Miller
An introduction to methods, perspectives, issues
and applications in contemporary psychology. Topics include
behavioral, cognitive, sociocultural, biological, psychoanalytic,
and humanistic perspectives, as well as learning, personality,
abnormal, biological, clinical, and social psychology. Particular
attention will be devoted to topics related to applied social
psychology; men, women and assertion; and structural violence.
Evaluation will be based on quizzes, unit tests, one reflection
paper, and participation. Prerequisite: None. 3 credits.
Pittman
An introduction to the discipline of psychology.
A broad, topic oriented approach to psychology is taken.
Topics include brain-behavior relationships, learning, memory,
intelligence testing, child and adult development, personality
theories, interpersonal behavior, and approaches to psychotherapy.
The student is evaluated in terms of her performance on
four exams and one short paper. Lecture/discussion format.
Prerequisite: None. 3 credits.
Chambers
This course is intended to give the student an
introduction to the scientific study of psychology. The
major topics of study will include: sensation and perception,
learning, cognitive, clinical and social psychology. The
two major goals of the class are (1) to understand how scientific
method informs our knowledge of psychological processes
and (2) to logically evaluate research and opinion concerning
psychological phenomenon. Evaluation will be based on participation
in a debate, class participation, four exams and a term
paper. Prerequisite: None. 3 credits.
Stoddart
This course will use a series of books written
by theorists representing the psychoanalytical, behavioral,
cognitive, social and personality domains. The class
format will include lectures and discussions and will meet
during a fourth W hour with both instructors in the tandem.
Extensive reading and class participation are required.
Students will be evaluated on their class participation
and performance on quizzes and papers. Prerequisite:
none.
This course meets in tandem with ENLT 103W - Mandell
Parisi
This course has two goals: First, to familiarize
you with the various subject areas that comprise the discipline
called psychology; second, to examine the broad intellectual
and philosophical questions and issues which hold the specific
content areas together. Topics include: brain, mind, and
behavioral approaches, including operant and classical conditioning;
developmental psychology; psychoanalytic approaches; abnormal
psychology; social psychology. Lecture/discussion format.
Evaluation based on performance on formal writing assignment,
exams, and quality of participation. Prerequisite: None.
3.5 credits.
This course meets in tandem with ENLT 106W - Bonnell
Psych 201 Psychological
Statistics
Chambers
This course is designed to (1) give you the ability
to read and understand the results sections of a paper
in
a psychological journal, (2) develop your quantitative
and analytical thinking skills, (3) give you the ability
to
determine and perform the appropriate statistical test
for many basic research situations and (4) prepare you
for more
advanced classes in statistics. Grades will be based on
performance on exams. Prerequisite: Psyc 156. 3 credits.
Psyc 202 Research Methods
Chambers
This course is intended to give students an understanding
of the process of psychology. At the end of the course
students
are required to be able to: (1) read and evaluate studies
in the psychological literature; (2) design a study to
test
a research hypothesis; (3) analyze the results of an experiment
using computer statistical packages; (4) present a research
proposal as both a paper and a conference style presentation.
Evaluation is based on two exams, written and oral reports
of research projects. Prerequisites: Psyc 156 and Psyc
201. 4 credits.
Psyc 301 Developmental
Psychology
Development implies possibility. The purpose
of this course is to examine all of the possibilities
of development,
beginning with conception and ending with adolescence.
A person develops within a family, culture, and time period,
so we will examine the process of development as it occurs
within particular contexts. Although we will focus primarily
on children ages 0-12, we will consider processes of development
from within a life-span perspective. You will have opportunities
to consider your own and others' hypotheses about development
and to review research supporting or contradicting these
hypotheses. Finally, because the best way to learn about
development is to spend time with children, you will also
have the chance to observe and interact with children at
the Early Childhood Development Center. Requirements:
4
exams and 7 structured observation exercises and a final
in-class presentation. Prerequisite: Psyc 156. 4 credits.
Psyc 323 Psychology of
Personality
Pittman
Major contemporary theories of personality, including
psycho-analytic, behavioristic, and information-processing
theories will be discussed. Emphasis is placed on the research
investigating these theories, and the goal is for the student
to evaluate each theory in terms of the empirical support
associated with the theory. The student is evaluated in
terms of her performance on three exams and one paper. Lecture/discussion
format. Prerequisite: Psyc 156. 3 credits.
