisite(s): PY-331 or PY-491 or PY-332

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): GS

Research strategies used in the study of gender and sex roles. Projects include: methods of archival research, interview and survey techniques, naturalistic observation, and correlational and experimental procedures. Students also design and carry out their own research project, and prepare written and oral reports of the findings. Three hours per week.

PY-342   Children's Play and CultureCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-203

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

An intensive examination of children's play. Theoretical and empirical contributions from psychology and anthropology as a developmental and cross-cultural foundation for the following topics: the historical development of the concept of childhood, theories of play, conceptions of play and work, the functions of play, play and child development, gender differences, cross-cultural forms of play, and children's peer cultures. Also listed as AN-342. Anthropology majors should register for AN-342.

PY-350   Evolutionary PsychologyCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

The role of evolutionary thinking in human psychology, including ideas and evidence from animal behavior; topics include a brief history of socio-political resistance to Darwinian ideas, basic principles of evolutionary (population) biology, behavioral strategies affecting cognitive and social psychology, especially survival issues (feeding, predator avoidance), mating systems (attraction, mate retention, reproduction and rearing offspring), and social exchange issues. Exploration of potential application in other disciplines (medicine, law, history, marketing and economics).

PY-350L   Evolutionary Psychology Thesis LaboratoryCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103; and PY-311 and PY-320 passed with a grade of C or higher

Co-requisite(s): PY-350 and PY-491

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

Research strategies used in studying the role of evolution in human psychology. Projects include: methods of archival research, interview and survey techniques, naturalistic observation, correlational and experimental procedures. Students will design and carry out their own research project and prepare written and oral reports of the findings. Three hours per week.

PY-360   Intimate RelationshipsCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-207

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Provides an overview of current theory and research in the field of intimate relationships. Focuses on topics such as: our need for relationships, interpersonal attraction, love, attachment, communication, relationship maintenance, relationship trajectories, relationship dissolution, jealousy, and extra-dyadic relationships. Special attention will be given to understanding these topics through the use of scientific journal articles.

PY-360L   Intimate Relationships Thesis LaboratoryCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-311 and PY-320 both passed with a grade of C or higher

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Research strategies used in the study of intimate relationships. Deals with the following topics: constructing surveys, writing quality question items, two-group design, multi-group design, factorial design, within-subject design, and the use of statistical methods in research. These will be covered in the context of student projects. Each student will design and carry out his or her own research project. Three hours per week.

PY-370   Sensation and PerceptionCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103 and PY-220

Course Type(s): None

Evolution of animal and human sensory systems and perceptual mechanisms and processes; current research data and person-machines comparisons.

PY-370L   Sensation and Perception Thesis LaboratoryCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-311 and PY-320 both passed with a grade of C or higher

Co-requisite(s): PY-370 and PY-491

Course Type(s): None

Basic laboratory techniques for the study of perceptual experiences. Includes sensory thresholds, intensity scaling, color judgments, visual shape and depth, visual illusions, brain lateralization, interactions among sensory modalities, and attention. Three hours per week.

PY-388   Cooperative Education: PsychologyCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): Thirty completed credits and a minimum G.P.A. of 2.00

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): EX2

Provides students with an opportunity to apply classroom theory in practice through actual work experience. Placements are selected to forward the student's career interest through experiential education. Repeatable for credit. Departmental approval is required to take this course.

PY-389   Independent Internship in PsychologyCredits: 1-3   

Prerequisite(s): 21 credits in Psychology, Junior standing, overall GPA of 3.00, approval by the Psychology Department

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): EX1

Students apply the psychological concepts they have learned in the classroom and laboratory to work-related experiences. Working with the cooperation of the Life Career Advising Center and a faculty sponsor, the student will secure an internship site. On a volunteer basis, students will work 50 hours per credit per term at their internship sites. Students are required to develop learning objectives at the start of their internship, keep a journal of their internship experience throughout their placement, and write a final paper that includes an integrated review of the literature and reports their progress in meeting their learning objectives. Limited to Psychology majors.

