Psychology
(PSYC)
100—Effective Behavior, 3 Cr.
This course is an examination of the
basic psychological nature of human beings. The focus is on behavior in both a
personal and social context, and applications to achieve more effective
behavior and personal growth in a complex and changing world.
110—Human Sexuality, 3 Cr.
Human Sexuality explores the
biological, psychological, and social/cultural aspects of human sexual
behavior. Students evaluate the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive interactions
between personal values and societal expectations. (Equivalent to SOCL 110.)
114—Team Building and Leadership
Skills, 1 Cr.
This course explores concepts and
skills useful for developing group cohesion, problem solving, conflict
resolution and leadership skills, utilizing an experiential foundation.
149—Introductory Psychology Seminar,
3 Cr.
Students will explore the discipline of
psychology as a field of study, research, application, and service. In order to
gain a perspective on the breadth of the field, students will read a variety of
sources, also faculty members and guests will discuss, with students, their
areas of expertise, interests, and careers. These activities will help students
identify areas in which they may develop expertise.
171—General Psychology, 3 Cr.
This course introduces students to the
study of behavior and mental processes including cognition, learning, memory, motivation,
emotion, interpersonal interactions, psychological disorders, and much more.
Students receive exposure to the breadth of the scientific field of psychology
with an emphasis on evaluating behavior from a biopsychosocial perspective.
205—Introduction to Chemical
Dependency, 3 Cr.
This course provides an overview of
chemical abuse and dependence, examining the impact on society, families, and
individuals. Students will be introduced to the scope and nature of the field
of chemical dependency, including a historical perspective. Special emphasis
will target the Biopsychosocial model of addiction, prevention, family
dynamics, special populations, and treatment modalities.
220—Lifespan Developmental
Psychology, 3 Cr.
This course will provide a survey of
the major theories, research methodology, and research findings focusing on
physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development, and the
contexts that influence development. Prerequisite: 100 or 171.
223—Applied Statistics for the Social
Sciences, 3 Cr.
Applied
Statistics prepares students to understand and conduct statistical techniques
commonly employed in any discipline involving scientific research. Descriptive
techniques and related concepts include visual display of data, measures of
central tendency, and variability. Inferential techniques and related concepts
include probability, data distributions, hypothesis testing, t-tests,
correlation and regression, analysis of variance, and nonparametric tests.
Students will learn to use statistical software including spreadsheets and
SPSS. Not open to students who are enrolled in or have earned credits in MATH
130 or 230. Prerequisite: acceptable math placement score or grade of C or
higher in MATH 001 or 091. (Equivalent to SOCL 223.)
230—Research Methods, 3 Cr.
Research Methods focuses on the
application of the scientific method in psychological research to empirically
and systematically evaluate behavior and mental processes. Students develop
skills related to measurement, sampling techniques, research design,
descriptive and inferential statistics, information technology, APA format, and
oral communication of research findings. Prerequisite: 171.
250—Social Psychology, 3 Cr.
Social Psychology examines human
behavior as a function of the social environment. Students explore many
concepts including gender and culture issues, communication and persuasion,
conformity, peer pressure, aggression, prejudice and discrimination,
attraction, and altruism. Prerequisite: 100 or 171; SOCL 125. (Equivalent to
SOCL 250.)
261—Introduction to Biopsychology, 4
Cr.
Three hours of lecture/two hours lab
per week.
Introduction to Biopsychology provides
a survey of the biological causes, correlates, and effects of normal and
abnormal behaviors from neurobiological, neuroendocrine, and evolutionary
perspectives. Topics covered include cognition, language, learning, memory,
emotion, addiction, sex and gender, and psychological disorders. The weekly lab
session employs experiential learning of the techniques and practices of
biopsychology and includes oral communication of research findings.
Prerequisites: four credits of BIOL, three credits of PSYC. (Equivalent to BIOP
261.)
270—Interviewing and the Helping
Relationship, 3 Cr.
Two hours instruction/two hours lab per
week.
This course is an introduction to the
generic aspects of interviewing in the helping relationships as well as
providing opportunity to practice and develop interviewing skills and related
oral communication skills. This course is recommended for any student planning
to work within a helping profession.
304—Introduction to Substance Abuse
Prevention, 3 Cr.
