50:830:100
Introductory Topics in Psychology (3)
Introductory-level review of selected topics in psychology.
No prerequisite; does not substitute for 50:830:101. May be taken a maximum of two times for departmental credit, as long as the department agrees that the topics are different.
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50:830:101
Introduction to Psychology (R) (3)
Introduction to the methods, theories, facts, and basic principles
in the major fields of psychology, including the scientific nature of the psychological sciences, the biological foundations of
psychological functioning, the cognitive processing systems from sensation and
perception to higher-order cognition and decision-making, the processes of
life span development, the assessment and characterization of personality, the
processes of social psychology, the nature of psychological testing, and the
foundations of clinical diagnosis for psychological disorders and their
treatment. Participation in
research or completion of an approved, appropriate alternative activity
required.
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50:830:135
Introductory Social Psychology (R) (3)
An
introductory survey of psychological research and theory about individuals as
they influence and are influenced by other people. Topics include social perception and judgment,
attitudes and behavior, self and identity, social influence and persuasion,
intergroup relations, prejudice and discrimination, and love and close
relationships. Attention is given to applications in real-world settings, such
as business/organizations, the law, health, and education.
Credit not given for both this course and 50:830:335. Not for psychology majors.
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50:830:201
Frontiers in Psychology (3)
Faculty members and distinguished visiting lecturers lead seminars
in their fields of specialization and provide information on how their career path. Students prepare and present papers
on assigned topics that change from year to year.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:203
The Psychology of Minority Groups (D) (3)
Examination of the social and personality dynamics of inter-group relations and conflict and how these affect minority populations. Attempts made to define the major psychological events within minority groups as they relate to developmental
processes, attitudes, perceptions, and identity patterns with special attention given to mental health issues in minority communities.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:206
Psychology of Couples and Families (3)
The psychological study of interpersonal behavior within family units, both nuclear and extended; addresses conjoint personal development, communication networks, intimate relationships, and intrafamily conflict.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:222
Human Development (3)
Human development across the life span: critical examination of psychological constancy and changes throughout the human life span, with emphasis on biological, cultural, intergenerational, social, and other systemic experiences and influences.
This course does not count toward the psychology major.
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50:830:226
Psychology of Childhood (3)
Examination of psychological development from birth through late
childhood. Emphasis on theories and research concerned with physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and emotional development, and the applications of knowledge about development to contemporary issues regarding children.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:231
Psychology of Personality (3)
Examination of theoretical and research approaches to the understanding
of individual behavior, considering both individual traits and
situational sources of influence.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:250
Statistics for Social Science (3)
Introduction to basic concepts of statistics, both descriptive (organization and presentation of data)
and inferential (drawing conclusions from data), with emphasis on
practical applications in psychological research.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135. Credit not given for this course and 50:960:183 or equivalent.
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50:830:255
Method and Theory in Psychology (W) (3)
Survey of research methods in psychology that
emphasizes the guiding role of theory in scientific research. Consideration of the nature and history of
scientific theories in psychology, hypothesis generation, review of
professional literature, measurement, research designs, control of extraneous
variables, and the analysis, interpretation, reproducibility and ecological
validity of empirical results. Discussion of the self-correcting nature of the
research process through replication, peer review, increased methodological
sophistication, and quantitative analysis, with an emphasis on reading and
writing research papers in psychology.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:256
Research Methods in Psychology (3)
Survey of research methods in psychology, emphasizing the guiding role of theory in scientific research. Students will learn about distinguishing between nonscientific versus scientific sources of information, hypothesis generation, review of extant literature, measurement, experimental versus nonexperimental designs, control of extraneous variables, analysis, interpretation, replication, and testing the ecological validity of results. Emphasis on the self-correcting nature of the research process through replication and extension, peer review, increased methodological sophistication, and quantitative analysis.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135. Credit not given for both this course and 50:830:255.
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50:830:301
Educational Psychology (3)
Examines how individuals develop and learn, with particular emphasis on
the classroom. Includes motivation, student interests, creating a
healthy learning environment, language development, testing, and
individual differences.
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50:830:303
Psychology of Gender (3)
This course introduces students to the psychological literature on gender. Course topics include the causes of sex differences and
similarities and the influence of gender roles on life experiences, including those related to the workplace, leadership, parenting, sexuality, and the public and private presentation of self.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:305
Psychology of Human Sexuality (3)
Examination of major topics and approaches to the psychological study of human sexuality. Begins with introduction to the history of the field, the major obstacles to conducting research in human sexuality, and major theoretical approaches, followed by presentation on anatomy and physiology of the human sexual response. Topics discussed include developmental issues in sexuality, sexual attraction and relationships, sexual orientation, variations in sexual behavior, commercial sexuality, coercive sexuality, and sexual dysfunctions and therapy.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:306
Human Emotions (3)
Inquiry into the nature of human emotions and their causes, effects, functions, and dysfunctions.