PY-398   Special Topics in Psychology (300 Level)Credits: 1-3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

An intensive study of a particular subject or problem in psychology to be announced prior to registration. May be conducted on either a lecture-discussion or a seminar basis. If there is a prerequisite for this course it will be announced in the course schedule.

PY-398L   Special Topics in Psychology Thesis LaboratoryCredits: 1-3   

Co-requisite(s): PY-491

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

An intensive study of a particular subject or problem in psychology to be announced prior to registration. May be conducted on either a lecture-discussion or a seminar basis.

PY-399   Independent Study in PsychologyCredits: 1-3   

Term Offered: Fall Term

Course Type(s): None

Guided study of a selected topic in psychology not substantially treated in a regular course, under the direction of a member of the Psychology faculty. Prior permission of the directing professor and department chair is required to take this course.

PY-401   Introduction to Clinical PsychologyCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-208 and PY-305

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

The application of psychological approaches to the study and treatment of behavior problems, diagnosis, therapeutic techniques, and the professional role of the clinical psychologist in society.

PY-401L   Clinical Psychology Thesis LaboratoryCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-208; and PY-311 and PY-320 both passed with a grade of C or higher

Co-requisite(s): PY-401 and PY-491

Course Type(s): None

A practicum in assessment and therapeutic techniques, incorporating standard research procedures used in clinical psychology. The scientific study of individual differences and their impact on behavior.

PY-404   Animal BehaviorCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103 or BY-103 or above passed with a grade of C- or higher

Course Type(s): None

Why and how animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) do the things they do. Emphasizes rules governing the evolution of behavior rather than mere description of how animals behave. Focus includes behavioral ecology, habitat selection, feeding strategies, predator-prey tactics, mating systems and strategies, social behavior (conflict and cooperation) and population dynamics. The course begins with a historical overview and ends with the evolution of human behavior. Also listed as BY-404.

PY-404L   Animal Behavior Thesis LaboratoryCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-311 and PY-320 both passed with a grade of C- or higher

Co-requisite(s): PY-404 or BY-404

Course Type(s): None

Methods in the study of animal behavior. Projects on instinctive behavior, early experience, learning, dominance relationships, territoriality, behavioral ecology, and sociobiology. One all-day field trip and an independent project will be required.

PY-407   Social CognitionCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

Focus on social cognition, a research area within social psychology that studies the social and cognitive processes through which individuals notice, interpret, remember, and use information about their social world. Exploration of past and present social research, current theoretical understanding, and potential applications of important social-cognitive processes.

PY-407L   Social Cognition Thesis LaboratoryCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-311 and PY-320 both passed with a grade of C or higher

Co-requisite(s): PY-407 and PY-491

Course Type(s): None

Study and evaluation of empirical methods used in social cognition research. Students will critique published research and learn to identify and avoid common threats to the validity of their own research. Three hours per week.

PY-408   Cultural PsychologyCredits: 3   

Term Offered: Fall Term

Course Type(s): None

An interdisciplinary course that utilizes theoretical, empirical, and methodological contributions from psychology and anthropology to discuss the position of culture in understanding human behavior and thought. Culture is viewed as a cognitive construct that is learned, lived, shared, and performed. A sample of topics include: the history of cultural and cross-cultural psychology, methodological approaches, aggression, education, development, play, language, social relationships, intelligence, emotion, motivation, and mental health issues. Also listed as AN-408.

PY-409   Leadership and Group ProcessesCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103 and PY-207

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

An introduction to the study of group dynamics, particularly with regard to leadership and power. Exploration of past and present research on groups; current theoretical understanding of important group processes, such as group formation, changes over time, group decision- making and performance, social influence, and intermember relations.

PY-409L   Leadership and Group Processes LaboratoryCredits: 1   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103, PY-311, and PY-320 all passed with a grade of C or higher

Co-requisite(s): PY-409 and PY-491

Course Type(s): None

Study and evaluation of empirical methods used in group-dynamics research. Students will critique published research and learn to identify and avoid common threats to the validity of their own research. Three hours per week.

PY-411   Field Experience in Animal BehaviorCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103; and PY-220 passed with a grade of C or higher or permission of the instructor.

