UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG - Mercy College

260 / Course Descriptions
a faculty advisor and structured assignments based on the work experience. Cooperative
Education office approval required. 3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.
POLS 397 Independent Study in Political Science:
A course designed to take into account the individual student’s political science and/or
historical interests. Offered under the direction of a faculty member. 3 crs.
POLS 399 Internship in Political Science:
The History and Political Science Programs provide students with creative and useful personal
development opportunities outside of the classroom. Under the Intern Program qualified
juniors and seniors receive academic credit for work done in political and governmental
offices at the local, state, and national levels. The programs assist students in finding
appropriate opportunities and insuring that the actual work is a meaningful supplement to
the undergraduate classroom experience. Some internships would give those qualifying a
chance to live and work in Albany; Washington, D.C.; or abroad. Please contact Division for
specific criteria and requirements.
Psychology
PSYN 101 Introduction to Psychology:
An introduction to the science of psychology, including a review of major historical perspectives,
methods of research, and contemporary theory and knowledge. Major areas of study include
the biological basis of behavior, emotion and motivation, learning and conditioning, human
development, personality, and abnormal behavior. 3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.
PSYN 120 (BHSC 120, SOCL 120) Career and Life Planning:
This course is designed to assist students in matching their college experience to their
personal and professional development. Topics range from guidance in selecting
a college curriculum to choosing and getting a job. Through processes and group
interaction, students learn to assess their workplace competency and are encouraged
in their pursuit of career and life planning. 3 sem. hrs. 3 crs. (Elective credit only.)
PSYN 101 or the equivalent is a prerequisite for all other Psychology courses numbered 121 and above.
PSYN 195 Honors Psychology:
Specific conceptual focuses for the course have included the mind-body question and concepts
of the self, gender, and society. Primary reading involves the works of early philosophers
whose ideas led to the development of psychology, the works of important historical figures
in psychology and modern day theorists. Admission by permission of instructor. 3 sem. hrs.
3 crs.
PSYN 207 Psychology of Learning:
This course is a basic review of such learning concepts as classical and instrumental conditioning,
extinction, reward, motivation, and personality. Also included is a general survey of the
major theorists: Pavlov, Skinner, Hull, Tolman, et. al. (Previously numbered PSYN 132). 3
sem. hrs. 3 crs.
PSYN 210 Modern Psychology in Historical Perspective:
An analysis of the major systematic viewpoints in the history of psychology. This course
should be taken early in the major program of study. 3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.
PSYN 213 Psychology of Personality:
The development of personality: contributions of various theorists and their work to
the understanding of the normal personality; techniques for assessing personality.
3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.