Course Descriptions

Psychology

PSYC 100: Introduction to Psychology (1)
An introduction to the scientific study of how biological, mental, and environmental factors influence behavior and experience. Emphasis is on understanding and evaluating the broader issues of the field, e.g., methodology, assumptions, and basic psychological processes. MNSStaff

PSYC 201: Cognitive Psychology (1)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the major areas of cognitive psychology. These areas include: attention, higher-order perception, problem solving, decision making, knowledge representation, and memory. At the end of the course, students have a solid understanding of the methodology used by cognitive psychologists as well as an understanding of the important theoretical issues surrounding the study of the human brain as an information processing system. MNSDPeterson

PSYC 202: Conditioning and Learning (1)
An examination of the process by which behavior changes as organisms interact with their environment. Emphasis is on the principles of classical and operant conditioning as well as observational learning. MNSHHoffmann

PSYC 203: Developmental Psychology (1)
An examination and discussion of theories and research related to physical, cognitive, psychological and social development across the lifespan with focus on the prenatal period, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Projects include real world observation and application exercises. Staff

PSYC 205: Social Psychology (1)
A broad survey of the field of social psychology, including such topics as attitude change, interpersonal attraction, social cognition and aggression. Emphasis throughout is on the understanding of social phenomena from an empirical, primarily experimental, viewpoint. FMcAndrew

PSYC 206: Adolescent Development (1)
This course is an examination of emerging adolescent development, both historically and in contemporary society. It is designed to focus on the physical, psycho-social and intellectual dimensions of early adolescent development. SSchroth

PSYC 207: Theories of Personality (1)
A study of how both classic and modern psychological theories explain personality. Perspectives covered include Freudian, attachment, Eriksonian, self-concept, trait, humanistic, and existential. TKasser

PSYC 208: Sensation and Perception (1)
This course will serve as an introduction to the study of how sensory information is registered and transformed into useful interpretations of the external world. Each of the major sensory systems will be discussed from a variety of perspectives including: anatomical, physiological, neuropsychological, behavioral, cognitive and/or ecological. A significant amount of the course will be dovoted to vision and audition. The cutaneous (i.e. touch, pain) and chemical (e.g. taste, smell) senses will also be covered. Class will consist of lecture and demonstrations of perceptual phenomena.Staff

PSYC 215: Black Psychology (1)
An exploration of the different models--inferiority, deprivation/deficit, multicultural--in psychological research regarding critical issues in the African American experience, such as personality, psychological assessment, education, expressiveness, racism, mental health, counseling, family functioning, and male/female relationships. Using the major contemporary schools of black psychology, the different configurations of the reformist and radical models are analyzed regarding their implications for the self-actualization and mental health of all in a multicultural society. Alternate years. FHord

PSYC 234: Political Psychology (1)
This course examines the intersection of psychology and politics. Political scientists draw heavily on psychological theories to explain political phenomena. Topics covered in this course include but are not limited to political leadership and personality theories, the formation and structure of political attitudes, the behavior of citizens particularly voting behavior, the psychology of group interactions, and the psychology of foreign policy, war, peace, and terrorism. While the research explored draws heavily on psychological theories, no prior study of psychology is required for this course.ACivettini

PSYC 248: Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Staff

PSYC 268: Freud, Jung, and Religion (1)
This course uses close study of key texts on religion by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung as an entry point for considering psychoanalytic explanations of religious experience and identity. Readings include theorists influenced by or responding to Freud and Jung, as well as other contributors to the sometimes troubled, sometimes fruitful, and often perplexing interplay between psychoanalysis and religion. Topics of study include the effects on religious theory of the objects relations school, developmental psychology, humanistic psychology, and existential psychology. Discussion themes include religious conversion, mysticism, ascetisism, aestheticism, sexuality, and religious doubt. JThrall

PSYC 269: Cross-Cultural Psychology (1)
This course is designed to explore the influences of culture on human development and behavior by examining select topics in psychology from a multicultural, multiethnic, and international perspective. Core topics include cross-cultural research methods, culture and self, culture and family-social relations, and acculturation. Participation and presentation are major components of this course and students will engage in an experiential project.Staff

PSYC 270: Psychology and Film (1)
This course is an introduction to psychology and film. We will study this topic from a number of perspectives: the psychology of making movies, the effect of film on the audience, and the representation of psychological topics in film. The focus of the course will be on watching and discussing films, as well as on reading and writing about psychological aspects of film. KShaw

