|
Holly Deemer, Terry Goodrick, J. Richard McCallum,
Shane Pitts, Lynne S. Trench
The purpose of a major in psychology is to provide a background of knowledge
for students going on to graduate work in psychology, as well as for
those students going into a variety of professions that require an understanding
of the principles of human behavior.
The following courses are required (12 units):
- PY 101
- PY 204 and 304
- PY 312
- PY 410
- PY 470 and PY 472
- at least one unit from the Learning/Cognitive grouping: PY 407,
408
- at least one unit from the Clinical grouping: PY 311, 313, 413
- at least one unit from the Social/Developmental grouping: PY 203,
214, 303, 320
- two additional units in PY
Majors are expected to take PY 204 and 304 consecutively and as early
as possible, preferably by the end of the sophomore year. PY 410, PY
470 and PY 472 are open only to seniors.
The following courses are required (5 units):
- PY 101
- four elective units in PY
PY 101 Introduction to Psychology (1)
An introduction to the research, theory, and methods of
psychological science. Fall, Spring.
PY 203 Group Dynamics (1)
A survey of theory and research bearing on small group behavior, including
group formation, structure, leadership, power, performance, and conflict
(a Leadership Studies designated course). Prerequisite: PY 101. PY 204 Statistics For Research (1)
A laboratory course designed to introduce students to experimental research
design, statistical theory and techniques, and computer data analysis.
Fall.
PY 206 Special Topics in Psychology (1)
An in depth exploration of theory and research in a sub-disciplinary
area of psychology. Topics will vary each year. Prerequisites: consent.
PY 214 Developmental Psychology (1)
An overview of the theoretical approaches and research methods in developmental
psychology with an emphasis on the hereditary and environmental influences
on physical, social, cognitive, and personality development in childhood
and adolescence.
PY 215 Sex, Gender, and Society (1)
A survey of theory and research on males and females; biological and
cultural factors in development and abilities; perception and treatment
of the genders by society; current gender issues and their historical
context. Also listed as SO 215, this course may be counted for credit
in either psychology or sociology. Prerequisite: PY 101 or SO 101.
Spring.
PY 217 Drugs, Brain, and Behavior (1)
A seminar format study of licit and illicit drugs (focusing on drugs
of abuse) examining their effects on the brain and on behavior. Topics
will also include addiction and treatment, history of drug use, and
the influence of drugs on the unborn child, the individual, and on
society.
PY 220 Environment and Behavior (1)
A study of the reciprocal relationships between human behavior and the
natural, architectural, and social environments. The environment is
examined as the context in which behavior occurs, the affordances it
provides for behavior, and as the object of influence and modification
by behavior. Prerequisite: PY 101 or ES 150. Spring.
PY 225 Creativity: Person, Process, Place (1)
A seminar that reviews and critiques current psychological theory and
research on the creative process in all fields. Students are given
the chance to reflect on their own creative process as well as that
of specific scientists and artists in the area. Topics include creative
problem solving, cognitive and behavioral traits of creative individuals,
the development of creativity in childhood, innovation and creativity
in the workplace, and social and physical contexts conducive to creativity.
Also listed as HON 225, this course may be counted by Honors Program
students toward fulfillment of their course requirements.
PY 228 Family: Myth, Metaphor, and Reality (1)
A seminar examining the concept of family–its definition, development,
and dynamics. The course explores the stages of development of families,
the interrelationships of family members, and the changing definitions
and compositions of families through study of psychology, sociology and
anthropology, family therapy, law, and literature. Also listed as HON
228, this course may be counted by Honors Program students toward fulfillment
of their course requirements.
PY 300 Service: Motivations and Outcomes (1)
A multi disciplinary examination of the motivations for service and the
results of service work. Topics include altruism and prosocial behavior,
empathy, moral decision making, cross cultural communication, and service
outcomes. Students are expected to participate in an on going service
learning project during the semester. Also listed as HON 300, this
course may be counted by Honors Program students toward fulfillment
of their course requirements (a Leadership Studies designated course;
an IC designated course).
PY 303 Social Psychology (1)
The study of the social phenomena that affect the behavior of individuals,
including social perception, social cognition, and social influence.
Topics may include stereotypes and prejudice, self perception, impression
formation, persuasion and conformity, attitudes, group processes, aggression,
prosocial behavior, and attraction. Also listed as SO 303, this course
may be counted for credit in either psychology or sociology. Prerequisite:
PY 101 or SO 101.
PY 304 Research Methods for Psychology (1)
An in depth study of experimental design techniques, psychological research
methodology, and research report writing in APA style. This course
has a laboratory component in which students will conduct experiments,
including researching a topic with primary sources, collecting data,
analyzing results, and writing up the study in APA style. Prerequisite:
PY 101, PY 204 the previous semester or consent. Spring.
PY 305 Advanced Topics in Psychology (1)
An in-depth exploration of theory and research in an advanced
area of psychology. Topics will vary. Prerequisite: PY 101 and sophomore
standing,
or consent. Additional prerequisites may apply depending on topic.
PY 307 Psychology of Motivation (1)
A study of the biological, learned, and cognitive determinants
of major motives, including sexuality, aggression, sleep, hunger, addictions,
creativity, stress and health.
