Course Descriptions

21&62:830:101. Principles of Psychology (3)
Scientific study of human behavior, including historical foundations, methodology, physiological basis of behavior, sensation and perception, and cognition.
21&62:830:101 and 102 may be taken in either order.

21&62:830:102. Principles of Psychology (3)
Scientific study of human behavior, including development, personality, social influences, abnormal behavior, and therapy.
21&62:830:101 and 102 may be taken in either order.

21&62:830:103. Cognitive Science I (3)
Introduction to the new discipline emerging from the interaction of psychology, artificial intelligence, linguistics, philosophy, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology. Examines a variety of approaches to the study of how humans and other intelligent systems represent, understand, perceive, and use language, as well as learn and plan purposeful actions. Foundational topics in philosophy, evolution, neuroscience, and computation.

21&62:830:104. Cognitive Science II (3)
See 21&62:830:103. In Cognitive Science II, learning and connectionism, action, cognitive development, cognitive neuroscience, and language are covered.

21&62:830:301 Statistical Methods for the Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences (4)
Basic statistical methods in the psychological sciences, starting with basic probability, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics. Methods are put in the context of basic experimental research in the cognitive and behavioral sciences. Includes such methods as z-tests, t-tests, ANOVA, regression and correlation.
Prerequisites: 21&62:640:113 or equivalent and 21&62:830:101, 102.
Note: 21&62:830:301 is an online class for NCAS

21&62:830:302 Experimental Methods for the Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences (4)
Basic methods and paradigms in the cognitive and behavioral sciences. Research from areas of psychology in psychophysics, learning, memory, and perception are used to illustrate basic paradigms used in the cognitive and behavioral sciences. Students conduct experiments, analyze data, and write reports in standard psychology formats.
Prerequisite: 21&62:830:301.

21&62:830:304 Cognitive Processes (3)
Introduces the study of human cognition. Topics include perception, attention, memory, knowledge representation, language, problem solving, thinking, and reasoning. How is the world represented and what are the processes underlying those representations? Considers the real-world implications of laboratory findings.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:308 Critical Thinking in Psychology (3)
Scientific method in the context of popular ideas about psychology. Examination of the best scientific evidence concerning ESP, astrology, hypnosis, and other claims of paranormal powers. Analysis of controversial topics at the intersection of psychology and public policy, such as child-rearing and the nature/nurture debate.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:311 Health and Social Justice I (3)
This writing intensive course includes a CASE component, which allows students to practically apply what they learn to real-life situations, and features distinguished guest lecturers. Through interactive classes, we explore the juxtaposition of health issues in the light of disparities due to socioeconomics, education, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, culture, ability, and other factors. Topics covered include: alcohol & drugs, AIDS, abortion, contraception, public health, sexual assault, depression, stress, environmental justice, healthy relationships, education, women's and men's health, leadership, and many more issues. (Different aspects of each topic will be emphasized during part I & II, which may be taken independently of each other.)
Co-requisite: 21&62:830:400

21&62:830:312 Health and Social Justice II (3)
This writing intensive course includes a CASE component, which allows students to practically apply what they learn to real-life situations, and features distinguished guest lecturers. Through interactive classes, we explore the juxtaposition of health issues in the light of disparities due to socioeconomics, education, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, culture, ability, and other factors. Topics covered include: alcohol & drugs, AIDS, abortion, contraception, public health, sexual assault, depression, stress, environmental justice, healthy relationships, education, women's and men's health, leadership, and many more issues. (Different aspects of each topic will be emphasized during part I & II, which may be taken independently of each other.)
Co-requisite: 21&62:830:400

21&62:830:323 Developmental Psychology (3)
3) Child behavior and development; motor abilities, language, intelligence, social and emotional behavior and attitudes; prevention of maladjustment; relevant research findings; practical questions of child care and child rearing.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102, or permission of instructor.

21&62:830:327 Cognitive Development (3)
Development of human capacities, with emphasis on the growth patterns of perception and thought.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101,102 and 304 or 323.

