Core Curriculum & Related Concentrations

Psychology courses satisfy the social science requirement in the core curriculum and also play an integral role in a number of concentrations. Check out how we're involved with Education, Gender Studies, Medical Humanities, & Neuroscience.

Psychology Courses

101 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY —Staff
Survey of the current psychology of learning, perception, motivation, intelligence, and thinking, with emphasis on the application of scientific methods to psychological investigation and on the biological bases of behavior and experience. Students may be required to participate in experiments or in alternative research experiences.

195 INDEPENDENT STUDY —Staff
Study in an area of psychology not covered by other catalog offerings under the direction and supervision of a faculty member who reviews and approves the topic of the independent study. Students submit a written plan of study to the faculty member prior to the close of Add-Drop in the semester of registration. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and permission of supervising instructor. Does not count toward fulfillment of major or core requirements.

230 INTRODUCTION TO PERSONALITY —Dr. Barton
Review of theories of personality to understand and predict human behavior. Emphasis on traditional models (e.g., theories of Freud, Rogers, Skinner) and applications of these models for contemporary psychological issues (e.g., Type A behavior and health; personality inventories). Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

231 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY —Dr. Barton
Characteristics, etiology and treatment of major patterns of maladaptive behavior (anxiety disorders, depression, antisocial behavior, schizophrenia, etc.). Theoretical and empirical evidence for understanding causality and treatment. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

232 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY —Dr. Palmer
Social influence upon individual behavior. Attitude formation and change; attitude measurement; conformity; communication processes and persuasion; prejudice; violence and helping behavior; cooperation-competition; group dimensions; person perception; and attribution theory. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

233 THEORIES OF COUNSELING —Staff
Survey of the major theories of psychotherapy with an emphasis on psychoanalytic, person-centered, behavioral, cognitive, and family systems psychotherapy. Study concludes with a transtheoretical approach to integrating all types of counseling theory. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

234 CHILD PSYCHOPATHOLOGY — Dr. McElhaney
An overview of the psychological disorders of childhood, including their description, classification, etiology, assessment and treatment.  Emphasis will be placed on the theoretical and empirical bases of these disorders, focusing on relevant research methods and findings as well as case history material. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

241 CHILD DEVELOPMENT—Dr. Ault
(Cross-listed Education 241) Individual development of normal children with emphasis on learning, social and emotional development, cognitive and language development. Special study of behavioral, social learning, and cognitive theories of development. Includes observations at local day-care centers. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

243 ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT—Dr. Jackson
(Cross-listed Education 243) An in-depth examination of specific theories, concepts, and methods related to the period of adolescence. Students will explore a wide range of topics including: cognitive development, moral development, identity formation, gender role, social relationships, and the effects of culture on adolescent development. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

245 PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING—Dr. Multhaup
Introduction to human aging from a psychological perspective. Adult age-related changes in memory, intelligence, wisdom, personality, etc. Attitudes toward aging and adjustment to aging. Emphasis on the application of scientific methods to the study of aging. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

250 AFRICAN AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGY—Dr. Jackson
Introduction to the study of psychology from an African American perspective. Compares and contrasts theories from traditional European-centered and Afrocentric approaches to explain the life experiences, cognition, and behaviors of African Americans. The historical development of black psychology, black identity development, cultural bias in psychological testing, black communication styles, black self-hatred, and the mental health of African Americans. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

254 INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY—Dr. Kello or Dr. Tonidandel
Current theory, research, and practice in the selection, training, and evaluation of employees; management and development of employees as resources for the organization; design and development of the organization as a whole. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

276 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY —Dr. Multhaup or Dr. Munger
Introduction to cognitive psychology. Structure and processes underlying cognition including memory, attention, language, problem solving, imagery, etc. Emphasis on theories and empirical evidence for understanding cognition. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

282 LEARNING—Dr. Ramirez or Dr. Smith
Overview of major topics in learning: elicitation, classical conditioning, reinforcement, punishment, problem solving, behavioral economics, and verbal behavior. Focus on empirical data, research methodology, and technologies generated from learning research. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

284 DRUGS AND BEHAVIOR —Dr. Smith
The course examines the effects of drugs on human and animal behavior. Consideration is also given to the physiological effects of drugs on the central nervous system. Methods for preventing and treating drug abuse are also addressed. Prerequisite: Psychology 101.

290 PRACTICUM IN PSYCHOLOGY —Staff
Field work and/or data collection in an applied area of psychology. Before the close of Drop/Add in the semester of registration, the student submits a written plan of study to the supervising faculty sponsor and negotiates a placement with a field supervisor.  The student makes regular visits to the field setting (e.g., a school, clinic, business) for the work and reports regularly to the faculty sponsor.  Prerequisite: Permission of faculty sponsor. Grading is pass-fail. This course may be taken only once.

301 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: PERCEPTION AND ATTENTION—Dr. Munger
Research methods, concepts, and empirical findings in perception are examined in lecture and extensive laboratory experience. Course explores how physical stimulus impinges on sense organs and is subsequently processed and understood by perceptual systems (e.g., how do we “see” things?). Participation in research as subjects and experimenters is required. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors.

302 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: BEHAVIORAL PHARMACOLOGY—Dr. Smith
Students conduct experiments on the effects of drugs on human and animal behavior. Scientific writing is a strong focus of this course, with students writing research reports on each experiment. Students are required to propose a novel line of research in the form of a research proposal. Studies conducted in other behavioral pharmacology laboratories are discussed and critiqued. Some work with animals is required. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 . Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors.

303 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE—Dr. Ramirez
(Cross-listed Biology 331) Role of the nervous system; sensory and motor mechanism; physiological bases of motivation and emotion; sleep and arousal; and physiological bases of learning, memory, and language. Extensive laboratory training. Work with animals required. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or Biology 111 or Biology 112 and permission of instructor.

