Warren Wilson College Catalog 06-07

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Courses in Psychology (PSY)

PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology 4cr

An overview of the field of psychology. Topics include the philosophical and scientific origins of psychology, biological and perceptual processes, learning, cognition, human development, emotion, personality, social psychology, and psychotherapy.
Triad: Social Science

PSY 121 Sport Psychology 2cr * (2006-07)

This course examines theoretical, clinical, and applied aspects of sport psychology. It provides a broad overview of the major topics in the area (e.g., performance enhancement, motivation, competitive anxiety, injury recovery). The primary course objective is to facilitate understanding of how psychological factors influence involvement and performance in sport settings, and how participation in sports affects individuals and groups. Partial fulfillment
Triad: Social Science

PSY 131 Drugs and Behavior 4cr **

This course provides a broad overview of drug-behavior interactions. The term "drugs" is broadly defined and includes both legal and illegal substances. Topics include the physiological effects of various classes of drugs, the role of nonspecific factors, the history of drug use, an examination of current drug policy, and prevention/treatment issues.
Triad: Social Science

PSY 199 Independent Study 1-4cr

PSY 202 Infant Development 2cr

Examines human development from conception to two years of age. The course considers information and issues in prenatal care, birthing practices, and the development of physical, perceptual, socioemotional, linguistic, and cognitive processes. Partial fulfillment
Triad: Social Science

PSY 203 Child Development 2cr

Examines the roles of home and school in the physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development of children between the ages of 2-12. The course emphasizes the use of psychological theories to understand the complexities of developmental processes. An out-of-class service learning component is often required. Partial fulfillment
Triad: Social Science

PSY 204 Adolescent Development 2cr

Examines the development of the individual during adolescence. Areas of inquiry include physical and sexual development, cognitive development, personality development, and social development. Partial fulfillment
Triad: Social Science

PSY 205 Adult Development and Aging 2cr **

Examines human development from early adulthood through old age. Areas of inquiry include physical, cognitive, social, and personality development as well as issues in aging and death. Partial fulfillment
Triad: Social Science

PSY 215 Psychology of Religion 4cr **

An investigation into the nature of human religious experience. Consideration is given also to the relationship among religion, morality, and belief, and to the development of morality and belief from a psychological perspective. Scientific and religious world views are examined critically.
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology.

ENS/PSY 220 Environmental Attitudes, Values, and Behavior 2cr * (2006-07)

Explores the relationships among attitudes, values, and behaviors towards the natural and built environments from the macro level of cultural and historical context and from the micro level of psychological processes. Readings will draw from a wide range of psychological perspectives, including social psychology, cognitive psychology, behavioral therapy, psychodynamic perspectives, environmental psychology, and ecopsychology. Class will include a combination of lecture, discussion, class presentations, response papers, and experiential activities. Partial fulfillment
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology or ENS 116 Introduction to Environmental Studies or permission of instructor.

PSY 231 Research Methods in Social Science 4cr

This course provides students the opportunity to improve scientific writing and research skill by completing several drafts of an original APA formatted research project. Students learn to transform ideas into researchable questions by examining the nature of scientific thinking, research design, hypothesis testing, and quantitative methodology. Students apply their knowledge of research methods to become better consumers of social science research presented in the media.
Triad: College Composition II
Prerequisites: MAT 141 Statistics and SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology or PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology or permission of instructor. .

PSY 279 Supervised Internship in Psychology 1-16cr

The internship is a supervised work experience in an approved setting. One academic credit may be earned for each 40 hours of work in the internship placement.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval, prior to registration, of a written proposal that describes in detail the activities and educational objectives of the intern. Application materials may be obtained from Psychology faculty members or the Social Sciences Division Chair.

PSY 290-298 Special Topics in Psychology 2-4cr

In-depth consideration of a topic of particular concern within the disciplines of Psychology. May be repeated for credit under different topics.

PSY 299 Independent Study 1-4cr

PSY 310 Biopsychology 4cr * (2007-08)

This course examines the neurophysiological underpinnings of complex behaviors. An in-depth understanding of the structure and function of the central nervous system provides the foundation for later topics that include the role of the central nervous system in language, movement, sexual behavior, regulation of body states, emotions, and psychopathology.
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology.

PSY 311 Theories of Personality 4cr * (2007-08)

A critical examination of various theoretical approaches to the study of human personality, including psychoanalytic, dispositional, cognitive, phenomenological, behavioral, humanistic, and social learning perspectives.
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisites: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology and a junior or senior standing.

