Psychology Undergraduate Courses

Basic introduction to the study of psychology as a behavioral science. Emphasis on learning, motivation, perception, personality, and social psychology.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

The course provides a psychological framework for reviewing the science of human sexuality. Emphasis is placed on not only what has been learned, but how it has been studied. The clinical, developmental, personality, social psychology, and neuropsychological theory and research of human sexuality are presented. Specific topics include sexual dysfunctions and sex therapy, bio-social views on sexual differentiation, alternative sexual orientations, and attraction to love.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Theory and techniques in learning and their applications in different settings. Explores problem solving, memory, reward and punishment, and reinforcement schedules in animals, normal classrooms, and remediational settings.   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: MET PS 101.

Offered: Spring 2010

Critical and technical review of theories on intellectual and social development of infants and children. Emphasis is on the role of early experiences and biological factors in the later formation of personality and intellectual motivational behaviors. Discusses the work of Erikson, Piaget, and Freud.   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: MET PS 101.

Offered: Spring 2010

Examines the psychological impact of crime, terror and disasters on society and the individuals who are members of it. The class is geared toward students in the social sciences including Psychology, Urban Affairs, Criminal Justice, and Sociology. A variety of traumas will be examined (e.g., childhood abuse, domestic violence and crime, war combat, terrorism, and natural disasters). The course examines the social, cultural and political environments in which trauma, trauma research and treatment occur. Introduction and overview of the field of traumatic stress studies including the nature of trauma, responses to trauma and treatment for disorders of traumatic stress.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Provides a conceptual framework for understanding the development, organization, and change of the normal individual according to such diverse theoretical positions as the psychoanalytic, humanistic, and social learning schools.   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: MET PS 101.

Offered: Spring 2010

Covers a wide range of theoretical and empirical studies on dreams; presents a review of the major schools of thought regarding the origin, content, and purpose of dreams; topics include dream interpretation, the physiology of sleep and dreams, daydreams, and nightmares. Note: This course cannot be used as one of the principal courses required for the CAS psychology major or minor.   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: MET PS 101; or consent of instructor.

Offered: Spring 2010

Manner in which the behavior, feelings, and thoughts of one individual are influenced and determined by the behavior and/or characteristics of others. Attraction, attitudes, aggression, person perception, and groups. Readings cover theories, experimental research, and application.   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: MET PS 101.

Offered: Spring 2010

An overview of the field of clinical psychology as applied to children, adolescents, and adults. Theoretical, applied, and research topics include: neurobiology, psychopharmacology, individual and group psychotherapy, testing and assessment, family systems therapy.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Basic theories of counseling and motivational interviewing are compared and contrasted. Emphasis is placed on investigating the various contexts in which these theories and techniques are particularly applicable (e.g. , sports psychology, weight loss, smoking cessation, crises management, etc.)   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: MET PS 101 or consent of instructor.

Offered: Spring 2010

Classic feature films (1920's to the present) portraying mental illness are considered from both cinematic and psychosocial perspectives. The public image of madness on the big screen is related to clinical concepts and practices current during the period of the film.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Considers the psychological roots of play and creative processes as they relate to child and adult therapy. Specific schools of play and art therapy are considered. Emphasis is on psychological processes and direct application of therapies. Note: This course cannot be used as one of the principal courses required for the CAS psychology major or minor.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Methodology, results, and interpretation of respondent and operant conditioning. Experimental analyses of selected topics in learning within the context of reinforcement theory. Students write reports of instructor- and student-planned experiments using the albino rat as subject. Laboratory course.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Experimental and observational investigations of selected aspects of personality. Demonstration of experimental procedures; participation in laboratory and field studies. Laboratory course.   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: MET PS 251 and MET MA 113.