PSYC 271: Human Sexuality (1)
An analysis and discussion of information and misinformation concerning human sexual anatomy and physiology, evolutionary and historical foundations of attitudes towards sexuality, sexuality research, sexual response and techniques of arousal, emotional health, contraception, STIs, diversity and cultural issues. Various research techniques are also discussed. Student participation and presentation are a major part of the course. HHoffmann

PSYC 272: Industrial/Organizational Psychology (1)
The application of psychology to the problems and behavior of individuals in work organizations. Topics include leadership, group dynamics, personnel selection, psychological testing, work motivation, and job satisfaction. FMcAndrew

PSYC 273: Psychological Foundations of Education (1)
An examination of human learning from a variety of perspectives. Learning is viewed as a process that occurs formally in settings such as schools, as well as informally in daily human experience. Where appropriate, topics in human development are related to theories of learning. In addition to class work, students work in local classrooms for a minimum of 25 hours. DBeck

PSYC 274: Environmental Psychology (1)
A study of the relationship between human behavior and the physical environment. This course considers the interaction of humans with both natural environments and built environments such as buildings and cities. FMcAndrew

PSYC 275: Psychology of Gender (1)
This course is an introduction to the psychological literature on gender. Both men's and women's issues are covered. Emphasis is placed on the analysis and interpretation of research findings, as well as a critique of research methodologies. Students are asked to design and conduct small-scale research projects, the results of which are reported in papers due at the end of the term. The course concludes with analysis and discussion of special topics chosen by students. KShaw

PSYC 276: Behavioral Pharmacology (1)
This course will discuss how psychoactive drugs, both those used clinically and those used recreationally, affect our nervous system and hence our behavior and mental processes. While the focus will be on neural mechanisms of action, from the cellular/molecular to the systems level, we will also consider addiction, other clinical issues and legal/social issues surrounding drug use. Alternate years. HHoffmann

PSYC 277: Clinical and Abnormal Psychology (1)
Explores perspectives on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of common psychological problems, including schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and personality disorders. TKasser

PSYC 278: Stereotypes and Prejudice (1)
This course is an introduction to the psychological literature on stereotypes and prejudice. We study general concepts and theories, as well as examine stereotypes and prejudice directed at particular groups. Emphasis is placed on the evaluation and discussion of this material. KShaw

PSYC 281: Research Methods and Statistics I (1)
An introduction to the use of statistics in psychological research. Some examples of the topics covered include the logic of hypothesis testing, descriptive statistics, correlation, analysis of variance and nonparametric statistics. Emphasis throughout the course is on the relationship between the design of the study and the type of statistical analysis conducted on the data generated. Students will also become proficient in the use of SPSS statistical software.Staff

PSYC 282: Research Methods and Statistics II (1)
This course will teach students to think and communicate as scientists do. It is designed primarily for psychology majors to help them understand how to: (a) construct an argument; (b) find and apply evidence in support of an argument; (c) design an appropriate method to test one's hypothesis; (d) gather, statistically analyze, and interpret relevant data; (e) understand the implications and limits of that data; and (f) effectively communicate this information both orally and in writing.Staff

PSYC 295: Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Psychology not covered in the usual curriculum.Staff

PSYC 295C: (1)
This course will examine the contributions of psychological research to understanding a variety of physical health concerns. Specifically, we will study the interplay between emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical factors that can affect the onset, duration, treatment, and prevention of chronic conditions and illnesses, such as pain, stress, obesity, substance abuse and addiction, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Further, lifetime accommodation to minor and major chronic illness/disease based on psychological adjustment will be reviewed. Additional topics include: response to terminal illness, adjustment to trauma, and the current industrialization of health care. Prerequisites: sophomore standing and completion of PSYC 100, or completion of BIOL 120 and 130, or completion of CHEM 101 and 102.

PSYC 295D: (1)
This course will serve as an introduction to psychological theory and research that informs our understanding of crime and the criminal justice system. We will explore the psychologically relevant issues from the moment a crime is committed to the moment the verdict of the criminal trial is rendered. Prerequisite: PSYC 100.

PSYC 295E: (1)
This course, which will serve as the nexus of a concentrated study of Hedonistic Neuroscience, will explore the neuroscientific explantions of the experience of pleasure. We will examine the shared and distinct properties of basic, social, exogenous and higher-level reward, including neural, behavioral, and aesthetic properties. We will also discuss applicability of this research to more enduring states of happiness. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in PSYC 271 and PSYC 276, and permission of the instructors.

