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PSYC 101 (3) |
Introductory Psychology |
| An introduction to the principles and methods of psychology. This course provides a general background and is a prerequisite to all other psychology courses. | |
| Satisfies Gen Ed requirement V.8a | |
| Prerequisites: None |
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PSYC 150 (0) |
The Study of Psychology |
| This course introduces psychology students to the Sweet Briar Psychology Department, and helps them plan their major and their future careers. Topics include the goals, curriculum and values of the Psychology Department, honors and activities available to psychology majors, and research, graduate school and career opportunities in psychology. | |
| Required of students prior to declaring a major in psychology. | |
| Prerequisites: None.
Graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. |
PSYC 201 (3) |
Developmental Psychology I : Infancy and Childhood |
| The study of human cognitive, psychosocial, and physical development from conception through childhood. | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101 |
PSYC 219 (4) |
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences |
| An introduction to those descriptive and inferential statistics most often used in psychological research. Topics include probability, standard normal distribution, measures of central tendency and variability, sampling, correlation, and both parametric and non-parametric tests of significance. This course includes a weekly 3-hour laboratory session | |
| Designated a Quantitative Reason Course | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101 | |
PSYC 222 (3) |
Social Psychology |
| A study of the individual in a social context. Topics will include conformity, persuasion, altruism, prejudice, and social cognition | |
| Designated a Writing-Intensive Course | |
| Counts as an adjunct course for Women and Gender Studies | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101 | |
PSYC 231 (4) |
Animal Learning |
| An overview and critical analysis of current learning theory. Particular emphasis given to animal investigations of Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning. Three hours of lecture or discussion and three hours of laboratory work with animals. | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and permission of Instructor | |
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PSYC 237 (3) |
Organizational Psychology |
| Organizational psychology uses scientifically-based
psychological principles and research methods to study topics important
to understanding human behavior in industry, business, and organizations.
In this course students will become familiar with the interface between
psychology and business; have practice at creating solutions for problems
found in organizations; and be able to identify and interpret resources
related to this sub-discipline. Offered alternate years. |
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| Prerequisites: PSYC 101 | |
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PSYC 243 (3) |
Behavioral Approaches to Human Problems |
| Return to top | Use of principles and procedures derived from psychological research to change behavior in a variety of settings. This course will focus on "normal" human behavior rather than "abnormal" behavior, with a practical emphasis–on socially important rather than theoretically significant behavioral analysis. Concepts and principles derived from psychological research especially operant learning. |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101 |
PSYC
246 |
Drugs, The Brain, and Behavior |
| This course will survey the mechanisms of action, behavioral effects,
and side effects of psychoactive drugs. As various types of drugs
are discussed (e.g. stimulants, depressants, hallucinogenics anti-depressants,
anti-schizophrenics, anti-Parkinson drugs), relevant details of synaptic
function and transmitter pathways will be highlighted to provide an
integrated view of drug mechanisms and the neurochemical basis of
psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. Offered alternate years. |
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| Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor | |
| Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience | |
| A study of the physiological mechanisms underlying behavior including neural and chemical substrates of behavior and the organization of the nervous system. | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101 |
PSYC 302 (3) |
Developmental Psychology II : Adolescence |
| Survey of contemporary theories and research in the psychology of adolescence. Topics will include the physical, social and personality development of adolescents as well as concepts of identity formation, deviant behavior, peer group interactions and emotional disturbance. | |
| Designated a V.5 course, Designated an Oral Intensive course | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 200-level course in Psychology | |
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PSYC 304 (1) |
Field Experience in Adolescent Psychology |
| Supervised field experience in a public or private agency setting that provides psychological or educational services to adolescents. The experience is designed to provide a sample of the type of activities in which psychologists and other human service professionals are engaged; it is not intended to develop competence to the level of a beginning practitioner. | |
| Prerequisite: Psychology major of junior or senior standing; approval of instructor. Co-requisite: PSYC 302 | |
| Graded P/CR/NC |
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PSYC 309 (3) |
Counseling Skills |
| Survey of clinical / counseling psychology as a science and profession. Current psychological treatment approaches, assessment techniques, research strategies, and their empirical / theoretical foundations. In addition to classroom discussions/workshops, students will volunteer 3-5 hours per week at local mental health organizations. Experiences will be integrated into the course and provide unique practical experiences working in the discipline. | |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 101, Junior standing, and permission of the instructor |
PSYC 310 (4) |
Experimental Psychology |
| A study of experimental methodology, design, and data analysis in selected areas. Three hours lecture and discussion and three hours laboratory. | |
| Designated a Writing-Intensive Course | |
| Satisfies Gen Ed requirement V.8b | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and PSYC 219 |
PSYC 315 (3) |
Research in Psychology |
| An overview of statistics and psychological research methods, focused literature review, with emphasis on the design and execution of an independent research project. Students will disseminate their work through a research paper conforming to APA standards and through a public presentation of their research. Two hours class meeting plus weekly individual tutorials. | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 219
and permission of Instructor. PSYC 310 STRONGLY RECOMMENDED |
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PSYC 317 (3) |
Personality |
| A survey and comparative analysis of theories and contemporary research on personality. | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 200-level course in Psychology |
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PSYC 338 (3) |
Evolutionary Psychology |
| Principles from evolutionary biology are applied to
the study of human behavior and the structure of the human mind. The
survival, social and reproductive challenges our ancestors faced are
reviewed, as are the psychological adaptations that evolved as a consequence.