Psyc 326 Abnormal Psychology
Miller
An introduction to major questions, issues, paradigms
and findings in contemporary abnormal psychology. Topics
include the biological psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive,
social and humanistic-existential paradigms, as well as
the assessment, treatment, and prevention emphases that
flow from each paradigm. All major disorders will be addressed.
Evaluation will be based on quizzes, unit tests, and participation.
Prerequisite: Psyc 323. 3 credits.
Psyc 332 Animal Learning and Cognition
Parisi
We will make an in-depth exploration of associative
learning, with a strong emphasis on animal learning. We
will be looking at important and elegant experiments in
classical and operant conditioning, while developing a perspective
on methodological and philosophical behaviorism as well
as contributions from the realms of biology and cognition.
Ultimately, we will be concerned in this course with what
organisms know and how they know, and with how knowing how
we know may help to illuminate who we are. Lecture/discussion.
In addition to the textbook, outside readings will help
us to examine implications of the experimental work. Three
or four exams, and a reflection paper. Prerequisite: Psyc
156. 3 credits.
Psyc 337 Social Psychology
Spencer
An introduction to experimental research in traditional
and applied areas of social psychology. Topics include conformity,
persuasion, aggression, pornography and violence, cross-cultural
research, racism, and ethics in social research. The class
is structured around a lecture format, with bi-weekly small-group
discussion classes. Students will write and present their
position on a topic of their choice, and will also be evaluated
on their performance in three exams. Prerequisite: Psyc
156. 3 credits.
Psyc 339 Physiological
Psychology
Parisi
The brain: Two fistfuls of pinkish-grey tissue
about the consistency of a raw egg. Without it, we are absolutely
nothing at all that would be of any interest to psychologists,
or anyone else for that matter, excluding botanists! This
course is an introduction to the brain and its relationship
to psychological and behavioral life. We will study neuronal
function, the physiology of the synapse, mechanisms of drug
action, sensory systems, motor systems, the neural contribution
to memory and emotional behaviors, higher cortical function,
and the role of biology in psychological disorders. Lecture/discussion.
Three exams and a reflection paper. Prerequisite: Psyc 156.
3 credits.
Psyc 354 Social Ecology
Miller
An interdisciplinary forum to think, talk and
write about environmental, global, social and health issues.
Readings and discussions draw on multiple perspectives (e.g.,
psychological, environmental, political, etc.), and focus
on both issues and alternatives. The course will be conducted
as a seminar, and informed and vigorous participation will
be expected of all participants. Evaluation will be based
upon participation, journals, and position papers. Prerequisites:
Psyc 156, one additional 100 level social science course,
and two 100 level science courses. 3 credits.
Psyc 362 Psychological Testing and
Measurement
Pittman
Clinical psychologists learn to carry out intellectual
and personality assessments as well as to provide psychotherapy.
This course provides an introduction to the history, theory,
administration, and interpretation of psychological tests.
Tests discussed include intelligence tests, educational
tests, educational tests, occupational tests, neuropsychological
tests, and personality tests. Social, ethical, and psychological
issues in testing will be addressed. Students will have
an opportunity to take a psychological test and discuss
its interpretation. The student is evaluated in terms of
her performance on one reflection paper, a revision of the
paper, and two exams. Lecture/discussion format. Prerequisites:
Psyc 156 and 201. 3 credits.
Psyc 364 Cognitive Psychology
Chambers
This course is intended to give the student an
introduction to the field of cognitive psychology. Primary
emphasis will be on basic memory processes (e.g., short-term
memory processes, long term memory, retrieval processes,
etc.) and on practical memory processes (e.g., memory disorders,
infantile amnesia, repressed memories, etc.). In addition,
we will look at the comprehension of information, problem
solving and language. Evaluation will be based on exams
and an extended reflection paper. Prerequisite: Psyc 156.
3 credits.
Psyc 381 Clinical Psychology
Pittman
An introduction to the methods of clinical psychology.
Students will learn interpersonal skills necessary to develop
an effective helping relationship. Students practice interviewing
strategies, communication and listening skills, and developing
a supportive, non-directive relationship. Skills are demonstrated
and evaluated through in-class videotaped interactions.
