Psychology Emphasis

Understanding diverse cultures of the world, from preliterate societies to modern technological societies is the focus of this course, including mankind's universal as well as adaptive dimensions; the examination of socioeconomic, political, religious, and physical environmental factors that relate to the values and lifestyles of various peoples.

This course will explore the relationship between individual experiences and the socio-cultural context, focusing on the role socio-cultural institutions play on personality, health, and world view.

A methodological course that will instruct students in the skill of participant observation and ethnographic reporting through the reading of a variety of ethnographies, collect primary field data, write descriptions, and provide an analysis of a selected community. The class involves a field component.

This is an introductory course for students intending to do social science and education research that will address the basic principles of elementary statistics through the use of statistical analyses, including basic descriptive measures; sampling and sample size estimation; hypothesis testing; testing for differences between means, correlation, and measures of association; techniques for analyzing categorical data; and summarizing and presenting statistical results. A heavy emphasis will be placed on applications of basic statistical concepts to a wide variety of problems encountered in social, educational, and policy-related research, along with the use of computer packages for assisting in data analysis. Prerequisite: CMTH 101, MTH 201, 211, 251, or equivalent.

An experimental learning course in which research techniques and methodologies are studied by developing and carrying out a research project using the following steps: selection of research problems, research design, data collection and analysis, statistical computation, hypothesis testing, and theory building.

The effect of social influences upon the development of personality and behavior patterns will be examined in this course including socialization, attitude formation and change, communication, propaganda, roles and stereotypes, leadership, and collective behavior. Prerequisite: BSC 296.

This course will study personality through examination of those psychological systems which determine an individuals unique adjustments to their environment, including the major issues and the variety of personality theories, and underlying research. (Alternate prerequisite for all upper-level psychology courses.)

As an introduction to the major problems in contemporary America, this course will focus on the causes, theoretical explanations, and social policy solutions, including economic and political problems, urbanization and environmental problems, family and educational problems, child abuse, social deviance, crime and delinquency, and drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse.

Using a Christian approach to marriage, this course will study the family and its intimate environment, including a discussion of courtship and role relationships within the family as a social institution with an emphasis on the changing nature of the family, family problems, and family strengths.

This course will examine selected social theories and theorists and the history and development of social theory, including the following: the formulation and evaluation of social theories such as social systems, evolutionary, formal, phenomenological, symbolic interaction, social action, and exchange theories; sociology of knowledge; and functionalism.

The development of physiological and psychological aspects of human growth will be traced from birth through childhood in this course through an examination of the theories and research evidence as well as methodological problems as they relate to the growth process. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or above.

This course is a study of human development during the adolescent period with an emphasis on an examination of theories and research data as they relate to adolescent development, including problems and adjustment patterns in the context of the family, peer groups, school, and society.

An introductory course to the major psychological and developmental issues concerning adulthood, aging, and the aging process, with the specific objectives of dispelling many of the myths and stereotypes about aging; examining the issues associated with the physical, psychological, cultural, and social aspects of aging; and giving student a better understanding of the grief process as it relates to the issues of adulthood and aging. Offered in alternate years.

Through individual and group study of selected topics bringing together perspectives of anthropology, psychology, and sociology, this capstone course will emphasize the student's major in synthesis with other majors in the behavioral sciences. Prerequisites: senior standing, BSC 265 and either BSC 220 or 296.

In this course students will conduct original, empirical, and/or literature review-only research in under the direct supervision of and/or collaboration with an assigned faculty member, with the express intent of having the resulting manuscript published in a reputable psychological outlet (e.g. professional journals, monographs, book chapters, etc.) and presentation at a professional conference.

This survey course will look at topic of human sexuality, with a foundation in Christian ethics guiding sexual conduct, and focus on the development of sexual behavior, including areas such as gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual anatomy, contraception, reproduction and birthing, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual dysfunctions, and the paraphilias.

This is an introductory course to the biological basis of behavior and will include topics on the structure and function of the nervous system, brain-behavior relationships, and hormonal and genetic effects on behavior. Prerequisites: PSY 101; limited to Psychology and Behavioral science majors or consent of instructor.

An introductory course to the symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of psychopathology, including topics in anxiety disorders, personality disorders, psychophysiological disorders, psychoses, addictions, sexual deviations, and organic disorders. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or consent of instructor.

A theoretical and research-based course that will investigate the mental processes that underlie perception, imagery, attention, memory, language, reading, reasoning, decision making, and problem solving.

Unlike traditional models and schools of thought that see diseases solely as malfunctions of organs or breakdowns of body systems, this course will present the approach that health and illness are parts of a complex interplay among biological, psychological, and social factors.

An overview of the field of clinical psychology, with a particular emphasis on its sub-discipline of forensic psychology; the application of clinical research and practice findings to legal cases where someone's mental status is one of the issues being adjudicated; e.g. competency to stand trial, insanity, dangerousness and other forensic questions. The course covers clinical psychology's history and current professional issues, psychological assessment, training, and ethical issues; emphasizing the role of the psychologist as an expert witness in court. Prerequisites: PSY 351 and 361; junior or senior standing.

A foundation course providing an understanding of the content and process of counseling. Specific aspects of the counseling process addressed include: basic skills, legal and ethical issues, crisis intervention, cultural sensitivity, how and when to refer, control-mastery theory and the integration of psychology and theology.