Academic Subject Certificate
Psychology
Degrees and Certificates
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Psycho-Social Developmental Studies, -
Mental Health Technician, Certificate of Competence
Classes
PSY 100: Survey of Psychology
An introductory course with emphasis on principles of human behavior. Topics covered include motivation, learning, perception, emotion, development, personality, states of consciousness, group processes, problem solving and thinking, and methods of inquiry.
Course Outcomes
- Recognize the study of psychology as a science.
- Discuss the biological and environmental basis of human behavior.
- Integrate the basic perspectives, concepts, principles, and general information comprising the field of psychology.
PSY 170: Psychology of Adjustment
Focus is on understanding, evaluating and improving adjustment. Includes study of theories, concepts and techniques concerning personal growth and behavior change.
Course Outcomes
- Identify and evaluate important issues in her or his own past and present.
- Integrate the basic perspectives, concepts, principles, and general information comprising the field psychology.
- Utilize the various psychology adjustment models and concepts in understanding his or her life.
PSY 202: Psychology of Gender
Survey of topics in psychology relevant to gender and its impact on the lives of women and men: socialization of gender, mental health, racial identity, majority-minority status, sexual orientation, life-span issues, and violence. (Cross-listed as WGSS 202)
Prerequisites
A grade of “C” or better in WGSS 151 or PSY 100 or consent of instructor.
Course Outcomes
- Describe the central concepts, theoretical perspectives, and research methods used in the psychology of gender.
- Use theoretical perspectives to explain gender behavior.
- Describe the biological influences on sex.
- Describe the cultural influences on gender.
PSY 212: Survey of Research Methods
Provides an overview of research design strategies used in psychological research. Topic covered include the scientific method; reviewing literature for hypothesis development; ethical issues in research; the operational definition of variables; observational, self-report and experimental methods; data analysis; inferential hypothesis testing; and the American Psychological Association writing style. The course furnishes students with the fundamentals of research that all psychology majors should be aware of, regardless of whether they plan to pursue a research career. Emphasis is placed on the critical evaluation of psychological research as it is reported in the popular media and research periodicals.
Prerequisites
Grade of C or better in PSY 100
Course Outcomes
- Describe basic research methods for psychology.
- Craft a solid research question
- Identify appropriate variables for a given research question.
- Choose the appropriate methodology to answer a research question.
- Critically analyze the research methodology in scholarly publications and in various other sources.
PSY 224: Abnormal Psychology
Concepts and principles used in clinical practice: dynamics, diagnosis, and treatment of abnormal behavior. Compares and contrasts the different patterns of abnormal behavior. Examines the differences in theoretical models for understanding maladaptive behavior.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
Grade of C or better in PSY 100
Course Outcomes
- Compare and contrast historical and current theories of abnormal behavior.
- Identify and describe different types of abnormal behavior and the “best practice” therapies associated with each type.
- Apply the principles of psychology to their own thoughts and feelings.
- Illustrate understanding of the role of culture, ethnicity, and socio-economic factors in defining abnormal behavior.
PSY 225: Statistical Techniques
This course covers statistical methods related to behavioral sciences including frequency distributions, graphic methods, central tendency, variability, correlation, reliability, and tests of significance.
Prerequisites
Credit in a 100-level (or above) Social Science course, placement into English 100, and placement into Math 103 or higher; or consent of instructor.
Course Outcomes
- Use descriptive and inferential statistics to summarize and analyze raw data.
- Present statistical data in graphs and tables.
- Use statistics to investigate the relationships among variables.
- Use t-tests, regression, and ANOVA to test hypotheses and statistical significance.
PSY 240: Developmental Psychology
This course examines the emotional, mental, physical, and social development of individuals from infancy to adulthood with special attention to interests abilities and critical issues at successive developmental stages.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or consent of instructor.
Course Outcomes
- Discuss the biological and environmental basis of human behavior.
- Integrate the basic perspectives, concepts, principles, and general information comprising the field of developmental psychology.
- Utilize the various developmental psychology models and concepts in explaining human behaviors.
- Recognize the study of psychology as a science.
PSY 241: Applied Developmental Psychology
Examines the emotional, mental, physical, and social development of individuals from infancy to adulthood with special attention to the impact of racism at each developmental stage.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
Grade of C or better in PSY 100
Course Outcomes
- Discuss the biological and environmental basis of human behavior.
- Integrate the basic perspectives, concepts, and principles of developmental psychology.
