This course introduces students to a range of behavior disorders including anxiety disorders, depressive and bipolar disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, substance-related disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and personality disorders.
Students learn how contemporary psychologists use the scientific method to study mental processes (that is, the "mind"), with an emphasis on major constructs: perception, attention, memory, language, and reasoning. Regular activities include hands-on experiments to collect data, followed by basic data analysis, visualization, and interpretation. Students will also critically evaluate several cognitive psychology journal articles. Prerequisite: 171. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher.
In this course, students refine and extend the knowledge and skills relating to reading and evaluating empirical psychology articles; research methods, design, and ethics; professional writing; and APA Style. The major assignment is a comprehensive research project that requires students to identify an area for research, conduct a literature review, design and implement a research study, analyze data, and prepare a final research paper and presentation.
This course involves an advanced, in-depth study of influential theories, research methods, and research findings concerning adult development and aging. Students will learn about physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development in adulthood; and how factors within the individual, society, and culture influence developmental processes. Students will also explore how adult development theories and research can be applied in everyday contexts and used to promote healthy development and optimal aging. Prerequisite: 171.
This course involves an advanced, in-depth study of influential theories, research methods, and research findings concerning child and adolescent development. Students will learn about physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development; and how factors within the child, family, society, and culture influence developmental processes. Students will also explore how developmental theories and research can be applied in everyday contexts and used to promote health development. SS
Psychopharmacology examines the major categories of restricted, illicit and prescribed psychoactive drugs and their use, effects, and potential for abuse. The neural mechanisms of drug action, along with the physical and behavioral consequences of use and abuse, are explored. Prerequisite: 171. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher.
Independent reading and/or research under the supervision of a psychology faculty member. Refer to the academic policy section for independent study policy. An independent study contract is required. May be repeated for credit.
Non-classroom experiences in the field of psychology. Placements are off-campus, and may be full- or part-time, and with or without pay. Credit for experiences must be sought prior to occurance, and learning contracts must be submitted before the end of the first week of the semester. See the experiential learning: internship section of this catalog for more details. Restricted to students with freshman or sophomore standing. Graded CR/NC.
Courses on topics of interest to psychology students offered on the basis of need, interest, or timeliness. Prerequisites as determined by the instructor. Restricted to students with freshman or sophomore standing. May be repeated for credit. For specific section description, click to the Section Details in VitNet.
The essence of this course is communication micro-skills, such as: attending, questioning, reflecting content and feelings, confronting, self-disclosing, interpreting, information giving, and enlisting cooperation and action. It is taught through a counseling psychology lens and provides opportunity to develop and practice skills. In addition, the techniques transcend disciplines and are valuable for a variety of interpersonal relationships. OC