2014-15-Undergraduate-Catalog

Course Descriptions • 449PSY 220 Child DevelopmentThis course focuses on the study of the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children fromconception through adolescence. Individual differences and developmental issues as they relate to all areas of thechild’s life will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PSY 101. Three credits.PSY 308 Research Methods in Psychology IIThis course focuses on the application of research design and statistical principles. Emphasis is placed onformulating, conducting, analyzing and reporting psychological research, building on the scientific literacy stressed inPSY 208. Prerequisites: PSY 208.Three credits.PSY 310 Abnormal PsychologyA survey of the description, causes, and treatment of abnormal or maladaptive behaviors. Prerequisite: PSY 101.Three credits.PSY 312 Personality PsychologyThis course is an exploration of personality psychology, including an investigation of scientific approaches topersonality and a critical examination of the major theories, past and present, that have been proposed to explainindividual differences in behavior. Prerequisite: PSY 101. Three credits.PSY 313 Sensation and PerceptionThis course provides the opportunity to analyze and explain our sensory and perceptual experience. Perceptions,while seemingly effortless, are driven by intricate mechanisms only beginning to be understood. The course aims tofoster an appreciation of perception by exploring the biological, psychological and philosophical approaches thatencompass modern perceptual science. Prerequisite: PSY 101. Three credits.PSY 316 Cognitive PsychologyThis course explores the cognitive processes that occur in our daily lives. The emphasis of this course is to developan appreciation and a working understanding of various cognitive processes that underlie our behavior. In additionto applying their understanding to real world situations, students will also have the opportunity to analyze andevaluate current topics within the field of cognitive psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 101. Three credits.PSY 322 Adolescent DevelopmentThis course provides students with an understanding of the biological, cognitive and socio-emotional changesoccurring during adolescence, and factors that may individually influence these changes, such as the family, culture,gender, peer group, media and school. Prerequisite: PSY 101. Three credits.PSY 323 Children and the Media (same as MCOM 323)This course examines the relationship between children and the media. It will look at media consumption andcontent as they relate to child development, as well as how gender, culture, self-concept, attitudes and behaviorinfluence and are influenced by media exposure. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or MCOM 101. Three credits.PSY 324 The Adult Years and the Aging ProcessThis course is a study of the stages and processes of adult development from young adulthood until death.Developmental theories and research from many disciplines are used to investigate the continuity and change thatdefine the journey of adulthood. Prerequisite: PSY 101. Three credits.PSY 325 Psychology in the ClassroomThis course applies the principles of psychology and psychological research methods to the teaching and learningprocesses in the classroom. Theories of learning and motivation as well as strategies for classroom management,effective teaching and student assessment are examined with regards to both children exhibiting “typical”development and children with exceptionalities. Socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and gender influences also areemphasized. Prerequisite: PSY 101. Three credits.PSY 330 Behavior ModificationLearning theories and their application to therapeutic situations are presented. Classical conditioning, operantconditioning, and social learning are presented and applied to clinical settings. Prerequisite: PSY 101. Three credits.PSY 355 Social PsychologyAn investigation of how individuals interact with each other in varying social contexts, including emphasis on socialcognition and social influence. Prerequisite: PSY 101. Three credits.