The departmental program includes courses such as those described on these pages, but also innovative research experiences through Research Teams, and Independent Research and the Honors Program. The department offers a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Applied Psychology. You should contact department faculty for details about major requirements. In addition to the major programs, we offer a minor program related to your individual interests and career plans. If you are interested in electing a minor in psychology, contact the minor advisor, Leigh Ann Vaughn, Williams 115A.
If you are interested in becoming a major or minor, take General Psychology PSYC 11300 and General Psychology Laboratory PSYC 11300 as your first course.
PSYC 10000-01 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ADJUSTMENT SS LA 1a
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Erin Huyler, Williams 119G
ENROLLMENT: 200
OBJECTIVES: A general introduction to the psychology of adjustment
STUDENTS: Any, primarily non-psychology majors.
FORMAT AND STYLE: Lecture format focusing on psychology and personal adjustment will be supplemented with discussion, films, etc.
GRADING: Grades will be based on exams, assignments and optional points.
PSYC 10300-all sections GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY SS LA 1
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTORS:
Section 01: Jeffrey Holmes, Williams 110, Ext. 47386
Section 02, 03: Kathryn Caldwell, Williams 115C, Ext. 41371
ENROLLMENT: Section 01: 95; Section 02, 03: 90
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the field of psychology as a scientific discipline. The course will survey the broad spectrum of topics in psychology, such as learning, memory, cognition, development, neuroscience, personality, social processes and psychopathology. Theories, methods, and applications of psychology will be covered.
FORMAT AND STYLE: A lecture style will be supplemented with class discussion, demonstrations and activities.
REQUIREMENTS: Readings are assigned from an introductory psychology text. Additional readings may be used.
PSYC 10400-01,02 INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY SS LA 1
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTORS: Kathryn Caldwell, Williams 115C, 41371
ENROLLMENT: 90
OBJECTIVE: This course provides a first look at how psychologists view the way people change over the course of the life span. We will explore biological, cognitive, personality, and social processes of development. Coverage includes major concepts and theories, research methodologies, and current controversies in the field. Emphasis on how current theory and research in developmental psychology relate to everyday life.
STUDENTS: First-year students and sophomores in majors other than psychology.
FORMAT AND STYLE: Lecture, some discussion and in-class activities.
PSYC 11300-01-08 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY LABORATORY LA
2 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Jeffrey Holmes, Williams 110, Ext. 47386
ENROLLMENT: 9 per section
PREREQUISITE: Math Group 1, 2, or 3. Prior or concurrent enrollment in PSYC 10300.
OBJECTIVE: Designed to complement PSYC 10300. Students are introduced to a variety of experimental techniques in psychology, collect and analyze data, and write scientific papers.
STUDENTS: Primarily for majors and minors in psychology.
FORMAT AND STYLE: One hour lecture, 2 hours of laboratory work required each week.
PSYC 21010-01, 02 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY SS LA
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Kimberly McLain, Williams 119G, 47923
ENROLLMENT: 60
PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing.
OBJECTIVES: The course objective is to introduce students to major theories in educational psychology and their application to education. The course focuses on classic psychological theories, concepts and research, and their relationship to teaching as well as discussion of current issues in education. The purposes of this course are to help students understand and translate psychological principles into practice and to provide students with the competencies required for teacher accreditation.
STUDENTS: Sophomores standing.
FORMAT AND STYLE: Lecture/discussion.
PSYC 26100-01 PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN SS LA 1
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Carla Golden, Williams 111, Ext. 43504
ENROLLMENT: 30
PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing and PSYC-10300 or PSYC-10400.
OBJECTIVES: This course is designed to introduce students to contemporary research and theory on the psychology of girls and women. Readings, lectures, and discussion will cover such topics as sex and gender, the socialization of girls, the female body, personality development, relationships, work, sexuality, menstruation, motherhood, menopause, and mental health. Integral to the course is a recognition of differences as well as commonalities among women, specifically looking at race, ethnicity, sexuality and class, as they interact with gender in shaping women’s life experiences. The course will also include discussion of contemporary feminist movements and the possibilities for both personal and social change.
FORMAT AND STYLE: Lecture and discussion.
REQUIREMENTS: Students will read a variety of books, write weekly reaction papers, and two longer papers.