PY 309 Work Behavior (1)
The application of the methods and principles of the science of human
behavior to people at work. Also listed as SO 309, this course may
be counted for credit in either psychology or sociology. Prerequisite:
PY
101 or SO 101. PY 310 Psychological Testing (1)
A study of the theory and techniques of test development and use in applied
and research settings. Assessment in educational, clinical, counseling,
and personnel settings, as well as issues surrounding the use of evaluative
information are examined. Prerequisite: PY 204 or consent.
PY 311 Psychology of Personality (1)
A survey and analysis of the major theories of personality, including
the psycho-dynamic, trait, phenomenological, and learning approaches.
Prerequisite: PY 101.
PY 312 Biological Psychology (1)
A study of the biological bases of behavior. Includes the study of brain
and neural anatomy, communication between neurons, and the function
of major brain areas. The rest of the course will build on this knowledge
to study the effects on various behaviors including: vision, movement,
learning, memory, sexual behavior, lateralization of function, drug
taking behavior, and psychopathology. Prerequisite: PY 101. Spring.
PY 313 Psychological Disorders (1)
A survey of psychopathology and abnormal behavior with an emphasis on
the systems and criteria of diagnosis. Theories on the development
and treatment of disorders are also discussed. Prerequisite: PY 101.
PY 315 Animal Behavior (1)
An examination of the immediate causes and evolutionary explanations
for the behavior of animals. Emphasis is placed on exposure to historical
perspectives and current ideas about animal behavior, training in the
methodology of behavioral experimentation, and development of independent,
critical thought. Topics include sexual selection, bird song learning,
and aggressive behavior. Three lectures and one three hour laboratory
per week (one weekend field trip may be required). (Also listed as
BI 315.) Prerequisites: BI 105, BI 115, and PY 101, or consent. Fall.
PY 320 Cross-Cultural Psychology (1)
A survey of the research areas and methodological issues
specific to cross cultural psychology. Discussion of research on cultural
influences
on cognition and perception; child rearing practices and development;
motivation, emotion, and aggression; and sex roles follows an extensive
analysis of the components of culture. Sociocultural influences on
health behavior, work behavior, and leadership style are also discussed
(a Leadership Studies designated course; an IC designated course).
PY 407 Cognitive Psychology (1)
The study of processes involved in such complex human behaviors as
memory, attention, perception, language, decision making, and problem
solving
with an emphasis on classic and current theories and research. This
course has a laboratory component. Prerequisite: PY 101 and junior
or senior
standing, or consent. PY 408 Psychology of Learning (1)
A survey of the theories, components, and applications of Pavlovian and
Operant learning in humans and animals. This course has a laboratory
component in which students will demonstrate and apply principles learned
in class, resulting in first hand experience with psychological experimentation.
Prerequisite: PY 101 and junior or senior standing, or consent. Fall.
PY 410 History and Systems of Psychology (1)
A study of the philosophical foundations and historical development of
the major theories and research areas of psychology. Classic studies
in psychology, as well as the lives of major figures in the field,
are also discussed. Prerequisite: senior psychology major standing.
Spring.
PY 413 Clinical Psychology (1)
An introduction to the development and current practices of clinical
psychology. Emphasis is placed on models of therapeutic intervention,
assessment, trends in psychotherapy, and ethical, professional, and
research issues. Prerequisite: PY 101.
PY 417 Research in Psychology (1)
Involvement of the student (alone or with other students) in the development
and execution of a research project. Topics of research vary according
to the interests of the student and the professor. The project typically
requires the student to write a research report in APA style. Prerequisites:
PY 101, 204, 304, and consent.
PY 470 Senior Research Seminar in Psychology I (1)
An examination and critique of contemporary research and emerging theory
in psychology. Central and controversial issues and trends in the field
will be discussed. Specific topics will vary from year to year. Students
will develop and write a formal research proposal, including a literature
review and methods, for a research project to be conducted and presented
in the spring. Required for senior psychology majors. Prerequisite:
PY 101, PY 204, PY 304, junior or senior psychology or biology-psychology
major standing, or consent. Fall.
PY 472 Senior Research Seminar in Psychology II (1)
A continuation of the Senior Research Seminar in Psychology I (PY 470).
This seminar format course will allow students to conduct independent
research under the supervision of the psychology faculty. Students
will have regular meetings to discuss ongoing projects, allowing students
to teach and learn from others in the class, culminating in a formal
public presentation of research. In addition, there will be regular
readings addressing the philosophy of science, current issues in psychology,
and future directions in psychology. Required for senior psychology
majors who have taken PY 470 the previous fall. Prerequisite: open
only to those who have taken PY 470 the previous fall. Spring.
PY 393, 493 Independent Study (1)
Directed readings and inquiry into selected areas in psychology. Prerequisite:
PY 101 or consent.
PY 397, 497 Preprofessional Externship in Psychology (1)
PY 398, 498 Teaching Experience in Psychology
(½ or 1)
PY 499 Senior Project in Psychology (1)
A substantial research project resulting in a review of the literature
in a specified area of psychology and/or a research report written
in APA style. The project may be executed in the context of a currently
offered psychology interim class, in conjunction with an internship
or practicum experience, or as the result of independent or collaborative
empirical research. Prerequisite: senior standing or consent.
|