300

PSY 304 Theories & Practice in Counseling Psych

This course is designed to introduce students to the theoretical models, research findings, and practical skills and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy. 

PSY 305 Junior Seminar

This course meets once per week to discuss issues of importance to those pursuing a career in psychology or related discipline. Topics will include career exploration, preparations for the GRE, APA writing style, graduate studies and schools, thesis projects, internships, and more. Psychology students are required to attend and participate.

PSY 306 Abnormal Psychology

The focus of this course is on defining, explaining, and evaluating human behavior. Specifically, the course will examine diagnoses and treatment for many common psychological disorders. A portion of the course is devoted to case studies and determining instances of maladaptive behavior. The course will provide insight into the various issues involved in developing, diagnosing, and treating a mental health disorder.

PSY 307 Learning and Behavior

Learning is defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior due to past experience. Research on the mechanisms of learning in both human and nonhuman animals has shaped the field of Behaviorism, which emphasizes observable, measurable behavior over internal, mental processes. This course will familiarize students with experimental approaches used to investigate environmental influences on behavior. Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning theories will be emphasized. Applications of behavioral approaches to addiction, sexual behavior, animal training, parenting, and education will be explored.

PSY 309 Research Methods (WI)

This course provides training in experimental research methodologies. Emphasis is placed on determining the correct methodology and data-analysis for a variety of research projects. During the course, students will design and complete a psychological research project. This will include, background research, ethics training, recruitment of subjects, designing the study, running participants, and data analysis. It is expected that all students will complete a poster presentation with their group project by the end of the course. In addition, students will also write a scientific research proposal in APA format. The paper will be used to develop skills in scientific writing as well as understanding formatting requirements with APA.

PSY 310 Human Sexuality

Human Sexuality is a course that investigates scientifically the ways in which people experience and express themselves as sexual beings. This course will examine human sexuality from a biopsychosocial perspective. We will consider the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence sexual behaviors, attitudes, and values. We will gain an understanding of the diversity of sexual behaviors and lifestyles, particularly focusing on human sexuality in the United States. Students will enhance their critical thinking skills through the investigation of scientific evidence for each of the topics covered. Finally, this course requires openness and respect of diverse perspectives to enable students to explore and develop their unique views about human sexuality.

PSY 311 Theories of Personality

Personality psychology is the scientific study of individual differences that predict the way individuals think, feel, and behave. Various contemporary theoretical perspectives (e.g., trait, psychodynamic, cognitive, neuroscience) will be presented to understand how personality is developed, expressed, and measured.

PSY 314 Cognitive Psychology

This course provides an introduction to the study of mental processes and discusses how the cognitive perspective has shaped modern psychology. Both behavioral and neuropsychological approaches to theory will be explored. The course includes such topics as the history of cognition, an introduction to cognitive neuroscience, attention, perception, language processing, memory, decision making, and consciousness. Students will review and replicate classical and contemporary cognitive psychology experiments. Students will also augment their critical thinking skills through the critique of experimental methodology and the application of scientific reasoning to common cognitive problems.

PSY 321 Law, Justice & Forensic Psychology

This course provides in-depth exposure to the roles and responsibilities of Mental Health Professionals within the criminal and (to a lesser extent) civil systems of justice in the United States. Additionally, the course will focus on how the legal system shapes the role of the mental health profession in the court arena. Topics covered include but are not limited to the psychology of jury selection; the identification and psychological evaluation of criminal suspects; the psychological factors associated with eyewitness and jury experiences; issues of mental competency and insanity; and the death penalty.

PSY 388 Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship

This High Impact Practice (HIP) allows students to develop a greater understanding of psychological theories, and build career relevant skills through course aid. An undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) for any psychology course is expected to provide assistance to the professor of the course. Responsibilities of a course TA depend on the professor's need but can include: attending class, grading assignments and tests, taking attendance, providing assistance to students with studying and assignments, and holding review sessions before exams.

PSY 389 Special Topic

Special Topics courses include ad-hoc courses on various selected topics that are not part of the regular curriculum, however they may still fulfill certain curricular requirements. Special topics courses are offered at the discretion of each department and will be published as part of the semester course schedule - view available sections for more information. Questions about special topics classes can be directed to the instructor or department chair.