PSYC 31100-01 BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE NS LA 2a
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Brandy Bessette-Symons, Williams 119C, 41988
ENROLLMENT: 55
PREREQUISITES: One course from the following: PSYC 20100, PSYC 20200, PSYC 20700, BIOL 20300, BIOL 20600, BIOL 20800, BIOL 21400, BIOL 27800, CHEM 22100, CHEM 22200, PHYS 21700, PHYS 21800, SLPA 21200.
OBJECTIVES: To provide students with research skills in Behavioral Neuroscience and Physiology.
STUDENTS: Mostly sophomore and junior Psychology, Speech Pathology, Physical Therapy and Biology majors.
FORMAT AND STYLE: Lectures, demonstration, discussion, optional lab and TA available for tutoring.
REQUIREMENTS: Textbook: Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology, 6th ed., Kolb & Whishaw.
GRADING: Letter grade based on tests, reaction papers and any extra-credit made available.
PSYC 31200-01 BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE LABORATORY NS LA
1 CREDIT
INSTRUCTOR: Brandy Bessette-Symons, Williams 119C, 41988
ENROLLMENT: 8
PREREQUISITES: Concurrently taking or having taken Behavioral Neuroscience or permission of instructor.
OBJECTIVES: To provide students with research skills in Behavioral Neuroscience.
STUDENTS: Mostly sophomore and junior Psychology, Speech Pathology, Physical Therapy and Biology majors.
FORMAT AND STYLE: Hands-on-lab experience.
PSYC 31600-01 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY SS LA 1
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Leigh Ann Vaughn, Williams 115A, 47353
ENROLLMENT: 43
PREREQUISITES: One course from the following: PSYC 20100, PSYC 20200, PSYC 20700.
OBJECTIVE: Social psychology is the scientific study of the way people think, feel, desire, and behave in social situations. Some of the topics to be covered include interpersonal attraction, the self, social cognition, attitudes, persuasion, prejudice, aggression, and helping. A primary goal of this course is to introduce you to the perspectives, research methods, and empirical findings of social psychology. Equally important is the goal of cultivating your skills for analyzing the social situations and events that you encounter in your everyday life. Finally, throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on developing critical and integrative ways of thinking about theory and research in social psychology.
STUDENTS: Primarily sophomore/junior psychology majors and students having acceptable background in psychology.
PSYC 32100-01,02 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY SS LA
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Hugh Stephenson, Williams 109, Ext. 43251
ENROLLMENT: 43
PREREQUISITES: One course from the following: PSYC 20100, PSYC 20200, PSYC 20700.
OBJECTIVES: To develop an understanding of the different parameters of normality and abnormality, to
analyze the personality and behavior models implicit to analytical, medical and behavioral concepts of abnormality and to identify the concepts defining specific patterns of abnormalities.
FORMAT AND STYLE: Lectures with discussion, extensive use of videotapes of patient interviews with discussion of points from the interview.
REQUIREMENTS: 4 quizzes, final exam all multiple choice questions and optional papers.
GRADING: Quizzes 60%, final exam 40% of grade. Optional points may raise grade.
PSYC 33000-01 COGNITION NS LA 2a
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Nancy Rader, Williams 115D, Ext. 43510
ENROLLMENT: 43
PREREQUISITES: One course from the following: PSYC 20100, PSYC 20200, PSYC 20700, PSYC 20300, BIOL 20600, BIOL 20800, BIOL 21400, BIOL 27800, CHEM 22100, CHEM 22200, PHYS 21700, PHYS 21800.
OBJECTIVES: This course will explore the mental operations that allow us to perceive, attend, speak, remember, and reason.
STUDENTS: Junior and senior standing.
FORMAT AND STYLE: Lecture and discussion.
PSYC 34100-01 FORMS OF THERAPY SS LA
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: William Hudenko, Williams 115E, 47386
ENROLLMENT: 20
PREREQUISITES: PSYC 32100
OBJECTIVES: This course will provide an introduction to the major psychotherapeutic modalities. The lecture and assigned readings will cover a variety of approaches including psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive-behavioral therapies, as well as issues related to pharmacological treatments, professional ethics, and methods of assessing the outcome of therapy. Students will attain an understanding of treatment approaches as currently applied, as well as the historical and cultural contexts in which the treatments emerged. Students completing the course will be informed consumers of psychotherapy, and will have the background for continued study of specific therapeutic skills.
FORMAT AND STYLE : Lecture style mixed with class discussion.
GRADING: Based on exams, participation, and term paper.