Topics include physiological, behavioral, and cognitive
approaches to emotions; expressive aspects; motivational aspects;
emotional development; individual, gender, and cultural differences;
emotional pathology; and emotional self-regulation and control.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:312
Psychology of Consciousness (3)
Examination of consciousness from psychological
perspectives, such as cognitive processes, neuroscience,
phenomenology, and evolution. Topics include sleep and dreams;
perception and thought; effects of psychoactive drugs; introspective
reports; and brain function in healthy and injured people. Satisfies the general education theme of physical and life sciences (PLS).
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:316
Psychology and the Law (3)
Explores the relationship between the field of psychology and the legal
system; the decision-making process of judges and juries; eyewitness
reliability; criminal insanity; the use of psychological knowledge to
raise legal issues; and assumptions that the legal system makes about
human nature.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:318
Ethics in Psychology (3)
Provides an overview of the ethical questions and dilemmas that psychologists encounter in their everyday practice, research, and teaching, with the goal of familiarizing students with the role of ethical behavior and decision-making in psychology. Satisfies the general education theme of ethics and values (EAV).
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:319
Industrial Psychology (3)
Personnel selection and placement; psychology of industrial and human
relations; worker morale, motivation, and efficiency; human factors in
equipment design, marketing, and advertising research.
Prerequisite: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:326
Psychology of Adolescence (3)
A survey of development during the adolescent and early adult years. Contemporary theories and research will be used to help students understand issues central to adolescence including pubertal development; cognitive development; identity, dating, and sexuality; family and peer relationships; adolescents at school and work; culture and the media; and challenges faced by adolescents. Adolescence will be discussed both as a distinct stage of life and as an integral component of development across the life span.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:328
Psychology of Aging (3)
This course is designed to provide a broad
overview of the field of psychology of aging/gerontology. The focus on later life will be examined from
a multidisciplinary perspective, using a life span developmental framework, and
will cover fundamental theories, major topics, and characteristic methods in
the psychology of aging. Topics include
changes in physical, cognitive, social, and personality functions; mental
health issues; retirement; long-term care; death and dying; and successful aging.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:335
Social Psychology (3)
Psychological theory and research examining how individuals influence and are influenced by their social environment. Topics include social cognition, cultural influences, conformity, persuasion, group behavior, prejudice aggression, interpersonal attraction, and prosocial behavior.
Prerequisite: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256. Credit not given for both this course and 50:830:135.
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50:830:340
Abnormal Psychology (3)
A survey of different types of psychological
disorders as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (currently DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association. To a lesser extent, the course examines
causes of these disorders and the treatments for them.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:345
Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3)
Introduction to theory and practice of clinical psychology, with a focus on case studies and workshop design. It also includes individual, couples, and family therapy models.
Prerequisites: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256 and 50:830:340.
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50:830:348
Health Psychology (3)
Focuses on understanding psychological processes that influence health.
Topics include stress and illness, personality and
disease, chronic illness and death, health promotion and disease
prevention through behavior change, and relationships between patients
and practitioners. The changing health care environment and the need to
understand the role of individuals' lifestyles in determining their
health are emphasized.
Prerequisite: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:355
Psychological Tests and Measurements (3)
Introduction to the history, development, and principles of psychological testing, including techniques of administration, scoring,
and interpretation. Intelligence, aptitude, achievement, interest, and personality tests studied theoretically and empirically. The impact of testing on the individual and on society.
Prerequisites: 50:830:250 and 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:362
Cognitive Processes (3)
Examines research on human information processing, including attention,
pattern recognition, memory, thought, and problem solving. Discusses
laboratory techniques, theoretical models, and research applications to
practical concerns such as reading, training strategies, and human
engineering.
Prerequisite: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:365
Cultural Psychology (3)
Examines how culture influences the way people process information about themselves and the world. Topics include cultural differences in self-construal, cognition, perception, and other basic psychological processes.
Prerequisite: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135.
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50:830:380
Laboratory in Experimental Psychology (1)
Examines scientific methods of approaching
psychological questions, and students gain practical experience with research
techniques used in selected areas of psychological investigations.
Prerequisites: 50:830:101, 50:830:250, and 50:830:255 or 50:830:256. Corequisite: 50:830:381.
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50:830:381
Experimental Psychology (3)
Designed to give students experience with using
research techniques for the investigation of psychological phenomena and
understanding the methodological strengths and limitations of different techniques. Prepares students to conduct empirical
investigations, analyze data, and interpret and report results for research
studies in psychology.
Prerequisites: 50:830:101, 50:830:250, and 50:830:255 or 50:830:256. Corequisite: 50:830:380.
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50:830:382
Experimental Psychology Laboratory II (1)
An advanced laboratory in psychology.
Prerequisites: 50:830:380, 50:830:381, and permission of instructor. Corequisite: Lecture course designated by department (changes each semester).
