This course introduces students to psychological issues and phenomena. A wide range of representative topics acquaints students with the methods and content of the field. (3B) Offered each semester.

This is the first course in a two-course sequence designed to examine the statistical concepts and research strategies used by psychologists. Students learn how to (a) analyze and interpret psychological data, (b) design and conduct psychological studies, (c) evaluate the validity of claims made by researchers, and (d) communicate research procedures and findings. This course emphasizes topics including ways of knowing, research ethics, observational and survey methods, descriptive statistics, graphing, and the concepts of reliability and validity. Students are introduced to the data analysis software SPSS and to writing with APA style. Offered each semester. Prerequisite: Psychology 100 and sophomore standing, or consent of instructor.

This is the second course in a two-course sequence designed to examine the statistical concepts and research strategies used by psychologists. Students learn how to (a) analyze and interpret psychological data, (b) design and conduct psychological studies, (c) evaluate the validity of claims made by researchers, and (d) communicate research procedures and findings. In this course, students review key concepts from Psychology 161 and examine new topics such as experimental and quasi-experimental designs, and inferential statistics. They also continue to develop their skills in using SPSS and writing in APA style. Offered each semester. Prerequisite: Psychology 100, and Psychology 161 or Biology 247; or permission of the instructor.

This course introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of political psychology with a focus on exploring the various foundations of social identity and the implications of these identities for political outcomes in the United States. Throughout the semester, students compare the influence of different identities and examine the psychological and political implications of social identities. The class focuses on three key identities: partisan identity, gender, and race. (Also listed as Political Science 207.)

This course examines the physical, social, and cognitive changes that occur between conception and older adulthood. A wide range of issues will be addressed, such as the contributions of genetics and the environment, gender differences, family and interpersonal relations, career development, retirement, and death. Includes at least 15 hours of field experience. (3B) Offered each year. Prerequisite: Psychology 100.

This course examines growth and development from conception through adolescence. Differing theoretical perspectives in developmental psychology (e.g., cognitive, psychodynamic, social contexts, etc.) are addressed. Includes at least 15 hours of field experience. (3B) Offered occasionally. Prerequisite: Psychology 100 and sophomore standing.

This course examines theoretical viewpoints on the development of gender identification and gender-typed behavior; research evidence for the existence/non-existence of gender differences; female social development across the life span; psychological aspects of women’s roles in the family and in the workplace; clinical issues relevant to women, such as depression and eating disorders; and additional topics selected by class members. Includes at least 15 hours of field experience. (3B) (Also listed as Critical Identity Studies 225.) Offered occasionally. Prerequisite: Psychology 100.

This course is an introduction to the biological bases of behavior. Students develop a basic knowledge of brain anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. This knowledge is then integrated and applied to many topics, such as sleep and arousal, food and water intake, learning and memory, aggression, sexual behavior, and psychological disorders. Offered most years. Prerequisite: Psychology 100; an introductory biology course is strongly recommended.

This course examines the anatomy and function of human sense organs. Different theories of perception are presented, and the interrelationships between physical stimuli, physiological events, and psychological perceptions are addressed. (3B) Offered occasionally. Prerequisite: Psychology 100.

This course examines the ways in which psychology can enhance our understanding of the American legal system, assist in the solution of legal problems, and contribute to the development of a more humane and just legal system. Topics considered include criminal responsibility, mental health law, eyewitness identification, children’s testimony, prediction of violence, jury decision-making, psychological consequences of incarceration, and capital punishment. Contributions of other disciplines (e.g., sociology, politics, communications) also will be addressed. (Also listed as Interdisciplinary Studies 239.) Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

This course examines some of the mental processes involved in human behavior. General issues to be covered include the accuracy of memory, problem solving, decision making, and the rationality of thought processes. Specific topics such as selective attention, subliminal perception, neurological bases of memory, and effects of aging will be discussed. (3B) (Also listed as Cognitive Science 240.) Offered each year. Prerequisite: Psychology 100.

This course investigates different empirical approaches to the study and understanding of human personality, including historically important and current conceptualizations of personality. Topics include the definition and measurement of personality; biological and cultural aspects of personality; psychoanalytic, cognitive, and behavioral perspectives; gender differences; and personality disorders. (3B) Offered each year. Prerequisite: Psychology 100.

This course examines psychological disorders from the four major theoretical perspectives: biological, psychodynamic, cognitive, and behavioral. It also explores the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness and the role of the mental health professional. Other topics include the definition of mental illness, cross-cultural issues in diagnosis, and ethical issues. (3B) Offered each year. Prerequisite: Psychology 100.