Offered: Spring 2010

This class is aimed at students who are eager to develop an understanding of the interplay between psychology, leadership, and workplace dynamics within organizations. The focus of the class is on the practical as well as the applied and theoretical aspects of organization psychology. Investigations will focus on actual work related case studies and leadership and work related issues, as well as an investigation of the dynamic nature of the field. We will use the classroom setting as a laboratory to analyze cases and to discuss solutions for work related problems. This class is ideal for students preparing to enter the workplace.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

  [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Where do our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors come from? They all originate in the brain. The mysteries of the brain become accessible through the study of tragically commonplace medical events and conditions such as stroke and dementia and exceptionally rare cases where “n = 1” (the amnesic patient H.M.; the infamous Phineas Gage). Neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between the brain and behavior. This course examines the anatomical structures of the brain including the cerebral lobes, brain stem and subcortical regions and will explore cognitive processes including memory, language, attention, and emotion. Significant emphasis will be placed on the relation between brain disorders (resulting from head injury, stroke, degenerative disease, etc.) and abnormal behavior. 4 cr   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

  [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Examines current theories and research findings on depression and mania. Evaluation of major biological and psychosocial theories and treatments. Attention to personality, psychosocial risk factors, and depression in children. Note: This course cannot be used as one of the principal courses required for the CAS psychology major or minor.   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: two psychology courses.

Offered: Spring 2010

The psychological unconscious has been cause for fascination since the dawn of civilization among philosophers, scientist and artists. In recent years, thanks to swift advances in the neurosciences, many unconscious phenomena have been studied experimentally and revealed to us. These empirical studies, when combined with the theoretical work of previous generations, offer sharp insights into how the psychological unconscious works in generating thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. 4 cr.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Explores the complex causes, manifestations, and treatment of common behavior disorders. Introduces abnormal behavior in the context of psychological well being to show these behaviors along a continuum from functional to dysfunctional. Interviews with patients and analysis by therapists and other mental health professionals provide students with invaluable perspectives on the suffering of behavioral disorders as well as the multiple approaches to treatment.   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: MET PS 251.

Offered: Spring 2010

This course explores the manifold ways in which the sense of "who one is" as a person is approached and understood within the field of psychology. The psychological construct of identity will be utilized to survey the varying ways in which the experience and nature of "one's own sense of self" is examined and elucidated across the major sub-fields of psychology, including: developmental psychology; personality psychology, abnormal psychology, humanistic, existential and transpersonal psychology; and the psychology of religion. Particular consideration will be given to the significance of such cultural and contextual factors as race, ethnicity and gender.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

This class addresses the key role culture plays in shaping the human experience. Emphasis will be put on key social, affective, and cognitive aspects of group identity and self-identity development. The historical role psychology has played in understanding these phenomena will be reviewed. Topics that will be covered include: cross cultural communication and the constant evolution of prejudice and racism in today’s world. The course is taught in seminar format and requires intensive student motivation and participation.   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: three courses in psychology.

Offered: Spring 2010

This course is designed to introduce undergraduate students to the myriad factors influencing the development of girls and women in a variety of cultures and societies. Topics that will be covered include feminist scholarship and research; gender socialization, women’s biology, and health; sexuality, relationships and family; and work, career, and power issues.   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: three psychology courses or consent of instructor.

Offered: Spring 2010

  [Var cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

  [Var cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Independent Study arranged with the appropriate instructor.   [Var cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Health Psychology is the branch of psychological science that deals with identifying and understanding factors that help enhance human health and prevent disease. Through education, research, and treatment, health psychologists intervene in a wide variety of clinical conditions, including addictions, chronic illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, pain management and many others.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

The field of forensic psychology lies at the crossroads of psychology, the law, and the criminal justice system. This course presents upper-level undergraduates and master’s level graduate students with the scope of forensic psychology practice and research. First, the course focuses on the scope of the field: what forensic psychologists do, the ethical conflicts they encounter, and the field’s special methodology (e.g., assessment of malingering and deception). The use and function of expert witness testimony is reviewed and critically evaluated. A range of civil and criminal psychological issues is addressed including eyewitness memory, sexual offenders and battered women.   [ 4 cr.]

Prereq: MET PS 371.

Offered: Spring 2010