Course Descriptions

This general survey course explores the field of psychology. It includes human development, social psychology, learning, perception, cognition, motivation, personality, psychological testing, and nervous system functioning. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Meets the general studies core requirement in Identity and Relationships.

This general survey course explores the field of psychology. It includes human development, social psychology, learning, perception, cognition, motivation, personality, psychological testing, and nervous system functioning.

Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Meets the general studies core requirement in Identity and Relationships.

Students become familiar with the concept of the "fully functioning individual" and some of the ways of attaining and maintaining such a level of functioning. Facilitation of personal growth through self-awareness and interpersonal relationships are the major emphasis of this course. The course is recommended to students who wish to understand more fully their own psychological functioning. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Meets the general studies core requirement in Identity and Relationships.

This study of human development across the life span emphasizes a multidisciplinary perspective, including such areas as psychology, sociology, processes as social interaction, and the tools for applying developmental psychology to life situations. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Meets General Studies core requirement in Identity and Relationships.

This study of human development across the life span emphasizes a multidisciplinary perspective, including such areas as psychology, sociology, processes as social interaction, and the tools for applying developmental psychology to life situations.

Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Meets general studies core requirement in Identity and Relationships.

This is an elementary course in basic statistical concepts. Students are introduced to the understanding and use of necessary computational procedures to attain basic skills in the following: frequency distributions, graphs, central tendency, variability, normal curve, probabilities, correlation, hypothesis testing, and chi square. Understanding and use of the above statistics are stressed over mathematical development. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: MATH 110 or equivalent

This is an elementary course in basic statistical concepts. Students are introduced to the understanding and use of necessary computational procedures to attain the basic skills in the following: frequency distributions, graphs, central tendency, variability, normal curve, probabilities, correlation, hypothesis testing, and chi square. Understanding and use of the above statistics are stressed over mathematical development.

Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: MATH 110 or equivalent.

The relationships between social interaction processes and individual behavior are studied. The course familiarizes the student with a variety of perspectives on social behavior, encourages the student to become a careful observer of social interaction through systematic research, and examines the implications of sociopsychological theory and research for present and future changes in the structure of human relationships. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

Sports psychology is a survey course that explores the role of psychology as it is related to the enhancement of athletic performance. Students will spend time on areas related to sports and physical activity such as motivation, self-confidence, goal setting, burnout, anxiety, healthy attitudes toward sports participation, and other sports-related activity. Emphasis is on critically reviewing sports psychology literature and research in an attempt to separate effective and ineffective psychology-related approaches to sport activity. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

The historical growth of psychological science is surveyed here. This course focuses on major theorists and their ideas in relation to the historical context as well as current psychological issues. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and PSYC 290

This course is an advanced examination of emotional, cognitive, physical, and social development from infancy through adolescence. The process of human development as a complex interaction of biological and sociocultural factors are reviewed. Contemporary research topics focusing on genetics, fertility, attachment, communication, cognitive, and moral aspects of development are examined. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and PSYC 290

This course is an advanced examination of the emotional, cognitive, physical, and social development of individuals from young adulthood through the end of life. The process of adult development as an interplay of biological, psychological, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects are examined. The emphasis is on normal patterns in personal and emotional development in adulthood, as well as on contemporary research in areas of health, gender, marriage and relationships, family and parenting, ethnic/ecological systems, work, ethics, and morality. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and PSYC 290

The major focus of this course is mental illness and abnormal behavior, in light of modern theory and knowledge. Current trends and modern methods of diagnosis, understanding, treatment, and prevention are discussed. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110, PSYC 290, or SOCW 310/311

Students engage in a comprehensive overview of both quantitative and qualitative research methods used in psychological research, along with an understanding of the ethical considerations and other challenges involved in good research design. Students also engage in an original research project and learn to write utilizing the style adopted by the American Psychological Association. This class includes an additional lab component. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Meets the General studies Upper-division Writing Intensive requirement. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and PSYC 299

Students survey the basic behavioral science research and thinking as they contribute to industrial and organizational psychology, including worker attitudes and theories of motivation, organizational structure and communication, theories of leadership and decision making, conflict resolution, and methods of personnel selection and appraisal. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

This class develops a psychological understanding of the dynamics of human conflict; the differences between constructive and destructive conflict; the different ways in which conflict can be managed, resolved, and transformed, and develops the basic skills in the management and resolution of conflict. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110 or instructor's permission

