Psychology
Note: the courses on this page reflect Summer Term 2008 offerings.
Please check back on December 15 for a list of courses available during Summer Term 2009.
College of Arts and Sciences
CAS PS 101 General Psychology
Basic introduction to the field of psychology. Topics include theories and findings
governing learning, memory, perception, development, personality, and social
and abnormal psychology. 4 cr.
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CAS PS 211 Introduction to Experimental Design in Psychology
Prereq: CAS PS 101. Concepts of experimental design in psychology,
including the identification and control of bias, minimizing unsystematic error,
the statistical description of data, elementary probability theory, and elementary
statistical inference. 4 cr.
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CAS PS 234 Psychology of Learning
Prereq: CAS PS 101. Survey of theory and techniques in learning and
their applications in different settings. Topics include problem solving, memory,
reward and punishment, and reinforcement schedules as studied in animals, normal
classrooms, and remedial settings. 4 cr.
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CAS PS 241 Developmental Psychology
Prereq: CAS PS 101. Students may elect either CAS PS 241 or PS 243 but not both. Critical review of research and theories
pertaining to intellectual and social development of infants and children.
Role
of early experiences and biological factors in later formation of personality,
and intellectual and motivational behaviors; includes theories of Erikson,
Piaget,
and Freud. Term paper may be required. 4 cr.
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CAS PS 251 Psychology of Personality: Theories and Application
Prereq: CAS PS 101. Students may elect either CAS PS 251
or PS 252, but not both. The historical development of personality theories
and their application to social and clinical concerns are emphasized. Classic
theories of personality (e.g., psychoanalytical, behavioral, trait, humanistic,
cognitive, and social roles) are explored and evaluated through lectures, readings,
case materials, and films. 4 cr.
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CAS PS 261 Social Psychology
Prereq: CAS PS 101. Provides an understanding of how behavior,
feelings, and thoughts of individuals are influenced and determined by characteristics
of a situation. Topics include attraction, attitudes, aggression, person
perception,
and groups. Readings cover theories, experimental research, and application.
4 cr.
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CAS PS 325 Experimental Psychology: Personality
Prereq: CAS PS 101 and (PS 211 or (MA 115 and MA 116) and (PS 251 or PS 252)). Systematic approaches to the study
of personality. Experimental and observational investigations of selected
aspects
of personality. Demonstration of experimental procedures and student participation
in laboratory and field studies. 4 cr.
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CAS PS 333 Drugs and Behavior
Prereq: CAS PS 101 or consent of instructor. Comprehensive
survey of drug influences on behavior; introduces a neuroscience approach to
behavior. Several classes of drugs discussed, including abused and addictive
substances and psychoactive and therapeutic agents. 4 cr.
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CAS PS 336 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
Prereq: CAS PS 101. Provides an introduction to basic topics and research
relevant to cognitive psychology. Emphasis placed on understanding how we perceive,
attend, and remember information. Related topics include language, problem solving,
and intelligence. 4 cr.
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CAS PS 370 Psychology of the Family
Prereq: CAS PS 101 or SO 205. Survey of psychological issues
related to the family. Includes examination of psychological research and data
on the individual's experience in the family, with special emphasis on developmental
and clinical issues. 4 cr.
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CAS PS 371 Abnormal Psychology
Prereq: CAS PS 101. Attention to the wide range of ways in which personality
may become disordered, and emphasis on normal behavior development as highlighted
by psychopathology. Evidence and theories concerning problems of treatment
are also considered. 4 cr.
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CAS PS 372 Psychological Perspectives on War and Peace
Prereq: CAS PS 101. Considers psychological approaches to why some individuals
support governmental decisions to go to war, to kill, to torture, and to tolerate
civilian deaths while others resist war and strive to achieve a culture of
peace. 4 cr.
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CAS PS 560 Cross-Cultural Psychology
Prereq: graduate standing or six principal courses in Psychology,
and CAS PS 211 or MA 116. Comparative study of psychological variables under
different cultural conditions in order to identify universal aspects of human
behavior, and to identify cultural influences on behavior. Applications to
psychotherapy, public health, child development, education, business, and foreign
relations. 4 cr.
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Metropolitan College
MET PS 221 Psychology of Human Sexuality
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 neuro-psychological 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.
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MET PS 273 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
Prereq: MET PS 101. 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.
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MET PS 295 Psychology and Film: Images of Madness
Classic feature films (1920s 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.
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MET PS 350 Depression and Disorders of Mood
Prereq: two psychology courses. 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.
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Courses of Related Interest
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