Psychology

  • MET PS 101: General Psychology
    Basic introduction to the study of psychology as a behavioral science. Emphasis on learning, motivation, perception, personality, and social psychology.
  • MET PS 234: Psychology of Learning
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101.
    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.
  • MET PS 241: Developmental Psychology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101.
    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.
  • MET PS 251: Psychology of Personality
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101.
    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.
  • MET PS 253: Psychology of Dreams
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101; or consent of instructor.
    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.
  • MET PS 261: Social Psychology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101.
    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.
  • MET PS 273: Introduction to Clinical Psychology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: 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.
  • MET PS 275: Principles of Counseling and Motivational Interviewing
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101 or consent of instructor.
    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.)
  • MET PS 295: Psychology and Film: Images of Madness
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101.
    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.
  • MET PS 320: Play and Art Therapy
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101 and MET PS 241.
    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.
  • MET PS 326: Experimental Psychology: Social
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: PS101 and PS261, and MA113 or MA213
    Supervised experience in formulating, carrying out, interpreting, and critically evaluating social-psychological research. Students conduct research on such topics as attraction, impressions and stereotypes, helping, aggression, conflict, etc. Variety of research techniques examined.
  • MET PS 335: How the Brain Works: An Introduction to Neuropsychology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101.
    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.
  • MET PS 340: Business and Organizational Psychology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101
    The discipline of business and organizational psychology is a fast-growing expert area in the behavioral sciences. As a whole it concerns itself with the scientific application of psychological principles, research, theories, methods, and interventions to the world of business and organizations. This course introduces the undergraduate student to the discipline's theories, methods, and practical applications.
  • MET PS 371: Abnormal Psychology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 251.
    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.
  • MET PS 472: Psychology of Women
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: three psychology courses or consent of instructor.
    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.
  • MET PS 512: Sexual Violence
    This course will engage the topics of sexual deviance and sexual trauma through multiple lens. These lenses will include psychological, sociological, criminal justice, public health and social justice perspectives. The course will explore multiple facets of understanding sexual deviance and sexual trauma including legal and philosophical perspectives, historical activism, understanding and treatment of sexual offending, and survivor responses. The roles of multiple systems including the media, mental health organization and the criminal justice system will be taken into account. This course includes ongoing group work that will engage critical inquiry, addressing relevant topics in sexual trauma in practical ways. Students will utilize knowledge of theory and research methodology to pursue real world responses to issues of sexual violence and trauma.
  • MET PS 592: Positive Psychology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101.
    Positive Psychology is the scientific study of what makes it possible for human beings to lead happy, meaningful and productive lives--sometimes despite formidable odds. This course offers an introduction to the discipline's methods, empirical findings and theory.