A study of clinical psychology from a scientist-practitioner perspective, including DSM diagnostic criteria, assessment measures and strategies, treatment modalities, case studies, and ethical issues. Major theoretical paradigms and research on etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness are presented and discussed.
An examination of the impact that social influences have on individual behavior. The course examines major theories and empirical evidence in a variety of areas, such as interpersonal attraction, attitude change, group behavior, conformity, prejudice, and altruism. Students examine empirical methods used in social psychology and gain experience by designing and conducting studies examining questions of their choosing and then presenting the results. Not open for credit to students who have received credit for PSYC 356.
A survey and critical evaluation of research investigating the psychological and social factors in sexual behavior with some attention to the underlying biology. A comparison and contrast across species, across individuals, and across cultures. Topics include partner preference, sexual dysfunction and treatment, changes across the life span, and commercial sex. Readings include selections from works that have changed the American understanding of sexual behavior.
An examination of physiological, social, and emotional factors affecting all stages of individual development during adolescence. Major theories and research on the subject are introduced. Among the topics addressed are biological changes, identity, autonomy, peer influences, substance abuse, and intimate relationships. Students are expected to present results from research studies they conduct on issues of adolescence.
Psychology has traditionally been concerned with people's responses and reactions to difficulties, deficits, and disorders. Taking the opposing viewpoint, positive psychology is a course that aims to understand and implement behaviors and mental processes that foster optimal functioning and the pursuit of the good life. Both individual level and interpersonal level functioning are examined. Students in this primarily discussion-based course must be prepared to speak in class multiple times per class period. The course also involves a significant major project.
This course examines how studies of normal development and abnormal development in children inform one another; how and why deviations from normal development occur; the bidirectional relationship between biological underpinnings and contexts (family, school) as they relate to development of psychopathology; and proximal and distal concerns for children that develop mental disorders.
This course examines cultural influences on human behaviors and psychological processes and explores micro, meso, and macro elements affecting individuals’ interactions in cross-cultural contexts. The content focuses on the way cultures shape and are shaped by psychological factors and explores psychological principles as universal or culture-specific. Students will learn about cross-cultural theories, discuss cultural similarities and differences across the globe, and develop cross-cultural awareness and competence.
An introduction to basic research approaches in psychology, including observational studies, correlational studies, true experiments, and quasi-experiments. Ethics, sampling, measurement, and data analysis are considered. Intended for psychology majors or for students planning to major in psychology. Weekly laboratory sessions focus on the process of scientific inquiry, giving students experience in the application of class principles.
An introduction to basic research approaches in psychology, including observational studies, correlational studies, true experiments, and quasi-experiments. Ethics, sampling, measurement, and data analysis are considered. Intended for psychology majors or for students planning to major in psychology. Weekly laboratory sessions focus on the process of scientific inquiry, giving students experience in the application of class principles.
This course examines local and global media representations of social identities including gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, class, and profession and the impacts of these representations. The focus is on psychological theories of media effects and intergroup interactions and their applications to various media types and contents. Students will design, conduct, and present research projects at the intersections of media, culture, and social Identities.
This course examines local and global media representations of social identities including gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, class, and profession and the impacts of these representations. The focus is on psychological theories of media effects and intergroup interactions and their applications to various media types and contents. Students will design, conduct, and present research projects at the intersections of media, culture, and social Identities.
Evaluation research aims to determine whether programs achieve their intended goals. Through the course, students will work in small groups to design and conduct evaluation research in partnership with community-based organizations. This course explores multiple approaches to evaluating organizations and their programs, analyzes how the field support organizational development, and considers how organizations are embedded in social and political contexts. Ethical and scientifically sound evaluation practices, rooted in asset-based perspectives, are emphasized. Graduates of this course will possess the skills to analyze program impact and contribute to organizational capacity building.
Evaluation research aims to determine whether programs achieve their intended goals. Through the course, students will work in small groups to design and conduct evaluation research in partnership with community-based organizations. This course explores multiple approaches to evaluating organizations and their programs, analyzes how the field support organizational development, and considers how organizations are embedded in social and political contexts. Ethical and scientifically sound evaluation practices, rooted in asset-based perspectives, are emphasized. Graduates of this course will possess the skills to analyze program impact and contribute to organizational capacity building.
An overview of cognitive science, an interdisciplinary field exploring cognition in living and artificial systems and including psychology, neuroscience, computer science, philosophy, cultural anthropology, and linguistics. This course provides a comparative analysis of key models and approaches to cognition, relying upon experimental, neurophysiological, and clinical data and computational models, and builds a systematic understanding of the interdisciplinary problems, principles, and methods of cognitive science. Current trends, including the most recent approaches (e.g. embodied, embedded, emotional, and extended cognition) and emerging research areas (e.g., social and cultural neuroscience, neuroarchaeology, and neuroaesthetics) are considered.
A seminar focused on examining and applying the concepts, theory, principles, research methods, and goals of community psychology. This course aims to increase understanding of the interactions among individual, group, organizational, community, and societal factors as they affect psychological well-being, human development, and human relationships. It also examines research design, program implementation, and evaluation methods applicable to community psychology.
A seminar focused on examining and applying the concepts, theory, principles, research methods, and goals of community psychology. This course aims to increase understanding of the interactions among individual, group, organizational, community, and societal factors as they affect psychological well-being, human development, and human relationships. It also examines research design, program implementation, and evaluation methods applicable to community psychology.
This seminar course will review questions and controversies in current theory and research on human sexual behavior. The focus of class discussion will be the scientific literature within the field.
Selected topics in psychology, typically incorporating relevant primary literature. Prerequisites vary by topic.
Religious Studies
The issue of anthropogenic alterations to the climate and biosphere raises ethical dilemmas that are related to climate breakdown, mass human migrations, species loss, and the quandaries posed by end-stage global capitalism. This course examines such dilemmas.