The goal of this course is to provide
college students with introductory information about the predominant theories
and models of alcohol and other drug abuse prevention. This course also
provides an overview of the planning processes and implementation issues
associated with best practices in prevention programming. Prerequisite: 100 or
171.
305—Psychopharmacology, 3 Cr.
This course examines the major
categories of illicit and prescribed psychoactive drugs and their use, effects,
and potential for abuse. The neural mechanisms of drug action, along with the
physical and behavioral consequences of use and abuse, are explored. Emphasized
concepts include the physiological and psychological mechanisms of addiction,
tolerance, and withdrawal. Prerequisite: 100 or 171. Restricted to students
with junior standing or higher.
310—Child Psychology, 3 Cr.
This
course involves an advanced, in-depth study of influential theories, research
methods, and research findings concerning child development. Students will
learn about physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development; and how
factors within the child, family, society, and culture influence developmental
processes. Students will also explore how developmental theories and research
can be applied in everyday contexts and used to promote health development. Prerequisite:
220.
320—Psychology of Adulthood, 3 Cr.
This course involves an advanced,
in-depth study of influential theories, research methods, and research findings
concerning development in adulthood. Students will learn about physical,
cognitive, social, and emotional development in adulthood; and how factors
within the individual, society, and culture influence developmental processes.
Students will also explore how adult development theories and research can be
applied in everyday contexts and used to promote healthy development.
Prerequisite: 220.
324—Topics in Biopsychology, 2–4 Cr.
This course focuses on a limited topic
in biopsychology in an in-depth manner. The
specific topic will vary from year to year. Restricted to students with
junior standing or higher. Permission of instructor required. May be repeated
for credit.
330—Critical Inquiry in Psychology,
3 Cr.
In this course, students will refine
and extend the knowledge and skills they have obtained in previous courses.
Students will be required to prepare a comprehensive literature review and
research proposal on a specific topics in psychology. This process will help
students to develop competencies in understanding, summarizing, and critiquing
professional literature in psychology; and in using prior literature to
motivate and inform the design of new research projects. Prerequisite: 230 or
261 or BIOP 261.
332—Qualitative Research, 3 Cr.
This
course explores the foundations of qualitative research methods. Students will
be introduced to and review a number of well-designed qualitative research
articles. Students will learn the
process of developing a question, the skills of interviewing, the importance of
group dynamics, and the importance of program evaluation. Focus groups and
participant observation will be emphasized.
Students will also learn how to organize and analyze qualitative
research data. Students will be active in participant observation and focus
groups. Students will develop, implement, and produce a final report in an area
of interest utilizing one of several qualitative methods. Prerequisite: 171.
335—Learning and Cognition, 3 Cr.
This course provides an in-depth
exploration of human learning and cognition, focusing on such topics as:
perceptions, attention, memory, knowledge representation, language, decision
making, problem solving, and intelligence. Students will learn about classic
and contemporary questions in these areas and how researchers use scientific methods
to study these questions. Students will also conduct and participate in
research experiments to practice and demonstrate learned concepts.
Prerequisite: 230. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher.
340—Behavior Disorders, 3 Cr.
Modern concepts of defining behavior
disorders, detailing the causal factors and outcomes of various maladaptive
patterns. This course also deals with assessment as well as treatment and
prevention of abnormal behavior at both individual and group levels. Prerequisite:
100 or 171. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher.
344—Sports Psychology, 3 Cr.
This course discusses the application
of psychological theory and research to sports and recreation. Topics will
include motivation, competition and cooperation, arousal, stress and anxiety,
group and team dynamics, group cohesion, intrinsic motivation, leadership,
imagery, concentration, athletic injuries and psychology, burnout and
overtraining, children and sport psychology, and aggression in sports.
Prerequisite: 100 or 171.
345—Industrial Psychology, 3 Cr.
Psychological principles, concepts,
research and methods applicable to industry settings are explored. Topics
include personnel selection, placement, training, motivation, social and group
factors in work organizations, and human engineering. Prerequisite: 100 or 171.
349—Advanced Psychology Seminar, 1
Cr.
Students will identify a particular
area in psychology and develop an action plan related to their
career/professional goals. Students will complete a service learning project.