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): EX1

Covers psychological principles that are relevant to the psychology of animal behavior, animal training, and learning, memory, and cognition. Students are exposed to - and engage in- research on animal behavior management and watch demonstrations of these principles on-site at Six Flags Safari with a selection of exotic animals. Students will explore careers in applied animal behavior and apply what they have learned to other vocations with humans, such as teaching and therapy, in weekly discussions. Students gain public speaking experience via facilitating educational outreach events and developing and executing training and enrichment plans to promote animal welfare. Instructor permission required. Students of other majors with permission of instructor. PY-103; and PY-220 passed with a grade of C or higher or permission of the instructor.

PY-423   Social Justice Journeys: Psychological Identity and Museum ExhibitsCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103.

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

By combining field trips to museums and classroom learning, students learn how we construct our psychological identities (e.g., gender, race and ethnic identities) and how images and exhibits in our society influence the cognitive processes underlying our identity development. Students will reflect on the impact of how historical events are retold on how we value ourselves and others. An intersectionality framework is employed. Career opportunities for psychology majors that overlap with museum science will be introduced.

PY-426   Theories of Childhood and DevelopmentCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-203, PY-320, and PY-321

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

An overview of and evaluative approach to developmental theories and conceptions of childhood. The theoretical frameworks covered include: constructivism, learning theory, psychoanalysis, psychosocial, and ethological/evolutionary approaches. Theorists discussed include: Bowlby, Dewey, Erikson, Freud, Montessori, Piaget, Skinner, and Vygotsky.

PY-431   Psychological Tests and MeasurementsCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-103 and PY-220, both passed with a grade of C or higher

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

Introduction to theory of measurement; its application to psychological and educational testing and exposure to frequently used tests with ethical and practical considerations. Prerequisites: PY-103 and PY-220, both passed with a grade of C or higher

PY-488   Cooperative Education: PsychologyCredits: 3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): EX2

Provides students with an opportunity to apply classroom theory in practice through actual work experience. Placements are selected to forward the student's career interest through experiential education. Repeatable for credit.

PY-489   Independent Internship in PsychologyCredits: 1-3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-208 and PY-220, and a minimum G.P.A. of 3.00

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): EX1

Working with the Department of Psychology's Field Placement Coordinator, the student will secure an internship site and be assigned a faculty sponsor. Students will intern fifty hours per credit per term in their placements. In collaboration with their faculty sponsor, students will develop learning objectives, maintain a journal and log of their hours, and submit assignments that demonstrate an advanced application of psychological concepts to their internship experiences. Weekly meetings with faculty sponsors are required. Limited to Psychology majors.

PY-490   Senior Seminar in PsychologyCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PY-320 passed with a grade of C or higher and 18 credits in Psychology

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

Readings, invited speakers, student presentations, and discussion of current and review topics in psychology. Course emphasis to vary with orientation of directing professor.

PY-491   Research IV: Thesis in PsychologyCredits: 2   

Prerequisite(s): PY-311 and PY-320 both passed with a grade of C or higher

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Study and research in psychology under the supervision of a psychology faculty member, leading to the preparation of a senior thesis.

PY-498   Special Topics in Psychology (400 Level)Credits: 1-3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

An intensive study of a particular subject or problem in psychology to be announced prior to registration. May be conducted on either a lecture-discussion or a seminar basis. If a prerequisite is required it will be announced in the course schedule.

PY-498L   Special Topics in Psychology Thesis LaboratoryCredits: 1   

Course Type(s): None

An intensive study of a particular subject or problem in psychology to be announced prior to registration. If a prerequisite is required it will be announced in the course schedule.

PY-499A   Independent Study in PsychologyCredits: 1-3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Independent study in psychology (experimental) research under supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of six credits. Junior standing and prior permission of the directing instructor and department chair are required to take this course.

PY-499B   Independent Study in PsychologyCredits: 1-3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Independent study in psychology (reading and theoretical) special project under supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of six credits. Junior standing and prior permission of the directing instructor and department chair are required to take this course.