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• Undergraduate Spring 2024
• Psychology

Undergraduate Psychology

2024 Spring Term

Class Schedule

INTRODUCTION TO THE PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR

PSYCH 101

Introduction to the Psychology Major outlines academic emphases and requirements within the major and introduces students to a breadth of psychological careers. Students will learn basics of APA style, become familiar with paths to graduate school and psychology-related careers, and plot their own course of study in the major.

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PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN ADJUSTMENT

PSYCH 104

Focuses on the processes of decision-making, conflict resolution, and value judgments. Emphasis will be on understanding practical methods for handling interpersonal relationships. Effective use of coping devices for college students and others will be studied. Enhancing the psychological resources for personal change and growth will be stressed.

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PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN

PSYCH 202

Inquiry into the psychology of women with an emphasis on theory and research. Study of gender differences in behavior and personality from intrapsychic and sociocultural viewpoint. Personality development and life stages of women.

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INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCH 211

A survey of contemporary psychology covering human development, intelligence, abilities, sensation, perception, motivation, emotion, learning, personality structure, disordered behavior, social psychology, and the physiological bases of behavior. Includes an overview of current theory, research methods, and controversial issues in the field.

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BASIC STATISTICAL METHODS

PSYCH 215

An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include preliminary concepts, frequency distribution, graphic methods, measures of central tendency and variability, percentiles, probability, normal distribution, correlation analysis, sampling theory, parametric and selected non-parametric hypotheses-testing procedures. Lectures are supplemented by computational laboratory sessions.

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RESEARCH METHODS

PSYCH 216

A laboratory course in the methodology of psychological research with emphasis on design, measurement, and statistical analysis appropriate for testing hypotheses in perception, learning, memory and other areas of general psychology. Students design and conduct experiments and write reports.

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INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE

PSYCH 301

A survey of the biological and physiological bases of human and animal behavior, with particular attention to the following: Basic principles of the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the nervous system; sensory and motor systems; sleep; circadian rhythms; sexual behavior; emotion and stress; motivation; learning, memory, and language; neurological disorders; psychopathology.

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THE BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF EMOTION

PSYCH 302

Explores the biological function of emotion, the physiological, neural, and psychological structure of emotion, and the biological mechanisms by which emotion interacts with other aspects of human behavior. Understanding of how scientific researchers explore the biology of behavior, and skills in reading, summarizing, and critiquing primary literature will be developed.

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LEARNING AND CONDITIONING

PSYCH 303

Studies the basic processes of how organisms modify their behavior. Topics include classical and instrumental conditioning, reinforcement, extinction, punishment and avoidance, generalization and discrimination, and biological constraints on learning.

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PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY

PSYCH 304

An introduction to the study of the uniqueness of the individual. Emphasis will be on research methods and on theories as well as on some of the more important characteristics on which individuals differ.

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POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCH 321

This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of human flourishing including ideas such as hope, mindfulness, love, humor, wisdom and purpose. Students will gain an understanding of the current research into positive traits, experiences, and institutions and learn to apply evidence-based strategies for improving well-being in their lives.

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LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT

PSYCH 330

This course provides an examination of the biological, cognitive, social and emotional development of humans from conception to death. The course emphasizes typical developmental stages and patterns of adjustment to differing life-time demands as well as the role of cultural difference in the developmental process. The theories and principles of human development are examined in light of contemporary research.

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PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

PSYCH 345

An introductory survey of psychopathology covering the clinical syndromes included in the diagnostic classification system of the American Psychiatric Association. Current research regarding causal factors, treatment, and outcomes supplement descriptions of maladaptive patterns of behavior.

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COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCH 351

Course will explore processes of thought, attention memory, language, and problem-solving. Students will explore various theories of cognition from traditional psychological theories (i.e., linguistic vs. image based thought) to the current computer-based models (i.e., artificial intelligence) and examine relevant evidence to help us gain insight into the workings of the human mind.

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SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCH 355

The study of the individual (thus psychological) in social contexts (thus sociological), emphasizing such topics as interpersonal attractions, prejudice, leadership, formal and informal social roles, conflicts, brainwashing, social power, social influence, persuasion, stereotyping, conformity, obedience, group effectiveness, self-perception, and validation in social interaction of beliefs, values, attitudes, self-concepts.

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PSYCHOLOGY OF EMOTION AND MOTIVATION

PSYCH 407

Motivation is fundamental to human behavior, and emotion is intricately involved in motivational processes as both cause and effect. This course offers an introduction to the psychological bases of and interrelations between human emotion and motivation.

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CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCH 426

This course examines the relationship between culture and psychological processes. We will explore theories and research in various areas (e.g., self, socialization, cognition, motivation, emotion, and well-being) from the perspective of culture. We will discuss the implications of cultural similarities and differences in these areas for the scientific study of psychology, and for our personal lives in a diverse society.

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PSYCHOLOGY OF ADOLESCENCE

PSYCH 432

An examination of the biological, cognitive, social, and emotional development of humans from puberty to young adulthood, with particular attention to theory and research on key developmental tasks including identity, autonomy, intimacy, and sexuality development. Includes an emphasis on the influence of sociocultural contexts on development.

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HISTORY AND SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCH 475

An overview of major psychological theories and theoretical issues designed to assist the advanced student in organizing and integrating his knowledge of factual content in psychology and in completing a strong foundation for graduate study.

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SCHOOL VIOLENCE AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT

PSYCH 480

Advanced undergraduate students who have professional and/or scholarly interests in understanding variables associated violence and crisis management in public school setting. Emphasizes: Psychological, developmental, and risk correlates of childhood aggression; critical examination of prevention and intervention models considered most effective and useful in the school setting; in depth understanding of crisis prevention and response models.

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ADVANCED HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCH 483

An examination of how scientific knowledge of the biopsychosocial components in health and disease are applied to the development of prevention and interventions programs for physical disease and disability as well as the promotion of health. Includes attention to theory, assessment, and prevention and intervention techniques with an emphasis on their ethical and evidence-based applications in diverse populations.

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INTERVIEW AND PSYCHOTHERAPY TECHNIQUES

PSYCH 486

A review of the literature on interview techniques as a method of assessment and as a method of helping. Students will observe and discuss demonstrations conducted by faculty members. In addition, students will conduct, role-play, tape, and analyze interviews themselves.

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FIELD TRAINING IN PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCH 487

In this course students are placed in a supervised field experience in a selected agency or institution along with a classroom component. The course emphasizes application of psychological concepts and research in an applied setting.

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INDEPENDENT STUDY

PSYCH 498

Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable in combination with PSYCH 498R, for a maximum of 6 units in major and 12 units in degree..

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INDEPENDENT STUDY - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

PSYCH 498R

Limited to students in the Undergraduate Research Program or to students whose faculty-recommended project meets departmental expectations for undergraduate research. Repeatable, in combination with PSYCH 498, for a maximum of 6 units in major and 12 units in degree.

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SENIOR THESIS

PSYCH 499

Students engage in a critical review or an experimental study of a topic of interest to them under the supervision of an honors thesis committee of the psychology department. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 credits in the major.