Students will be introduced to the required senior project and portfolio,
including basic research methods. Prerequisite: 149 or concurrent.
351—Psychological Testing, 4 Cr.
This course explores the theory and
methods of measuring human behavior. A survey of representative tests of
intelligence, performance, achievement, interests, attitudes, personality, and
special aptitude is predicted. Prerequisites: 171, 230, MATH 130 or 230 or PSYC
223 or SOCL 223. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher.
352—Cognitive Behavior Therapy, 3
Cr.
Behavior and cognitive therapy theory
and techniques are applied to self-change. Assessment and treatment of mental
health problems addressed in the light of current research. Prerequisite: 340.
365—Group Dynamics, 3 Cr.
Understanding and competence in
practice with a wide variety of treatment and task groups are explored with
focal areas on individual group members, the group as a whole, and the group’s
environment. Generic skills for leading treatment and task groups are
developed. Prerequisites: 270.
374—Positive Psychology, 3 Cr.
Although psychology historically
focused on negative aspects of life (psychopathology, retardation and
aggression), Positive Psychology focuses on the more positive (mental health,
creativity and pro-social behavior). Topics in this course will also include
happiness, humor, human strengths, flow, peace, resilience, optimism, empathy
and altruism, love and companionship, and relaxation and mindfulness. Emphasis
will be on both scientific findings and the application of those findings in
one’s personal life. The course will include a significant self-change project.
Prerequisite: 100 or 171.
404—Cultural Competency, 1 Cr.
This course emphasizes the understanding
of diverse cultures, and incorporating the relevant needs of culturally diverse
groups, as well as people with disabilities, into clinical practice. Understanding
the importance of self awareness in one’s personal, professional, and cultural
life is also emphasized. Understanding the addiction professional’s obligations
to adhere to ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping
relationship is also emphasized.
406—Resiliency, 1 Cr.
This course emphasizes
theory of resilience and strategies to identify and amplify resilience for
vulnerable populations. The prevention and treatment of substance use and
addiction is emphasized. Factors that increase the likelihood for an
individual, community, or group to be at risk for, or resilient to,
psychoactive substance use disorders are addressed.
407—Understanding Addiction, 1 Cr.
This
course serves as the introduction to substance use disorders education and
training for professionals. The course will review a variety of models and
theories of addiction related to substance abuse. Participants
will be able to describe the
behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social affects of psychoactive
substances on the person using as well as significant others.
412—Co-occurring Disorders, 1 Cr.
This course is an overview of the
challenges and consequences encountered when treating individuals with dual
diagnosis, specifically, substance use and mental health disorders. This course
will review the issues of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Emphasis is on
evidence-based practice.
413—Application to Practice, 1 Cr.
This course will present current
research emphasizing the implications for brain behavior and substance use
disorders. It will focus on developing and understanding for the established
diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and review the range of
treatment settings and modalities. Participants will be introduced to the
importance an interdisciplinary approach to addiction treatment and practice
basic assessment strategies.
416—Mindfulness for Mental Health
Professionals, 1 Cr.
The practice of Mindfulness is a
growing evidence-based practice. Mindfulness develops our potential to
experience each moment, no matter how difficult or intense, with serenity and
clarity. The approach provides life-long tools to help maximize life, even in
the midst of stress, pain, and difficulty, so they may live free from
addiction.
418—Group
Dynamics for AODA, 1 Cr.
Understanding and competence in
practice with a wide variety of treatment and task groups are explored with
focal areas on the individual group members, the group as a whole, and the
group’s environment. Generic skills for leading treatment and task groups are
developed.
420—Theories of Personality, 3 Cr.
This course is an in-depth study of
personality theories and research. Prerequisite: 100 or 171. Restricted to
students with junior standing or higher.
421—Family Therapy, 3 Cr.
An overview of various family forms,
the family life cycle, and healthy family functioning will be provided,
followed by a review of the major theories of systemic family therapy. Basic family therapy process and outcome
research will be reviewed. The code of ethics will be applied to clinical
ethical dilemmas. A role play format will be used to practice basic therapy
counseling skills. Prerequisites: 270, 340. Restricted to students with junior
standing or higher.
422—Theories of Counseling, 3 Cr.