304 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: MEMORY—Dr. Multhaup
Research methods, concepts and empirical findings in the field of memory are explored in lecture and extensive laboratory experience. Emphasis is on human memory. Participation in research as subjects and experimenters is required. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors.

305 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: LEARNING —Dr. Ramirez
The major learning theories of the 20th century will be explored. Particular attention will be paid to the theories of Thorndike, Pavlov, Skinner, Tolman, Hull, Hebb, and Bolles. The empirical data supporting these theoretical frameworks will be assessed. This is a laboratory intensive course involving animals. Students who have taken Psychology 282 may not enroll in this course. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Recommended completion by Fall senior year, for majors.

310 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: DESIGN AND ANALYSIS—Dr. Barton or Dr. Tonidandel
Introduction to psychological research. Descriptive, correlational, and experimental methods of research will be examined. Primary focus on data analysis including descriptive statistics and inferential statistics with emphasis on analysis of variance. Mandatory weekly computer lab. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Recommended in the sophomore or no later than junior year for majors.

314 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: CLINICAL—Dr. Barton
Research methodologies and statistical techniques used in clinical research. Ethical and practical constraints to the empirical study of clinical problems. Students will critique empirical articles in Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Medicine in lecture/discussion will develop skills with multivariate statistics. Required participation in research experiences as subjects and investigators. Prerequisites: Psychology 231 (or permission of instructor) and Psychology 310. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors.

315 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: CHILD DEVELOPMENT—Dr. Ault
Research methods for studying child development are examined in lecture, laboratory and field settings. Methods include observations, interviews, and experiments with emphasis on ethical implications of research with children and research designs commonly used by developmental psychologists. Prerequisite: Psychology 310. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors.

316 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL —Dr. Tonidandel
Research methods and statistical techniques used in industrial/organizational psychology examined through lectures, laboratories, and field studies. Students gain knowledge and experience in research methods used in these fields. Students will be expected to apply these techniques and methods to complete individual research projects. Ethical and practical issues in organizational research will be discussed. Prerequisites: Psychology 310 and 254. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors.

318 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: SOCIAL—Dr. Palmer
Research methods and statistical techniques used in social psychology are examined through lecture, laboratory, and field research. Students will gain knowledge in formulating research questions, translating them into research methodologies, data collecting, and analysis. Comparative strengths of different methodologies, ethical issues, and scientific writing will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Psychology 310. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors.

319 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: ADULT DEVELOPMENT—Dr. Multhaup
Research methods, concepts, empirical findings, and ethics for studying adult development (focus on younger and older adulthood) are explored in lecture and laboratory settings. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Not open to students with credit for PSY 245. If holding PSY 245 credit, see the instructor if interested in PSY 319). Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors.

323 ANIMAL BEHAVIOR—Dr. Case
(Cross-listed Biology 323) Prerequisite: Biology 112 or Psychology 101.

324 ADVANCED NEUROSCIENCE—Dr. Ramirez
(Cross-listed Biology 332). Intensive readings in molecular neurobiology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and/or behavior. Students: 1) make classroom presentations of critical analyses of the course readings; 2) conduct laboratory research or hospital rounds relevant to the course topics; and 3) submit an annotated bibliography and a write-up of the laboratory project or term paper. Prerequisites: Psychology 303 (Biology 331) and the permission of the instructor.

326 ADVANCED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AT BROUGHTON HOSPITAL—Dr. Crosby
This course will cover the scope of Clinical Psychology including such areas as the historical underpinnings of applied psychology, the role of professional psychologists, an overview of assessment and intervention models, issues in professional practices, and controversial issues in mental health treatment.  Part of the Davidson-Broughton Summer Program.  Prerequisite: Psychology 231 or permission of instructor.

330-349 TUTORIAL—Staff
Intensive readings in a specific area of study under the direction and supervision of faculty member who reviews and approves the topic of research. Students submit a written plan of study to the supervising faculty member prior to the close of Drop/Add in the semester of registration. Open ordinarily only to advanced majors in psychology. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

350-380 ADVANCED SEMINAR IN EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY—Staff
Topics announced in advance of registration. Seminars include:
Behavioral Medicine and Health Psychology (PSY 364)
Behavioral Neuroscience (PSY 360)
Children and Television (PSY 356)
Clinical Psychopharmacology (PSY 361)
Gender Identity (PSY 352)
High Performance Organizations (PSY 359)
Psychology Goes To The Movies (PSY 357)
Autobiographical Memory & Reminiscence (PSY 377)
Selection and Training in Organizations (PSY 351)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

400 SENIOR THESIS—Staff
Empirical study, designed and conducted by the student, supervised by a faculty member, and reported in writing according to the form approved in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Prerequisites: permission of instructor and consent of two additional faculty members who serve on the student's thesis committee.  For further details, see Senior Thesis.

401 ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY—Dr. Ault, Dr. Multhaup, or Dr. Tonidandel
Central issues in psychology which cut across previous course boundaries. Specific topics vary year by year. The Course begins with a review of major approaches to psychology (e.g., Behaviorist, Biological, Cognitive Evolutionary, Humanist, Psychoanalytic) and ethical principles that apply to a variety of situations that psychologists face. Limited to seniors except by permission of the department.

402 HISTORY AND SYSTEMS IN PSYCHOLOGY—Dr. Munger
Development of psychological thought in the Western world and emergence of psychology as a scientific discipline. Course begins with ancient Greek philosophers and works through the philosophical writings that led to psychology, explores the founding of psychology as a scientific discipline in the late 19th Century, and follows its development in the 20th Century. Readings include primary sources. Limited to seniors except by permission of the department.