2010-2011 - Sweet Briar College

2010-2011 Catalog psychologyemotional processes of animals in their ecologicalcontext and entertaining questions about animalconsciousness and intentionality. Selected readingsfrom animal cognition, behavioral ecology, andcognitive neuroscience will be discussed. Offeredalternate years. III.O.PSYC 341 (3)–Special Topics in PsychologyPrerequisites: PSYC 101 and a 200-level psychologycourse. Current issues in experimentaland applied psychology. Emphasis is placed onreading and evaluation of psychological research.Topics vary each semester. This course may berepeated once for credit towards the major.PSYC 355 (3)–Neuroscience of Learningand MemoryPrerequisite: A 200-level course in biology orpsychology. This course covers the psychologicaland biological bases of learning and memory. Topicsrange from the cellular changes that underlie speciesgenerallearning to the brain areas and systems relevantto conscious recollection. Memory processesin humans, rats, sea slugs, and computers are examinedin order to better understand the structure of anadaptive mind. Offered alternate years.PSYC 361 (1, 2, or 3)–Special StudyPrerequisites: 100-level PSYC course and permissionof the instructor. The study of an intermediatelevel topic by an individual student orby a small group of students under the immediatesupervision of a faculty member.PSYC 377 (1, 2, or 3)–InternshipPrerequisites: Three credits in PSYC and permissionof the instructor, department chair,and dean. This course is graded P/CR/NC only.PSYC 403 (3)–Abnormal PsychologyPrerequisites: PSYC 101 and a 300-levelpsychology course. An experimental-clinicalapproach to behavior disorders including anoverview and critical appraisal of current theoriesregarding the etiology and treatment ofbehavior disorders.PSYC 408 (3)–Sensation and PerceptionPrerequisites: PSYC 101 and a 300-level psychologycourse. The study of sensory processes,the function and role of the senses, particularlyvision and audition, and the organization ofsensory data into meaningful perception.PSYC 411 (3)–Introduction to FamilySystems TheoryPrerequisite: PSYC 310; PSYC 309 is stronglyencouraged. An overview of the fundamentalassumptions of General Systems Theory and thebasic theoretical orientations within family therapy.The influence of gender, culture, developmentalstatus, divorce, and abuse on the working dynamicsof the family will be examined. Various structuraland analytical systems such as Bowenian Systemstechniques will be explored using a case studyapproach. Offered alternate years.PSYC 425 (3)–CognitionPrerequisites: PSYC 101 and a 300-level psychologycourse. An examination of theoryand research concerning thinking. Topics willinclude reasoning, problem solving, imagery,and language. Offered alternate years.PSYC 432 (4)–Psychological Tests andMeasurementsPrerequisites: PSYC 310, junior or seniorstanding, and permission of the instructor.A survey of the current and historical psychometricprinciples and strategies used to assessindividual and group differences. The applicationand administration of widely-used tests areexamined, and general problems of measurementare discussed. Laboratory work will focuson the administration, scoring and interpretationof tests that are typically used in a standardassessment battery. Offered alternate years.PSYC 452 (2)–Senior SeminarPrerequisite: PSYC majors with senior standing.A review and synthesis of major questions,issues, and methods of psychology. III.O.PSYC 461 (1, 2, or 3)–Independent StudyPrerequisites or co-requisites: PSYC 219, PSYC310, and PSYC 315, and permission of theinstructor. Pursuit of an upper level researchproject determined in advance by the student inconsultation with a faculty member who will actas the sponsor.181­