PSY 100 - Introduction to Psychology 4cr

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the field of psychology. Topics include the philosophical and scientific origins of psychology, research methods in psychology, biological and perceptual processes, learning, cognition and memory, emotion, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders, and psychotherapy.

Social Science

PSY 121 - Sport Psychology 2cr

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, mental rehearsal, motivation, competitive anxiety, aggression, 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.

Partially satisfies Social Science

PSY 131 - Drugs and Behavior 4cr

The use of psychoactive drugs in human societies has a long history. This course provides an overview of drug-brain-behavior interactions. Accordingly, students will study a range of topics including drug actions on the nervous system, elementary principles of pharmacology, therapeutic uses of behaviorally active drugs, drug abuse and its treatment, and social policy. The term "drugs" is broadly defined and includes both legal and illegal substances.

Social Science

PSY 199 - Independent Study 1-4cr

PSY 202 - Infant Development 2cr

In this course, students explore the remarkable development of humans from conception to two years of age. Students consider information and issues in prenatal care, birthing practices, and mostly the development of physical, perceptual, socio-emotional, linguistic, and cognitive processes.

Partially satisfies Social Science

PSY 203 - Child Development 2cr

This course examines the roles of home and school in the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional 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.

Partially satisfies Social Science

PSY 204 - Adolescent Development 2cr

This course examines the development of the individual during adolescence. Areas of inquiry include physical and sexual development, cognitive development, personality development, and social development. An out-of-class Service-Learning component is often required.

Partially satisfies Social Science

PSY 205 - Adult Development and Aging 2cr

This course 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. A Service-Learning component is often required.

Partially satisfies Social Science

PSY 216 - Psychology of Creativity 4cr

This course examines characteristics of creative processes, people, and places in the arts, literature, science, business, and education. Social roles, economic factors, child-rearing practices, and approaches to education, which may influence creativity, are also studied. Students read, write, and participate in seminar discussion to learn from psychological theories, systematic research, and case studies. A Service-Learning component is often required.

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 proposal. 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 prepare to conduct their own research, to become better able to critique scholarly reports of research, and to become better consumers of social science research presented in the media.

College Composition II

Prerequisite: 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.

Prerequisites: Prior to registration students must obtain departmental approval of a written proposal that describes in detail the activities and educational objectives of the internship. Application materials may be obtained from Psychology faculty members.

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

This course is an in-depth consideration of a topic of particular concern within the discipline of Psychology. The course may be repeated for credit under different topics.

PSY 299 - Independent Study 1-4cr

PSY 310 - Biopsychology 4cr

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.

Social Science

Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology.

PSY 311 - Theories of Personality 4cr

This course engages students in critical examination of theory and research in the study of human personality, individual differences, motivation and well-being. Theoretical approaches explored include psychoanalytic, dispositional, biopsychological, cognitive, phenomenological, humanistic, behavioral, and social learning perspectives. Students engage in comparison and contrast of these different perspectives and their underlying assumptions. This course also provides the opportunity for students to integrate their study across broad areas of psychology and to apply the study of personality to other fields such as creative writing, literature, philosophy, education, outdoor leadership, business, and social work.

Social Science

Prerequisites: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology and junior or senior standing, or permission of the instructor.

PSY 312 - Abnormal Psychology 4cr

This course will provide a broad survey of what is considered to be abnormal behavior. Students will become familiar with concepts of abnormal psychology and with some of the clinical and research findings upon which our knowledge of psychological disorders is based. Students will critically review research and write about a particular area of abnormal psychology. It is expected that students will not only have an increased understanding of psychological disorders, but that they will have deepened empathy for those who have them.

Social Science

Prerequisites: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology is required, and PSY 231 Research Methods in Social Science is recommended.

PSY 317 - Health Psychology 4cr

The interaction between psychological, social, and biological factors has become increasingly clear. This course examines psychosocial factors in health and disease. Students will 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 lifestyle patterns affect their health and wellness.

Social Science

Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology.

PSY 318 - Social Psychology 4cr

Social psychology studies how the behavior of individuals and groups are influenced. This survey course examines the major theories and research traditions in social psychology. Topics include social cognition, perception of self and others, stereotypes and prejudice, social influence and persuasion, interpersonal attraction, group dynamics and leadership, conformity, aggression, and prosocial behavior. Students will explore applications to behaviors that impact environmental quality and sustainability, health and well-being, political participation and influence, and the workings of our legal system.

Social Science

Prerequisites: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology or SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology is required, and PSY 231 Research Methods in Social Science is recommended.

PSY 323 - Learning and Conditioning 2cr

This course introduces 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.

Partially satisfies Social Science

Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology.

PSY 324 - Sensation and Perception 4cr

This course explores how human beings gather and 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. Students will appreciate applications in sensation and perception, including the perceptual aspects of the aesthetic experience in music and the visual arts.

Social Science

Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology.

PSY 325 - Cognition 2cr

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.

Partially satisfies 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

This course explores major theories and techniques utilized in psychotherapeutic settings. Through a combination of readings, discussion, and active role-playing, students examine behavioral, cognitive, existential, humanistic, interpersonal, and psychodynamic approaches to treatment. Counseling skills (e.g., empathy and problem solving) are practiced in a supportive classroom setting. Students also present a clinical case study to their classmates focusing on a specific therapy approach.

Social Science

Prerequisite: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology.