21&62:830:330 Psychology of Learning (3)
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101

21&62:830:335 Social Psychology (3)
Psychological study of the individual`s social interaction; theories of interaction and the empirical research employed in the investigation of topics such as attitude formation and change, group structure and process, motivation, learning, and perception in a social context.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:346 Psychology of Language (3)
Research investigations of language behavior as an aspect of intellectual functioning; comparative study of human and animal communication; biological and neurological determinants of language; innate versus acquired mechanisms; information theory; encoding and decoding phonological skills; language models and theories evaluated, including mathematical models, learning theorists (e.g., Skinner, Osgood), and the transformational linguistics of Chomsky.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:354 The Psychology of Adulthood and Aging (3)
Psychological, biological, and cultural aspects of the life cycle from young adulthood to the later years; becoming a person and becoming partners; experimenting with lifestyles; deciding about children and how to relate to them; middle years-changes, crises, new opportunities; retirement and leisure compared with the work ethic; facts and fallacies about old age; death and how we deal with it.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102. Recommended: 21&62:830:323.

21&62:830:358 Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3)
Short stories, plays, projective testing, paintings, and material from clinical interviews to introduce normal, creative, and pathological personalities; increases sensitivity to the situational, psychological, and historical determinants of human personality.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:363 Abnormal Psychology (3)
Psychopathologies, their probable causes, and usual behavioral manifestations; theories of pathology and research techniques employed in the investigation of abnormality.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:369,370 Fieldwork in Psychology (3,3)
Fieldwork at accredited agencies under the supervision of a departmental faculty member and an agency supervisor. Consult the advisers to determine the number of hours required for participation at an agency; advisers have a current listing of accredited agencies participating in this program.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102, junior or senior standing, and permission of instructor.

21&62:830:371 Psychology of Personality (3)
Major theoretical and experimental contributions to the understanding of normal personality and its development; relative adequacy of different theories in dealing with specific empirical data.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:372 Perception (3)
Classical problems of perception-the constancies, form perception and the illusions, the perception of movement, neutral color, direction, and orientation; important theoretical issues of perception.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:373 Psychology of Women (3)
Psychological roles of women in the human situation, traditional and contemporary; functions fulfilled by, and problems inherent in, the subordination of Eve to Adam; wider social-psychological implications of the new feminism; novels, films, and journalistic, social-philosophic, psychoanalytic, and anthropolitical materials.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102, and either 323 or 354.

21&62:830:374 Psychopathology of Childhood (3)
At any moment, about 15% to 20% of all children and adolescents are experiencing some form of psychopathological disorder, such as depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity, or autism. Many more experience "sub-clinical" levels of psychopathology, which impact functioning but do not result in a serious degree of impairment. This course will explore three broad issues in understanding psychological disorders in children and adolescents: What are these disorders and how common are they? What are the identified "causes" of these disorders? How can professionals intervene to prevent or treat these disorders? Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:378 Advanced Abnormal Psychology (3)
Current theory and research in abnormal psychology; psychological and biochemical theories of psychopathology; examination of methods and findings of relevant experimental data.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:363 and permission of instructor.

21&62:830:400 Service Placement (1 credit; must be co-enrolled in 21&62:830:489)
C.A.S.E. (Citizenship And Service Education) encourages students to develop a sense of community building, citizenship and service ethics, particularly in the area of health disparities. Students will earn one credit by performing 40 hours (30 + 10 hours) of community service on campus or at a local community agency of their choice.
Co-requisite: 21&62:830:311, 312

21&62:830:405 Psychology of Emotions (3)
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:102.

21&62:830:407 Parental Behavior in Mammals (3)
Evolution of the biological and psychological bases of parental care among mammals. Relationship between mode of reproduction and patterns of parental care and how these patterns are adapted to the ecological niche of the species. Evolution of mechanisms between parents and offspring.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:410 Perceptual Development (3)
Classical and current empirical and theoretical approaches to the development of perceptual capacities. Development of the ability to perceive surfaces, color, patterns, motion, depth, and objects with a focus on how studies of perceptual development inform understanding of mature visual systems and vice versa.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102, and either 323 or 372.

21&62:830:411 Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience (3)
Evidence from cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, behavioral neuroscience, and brain imaging used to investigate brain systems and mental representations underlying sensation and perception, movement, memory, and language. Brain anatomy, neurophysiology, and relation of brain and cognitive states to our experience of the world.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102, 301, 302, 304; 484.