- Utilize the various developmental psychology models and concepts in explaining human behaviors.
- Recognize the study of psychology as a science.
- Explain how racism impacts development at various stages of the lifespan.
PSY 250: Social Psychology
This course will provide students with an understanding of the relationship of social roles on human behaviors and how interpersonal relationships, attribution theories, attitudes, group behaviors, and stereotypes affect human behaviors.
Prerequisites
Grade of “C” or better in PSY 100.
Course Outcomes
- Recognize the study of social psychology as a science.
- Integrate the basic perspectives, concepts, principles, and general information comprising the field of social psychology.
- Utilize the various social psychology models and concepts in explaining human behaviors.
PSY 251: Human Sexuality
Examines topic areas in the field of human sexuality including anatomy/physiology, sexual response, and sexual themes in society. Emphasizes understanding of one’s sexuality through decision-making and communication skills.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
Grade of C or better in PSY 100
Course Outcomes
- Recognize the study of human sexuality as a science.
- Describe the role of biology, culture, and socio-economic factors in the understanding and expression of human sexuality.
- Discuss the basic perspectives, concepts, principles, and general information comprising the field of human sexuality.
PSY 253: Conflict Resolution & Mediation
Explores the reasons for conflict and the different approaches for seeking resolution for conflict. Studies personal and societal value systems, the psychology of how people respond to conflict, the impact of culture on conflict styles, communication skills useful in dealing with conflict, and alternative resolution strategies. Practices mediation skills as a third party intervention method.
Recommended Preparation
Grade of C or better in ENG 100.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
Pre-Requisite: Grade of C or better in PSY 100
Course Outcomes
- List and discuss the basic issues of conflict, conflict management, and resolution.
- Apply the basic theories of conflict resolution.
- Integrate critical thinking of conflict resolution into communication and interaction patterns.
- Integrate constructs presented with personal knowledge and experience with conflict situations.
PSY 255: Applied Social Psychology
This course explores how social psychological concepts are utilized in media, including literature, film, and television. The course emphasizes how social psychological theories are illustrated through fictional characters and situations along with investigating how accurately these characters and situations reflect real life research on said theories.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
A grade of C or better in PSY 100.
Course Outcomes
- Recognize the study of psychology as a science.
- Apply the principles of social psychology to media.
- Utilize social psychology concepts in explaining media depictions human behavior.
PSY 260: Psychology of Personality
An introduction to the basic theoretical approaches to personality, how they are developed, changed and analyzed.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
Grade of C or better in PSY 100
Course Outcomes
- Recognize the study of personality psychology as a science.
- Discuss the basic perspectives, concepts, principles, and general information comprising the field of personality psychology.
- Utilize the various personality psychology models and concepts in explaining human behaviors.
PSY 270: Introduction to Clinical Psychology
History, theories, nature of psychological problems, methods of assessment, forms of intervention, current developments.
Prerequisites
Grade of “C” or better in PSY 100.
Course Outcomes
- Critique the foundation of knowledge, skills, professional attitudes and values associated with clinical psychology.
- Integrate the basic perspectives, concepts, principles, practices and general information comprising the field of clinical psychology.
- Utilize the various clinical psychology models and concepts in explaining human behaviors.
PSY 271: Introduction to Trauma
This course provides an overview of trauma, covering the types of traumas experienced, the nature of trauma such as sexual abuse, combat, and natural disasters, how trauma affects individuals, grief reactions, and traumatic stress. It explores the professional’s response to trauma, vicarious traumatization, the use of trauma-informed care as a crisis intervention, comorbid disorders and general treatment issues.
Recommended Preparation
Grade of C or better in ENG 100.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
Grade of C or better in PSY 100 or consent of instructor.
Course Outcomes
- Define traumatic stress and trauma.
- Identify the common responses of individuals, families, groups, and communities affected by trauma
- Describe the connection between traumatic experiences and physical and mental health consequences
- Identify cultural considerations that impact understanding of trauma.
- Describe the elements of trauma informed intervention at the individual, family, organizational and community level.
PSY 294: Special Topics: Psychology
Discipline
This course offers students the opportunity to participate in the creation of academic learning experiences designed to meet individual needs, interests, aptitudes and desired outcomes. It is intended to serve the student, who, after completing the requirements of an introductory course, may wish to continue an in depth study of a particular topic or issue previously covered, or who may wish to reinforce understanding of concepts or relationships covered.