PSYC 300A: Clinical Psychology Term: Clinical and Abnormal Psychology (1)
See description for PSYC 277.TKasser

PSYC 300B: Clinical Psychology Term: Theories & Methods of Psychotherapy (1)
See description for PSYC 279.Staff

PSYC 300C: Clinical Psychology Term: Internship in Psychology (1/2 or 1)
See description for PSYC 355.TKasser

PSYC 312: Animal Behavior (1)
This course examines the mechanisms and functions of behavior. Topics include the neural basis and organization of behavior, behavioral development, behavioral genetics, the causation of behavior, the evolution of behavior, behavioral ecology and sociobiology. JTempleton

PSYC 348: Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Staff

PSYC 355: Internship in Psychology (1/2 or 1)
Internships in psychology are designed to give students practical, applied experience in a field of psychology related to their career interests. These internships are student-initiated and in most cases the internship site is identified by the student rather than the supervising faculty member. Part of the internship experience requires the student to produce written work that is evaluated by the Knox faculty. Staff

PSYC 360: - PSYC 361 Research Experience in Psychology (1/2)
A two-term experience in which students, with the aid of a faculty member, conduct an empirical study regarding some question in psychology. This process includes reviewing the literature, generating hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting results in both oral and written forms. Staff

PSYC 363: Developmental Psychopathology (1)
This course builds on students' prior exposure to developmental psychology and clinical and abnormal psychology and provides a survey of: (1) Theories and models of normal and abnormal development in childhood and adolescence; (2) Research methods for examining the prevalence, etiology, presentation, and treatment of psychological disorders in youth and across development; (3) Techniques for assessing, diagnosing, and treating behavioral and emotional disorders in youth; (4) Specific disorders that affect children and adolescents (including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, behavior disorders, autism, mental retardation). In addition to class work, students will have an externship placement.Staff

PSYC 364: Behavioral Neuroscience (1)
Advanced seminar style course examining the role of the nervous system in the control of behavior and mental processes. While the course features a systems approach, cellular and molecular processes will also be discussed. Topics include behavioral endocrinology and cognitive and social neuroscience. Labs include stereotaxic, pharmacological, and/or behavioral work with animals and neurophysiological and psychophysiological work with humans. Alternate years. HHoffmann

PSYC 365: The Study of the Person (1)
A seminar course in which students actively engage the various means by which psychologists study personality. Students have the opportunity to analyze historical persons and conduct an in-depth study of one individual by using interviews and projective methods. Alternate years. TKasser

PSYC 366: Human Memory (1)
This course provides an overview of how human memory operates through a systematic analysis of when and why memory fails. Topics covered include eye-witness testimony, memory and ageing, amnesia, and memory in the classroom.DPeterson

PSYC 367: Theories & Methods of Psychotherapy (1)
This course provides an overview of theoretical and applied aspects of mental health intervention. Topics include a review of the major theories and methods of psychotherapy, basic clinical skills (e.g., questioning, listening, empathy), the client-therapist relationship, multicultural competence, and professional ethics. Students will engage in experiential activities and personal reflection.Staff

PSYC 368: Visual Cognition (1)
Advanced seminar involving in depth exploration of how the human mind acquires, stores and uses visual information. Emphasis is placed on theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding the role of vision in cognition and behavior. Representative topics include visual attention, visual awareness, visual memory, visual imagery, visual learning and interactions between vision and other cognitive processes. Students are required to conduct and present a small-scale research project in an area of visual cognition.Staff

PSYC 369: Evolution and Human Behavior (1)
This course provides evolutionary perspectives on topics such as language, development, cognition, mating behavior, family relationships, aggression, and altruism. The course also provides a quick survey of the basic principles of evolution, human evolution, and primate ecology and behavior. FMcAndrew

PSYC 371: History and Systems of Psychology (1)
An examination of the growth of psychology as an experimental science, with particular emphasis on events between the 1850s and the 1950s. The subject is taught as part of the cultural history of the Western world. FMcAndrew

PSYC 380: Dreaming (1/2)
This course examines the functions of dreams and theories about the interpretation of dreams. We spend substantial time learning about different interpretational systems, including psychodynamic, Jungian, biological, Gestalt, and indigenous viewpoints. Because of the nature of the course, self-disclosure is required; students should be prepared for this fact. TKasser

PSYC 395: Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Psychology not covered in the usual curriculum.Staff

PSYC 400: Advanced Studies (1/2 or 1)
See College Honors Program. Staff