Topics include sex differences in mating strategies, parenting and
kinship, and the adaptive value and/or consequences of selfishness
and altruism. Offered alternate years |
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| Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 200-level course in Psychology |
PSYC 321 (2) |
Research Practicum |
| Directed experience in empirical psychological research. Laboratory and field work on different research projects conducted by faculty members. | |
| Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor Graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. |
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| PSYC 324 (3) | Behavioral Medicine Seminar |
| Return to top | An exploration of how behavior–thoughts, feelings, and actions–affect physical health and illness. In this seminar we will read and discuss research and clinical applications. For example, we will look beyond the arguably trite admonition "think positive" to the neuropsychological mechanism whereby positive affect influences cognition and health. |
| Designated an Oral Intensive course | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 200-level course in Psychology |
PSYC 341 (3) |
Special Topics in Psychology |
| Current issues in experimental and applied psychology. Emphasis is placed on reading and evaluation of Psychological research. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated once as credit towards the major. | |
| Topic for Fall Semester 2005: The Psychology of Work | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 200-level course in Psychology |
| PSYC 3XX (3) | Human Neuropsychology |
| Return to top | Selected topics in neuroanatomy and neurochemistry as related to
human brain function and behavior. Topics may include general principles
of brain organization; neuropsychological assessment; sensory, perceptual,
and motor disorders; and the effects of brain abnormalities on the
higher cortical processes of memory, language, emotion, and problem
solving.
Offered alternate years. |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 101 , PSYC 251, or permission of the instructor. | |
PSYC 361 |
Special or Directed Study |
| Directed readings on current topics of interest to Psychology. | |
| Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor |
PSYC 377 |
Internship |
| Students can receive internship credit for psychology-related activities with a wide variety of local/regional service providers. Students are expected to work a minimum of 120 hours at these agencies and the internship must be cleared through the department of Psychology. | |
| Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor | |
PSYC 402 (3) |
Developmental Psychology III: Adulthood and Aging |
| This course examines the psychological, social and cognitive changes that occur through adulthood and the later stages of life.
Topics include the major personality theories of adulthood, stages of death and dying, and psychological disorders of the
elderly. A special emphasis will be given to Family Systems Theory and the dynamic nature of the
family structure over time.
Offered alternate years. |
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| Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 300-level course in Psychology | |
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PSYC 415 (1) |
Field Experience in Gerontology |
| Supervised field experience in a public or private agency setting that provides psychological or educational services to a
gerontological population. The experience is designed to provide a sample of the type of activities in which psychologists and other human service professionals are engaged; it is not intended to develop competence to the level of a beginning practitioner. Offered alternate years. |
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| Prerequisite: Psychology major of junior or senior standing; approval of instructor. Co-requisite: Psyc 402 |
PSYC 403 (3) |
Abnormal Psychology |
| An experimental-clinical approach to behavior disorders including an overview and critical appraisal of current theories regarding the etiology and treatment of behavior disorders | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 300-level course in Psychology |
PSYC 408 (3) |
Sensation and Perception |
| The study of sensory processes, the function and role of the senses, particularly vision and audition, and the organization of sensory data into meaningful perception. | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 300-level course in Psychology |
PSYC 425 (3) |
Cognition |
| An examination of theory and research concerning thinking. Topics will include reasoning, problem solving, imagery, and language. | |
| Offered alternate years. | |
| Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 300-level course in Psychology | |
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PSYC 432 (4) |
Psychological Test and Measurement |
| Return to top | A survey of the current and historical psychometric
principles and strategies used to assess individual and group differences.
The application and administration of widely-used tests are examined,
and general problems of measurement are discussed. Laboratory work
will focus on the administration, scoring and interpretation of tests
that are typically used in a standard assessment battery. Offered alternate years. |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 310, Junior or Senior standing, permission of department |
PSYC 452 (3) |
Senior Seminar |
| Capstone experience for all Majors in Psychology. A review and synthesis of major questions, issues, and methods of psychology. | |
| Designated an Oral-Intensive Course | |
| Prerequisites: Required of all senior majors in psychology as the senior exercise; open to other seniors by permission of the instructor and department.. |
PSYC
461 |
Independent Study |
| Special empirical problems undertaken by individual students under supervision. | |
| ** Two semesters of 461 REQUIRED for students to receive Honors in Psychology | |
| Prerequisite or co-requisites: PSYC 219; PSYC 310 and PSYC 305 |