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PSYC 101: Introductory Psychology (3) V.8a An introduction to the principles and methods of psychology. This course provides a general background and is a prerequisite to all other psychology courses. Prerequisites: None PSYC 150:The Study of Psychology (0) 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. Graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory PSYC 201: Developmental Psychology I: Infancy and Childhood (3) The study of human cognitive, psychosocial, and physical development from conception through childhood. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 PSYC 203: Field Experience in Child Development I (0) Students will undertake supervised field experience through a partnership with the area Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program that will take place on site at Amherst County Elementary Schools. The experience is designed to provide a sample of the type of activities in which child developmentalists and other human service professionals are engaged. It is not intended to develop competence to the level of a beginning practitioner. Graded P/CR/NC PSYC 204: Field Experience in Child Development II (.5) Students will undertake supervised field expereince through a partnership with the area Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program that will take place on site at Amherst County Elementary Schools. The experience is designed to provide a sample of the type of activities in which child developmentalists and other human service professionals are engaged. It is not intended to develop competence to the level of a beginning practitioner. Graded P/CR/NC PSYC 219: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4) III.Q 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. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 PSYC 222: Social Psychology (3) III.W A study of the individual in a social context. Topics will include conformity, persuasion, altruism, prejudice, and social cognition Prerequisites: PSYC 101 PSYC 231: Animal Learning (4) 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 PSYC 237: Organizational Psychology (3) 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. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 PSYC 243: Behavioral Approaches to Human Problems (3) 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 (3) 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. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor PSYC 251: Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience (3) 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 261: Directed Study (1) Selected topics pursued by individual students or small groups of students under supervision of a member of the department. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and permission of instructor PSYC 302: Developmental Psychology II: Adolescence(3) V.5 III.O 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. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 200-level psychology course PSYC 304: Field Experience in Adolescent Psychology (1) 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. Graded P/CR/NC PSYC 309: Counseling Skills (3) 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. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, Junior standing, and permission of instructor PSYC 310: Experimental Psychology (4) III.W A study of experimental methodology, design, and data analysis in selected areas. Three hours lecture and discussion and three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and PSYC 219 PSYC 315: Research in Psychology (3) 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 PSYC 317: Personality (3) A survey and comparative analysis of theories and contemporary research on personality. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 200-level psychology course PSYC 321: Research Practicum (2) Directed experience in empirical psychological research. Laboratory and field work on different research projects conducted by faculty members. Graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory PSYC 324: Behavioral Medicine Seminar (3) III.O 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. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 200-level psychology course PSYC 328: Human Neuropsychology (3) Selected topics in neuroanatomy and neurochemistry as related to human brain functions and behavior. Topics may include general principles of brain organization; neuropsychological assessment; sensory, perceptual, and motor disorder; and the effects of brain abnormalities on the higher cortical processes of memory, language, emotion, and problem solving. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 200-level psychology course PSYC 338: Evolutionary Psychology (3) 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. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 200-level psychology course PSYC 341: Special Topics in Psychology (3) Current issues in experimental and applied psychology. Emphasis is placed on reading and evaluation of psychological research. May be repeated once for credit toward the major. Topic for Spring 2007: "Sleep and Dreams" Discussion of the scientific research and theories of sleep and dreaming. The physiological, evolutionary, and cultural bases of sleep and dreaming will be considered, with special consideration to what they may tell us about the nature of consciousness. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 200-level psychology course PSYC 361: Special Study (1) Selected topics pursued by individual students or small groups of students under supervision of a member of the department. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, permission of instructor PSYC 377: Internship (1) 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. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, permission of instructor, department chair, and dean PSYC 402: Developmental Psychology III: Adulthood and Aging (3) 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. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 300-level psychology course PSYC 403: Abnormal Psychology (3) 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 psychology course PSYC 408: Sensation and Perception (3) 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 psychology course PSYC 415: Field Experience in Gerontology (1) Supervised field experience in a public or private 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. Graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory PSYC 425: Cognition (3) An examination of theory and research concerning thinking. Topics will include reasoning, problem solving, imagery and language. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 1 300-level psychology course PSYC 432: Psychological Test and Measurements (4) 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. Prerequisites: PSYC 310, junior or senior standing, and permission of instructor. PSYC 452: Senior Seminar (2) III.O Capstone experience for all Majors in Psychology. A review and synthesis of major questions, issues, and methods of psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC majors with senior standing PSYC 461: Independent Study (1) Special empirical problems undertaken by individual students under supervision. Prerequisites: PSYC 219, PSYC 310, PSYCH 315, permission of instructor PSYC 472: Senior Honors Thesis(3) | ||||||