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50:830:434
Psychology of Eating (3)
Focuses on understanding the psychological processes underlying humans' development of eating behaviors and the adoption of both healthy and maladaptive cognitions and behaviors concerning food, eating, and our bodies. Issues to be addressed include food choice, the development of food preferences, motivation to eat, cultural influences on eating patterns, weight-regulation, body image, dieting behaviors, obesity, eating disorders, and treatment of unhealthy and clinical eating problems. The psychological, not physiological, processes of eating will be emphasized.
Prerequisites: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135, and 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:438
The Psychology of Strongly Held Beliefs (3)
Inquiry into the origins, structure, and psychological functions
of strongly held beliefs, such as political liberalism and
conservatism, attitudes toward war and peace, and attitudes toward
social issues (e.g., abortion, racial attitudes). Topics include
relationships of personality, personal experiences, and socialization
to political beliefs.
Prerequisites: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256 and 50:830:335.
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50:830:440
Developmental Psychopathology (3)
Applies a developmental approach to the understanding of childhood
disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, depression, and
anxiety disorders.
Prerequisite: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:441
Theories of Psychotherapy (3)
Examination of different approaches to psychotherapy including psychoanalytic, humanistic, gestalt, existential, cognitive, behavioral, and solution-focused approaches. The focus will be on the theory behind each approach. While techniques used by the different approaches will be briefly discussed, students will not be taught how to do therapy.
Prerequisite: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:457,458,459,460,461,462,463,464
Special Topics in Psychology (2-3 each)
Selected theoretical, experimental, and applied problems in psychology. Specific topics covered rotate from semester to semester depending on the interests of participating faculty and students.
Prerequisites: 50:830:101 or 50:830:135 and junior or senior status, or permission of instructor.
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50:830:465
Learning and Memory (3)
Critical survey of theories and data on the nature of learning and memory. Discusses a range of phenomena, including habituation,
conditioning, perceptual learning, procedural learning, skill learning and habit formation, recall, recognition, and concept learning, and their application to education, everyday memory, and clinical interventions.
Prerequisite: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:467
Perception (3)
Examines what we need to know about the objects and events that surround us, how our eyes and ears sense this information, how the patterns of neural activity in our brain represent this information, and finally, what scientists know about our visual and auditory experiences.
Prerequisite: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:471
Behavioral Pharmacology (3)
Examines the action of drugs on the nervous system and behavior. Topics include principles of drug action, drug-environment interactions, drug abuse, drugs and therapeutic agents, and drugs as tools in psychological research.
Prerequisite: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:475
Physiological Psychology (3)
Examines the relationship between biology and behavior by
studying the workings of animal brains, functional deficits of
brain-damaged humans, neurophysiological mechanisms, and the genetics
of behavior. Topics may include biological mechanisms of
language, addiction, anxiety, depression, learning, aggression, and
other aspects of human psychology. Satisfies the General Education Theme of Physical and Life Sciences (PLS).
Prerequisite: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:476
Animal Behavior (3)
Examines the behavior of animals with emphasis on the evolution of behavior patterns and the experiential determiners of these patterns.
Topics include communication, behavior-structure relationships, behavioral strategies, general adaptations versus specialized functions, and the evolution of intelligence.
Prerequisite: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256.
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50:830:493
Applied Experience in Psychology (R) (3)
Provides advanced psychology majors with an opportunity to integrate and expand their knowledge of psychology through applied experiences in the community. Students are encouraged to develop their
own placements, but may consult with the instructor for help in establishing a placement. Students are expected to meet with the instructor regularly throughout the semester, keep a journal of their
experiences, and complete a class project/paper.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. This course may be repeated for credit, but only 9 credits can be applied toward the requirements for the major.
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50:830:494,495
Advanced Independent Study in Psychology (R) (1-3)
Students are required to undertake a semester-long or yearlong laboratory
or library project under the supervision of a member of the department.
Strongly recommended for students planning to attend graduate school.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. This course may be repeated for credit, but only 9 credits can be applied toward the requirements for the major.
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50:830:496,497
Honors Program in Psychology (3,3)
Design, execution, analysis, and presentation of original
research, undertaken after departmental approval of an honor's research
proposal and conducted under the supervision of one or more faculty
members. May be taken only with departmental approval.
Prerequisite: By permission only.
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50:830:498
Independent Study in Psychology Capstone (W) (1-3)
Students are required to undertake a semester-long laboratory or library project under the supervision of a faculty member of the department. Requires departmental approval of a research project proposal.
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor; 50:830:255 or 50:830:256 and 50:830:250 or 50:960:183; minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and in all prerequisites. Credit not given for both this course and 50:830:380 and 50:830:381 or 50:830:499.
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50:830:499
Special Topics in Experimental Psychology with Lab (W) (3)
Designed to introduce students to experimental techniques and methodological problems involved in the investigation of a particular topic in psychology. Prepares the student to conduct research, analyze data, and interpret and report results of experiments in this area. Specific topics covered rotate from semester to semester depending on the interests of participating faculty and students.
Prerequisites: 50:830:255 or 50:830:256 and 50:830:250 or 50:960:183. Credit not given for both this course and 50:830:380 and 50:830:381 or 50:830:498.
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