21&62:830:417 Theories of Interpersonal and Social Conflict (3)
Major theoretical perspectives of interpersonal and social conflict and the application of these perspectives to describe and understand personal conflicts and those in the world at large. Design research to explore and evaluate hypotheses derived from one or more of these perspectives.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:420 Infancy (3)
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:102, 323.

21&62:830:421 Learning and Object Recognition (3)
Learning of skills and patterns of behavior as well as restrictions and limitations; recognition of objects in familiar and unfamiliar situations; historical and modern research perspectives.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102, 372.

21&62:830:422 Laboratory in Social Psychology (3)
An introduction to nonexperimental methods in psychological research including observations, interviews, the use of psychological tests, and available data. Students gain practical experience in designing a survey, administering a questionnaire, entering the data, and analyzing it using SPSS, a computer program widely used in clinical, educational, and social research.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:301, 302, 335.

21&62:830:423 History and Modern Viewpoints in Psychology (3)
Critical study, with historical background, of several schools of psychological thought and theory; behaviorism and learning theory, psychoanalysis, Gestalt psychology, cognitive psychology, existentialism, and Russian psychology.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing in the major and 21&62:803:101, 102.

21&62:830:424 Health Psychology (3)
Psychological influences on health, illness, and the improvement of the health care system. Impact of judgments, attitudes, and beliefs on health; emotions and emotional control on health and coping; effects of gender, culture, and individual differences; interpersonal and organizational conflict in health care settings; patient-practitioner interaction; management of chronic illness.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:434 Attachment Theory (3)
Effects of early childhood rearing on subsequent cognitive abilities, interpersonal and romantic relationships, coping styles, separation, loss, and mourning. Attachment theory examined from psychological, psychoanalytic, evolutionary, and ethological perspectives.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:440 Animal Cognition (3)
Cognitive capacities of animals, including perception and attention, recognition and learning, concept formation and categorization, intentionality and communication. Continuity of mental states across human and nonhuman species, evolution of cognitive capacities and the animal language controversy. Attention to historical, philosophical, and methodological aspects.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:481 Comparative Psychology (3)
Comparative study of animal behavior; organization of behavior, and the relations among structure, physiology, and behavior at representative levels in the animal kingdom; comparative ontogeny of behavior and the question of learned and unlearned components; the evolution of behavior in the formation of species.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:484 Physiological Psychology (3)
Physiological basis of behavior; basic structure and function of the nervous system; physiological basis of motivation and emotions; relations between hormones and behavior; physiological aspects of perception and learning; organization of the cerebral cortex; psychosomatics.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:486 Neurophysiology and Behavior (3)
Structure and function of the mammalian nervous system; neuro-anatomy, neurophysiology, and neuropharmacology; functions of the spinal cord, autonomic nervous system, limbic system, higher brain mechanisms, reproductive behavior, pain modulation, sensorimotor and viscero-somatic integration.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102, 484.

21&62:830:489 Sexual Health Program
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102. Must be co-enrolled in 21&62:830:400

21&62:830:491,492 Research in Psychology (BA,BA)
Design and execution of an original research project under supervision; project may be a psychological experiment, an attitude survey, or a library study; learning how to do research by means of firsthand experience.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor.

21&62:830:493,494 Individual Study in Psychology (BA,BA)
Exploration of contemporary and classical problems in psychology through planned readings and discussions with a faculty member; emphasis on going beyond textbooks and learning to think about psychological issues in depth. Choice of participating in either a seminar class or reading independently and preparing a written report.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor.

21&62:830:496 The Emotional Brain (3)
What are emotions? Neural substrates examined from neurobiological perspectives. Individual and social functions of emotions, emotional intelligence.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102.

21&62:830:497/499 Senior Thesis I & II

21&62:830:498 Neuroendocrinology and Behavior (3)
Neuroendocrine control of courtship, mating, and maternal behavior; pregnancy, parturition, sexual differentiation, stress, cellular basis of immune action on the nervous system, and neuroendocrine role of steroids, neuropeptides, monoamines, and amino acids.
Prerequisites: 21&62:830:101, 102, 484.