2023-2024 BSC Catalog Updated_UG ONLY_FINAL[82]

238 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
PY 298 Teaching Experience in Psychology (½ or 1)
A contracted teaching experience that requires instructor approval. Specific guidelines
concerning teaching experiences appear in the “Teaching Experiences” section of this
catalog.
PY 301 Psychological Scientific Literacy (1)
An examination of fundamental characteristics of scientific literacy as they pertain to the
consumption of claims about human thought and behavior. Topics may include principles
of science and evidentiary reasoning, how to recognize fake or exaggerated news and
misinformation, how to evaluate expertise, how to recognize pseudoscience and bad
psychological science, how thinking about behavioral claims can go awry, and a variety
of misconceptions about science, psychology, and claims about human thought and
behavior. Prerequisite: PY 222.
PY 308 Judgment and Decision Making (1)
An exploration of classic and contemporary scientific theory and research in the
psychology of judgment and decision making. Topics may include heuristics used and
biases shown when making estimations, evaluations, predictions, and choices; automatic
vs. deliberate processing; and personal and situational factors that influence judgments,
choices, and choice satisfaction. The course will also examine how research findings in
judgment and decision making apply to human history, current events, and daily human
experience. A Leadership Studies designated course. Prerequisites: PY 101 and at least
sophomore standing.
PY 312 Biological Psychology (1)
A study of the biological bases of behavior. Includes the study of brain and neural
anatomy, communication between neurons, and the function of major brain areas. The
course will build on this knowledge to study the effects on various behaviors including
vision, movement, learning, memory, sexual behavior, lateralization of function, drugtaking
behavior, and psychopathology. Prerequisites: PY 101 and at least junior standing.
PY 313 Abnormal Psychology (1)
An examination of abnormal behavior with an emphasis on the etiology, symptomatology
and epidemiology of mental health disorders within child, adolescent, and adult
populations. Empirically-based theories of assessment, development and treatment of
disorders are also discussed. Prerequisite: PY 101.
PY 314 Cognitive Neuroscience (1)
An investigation of the biology of the human mind at the systems level. Broad topics
include the structure and function of the nervous system, hemispheric specialization,
sensation and perception, attention, action, memory, emotion, and language. Special
topics include current theories of human consciousness, social cognition, and morality.
Prerequisites: PY 101 and at least junior standing.
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2023-2024