A survey course which discusses the main subfields of psychology as the science of behavior and mental process. Gives attention to history, personalities, and past and current research findings of the field and how they are applied to everyday life. Offered fall and spring.

Studies human growth and development from a predominantly psychological perspective throughout the life span and research findings and current perspectives on physical, intellectual, personality, and social development from conception to death. Offered fall and spring.

Introduces descriptive and inferential statistics, emphasizing the understanding of and skills in the processes of organizing, calculating and interpreting quantitative information. Also serves as a forum for initiating the process for ongoing psychological research. Fulfills Math requirement for Social Science majors. Offered fall and spring.

Explores contemporary marriage and family relations in our changing society. Utilizing a developmental framework, it focuses on the tasks that individuals, couples, and families must accomplish at different points during the family life cycle and the crises with which they may be challenged. Students are introduced to the kinds of skills and support that assist people as they form and maintain the most important relationships. Offered annually.

Seeks to understand the nature and causes of individual behavior in social situations, for the purpose of finding ways to improve the quality of life in society. Explores issues such as: social perception and cognition, attitude formation, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal attraction, altruism, aggression, group behavior, and environmental and organizational psychology. Encourages application to a contemporary issue. Prerequisite: PS110 or SO110. Cross-listed as SO313. Offered annually

Studies group theory and reflective experiencing of group dynamics and processes in a class format that emphasizes participation in different kinds of group activities. Topics include group communication, membership, norms, goals, leadership, problem solving and group evolution. Applications are made to a variety of settings, e.g. business, church, therapy, and education. Cross-listed as SO314. Offered in alternate years.

An interdisciplinary approach to understanding the dynamics and challenges of life and ministry in the city. Readings and lectures from varied theoretical perspectives (theological, psychological, sociological, economic, and political) are combined with exposure to various urban ministry models through site visits and field experience. Includes travel and a special course fee to cover travel expenses. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Cross-listed as SO315. Offered varying years.

Provides students with an overview of substance abuse from a systems perspective. Explores the major theories of addiction, the physiological and psychological results of substance abuse, commonly used substances and their effects, and the latest treatment developments and research findings. Offered in alternate years.

Examines personality structure, dynamics and development with emphasis on major theoretical perspectives and methods of research. Attention is given to the comparative analysis of the major theoretical models. Prerequisites: PS110, PS240, or permission of instructor. Offered annually.

Studies child development from birth up to preadolescence. Attention is given to a variety of perspectives - biological, cognitive, emotional and social development. Theories of child development and current research are addressed in order to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of the nature, challenges and potential in child development. Also considers specific contexts, such as the family, peer relationships, school and community life. Offered alternate years.

Studies adolescent development from a variety of perspectives – biological, cognitive, emotional and social. Theories of adolescent development and current research are addressed in order to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of the nature of adolescent development, fundamental changes and contexts as well as challenges and opportunities posed by our current society. Attention is given to the dynamics of family life and the intergenerational interactions. Offered alternate years.

Develops research skills with emphasis on social research as a scientific inquiry and problem-solving tool in explaining human social behavior. Students learn how to formulate problems for research and implement appropriate research methods. Prerequisite: PS251 or permission of instructor. Cross-listed as SO351. Offered fall and spring.

Guides the psychology major in preparing for the senior comprehensive exam in psychology. A secondary purpose is to provide a resource in career planning for students as they move toward specific post-graduation goals of either seeking psychology-related employment or applying for graduate school in psychology. Both individual and group activities are scheduled in order to facilitate the senior comprehensive preparation and career planning. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Offered annually: Spring

An in-depth study of methods and results of psychological research on learning and memory with an emphasis on the basic issues of acquisition and performance in humans and animals. Examines the processes by which people acquire, store and use information. A lab is included. Prerequisites: PS110, PS240. Offered in alternate years.

Studies psychological disorders with emphasis upon historical, etiological, descriptive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and experimental approaches. Prerequisites: PS110, PS240. Offered annually.

Introduces basic counseling skills such as active and reflective listening. Exposes current models for counseling intervention. Presents the affective behavioral and cognitive paradigms with discussion of their relative strengths and weaknesses. Prerequisites: PS110, PS240. Offered alternate years.

Supervises a practical experience in a vocation closely related to the student’s interest and/or future plans in psychology. Readings, written assignments and group meetings assist the student in reflecting on and integrating the knowledge gained from involvement at an approved placement site. Prerequisite: Attendance at a pre-placement meeting. Recommended for Junior year. Cross-listed as SO430, CJ430. Offered fall and spring. Offered summer with special permission by department head.

Introduces physiological structures and functions that are of interest to behavioral science. Emphasizes sensory processes, the central nervous system, higher cognitive functioning, and the neuropsychological perspective of behavioral disorders. Prerequisites: PS110, PS240. Offered in alternate years.

Describes and evaluates topics dealing with human learning, thinking, reasoning, concept formation, memory and language. Various theoretical approaches are contrasted in light of established and current research in the field. Special emphasis is placed on the process of moving from research to an understanding of basic cognitive principles within class demonstrations of various research methodologies. Offered alternate years.

Familiarity with basic research methods and statistics is assumed. Exposes students to current research paradigms in psychology, placing special emphasis on the process of empirically testing theory. Both experimental and non-experimental research methods are examined. A major course requirement is the production of an individual research project that will include designing a study, carrying out data collection and analysis, and APA report writing. In addition, students will orally present the results of their study to psychology faculty and peers. Prerequisites: PS251 and PS351. Offered alternate years.

Introduces the concepts and procedures employed in quantitative research in the social sciences. Explores several data analyses (from univariate to multivariate analyses) with the use of the computer (both mini and micro). Utilizes SPSS and practices writing quantitative results in APA format. Prerequisite: PS251. Cross-listed as SO451. Offered alternate years

Guides the psychology major in his/her preparations for the comprehensive examination in psychology. Continues facilitating the career planning begun in Junior Psychology Seminar, for post graduation goals of either seeking psychology related employment or applying for graduate school in psychology. Prerequisite: PS352 Junior Psychology Seminar. Offered annually.

Examines religious experience, belief, and behavior from a psychological perspective. In a seminar format, students read primary source material to examine the lives and theories of several leaders in the field, research and reflect on selected topics of interest to both psychologists and theologians, and evaluate one’s own role as a psychological interpreter of religion. Prerequisites: PS110 and Sophomore standing. Offered in alternate years.

Introduces managing personal finances. Topics include investing, retirement planning, career planning, money management and budgeting, taxes, consumer credit, and purchasing strategies (home, auto, insurance). Cross-listed as BA493. Offered alternate years.

Designed for the advanced Psychology major who desires to continue supervised work on a research project. Students, in consultation with a Psychology faculty member, develop goals for the project including literature review, data collection tools and procedures, data analysis and method of presentation. Can be taken for 1-3 credit hours per semester. Students who take PS399 or PS499 for 3 credits may be allowed to substitute this course for PS430. Prerequisite: Permission of the chair of the Department of Psychology.