Two hours instruction/two hours lab per
week.
Comparative study and application of
major theories of counseling are experienced. This includes supervised
laboratory experience in the techniques of individual and group counseling.
Current empirical trends and evidence will be reviewed. Prerequisites: 100 or
171; 340 or 420.
423—Alcohol and Drug Abuse Professional
Issues, 3 Cr.
Two hours instruction/two hours lab per
week.
This course serves as a capstone of the
AODA program. The student will develop a theoretical foundation and effective
counseling skills for work in the specialized field of substance abuse
disorders. Topics to be covered will include philosophies, practices, policies,
and outcomes of the most generally accepted and scientifically supported models
of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addiction
and other substance-use related problems. A high degree of academic autonomy is
expected from students in this course. Prerequisites: 205, 270; 422 or
concurrent enrollment. (Equivalent to ADCT 423.)
424—Motivational Interviewing, 3 Cr.
This course is designed to provide
skills training for individuals who are exploring a medical or clinical based
career. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based communication
strategy that is useful for people who are ambivalent about change. MI has been
adapted to a variety of health care settings and currently there are models of
MI for physicians, nurses, dietitians, and social workers in addition to
counseling professionals. Prerequisite: 100 or 171.
425—History and Systems of
Psychology, 3 Cr.
This course consists of historical and
philosophical development leading to modern psychological views. Prerequisite:
100 or 171. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. Permission
of instructor required.
426—Motivational Interviewing and
Stages of Change, 1 Cr.
This course will provide an
introduction to theory and practice of motivational interviewing. Participants
will be able to articulate the stages of change and theoretical underpinnings
as well as practice introductory skill level for motivational interviewing.
427—Alcohol and Drug Abuse Professional
Skills, 3 Cr.
This course focuses on the application
of assessment and treatment planning to the field of substance abuse. Topics
include assessment instruments and procedures, psychosocial interviews, development
of behavior treatment goals, record keeping, case management and ethical considerations.
Prerequisite: 340 or concurrent. (Equivalent to ADCT 427.)
430—Biopsychology, 3 Cr.
Students in Biopsychology will evaluate
issues related to the biology of behavior in substantial depth with an emphasis
on the biological etiologies, correlates, effects, and treatments of mental
illness. This will involve in-depth exploration of current scientific
literature. Prerequisite: 261 or PSYC 261 or PSYC 230, four credits of BIOL.
Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. (Equivalent to BIOP
430.)
435—Qualitative and Interpretive
Research, 3 Cr.
This course explores the theoretical
underpinnings for conducting qualitative and
interpretive research. Students
will learn and apply qualitative research design, develop skills in several
data collection strategies including in-depth interviewing and field studies.
Prerequisite: 171.
443—Cognitive Therapy, 1 Cr.
Understand the principles of
self-regulation and the skills of the self-change. Learn the theory and
research of Beck’s Cognitive Therapy and practice therapeutic skills.
448—Senior Seminar in Biopsychology,
1 Cr.
This
one credit course serves as a capstone for the biopsychology major. In this
course students will complete a portfolio that documents their progress,
projects, and future goals relative to biopsychology.
Ethical
issues in the field of biopsychology will be discussed. In addition, students
will also deliver a presentation to faculty and peers focusing on a specific topic that demonstrates proficiency
in an area of biopsychology. Students will also discuss their future career
plans and outline the steps required to achieve these goals. Restricted to
biopsychology majors. Restricted to students with senior standing. (Equivalent
to BIOP 499.)
450—Seminar on Contemporary Issues
in Psychology, 2 Cr.
Various contemporary problems are
chosen according to the background and interest of participating faculty and
students. Prerequisite: 171. Restricted to students with junior standing or
higher. Permission of instructor required. May be repeated for credit.
452—Relapse Prevention, 1 Cr.
This course reviews application of relapse
prevention skills to various clinical situations including relapse in
addictions work.
453—Substance Abuse in Older Adults, 1
Cr.
This course will emphasize substance
abuse use and mental health concerns for older adults.
461—Adolescent Substance Use Disorders,
1 Cr.
This course will emphasize substance
use and mental health concerns for adolescents. It covers the tools to recognize
the potential for substance abuse disorders to mimic a variety of medical and
mental health conditions to coexist with addiction substance abuse. Students
will be able to recognize the importance of family, social networks, and
community systems in the treatment and recovery process.