This course examines the ways in which an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by social situations. Topics include social perception and attribution processes, attitude formation and change, majority and minority influence, altruism, aggression, interpersonal attraction, small group dynamics, and intergroup relations. (3B) Offered each year. Prerequisite: Psychology 100 or Sociology 100.

This course investigates universal and culturally variable features of psychological phenomena. Topics include cross-cultural research strategies, perception and cognition, psychosocial development and parenting styles, moral reasoning, intercultural communication, emotional experiences, and psychopathology. (3B) Offered each year. Prerequisite: sophomore standing and either Psychology 100 or Anthropology 100.

This course examines selected topics in psychology that reflect particular interests and experience of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. Prerequisite: Psychology 100. Other courses may be required, depending on the topic.

Psychological theories, methods, and knowledge are generated within a particular historical and cultural context. They also change and evolve over time. In this capstone course, students investigate major theoretical approaches, controversial issues, and new developments in the discipline of psychology, from the time of Descartes to the present day. They come to understand how disparate subfields within psychology are connected to each other by common historical roots—and how contemporary psychological knowledge has been shaped by forces and individuals inside and outside of psychology. Students also become familiar with psychology’s heroes, scoundrels, intellectual achievements, and costly errors. (CP) Offered occasionally. Prerequisite: Psychology 162, two 200-level courses, and junior or senior standing.

This capstone seminar is an advanced exploration of the various ways developmental theory and research promote positive developmental outcomes in individuals and their families and communities. The course focuses on the application of developmental and clinical psychology in applied interdisciplinary settings such as schools, hospitals, medical clinics, and group practices. Topics addressed will include research-theoretical and clinical-practical approaches to preventing developmental psychopathology and to enhancing the lives of children and families whose health is compromised by physical, social, or emotional challenges. May include some field experience. (CP) Offered occasionally. Prerequisites: Psychology 100, 162, and 210 or 215; Psychology 250 or 252 and an introductory health and society course strongly recommended.

Through hands-on engagement and academic reflection, this course provides students with the opportunity to further develop and apply their psychological knowledge in an area of personal and community interest. With the help of the instructor and community partners, students will complete a project or internship involving approximately six hours a week (approximately 70 hours over the course of the semester) working with and/or at an assigned field site in the local community. In addition, class meetings will focus on the development of professional skills and career planning, as well as discussion of the opportunities and challenges of putting psychology into practice. (CP) Offered most years. Prerequisite: Psychology 162 and senior standing; approval of department.

This capstone seminar is intended for juniors and seniors who have some background in social or cultural psychology and wish to gain a deeper understanding of major issues in the field. Students read and discuss classic and contemporary theory and research in social psychology, with special attention given to how ideas develop. They also design and put into action a strategy that aims to eradicate a specific problem or enhance the quality of life on campus. (CP) Offered occasionally. Prerequisite: Psychology 100, 162 (or a course in research methods), and either 260 or 265.

This course investigates the question “In what ways have psychological experiences changed (or in some cases, stayed the same) over time?”. By considering changes in the social and physical environments (e.g., increased technology use, greater residential mobility and urbanization, integration into global economies, etc.), this course explores how psychological processes are rooted in historical contexts. Content covered includes topics such as identity construction, belief systems, mental and physical health, and prejudice. This course also employs a decolonial psychological perspective in order to explore how psychology can best serve the needs of the modern, multicultural world. Deisgnated as capstone (CP). Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Psychology 162 or alternative social science methods and statistics courses (e.g., Sociology 205), and Psychology 260 or 265, or permission of instructor.

In this advanced capstone seminar, students and the instructor investigate the major types of psychotherapy, especially cognitive and behavioral therapies, including those specifically designed for criminal offenders and college populations and the treatment of drug and alcohol related disorders. Students will read, analyze, and critique scientific studies of therapeutic efficacy and lead a class on a therapy modality of their choosing. (CP) Offered approximately once every three semesters. Prerequisite: Psychology 162 and either Psychology 250 or 252, or consent of instructor.

Independent research by a superior student under faculty supervision. (CP) Prerequisite: by invitation.

This course examines advanced topics in psychology that reflect the particular interests and expertise of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. (CP) Prerequisite: Psychology 100 and 162 (or a course in research methods). Other courses may be required, depending on the topic.

Individual study under faculty supervision and/or research on a psychological topic selected by the student. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

Work with faculty in classroom instruction. Graded credit/no credit.

Course and curriculum development projects with faculty.