PSYC - Psychology

An introduction to Psychology through the scientific study of human and animal behavior. Students receive an overview of the many and diverse fields of psychological study.

An introduction to careers in psychology. Course will cover career opportunities, undergraduate and graduate career tracks, licensure options, and differences in professional rank at the Masters and Doctoral levels. Required for psychology majors.

The course provides students with American Psychological Association writing frameworks, citation, and referencing guidelines, and prepares the student to transition successfully into courses requiring APA style writing.  No prerequisites; taught with PSYC 2101 or PSYC 2102.

An introduction to statistics including a study of frequency distributions, measure of location and variation, probability distributions, sampling distributions, and statistical inference. Hypothesis testing, ANOVA, and simple linear regression are also considered. Prerequisite: A grade of at least a "C" or better in MATH 1306 or higher.

Development of the human being from birth through old age, studied in terms of basic psychological principles. Major theories of child development will be considered. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301.

This course is an introduction to the scientific methods of inquiry as it relates to psychology. Students will gain an overview of the concepts and methods involved in psychological research, with a focus on development of research questions, selection of appropriate methods, and interpretation of results. Statistical backgrounds not needed. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301. Required for psychology majors. Must be taken prior to PSYC 2316.

Emphasizes conducting and applying statistical analyses with real-world social science data. Students will utilize a statistical software package commonly used by social scientists to conduct and interpret descriptive and inferential statistics. Students completing the course will acquire the skills necessary to both conduct and interpret statistical analyses in social science settings. Pre-requisite: Math 1304 or higher, PSYC 1301, and PSYC 2314.

An introduction to the complementary but different roles of sensory systems and perceptual processes as related to how humans sense, perceive, think about, and react to the world. The basics of biological processes, neural anatomy, physiology, and psychophysics will be covered. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1301, PSYC 3333, or concurrent enrollment in PSYC 3333, or consent of instructor.

An introduction to the symptomatology and etiology of behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders, with consideration of modern therapeutic approaches. Pre-requisite: PSYC 1301; sophomore standing.

 

Psychological factors and issues related specifically to children and adolescents. This course covers developmental issues confronting children and adolescents as well as examines problems and concerns unique to persons in this age group. Pre-requisite: PSYC 1301; sophomore standing.

 

Child and Adolescent Psychopathology studies psychological issues within the context of human development. Research shows that adult psychopathology often has its origins in developmental deviations in childhood adolescence. The developmental approach to understand psychopathology will be emphasized in this course. Pre-requisite: PSYC 1301; sophomore standing.

 

This course covers cognitive, behavioral, and emotional issues specifically related to development from 18 years to death. Topics include identity transitions, cohort effects, successful aging, genotyping advancements and implications, marriage, trauma, and grief/dying. Pre-requisite: PSYC 1301; sophomore standing.

A background in historical and contemporary social psychological theories. An analysis of social factors at work in the development of the individual through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Pre-requisite: PSYC 1301; sophomore standing.

 

 Examination of the links between mind and body, focusing on the ways in which biopsychosocial factors influence health and well-being, illness, and adaptation to disease. Pre-requisite: PSYC 1301; sophomore standing.

 

A survey of the major theories and theoretical systems and their historical development. Includes an integration of Christian beliefs, the student's own philosophical presuppositions, and current psychological theories. Pre-requisite: PSYC 1301; sophomore standing.

 

An introduction to neuroanatomy and brain functioning. This course is an examination of brain-behavior relationships and provides a thorough understanding of cognitive disorders. Pre-requisite: PSYC 1301; sophomore standing.

 

An introduction to the complementary but different roles of sensory systems and perceptual processes as related to how humans sense, perceive, think about, and react to the world. The basics of biological processes, neural anatomy, physiology, and psychophysics will be covered. Pre-requisite: PSYC 1301; sophomore standing.