462—Prevention for Youth Professionals,
1 Cr.
This course will provide students with
introductory information about the predominant theories and model of alcohol and
other drug abuse prevention, as well as an overview of the planning processes
and implementation issues associated with best practices in prevention
programming. The course incorporates prevention theory and practical
application for individuals who plan to work with youth, as well as
foundational knowledge and skills for advanced studies in community psychology.
467—Supervision, 1 Cr.
This course will focus on understanding
the importance of ongoing supervision and continuing education in the delivery
of client services and the need for and use of methods for measuring treatment
outcome. Understand the addiction professional’s obligations to adhere to
ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping relationships will
be emphasized.
471—Advanced Prevention Principles,
3 Cr.
The goal of this course is to provide
students with introductory information about the predominant theories and
models of alcohol and other drug abuse prevention, as well as an overview of
the planning processes and implementation issues associated with best practices
in prevention programming. The course incorporates prevention theory and
practical application for individuals who plan to work with youth, as well as
foundational knowledge and skills for advanced studies in community psychology.
Prerequisite: 100 or 171.
472—Strengths-based Treatment SUDs, 1
Cr.
This course will provide and overview
of a strengths perspective for addiction treatment emphasizing a
biopsychosocial approach. An overview of strengths-based Substance Use
Disorders treatment will include, but is not limited to, harm reduction,
motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, mutual
help groups, and traditional treatment in strength-based approaches.
473—Evidence-Based Treatment, 1 Cr.
This
course will review evidence-based practice for counseling those with substance
abuse issues.
478—Solution Focus, 1 Cr.
Based on the ground breaking work of
Steve de Shazar and Insue Kim Berg, Solution-focus Brief Therapy interventions
have altered the way the field thinks about the necessary and sufficient
conditions for change in drinking and drug use. Sometimes known as the “Miracle
Weekend” the motto is “Not one more session than necessary.”
481—Psychology Practicum, 2-4 Cr.
Non-classroom
experiences in the field of psychology plus one hour of class per week. Placements
are off-campus, part-time, and with or without pay. Placements will be in
agenices providing psychological services, and a mental health professional
will be on-site to provide supervision. Students will participate in individual
and/or group helping relationships designed to promote movement toward
realization of the client’s full potential and psychological well-being. Credit
for experiences must be sought prior to occurrence, and learning contracts must
be submitted before the end of the first week of the semester. Prerequisite:
340. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. May be repeated for
credit. (Equivalent to ADCT-481.)
484—Women and Treatment, 1 Cr.
This course will provide an overview of
current theory and treatment emphasizing women and substance abuse. Topics will
include theoretical foundations related to women’s growth and development and
the subsequent mental health treatment implications. Emphasis will be devoted
to chemical dependence, eating disorders, domestic violence and other affective
disorders. Diversity and ethical issues related to women and therapy will also
be addressed.
485—Professional Internship, 1 Cr.
Non-classroom
experiences that generally involve off-campus placements, may be full- or
part-time, and with or without pay. Interested students must meet with
departmental faculty prior to registering to discuss options and availability
of internship sites. Credit for experiences must be sought prior to occurrence,
and learning contracts must be submitted before the end of the first week of
the semester. A maximum of 15 credits of 287/487 can be used to meet graduation
requirements. A maximum of 15 credits of 287/485/487 can be used to meet
graduation requirements. May be repeated for credit.
489—Advanced Research, 1-4 Cr.
Students will carry out a research
project. This may involve implementing the research they developed in 330 or
developing a new project. The course includes a one-hour meeting of all
students each week with the faculty directing the course. Prerequisite: PSYC
330. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. May be repeated for
credit. (Equivalent to ADCT 489.)
499—Psychology Capstone, 1 Cr.
In the capstone course, students
prepare a formal report in APA style of an internship, advanced research, or
other approved experience. Students also present their report to a scholarly
audience, and refine their academic portfolio, which is then presented to the
faculty for review prior to graduation. Restricted to students with junior
standing or higher. Prerequisite: 487, 489 or concurrent. (Equivalent to ADCT
499.)