This course surveys psychology as an empirical science of behavior. Topics include perception, methodology, development, memory, thinking, learning, motivation, physiology, socialization, personality and psychopathology.
This course offers a life-span approach to psychology presenting the progression of human development from the prenatal state, through infancy and early childhood, to the final years of late adulthood. The determinants of human development are studied.
This course studies the diverse areas of psychological practice, such as health, education, work settings, law, sports, consumer markets, counseling and cross-cultural settings. Appropriate methods and ethical issues are considered, along with an examination of professional roles and contributions in the contexts of social, organizational and technological change.
This course studies the historical, philosophical and theoretical development of psychology from the time of the classical philosophy to the present. Topics include both theoretical and applied research, and the relationship between theory and empirical data. Prerequisite: PSY 201.
Learning in this course will include a basic introduction to methods used to answer questions in psychology, including case study, observation, survey, experimental, and field study procedures. Students will develop the ability to critically read, evaluate, and use published psychological research. Students will be introduced to interpreting research results, critically evaluating research findings, and writing APA-style manuscripts. There will be a variety of class projects and a final study implementing at least one of the research methods. Prerequisites: PSY 201, MA 210.
This course introduces quantitative methods in experimental psychology, including measurement, experimental control, validity, statistical inference and fundamentals of research design. Topics include ethics in research, statistics applied to the behavioral sciences and the use of SPSS, a statistical package. Class discussion and student projects are designed to teach the student how to read and critically evaluate popular and professional literature in psychology. Students plan, administer, evaluate, and write an APA-style report on a research project. Recommended for students planning to attend graduate programs. Prerequisites: PSY 201, PSY 210, MA 210.
This course introduces research methods such as survey and questionnaire design, correlation and regression, longitudinal, quasi-experimental, structured interviews, observation and focus groups. Topics include ethics in research, statistics applied to the behavioral sciences and the use of SPSS, a statistical package. Class discussion and student projects are designed to teach the student how to read and critically evaluate popular and professional literature in psychology. Students plan, carry out, evaluate, and write an APA-style report on a survey/questionnaire research project. Recommended for students planning to attend graduate programs. Prerequisites: PSY 201, PSY 210, MA 210.
This course studies the biological foundations of psychological processes. The relationship between brain and behavior is explored in the psychological functions of vision and other senses, learning and memory, hunger and thirst, movement, cognition, sleep and emotions, as well as abnormal conditions such as schizophrenia and depression. Prerequisite: PSY 201, PSY 210.
This course studies the cognitive foundations of behavior, how humans represent and process information about their environment, with consideration of theoretical perspectives and research. Topics include representation, memory, acquisition and use of language, reading, problem-solving, reasoning, and concept formation. Prerequisites: PSY 201, PSY 210, PSY 302.
This course studies the social foundations of behavior, how people think about, influence and relate to one another, with consideration of theoretical perspectives and research. Topics include affiliation, aggression, altruism, attitude formation and change, attribution, helping behavior, group dynamics, compliance, conformity and persuasion. Prerequisites: PSY 201, PSY 210.
This course introduces various types of addiction, along with the processes of treatment and recovery. Topics include the interaction of the biological, cognitive, social and spiritual aspects of addiction. Prerequisites: PSY 201, 302, 303.
This course introduces the principles of test construction, administration, scoring, and interpretation of intelligence, aptitude and performance tests. Topics include validity, reliability, an overview of attitude and behavior assessment, interest and personality tests, and how this information gets used in making decisions about peoples lives. Prerequisite: PSY 201, PSY 210, MA 210.
This course studies psychological disorders with focus on the description and causes of disorders, and various therapies for them. The causes are examined in light of the interaction of biological, cognitive and social factors as well as cultural and developmental dimensions. Prerequisite: PSY 201.
This course studies the principal theories and interpretations of personality development, including the primary representatives of the major schools: analytic or dynamic, humanistic-existential, cognitive, family systems and behavioral. Prerequisite: PSY 201.
This course studies the historical theories of learning and contemporary approaches to human motivation in a variety of settings. Prerequisite: PSY 201.