This course acquaints students with the various basic elements of personality and their integration. Students explore concepts regarding the basic components of personality and the processes that undergird an individual's growth and behavior. The course also reviews current and traditional theories of personality. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110, and PSYC 290 or SOCW 310/311

 

This is a survey course exploring the role of psychology as it is related to human physiology and the health field. Topics include basic neurology, stress management, nutrition, addictive substances, immunological disorders, and other relevant psychophysiological areas. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110, PSYC 290 or SOCW 310/311, and one biology course

An overview of cognitive psychology is provided. Theories and research concerning sensation, perception, memory, and other higher-order mental processes include imagery, language, creativity, concept formation, and decision-making are discussed Students participate in laboratory experiments to demonstrate many of these concepts. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

This course presents major psychological theories and practices from a multicultural perspective, emphasizing shared components across cultures. A historical overview of different minority groups in the United States and how these people groups have adjusted and adapted to new cultures is presented. Students explore major psychological theories and practices from a multicultural perspective, with an emphasis on the cultural sources of diversity in thinking, emotion, motivation, self, development, and psychopathology. This course is designed to help individuals begin to understand the need for being culturally competent in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Meets the General Studies elective requirement. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

This course examines several major theories and research in the psychology of learning. How learning theories have developed historically and how learning principles apply to psychological problems are also explored. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

Students examine and analyze the problems faced by the exceptional child. The study includes physical and emotional adjustment, speech and language disorders, various childhood disorders such as mental retardation and depression, and other childhood mental and physical disorders. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110, PSYC 290, or SOCW 310/311

Students survey the basic behavioral science research and thinking as applied to human interaction in groups. This includes such topics as group formation, phases, structure, types and uses of groups, group communication, group conflict resolution, and methods of group leadership. The course includes the observation and evaluation of group interaction. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

The relationships between social interaction processes and individual behavior are studied. The course familiarizes the student with a variety of perspectives on social behavior, encourages the student to become a careful observer of social interaction through systematic research, and examines the implications of sociopsychological theory and research for present and future changes in the structure of human relationships. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

This course provides an introduction to a broad range of assessment and intervention strategies designed to meet the developmental, psychomotor, language, behavioral, and education needs of children. Issues of normative and non-normative child and family functioning in child assessment and intervention planning are considered. Observational techniques, standardized tests, informal assessment measures, developmental assessments, and alternatives to current testing practices are discussed and reviewed from the multiple disciplines impacting child assessment and intervention. The broad range of modalities utilized in intervention with children is given strong emphasis with observation and student practice required at an intervention site. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110, PSYC 290, or SOCW 310/311

This is a core course in the child life specialist curriculum. Course content includes a wide range of recreational and psychosocial interventions for children who are hospitalized, chronically ill, or have disabilities. Students will understand various intervention techniques using developmental play, music, art, dance, and other forms of recreation. Students gain understanding of the role of the child life specialist as a member of an interdisciplinary medical team. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110, and PSYC 290 or SOCW 310/311

This class discusses and critically evaluates the core ideas in the integration of psychology and the Christian faith by teaching the four to five established approaches for how to integrate what is known from psychological science and what is known from Biblical hermeneutics and theology. Upon completion of the course, students are able to define and communicate an awareness of the issues and various approaches for integration. Students are also able to identify and communicate the application of the integration of psychology and the Christian faith in their own lives and practice of psychology. Students enrolled in the course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110; completion of the General Studies Bible and Doctrine courses recommended

This course investigates the common ground between psychology and religion. Values, mature religion, the nature of humanity, and religious experience are all areas of study for this purpose. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Meets the General Studies elective requirement. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

This course provides an overview of the field of family psychology. The three primary areas of study are: family systems theory, the family lifecycle, and several theoretical frameworks for the study of families. Students are given the opportunity to apply these concepts to their own family of origin. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and PSYC 290

This course is an introduction to counseling and psychotherapy. Theories and research on the helping relationship are explored. A major portion of the course emphasizes understanding and practicing basic helping skills. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PPSYC 110, PSYC 290 or SOCW 310/311, and PSYC 380

This course focuses on teaching junior and senior students an understanding of both behavioral therapy (BT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). While students study the theoretical framework of BT and CBT, they learn how to apply specific cognitive and behavioral skills in a myriad of settings including nursing, physical education, psychology, and education. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and PSYC 405

This course is designed for students who have completed most of the psychology or sociology major requirements. Each student participates in one or more endeavor(s) that offer(s) an opportunity to apply former training in a professional setting while acquiring new knowledge. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