PSY 312 Abnormal Psychology 4cr * (2006-07)

An overview of a variety of behavioral and emotional disorders seen in clinical situations, including descriptive information, etiological theories, and approaches to treatment.
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology. PSY 231 Research Methods in Social Science is recommended as a prior or concurrent course.

PSY 317 Health Psychology 4cr * (2006-07)

This course examines psychological factors in health and disease. A biopsychosocial model is used to understand influences on how people stay healthy, why they become ill, and how they respond when they are ill. This course also helps students gain a better understanding of how their behavioral, emotional, and life-style patterns affect their health and wellness.
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology.

PSY 318 Social Psychology 4cr

A systematic examination of the major theories and research traditions in social psychology. Topics include the development, modification, and measurement of attitudes, person perception, interpersonal attraction, group dynamics, conformity, aggression, and prosocial behavior.
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology, SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology or ANT 200 Introduction to Anthropology. PSY 231 Research Methods in Social Science is recommended as a prior or concurrent course.

PSY 323 Learning and Conditioning 2cr * (2006-07)

This course explores the basic principles of behaviorism and how they can be applied in a variety of settings, including animal training. Most of the course focuses on operant conditioning, but habituation and classical conditioning are also discussed. Partial fulfillment
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology.

PSY 324 Sensation and Perception 2cr * (2007-08)

This course explores how human beings interpret information provided by the sensory systems. The psychological properties of the sensory signal, the physiological mechanisms of the nervous system, and the psychological processes of cognition and emotion will be examined. Focus is primarily on vision and audition, including the perceptual aspects of the aesthetic experience in music and the visual arts. Partial fulfillment
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology.

PSY 325 Cognition 2cr *(2006-07)

This course focuses on the processes of attention, memory, thinking, and the organization of knowledge. Theoretical attempts to explain these processes and research strategies to elucidate underlying mechanisms serve as overarching themes in the course. Partial fulfillment
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology. PSY 231 Research Methods in Social Science is recommended as a prior or concurrent course.

PSY 326 Theories and Techniques in Counseling and Psychotherapy 4cr

Explores major theories and techniques utilized in psychotherapeutic settings. Areas of inquiry include behavioral, humanistic, and psychodynamic approaches to treatment. Basic counseling skills (e.g., listening, communication, and problem solving) are also covered.
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology.

PSY 350 Group Leadership Practicum I 2cr - Pass/Fail

Students who are selected to be Peer Group Leaders are eligible to receive credit for this course. The student will be expected to participate in a training program, lead a peer group during orientation and first term, keep a journal, and write a summary paper. The student will have the opportunity to develop, apply, and assess a broad range of leadership skills in a group setting.

PSY 352 Group Leadership Practicum II 2cr - Pass/Fail **

Students selected to be Peer Group Leaders for a second year are eligible to receive credit for this course. In addition to participating in the training program and leading a peer group, they will design and administer an evaluation of the training program. They will also design and implement a program to meet an assessed social need of the freshman class. Students will have the opportunity to further develop leadership and program administration skills.

PSY 390-398 Special Topics in Psychology 1-2cr

In-depth consideration of a particular concern within the disciplines of Psychology. May be repeated for credit under different topics.

PSY 399 Independent Study 1-4cr

PSY 401 Selected Readings in Psychology 2cr * (2007-08)

An opportunity for the investigation of important original contributions to psychological inquiry. Readings will be selected from books and/or articles of particular historical or contemporary theoretical scientific importance. Partial fulfillment
Triad: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology and permission of instructor.

PSY 459 Professional Issues in Psychology 2cr

Prepares students to make the transition from the undergraduate major to either graduate study or employment in the field of psychology or related fields. Self-assessment, clarification of post-graduate goals, and skills and strategies relevant to career and life planning are emphasized. Current professional issues in psychology will be discussed, including professional ethics.
Prerequisite: Declared psychology major or minor and senior standing, or junior standing with permission of instructor.

PSY 479 Supervised Internship in Psychology 1-16cr

The internship is a supervised work experience in an approved setting. One academic credit may be earned for each 40 hours of work in the internship placement.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and departmental approval, prior to registration, of a written proposal that describes in detail the activities and educational objectives of the intern. Application materials may be obtained from Psychology faculty members.

PSY 489 Independent Research in Psychology 2-16cr

The student completes an independent research project. The project must be negotiated and approved in advance by a faculty sponsor. The thesis report must be defended before a faculty committee selected by the student and faculty sponsor.
Prerequisite: Department approval of a written research proposal.

PSY 490-498 Special Topics in Psychology 2-4cr

In-depth consideration of a particular concern within the disciplines of Psychology. May be repeated for credit under different topics.

PSY 499 Independent Study 1-4cr