Psychology Courses
PSY 121 (3-0-3)
Introduction to Psychology
This course introduces major theories and concepts in contemporary psychology. Topics covered include biopsychology, sensation and perception, learning, memory, thinking and intelligence, lifespan, consciousness, motivation and emotion, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders, health psychology, sex, gender, and sexuality. The course introduces students to scientific methods related to psychological research.
PSY 155 (3-0-3)
Introduction to Special Education
This course is an introduction to the education of exceptional children from birth to age twenty-one. It explores characteristics of various exceptionalities, as well as laws, policies, and procedures affecting students with special needs. The course emphasizes the identification of quality learning environments that ensure the inclusion of every child, and it identifies current practices, methods, and strategies for teaching children with diverse learning and developmental needs. A ten-hour field experience is included to enable students to connect course content to an environment serving individuals with special needs.
PSY 200 (3-0-3)
Statistics for Social Sciences
This course introduces students to the application of statistical methods in the social
sciences for the purpose of experimentation. The course provides an overview of how
descriptive and inferential statistics, including measures of central tendency and
variability, correlation and regression, estimation, confidence intervals and various
methods of hypothesis testing such as ANOVA and Chi-square, are used in research.
PR: SOC 121 or PSY 121 and eligible to enroll in a 100-level math course
Fall only
PSY 201 (3-0-3)
Research Methods for Social Sciences
This course explores research methods in the social sciences. The course refines students’
ability to read and interpret research articles, educating students on how to identify
research that is valid and reliable. Students will also learn how to conduct their
own research and write an APA-formatted research article. Students will apply quantitative
methods, use critical thinking, and develop research writing skills as they work towards
applying research principles to social science problems.
PR: PSY 121 or SOC 121; and ENG 123
PSY 221 (3-0-3)
Educational Psychology
This course provides students with an introduction to research-based concepts and
principles about human learning, development and motivation and how that information
is applied to classroom teaching. Emphasis is placed on learning theory and design
of instruction through identification of learning outcomes, effective teaching strategies
and assessment procedures. The role and methods of service learning are explored and
applied through classroom instruction and the development of a service learning plan.
PR: PSY 121
PSY 222 (3-0-3)
Lifespan Development
This course provides a broad overview of human development from the lifespan perspective
(prenatal development through the stages of aging). The major domains of development
including physical, cognitive, emotional and social development are identified with
an emphasis on the joint contribution of both biology and environment. The course
provides students with the opportunity to examine major theoretical perspectives and
explore the impact of culture, and context on development.
PR: PSY 121
PSY 223 (3-0-3)
Adolescent Psychology
Students will study human development from puberty to young adulthood. They will examine
the adolescent in terms of biological, cognitive, social, and emotional domains. Normal
development will be emphasized, but special issues will be investigated. The impact
of cultural factors will be explored.
PR: PSY 121
PSY 224 (3-0-3)
Abnormal Psychology
This course introduces a variety of mental disorders as recognized by the current
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The course emphasizes the biological,
psychological and sociocultural approaches to the study of abnormal psychology, as
well as the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment process. The course examines the
impact historical, ethical, and research implications have on the diagnostic and treatment
process.
PR: PSY 121
PSY 225 (3-2-4)
Introduction to Special Education
This course is an introduction to the education of exceptional children. Characteristics of the various exceptionalities as well as laws, policies, and procedures affecting students with special needs are explored. Emphasis is placed on identifying quality learning environments that ensure the inclusion of every child, and current practices for teaching children with diverse learning and developmental needs. The methods and strategies for teaching and including children with special needs are discussed and applied. Students observe 30 hours in an environment serving children with special needs.
PSY 226 (3-0-3)
Social Psychology
This course is designed to introduce students to the major theoretical concepts in
the study of social psychology. It will examine the nature and causes of individual
behavior and thought in social situations with emphasis on how social behavior is
shaped by culture, evolution, personal construal, and situational variables. Topics
covered include research methods, the nature of the social self, social judgments
and attitudes, emotion, social relationships, stereotyping and prejudice, altruism,
and social behavior in groups.
PR: PSY 121 or SOC 121
PSY 227 (3-0-3)
Psych of Disabilities
This course provides an overview of disabilities including the historical and social
context and the nature and needs of disabled individuals throughout the life cycle.
It presents a variety of theoretical frameworks to help understand the definitions,
causes, and etiology of a variety of disabilities. The course focuses on best practice
assessment and treatment methods employed to effectively address and meet the needs
of individuals with disabilities and their families.
PR: PSY 121
PSY 230 (4-0-4)
Child Development
This course is a study into the principles of child growth and development from conception to adolescence. The course content will focus on the physical, cognitive, social and emotional domains of development. The student will be required to observe the development of a child outside the classroom in order to complete a comprehensive child study project. In order to complete this major project, 10-20 hours of outside observation are required.
PSY 240 (3-0-3)
Human Sexuality
This course is an introductory overview of the field of human sexuality. Human sexuality
will be examined from psychological, biological, sociocultural and historical perspectives.
Students will be encouraged to become aware of their own sexual attitudes, values,
and behaviors and to evaluate the consistency of their behaviors within their own
moral frameworks. By the end of the course, students will be able to communicate about
sexuality with a greater degree of effectiveness and personal comfort.
PR: PSY 121 or SOC 121