An important aspect of this course is the expectation that
students will examine their own cultural identities and
improve skills for interacting with those from a variety
of cultural backgrounds. Participation in community field
trips is required. The student is evaluated in terms of
her performance on two essay exams and a reflection paper.
Note: Students who complete this course are eligible for
a course in the spring, Psyc 386, in which students are
placed in community settings working under the supervision
of a professional. In these settings, students can provide
support to elementary school children, psychiatric patients,
elderly individuals, developmentally disabled children or
adults, or individuals coping with their own impending death.
Prerequisite: Psyc 326 or permission of the instructor.
Psyc 386 Clinical and Community
Practicum
Pittman
A clinical psychology externship experience. A student
is given the opportunity to provide supportive services
in a community agency. Students are provided with supervision
by a professional in the community, as well as by the
instructor. The student keeps a learning journal, and
is expected to discuss her experience during class meeting
times. The student is graded on her performance in the
externship, her learning journal, and her preparation
and presentation of an educational lecture on a psychological
topic such as communication skills, assertiveness training,
or problem solving. Prerequisite: Psyc 381. 3 credits.
Psyc 389 Teaching
Practicum
Qualified students take responsibility for leading class
discussions, supervising laboratory sections and/or preparing
instructional and evaluative materials for selected psychology
courses under the supervision of the instructor. Prerequisite:
Junior status.
** note Special Topics courses are offered
based on interests of students and faculty on an occassional
basis; offerings change based on interest. The following is
an example:
Psyc 360 Psychology and
the Law
Chambers
We will examine how psychological issues play a role
at each stage of the American judicial process. During
the pre-trial period there are questions about the use
of lie detectors, pre-trial publicity, eyewitnesses, the
use of line-ups and jury selection. During the trial there
are questions about the use of expert testimony and jury
decision making. After the verdict there is the issue
of applying punishment. We will also discuss the interaction
of psychology and the law in issues such as domestic violence,
rape and racial discrimination. The course will be seminar
style and grades will be based on a series of papers and
class participation. Prerequisite: Psyc 156. 3 credits.
Psyc 390 Special Topics: Issues in Social Ecology
Miller
This course focuses on selected issues in social ecology
-- the study of recurrent social and ecological problems,
and alternative solutions to reduce and/or prevent those
problems. Stated differently, this course is about sustainability
and threats to sustainability -- about ways of living
(using resources, creating energy, designing communities,
producing goods, growing food, interacting with others,
etc.) that can and cannot be sustained across time, and
that are and are not in balance with nature. Readings,
discussions and videos draw on multiple perspectives,
and focus upon both issues and alternatives. Evaluation
is based upon participation, journals, and one position
paper. Prerequisite: Psyc 156. 1.5 credits.
Psyc 402 Psychology
of Women
Pittman
A discussion / seminar course which examines the experiences
of women from various psychological perspectives. We will
consider the biological, intrapersonal, interpersonal,
social and cognitive factors as they relate to gender.
Students will be asked to reflect on and discuss the material
from an objective and analytical point of view in addition
to a personal point of view emphasizing personal values
and subjective experiences. There will be extensive reading.
Evaluation will be based on a reflection paper, journal
exercises and two exams.
Psyc 419 Independent
Research in Psychology
The student designs and conducts an empirical study on
a problem of her choice and writes up her research in
a standard research report format. Prerequisites: Psyc
156, 201, submission of an acceptable proposal prior to
registration, and permission of the instructor.
Psyc 495 Senior Seminar
The senior seminar fulfills the comprehensive
requirement for the B.A. in psychology. The goal of the
seminar is to provide a capstone experience for all psychology
majors. This year, we are offering two sections of the seminar.
Although there will be some collaboration between the two
sections, the main difference is this: one section will
be working with students who are interested in doing an
empirical research study; students in the other section
will be working on a comprehensive essay growing out of
library research. In both sections, a review of the literature
will constitute a big part of the project.
Psyc 497 Independent
Study in Psychology
Intensive and critical reading culminating in
a paper in an area that supplements regular course offerings.
Prerequisites: Psyc 156, submission of an acceptable proposal
prior to registration, and permission of the instructor.
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