This course studies theories of group interaction and development, the structure of organized groups in society. Topics include the worlds of family, work and church. Skills in process interpretation, leadership intervention and counseling are addressed. Prerequisite: PSY 201; junior or senior status.
This course studies current issues and trends in the field of psychology. The course may either focus on one topic in depth or examine several topics. The class format includes critical evaluation of contemporary readings, a literature review and class presentations. Prerequisites: PSY 201; Junior status.
This course studies the complex interaction of biological, cognitive, social, and spiritual development in childhood, with consideration of theoretical perspectives and research. Topics include individual differences, and the interactions of individuals with their family, peers and environment. Prerequisites: PSY 201, 210.
This course studies the complex interaction of biological, cognitive, social, and spiritual development in adolescence, with consideration of theoretical perspectives and research. Topics include individual differences, and the interactions of individuals with their family, peers, school and environment. Prerequisites: PSY 201, 210.
This course studies the complex interaction of biological, cognitive, social, and spiritual development in adulthood and later adulthood, with consideration of theoretical perspectives and research. Topics include individual differences, and the interactions of individuals with their family, peers, work and environment. Prerequisites: PSY 201, 210.
This course studies the stages and emotional states present in situations of loss, grief or death. Procedures for counseling the dying or bereaved are discussed. Prerequisite: PSY 201.
This course studies the counseling process and the counselors role as a helping professional. Topics include interviewing, reflective listening, as well as assessment, group and family counseling, career counseling, addictions and diversity, ethical and legal issues. Prerequisites: PSY 201, 311, 312, 322; Senior standing.
This course studies an overview of theoretical perspectives on counseling, including psychoanalytic, behavioral, family systems, cognitive approaches, etc. Prerequisite: PSY 421.
This course studies the application of psychological theory and research to community problems. Topics include the ecological levels of analysis, community, human diversity, prevention of problem behavior, program implementation and evaluation, citizen participation, community and social change. Prerequisites: PSY 201; Senior standing.
This course studies the application of psychological theory and research to the workplace. Topics include personnel selection and assessment, work performance, training and development, motivation, attitudes, leadership and teams, and job satisfaction. Prerequisites: PSY 201, PSY 210; junior or senior standing.
This course studies a systems approach to the capabilities and limitations of human beings and machines. Topics include the principles of universal design, design for specific populations and appropriate uses of technology. Psychological principles and theories are applied to the design of home products, office environments, web pages, safety instructions, software interfaces, etc. Prerequisites: PSY 302, 303; junior or senior status.
This course allows the student to study a topic not covered in regular curriculum with a professor who is knowledgeable in the area. May be repeated but the total number of credit hours in directed study may not exceed twelve. Prerequisites: permission of Department Chair and/or the Academic VP and supervising professor; fee.
This course studies the relationship between identity development and primary culture(s). A variety of ethnic, social, religious and cultural group norms are considered along with an examination of the extent of influence these may have on the individual. The effects of global markets, internet collaborations and multicultural neighborhoods on work environments are examined. Prerequisite: Senior Psychology major.
This course allows the advanced student to design an empirical research project in an area of a faculty members research. The student will prepare a full APA-style report (literature review, hypothesis formation, data collection, discussion). The course may be repeated but the total number of credit hours in directed research may not exceed twelve. Prerequisites: senior status; PSY 300; permission of Department Chair and/or the Academic VP and supervising professor; fee.
This course allows the advanced student to design an empirical research project in an area of a faculty members research. The student will prepare a full APA-style report (literature review, hypothesis formation, data collection, discussion). The course may be repeated but the total number of credit hours in directed research may not exceed twelve. Prerequisites: senior status; PSY 300; permission of Department Chair and/or the Academic VP and supervising professor; fee.
This course explores a topic that is pertinent to all areas of psychology. It considers the biological, cognitive, individual differences, and social foundations, along with the underlying theory and appropriate methods. Students plan, carry out, evaluate, and write an APA-style report on a research project. Prerequisites: PSY 470; Senior Psychology major. (CAPSTONE)
This course allows the student to apply psychological knowledge to various settings, such as community agencies, business, prevention programs and educational settings. The weekly seminar provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their experiences in light of readings, psychological theories and Christian beliefs. Prerequisites: Senior Psychology major and permission of supervising professor.