300

PSY 301 Behavioral Neuroscience

Structure and function of the nervous system, with implications for both normal and abnormal development and behavior. How the function of the brain is related to behavior.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 311 Sensation and Perception

In this course we will discuss how external stimuli are detected and perceived by the nervous system. We will study the anatomy, physiology and circuitry that mediate vision, audition, touch, taste and olfaction.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 321 Psychology of Learning

The course introduces students to the history, methods, and findings in the areas of habituation, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, declarative memory and procedural learning. We will discuss the neural basis of these changes and learn the anatomical circuits involved. Finally, we will also discuss how these processes influence pathological behavior as well as how they alter our daily lives.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 331 Cognition

Examines the higher mental processes of attention, learning, memory, language, concept formation, problem solving, and reasoning. Students will participate in simulations of classic experiments in cognitive psychology.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 341 Evolutionary Psychology

In this course we will examine the evolutionary basis of human behavior and cognition. The ways in which natural and sexual selection have shaped human nature will be explored. Selected topics include evolutionary explanations of human mating systems, jealousy, interpersonal and sexual attraction, warfare, and cognition. A special emphasis will be placed on exploring the evolutionary basis of male-female differences.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 351 Health Psychology

Considers the implications of combined medical, psychological, and pastoral care models on health and recovery. Special attention given to influences in health of personality, social context, belief and meaning, and mind-body connection.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 356 Perspectives on Human Sexuality

This course will provide students with varying perspectives on human sexuality.  Through film, reading class discussion, and guest lectures, student will explore sexuality from historical, biological, psychological, developmental, sociological, and cultural contexts.  Attention will be given to how different perspectives on sexuality may affect individuals and the larger society.
3

Prerequisites

PSY 101 or permission of instructor.

Cross Listed Courses

SW 356

PSY 361 Life Span Development

Examines psychosocial aspects of human development from birth through death. Focuses on major psychological, social, and cognitive topics as relevant to the stages of the life span.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 365 Personality

Examines diverse perspectives on human personality. The focus is on asking what we know when we know a person. This involves analyzing basic assumptions, postulates, and research related to major personality theories including: trait, psychoanalytic, humanistic, cultural, biological, and cognitive.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 371 Social Psychology

Psychological behavior of an individual as a member of a group; the influence of culture and society on attitudes, personality, and behavior; the dynamics of group interaction.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

Cross Listed Courses

SOC 371

PSY 373 Positive Psychology

This course provides an introduction to positive psychology, understood as a strengths-based approach to psychological science. Specific topics will usually include resilience, happiness, gratitude, flow, optimism, wisdom, positive affect, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships, along with organizational, clinical, developmental, and academic applications. The course will also discuss techniques and interventions towards the promotion of positive aspects of human experience.
3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 375 The Self

This course will examine the social self; competing needs for uniqueness and similarity; the meaning of self-identity and self-concept; individual coping strategies; attributional analyses; social influence and defining gender.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 381 Abnormal Psychology

Examination of problem behavior, its causes, its treatment, and its social and legal ramifications. Emphasis is given to personal and societal understanding of abnormality as well as to psychological and medical considerations.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 385 Child Psychopathology

This course is designed to familiarize students with the symptoms, causes, and treatments of psychological disorders in children. This includes particular focus on developmental factors that influence the onset, course, and treatments of psychological problems in young people, and the cultural, social, psychological, emotional, and biological factors that influence our understanding of mental illness in children.
3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

Corequisites

Not to be taken concurrently with PSY 380

PSY 391 Seminar

Credit arranged.

Variable

PSY 392 Special Topics in Psychology

This course is a survey of specialty areas within contemporary psychological sciences. Different topics and areas will be featured in different semesters.

3

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 398 Junior Seminar

This course is an option for psychology majors of junior class status.  This course will offer opportunities to engage with professional development and discuss possibilities for life after college, prepare students for senior capstones, and expose students opportunities across sub-fields of contemporary psychology. This course includes discussions with all regular psychology faculty, and is offered as pass/no pass.

1

Prerequisites

Psychology majors with junior status only.