This course is designed for students who have completed most of the psychology or sociology major requirements. Each student participates in one or more endeavor(s) that offer(s) an opportunity to apply former training in a professional setting while acquiring new knowledge. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and PSYC 455

The course is designed to further develop students' understanding of research design and the research process in the behavioral sciences. Students investigate at an advanced level the validity threats inherent in the research process and explore a variety of advanced research designs. Students have the opportunity to utilize various designs in their own research endeavors and learn to use SPSS for the analysis of their own research endeavors and data. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110, PSYC 299, and PSYC 362

This course is designed for the student interested in graduate study. It integrates the theories and concepts presented in the various undergraduate psychology courses and enables the student to achieve an eclectic understanding of psychology. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

This course examines the physiological basis of human behavior. The anatomy of the nervous system and molecular underpinnings of behavior are explored. Students learn how the brain controls major senses, thoughts, and sleep behaviors. Additionally, students are introduced to the neurobiology of various psychological and neurological diseases. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

This course helps students improve their research skills by providing an opportunity to integrate knowledge, skills, and interests in order to conduct a comprehensive research project. Successful completion of the course results in an APA-style paper or submission of a paper or poster presentation to a professional organization or in a professional setting. Concurrent enrollment in another research practicum course is permitted. Six units of PSYC 475 may be counted toward the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

This course expands the skills acquired in Research Methods Practicum I. Students design and execute complex research projects. Completion of the course results in APA-style paper or poster submission to a professional setting. Concurrent enrollment in another research practicum course is permitted. Six units of PSYC 476 may count toward the major. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and PSYC 475

Students gain a thorough background in objective tests and measurements. A brief survey is offered in intelligence, personality, organization, and industrial psychological measures. Terminology is developed, dangers and advantages of psychological instruments discussed, and each student is required to administer and interpret a number of instruments. Special materials fee applies. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. The course is offered to juniors, seniors, and graduate students only. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and PSYC 299; a special material fee applies.

This course provides an overview of stress and coping theory as it has developed in the research literature in the last century. The interrelationships between stress and mental illness, medical diseases, and industrial-organizational factors are discussed. Students develop a basic understanding of stress as it relates to trauma and post-traumatic symptomology. Students gain an understanding of basic stress management and coping techniques and their clinical applications. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

This course aids students in gaining a broad understanding of the field of child life and assists them in attaining knowledge regarding subspecialties within the field. The readings in this course meet the recommended reading list formulated by the National Child Life Council for students seeking certification as child life specialists. This course exposes the student to knowledge necessary for successful completion of the National Certification Test in the area of child life specialist. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and PSYC 290

This course engages students in focused study of particular topics of direct relevance or urgency in the field of psychology which are not already discussed in the curriculum. Topics vary from semester to semester and may reflect new practices, theories, or faculty research interests in the field. This course may be taken more than once as topics change. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 110, other courses may serve as prerequisites depending on the topic

This is a program of study concentrating on assigned readings, discussions, and writing arranged between, and designed, by a student of upper-division standing and a full-time professor. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. An independent study fee is assessed for each enrollment in this class. Prerequisite: PSYC 110

This course provides instruction in research design and technique, and gives students experience in the research process. The 1-unit expectation encompasses no fewer than 30 hours of work with accompanying reading, log, writing, and seminar presentation within the department or in a university research symposium. No more than 1 unit may be used to fulfill preparatory readings requirement. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. An independent study fee is assessed for each enrollment in this class. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and junior or senior standing

This course provides instruction in research design and technique, and gives students experience in the research process. The 1-unit expectation encompasses no fewer than 30 hours of work with accompanying reading, log, writing, and seminar presentation within the department or in a university research symposium. No more than 1 unit may be used to fulfill preparatory readings requirement. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. An independent study fee is assessed for each enrollment in this class. Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and junior or senior standing

This is a senior-level "capstone" type of independent study/research experience involving the student in a unique project with a sophisticated level of research, synthesis, analysis, and communication. The 1-unit expectation encompasses no fewer than 30 hours of work with accompanying readings, log, instructor discussions, and writing of summary analysis and conclusions. The thesis or project may result in formal thesis, published article, electronic media, or artistic creation of a material form. No more than 1 unit may be used to fulfill the preparatory readings requirement. Students enrolled in this course may be required to share information regarding their personal life, family, or relationships. An independent study fee is assessed for each enrollment in this class. Prerequisites: Upper-division Writing Intensive course completed or instructor's permission; junior or senior standing, and PSYC 110