Psychology (PSY)

This course introduces the basic principles of psychology as they relate to personal and professional development. Emphasis is placed on personality traits, communication/leadership styles, effective problem solving, and cultural diversity as they apply to personal and work environments. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of these principles of psychology as they apply to personal and professional development.

This course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include history, methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, motivation, cognition, abnormal behavior, personality theory, social psychology, and other relevant topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the science of psychology.

This course introduces the study of individual behavior within social contexts. Topics include affiliation, attitude formation and change, conformity, altruism, aggression, attribution, interpersonal attraction, and group behavior. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of social influences on behavior.

This course covers major personality theories and personality research methods. Topics include psychoanalytic, behavioristic, social learning, cognitive, humanistic, and trait theories including supporting research. Upon completion, students should be able to compare and contrast traditional and contemporary approaches to the understanding of individual differences in human behavior.

This course is a study of human growth and development. Emphasis is placed on major theories and perspectives as they relate to the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of development from conception to death. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of development across the life span.

This course provides an overview of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development from conception through adolescence. Topics include theories and research, interaction of biological and environmental factors, language development, learning and cognitive processes, social relations, and moral development. Upon completion, students should be able to identify typical and atypical childhood behavior patterns as well as appropriate strategies for interacting with children.

This course provides an introduction to the study of child development and examines the growth and development of children from conception through early childhood. Topics include historical and theoretical perspectives, terminology, research and observation techniques as well as physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth and change. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the early stages of child development.

This course examines the growth and development of children during early and middle childhood. Emphasis is placed on factors influencing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth and change. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of early and middle child development.

This course provides an overview of the behavior patterns, life changes, and social issues that accompany the developmental stage of adolescence. Topics include developmental theories; physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth; transitions to young adulthood; and sociocultural factors that influence adolescent roles in home, school and community. Upon completion, students should be able to identify typical and atypical adolescent behavior patterns as well as appropriate strategies for interacting with adolescents.

This course examines the application of psychological theories and principles to the educational process and setting. Topics include learning and cognitive theories, achievement motivation, teaching and learning styles, teacher and learner roles, assessment, and developmental issues. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the application of psychological theory to educational practice.

This course provides an examination of the various psychological disorders, as well as theoretical, clinical, and experimental perspectives of the study of psychopathology. Emphasis is placed on terminology, classification, etiology, assessment, and treatment of the major disorders. Upon completion, students should be able to distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior patterns as well as demonstrate knowledge of etiology, symptoms, and therapeutic techniques.