 

Taking the cognitive point of view, this course treats man as an active processor of information. Methods to improve memory, learning, and problem solving are shown from both the informational and practical perspectives. Pre-requisite: PSYC 1301; sophomore standing.

 

A one hour course designed to review major concepts in preparation for the Psychology Area Concentration Achievement Test (PACAT). Students will take PACAT at the end of the semester. A satisfactory score on the PACAT must be earned to receive credit for the course. Students failing to earn a satisfactory score will complete an alternate test in order to complete the course. Offered fall and spring. Psychology majors should take this course their final semester.

A study of the major theoretical positions on learning. Includes analysis of associational, behavioral, and cognitive theories. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301, junior standing, or instructor approval.

Intensive study of some of the major theories of personality examined in the light of recent research. Extensive use of case material. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301, junior standing, or instructor approval.

A survey emphasizing the principles and methodology of research in human and animal behavior. Directed experience in the design and analysis of actual experiments and other research techniques. Prerequisites: PSYC 2314 and PSYC 2316 or MATH 2303, Junior standing or instructor approval. Lab fee.

Intensive study of the methods of experimental design and data analysis including analysis of variance for fixed, mixed, and random models, analysis of covariance, repeated measures designs, general linear model, multiple linear regression, nonparametric methods, nonlinear models, and theories of measurement. Prerequisite: PSYC 4316, Junior standing or instructor approval.

The course is a study of human culture to understand its relationship to psychological processes. Understanding human culture within a larger perspective may help us better understand differences among human cultures. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301, junior standing, or instructor approval.

A survey course in which students watch several different Hollywood films involving a psychological concept or theme. For each film, students will examine a different psychological issue and will focus on how mainstream films can produce misconceptions about that area of psychology. Students will also discuss issues with classmates to better understand the relationship between psychology and mainstream culture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301, junior standing, or instructor approval.

The scientific study of what can "go right" with people. This course is focused on strength, happiness, character, purpose, and interest in building an optimal human experience. This course focuses on the promotion of the human potential. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301, junior standing, or instructor approval.

This course surveys the historical and current psychological study of religious faith, attitudes and behavior. Topics covered include prominent historical figures regarding the psychology of religion; research methodologies; religious development over the lifespan; religious conversion; new religious movements (cults); religious terrorism; relationship of religion to human attitudes and behavior; and, the link between religion, psychopathology and mental health. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301, junior standing, or instructor approval.

A study of the theories of leadership and of leadership behavior. Assessment of leadership styles and skills will provide the basis for individual programs of development. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301, junior standing, or instructor approval.

The application of psychological theories, principles, methods, and research techniques to the science of I/O psychology in order to develop an understanding of the aims and goals of the field of problem solutions in industry and organizations. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301, junior standing, or instructor approval.

This course examines music as a phenomenon of human behavior and psyche. Topics include auditory and musical perception, music cognition, creativity and aesthetic experience, listening styles and strategies, music and emotion, the social psychology of musical activities. In addition, the course will examine techniques and methodology for conducting research in music and will touch on aspects related to performance and music and the brain. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301, junior standing, or instructor approval.

This course will closely examine topics related to human nature from the perspectives of contemporary psychological science. Students will be introduced to competing views of human nature and their implications for how psychological science understands the context of human learning, challenges in human relationships and group living, and the origins and consequences of human drives such as dominance, status, and aggression, to name a few. Coursework will emphasize reading, discussion, and interacting with the latest scientific and empirical literature related to contemporary psychological perspectives on human nature.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1301, junior standing, or instructor approval.

This course focuses on an in-depth study of the thinking and behavioral patterns of confirmed, hardened, career criminals. Topics include theories of criminality; research methodologies; lifestyle characteristics and "errors in thinking" of criminal youth and adults; substance abuse and criminality; and the parameters of effective treatment and re-education of confirmed criminals in a comprehensive program of definitive change.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1301, junior standing, or instructor approval.

This course is designed to meet individual needs and interests in Psychology. It may be repeated for credit when the material studied is changed.