PSY 350 -Group Leadership Practicum I 2cr

Students who are selected to be Peer Group Leaders are eligible to receive credit for this course. Each student Is expected to participate in a training program, lead a peer group during orientation and first term, keep a journal, and write a summary paper. Students will have the opportunity to develop, apply, and assess a broad range of leadership skills in a group setting. This course does not meet requirements for the Psychology Major or Minor. This course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

PSY 352 - Group Leadership Practicum II 2cr

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 design and administer an evaluation of the training program. They also design and implement a program to meet an assessed social need of the freshman class. Students have the opportunity to further develop leadership and program administration skills. This course does not meet requirements for the Psychology Major or Minor. This course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

PSY 390-398 - Special Topics in Psychology 2-4cr

This course is an in-depth consideration of a topic of particular concern within the discipline of Psychology. The course may be repeated for credit under different topics.

PSY 399 - Independent Study 1-4cr

PSY 401 - Selected Readings in Psychology 2cr

This course provides an opportunity for the investigation of important original contributions to psychological inquiry. It is organized around a particular theme, which may change from semester to semester. Readings may include theoretical and empirical scholarly articles and book chapters that have historical or contemporary importance for the field of psychology.

Partially satisfies Social Science

Prerequisites: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology and PSY 231 Research Methods, or permission of the instructor.

PSY 402 - History of Psychology 2cr

This course explores the history of psychology through the use of primary sources. Students will gain an understanding of important themes, developments, and figures in the history of psychology. Students will read materials from archives and other sources in order to learn about the broad sociocultural context in which psychology has emerged. Further, in a fascinating component to the course, students will peek in on original letters sent by leaders in the field in order to learn about important events, successes, and struggles through the individuals' own words.

Partially satisfies Social Science

Prerequisites: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology and PSY 231 Research Methods.

PSY 416 - Ecopsychology 2cr

Ecopsychology examines relationships between people and the rest of nature. As a collection of theoretical perspectives, ecopsychology asserts that people have essential, unconscious connections with the rest of nature. Ecopsychology proposes that detachment from this relationship has dire psychological and environmental consequences and that restoration of this relationship furthers individual, community, and planetary health. This course critically explores ecopsychology as a theory and as a worldview. Through writing, direct experiences, and close reading of primary sources, students critically examine ecopsychology's theoretical roots and practical implications. Students also explore the relationship of ecopsychology to psychodynamic theory, transpersonal psychology, existentialism and phenomenology, deep ecology, ecofeminism, sociobiology, and evolutionary psychology. This course meets elective requirements for majors in Psychology and Environmental Studies.

Prerequisites: ENS 220 Environmental Attitudes, Values, and Behavior, PSY 311 Theories of Personality, or PHI 252 Environmental Ethics, or permission of instructor.

PSY 418 - Cultural Psychology 4cr

This course is a study of human behavior and mental processes in a sociocultural context. Selected readings illustrate how psychology handles cultural variation in cognition, intelligence, attachment, religion, language, mental illness, family dynamics, and informal and formal schooling. Other topics may include perception, emotions, creativity, identity, self and personality. Through reading psychological theory and empirical research, writing, and seminar discussion, students learn to critically think from a cultural perspective. A Service-Learning component is often required.

Social Science

Prerequisites: Declared Psychology major or minor and senior standing, or permission of the instructor.

PSY 459 - Professional Issues in Psychology 2cr

This course prepares students to make the transition from the undergraduate major to life beyond college. Students learn more about graduate schools, employment in the field of psychology or related fields, and other adventures. Self-assessment, clarification of post-graduate goals, and skills and strategies relevant to career and life planning are emphasized. Current professional issues in psychology are discussed, including professional ethics.

Prerequisites: Declared psychology major or minor and junior or senior standing, or permission of the 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.

Prerequisites: Students must be of junior or senior standing. Prior to registration students must obtain departmental approval of a written proposal that describes in detail the activities and educational objectives of the internship. Application materials may be obtained from Psychology faculty members.

PSY 481 - Advanced Research I 2cr

Students in this course design and present a proposal of original, empirical research. The class meets regularly to master advanced research designs and methods, data analysis, and communication of research findings. In a seminar format, students work as a research team to critique one another's research and engage in collaborative problem solving around class members' research projects. By the end of Advanced Research I, students have created a final written research proposal ready for submission to the Institutional Review Board. This course is recommended for all students considering application to graduate study in psychology.

Prerequisites: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology, MAT 141 Statistics or MAT 253 Statistics for Natural Sciences, and PSY 231 Research Methods in Social Science, or permission of the instructor.

PSY 482 - Advanced Research II 2cr

Students in this course design, conduct, and present original, empirical research. The class meets regularly to master advanced research designs and methods, data analysis, and communication of research findings. In a seminar format, students work as a research team to critique one another's research and engage in collaborative problem solving around class members' research projects. By the end of Advanced Research II, students have completed a final written report and presentation of their research. This course is recommended for all students considering application to graduate study in psychology.

Prerequisites: PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology, MAT 141 Statistics or MAT 253 Statistics for Natural Sciences, PSY 231 Research Methods in Social Science, and PSY 490 Advanced Research I, or permission of the instructor.

PSY 489 - Independent Research in Psychology 2-16cr

The student completes an independent research project. The project proposal must be approved in advance by a faculty sponsor and by the department chair. The thesis report must be presented 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

This course is an in-depth consideration of a topic of particular concern within the discipline of Psychology. The course may be repeated for credit under different topics.

PSY 499 - Independent Study 1-4cr