This course is an introduction to the field of counseling and psychotherapy beginning with an overview of basic skills and principles associated with being a counselor. The bulk of the course will focus on prominent theoretical orientations in psychotherapy, counseling and behavior change including such theories as cognitive, existential, humanistic, psychodynamic, interpersonal, systemic and multicultural psychotherapies. Students will be encouraged to think critically about their own perspective on mental health and behavior change as well as critically evaluate the various approaches to psychotherapy.
Every Fall
Previously: PSYC 235
This course will explore the cognitive, emotional, and social lives of children, as they interact with their multiple environments (family, peer groups, school, and community networks). Students will learn research and theory that informs our understanding of children, and will also investigate practical ways of applying this knowledge to improve children's lives, through in-class activities, visits from local professionals, and a weekly service-learning commitment.
PSYC 1121
Every Spring
Previously: PSYC 310
Adolescence is a crucial transition period from childhood to adulthood. This course examines adolescent development and issues within the context of the physical, cognitive, affective, social and moral reasoning domains. Focus is on the adolescents’ self-development with particular reference to relationships in the family, school, peer group, and community. Also, the role of the adolescent in contemporary society is surveyed in reference to historical and cross-cultural perspectives.
EDUC 2124
Occasionally
Previously: EDUC 345
This course examines psychological processes associated with death and separation. Bereavement, grief, and mourning are the central elements of this course, and we will explore how these have been studied in response to death along with other losses people face in life. Emphasis will be placed on discussing how we can help others and ourselves better face loss in its myriad forms. While taking a lifespan approach and addressing normative loss (i.e., death in old age), this course will emphasize how loss impacts children, adolescents, and emerging adults.
Previously: PSYC 317
An in-depth study of behavior modification and assessment, its major assumption and issues, basic principles and methods, and applications. In addition, the student is required to design and carry out behavior modification projects under direct supervision of the instructor.
Every other Spring, even years
Previously: PSYC 325
This course will focus on conceptual and technical issues involved in psychological assessment. Methods used by psychological professionals to understand and quantify human behavior, abilities, and traits will be explored. Topics covered will include the development of good psychological measures, how assessment information should be used, and how to critically evaluate existing psychological measures. A number of measures commonly used in clinical and research settings will be examined.
Occasional Interims
Previously: PSYC 332
This course examines the operation of human sensory systems and major principles of perception by focusing on how the human brain receives and processes information from our environment. It explores how physical stimuli are transformed into signals that can be understood by the nervous system. Topics include vision, audition, taste, smell, touch, and basic psychophysics, the methods by which sensations and perceptions can be measured and some of the philosophical issues underlying the study of perception.
Every other Fall, odd years
Previously: PSYC 345
This course is an introduction to the psychological study of religion and religious experience. Topics will include dimensions of religiousness, theories of the role of religion in human experience, religion and well-being, and the psychosocial investigations of religious experience across diverse faith traditions. This course will also compare psychological and Christian perspectives on many topics and discuss how perspectives intersect with other faiths. It will evaluate how psychology can influence religion, how religion can influence psychology, and how people have attempted to integrate psychology and religion.
Occaasional Interims
Previously: PSYC 305
Students will be involved in carrying out one or more empirical research projects currently being conducted by the supervising faculty member. Students will meet regularly with the faculty member, read relevant research articles and collect, enter, code, or analyze data. Required application and recommendation forms for this course are available here. Preference will be given to students who plan to apply to graduate school.
PSYC 2062; Approval of Supervising Faculty Member
Every Fall and Spring
Previously: PSYC 393
Students will be involved in carrying out one or more empirical research projects currently being conducted by the supervising faculty member. Students will meet regularly with the faculty member, read relevant research articles and collect, enter, code, or analyze data. Required application and recommendation forms for this course are available here.
PSYC 2062; Approval of Supervising Faculty Member
Every Fall and Spring
Previously: PSYC 394
Supervised field experience in settings where psychology is practiced or applied.
Junior Standing; Instructor permission
Every Fall, Interim, Spring, and Summer
Previously: PSYC 391
Special Topics in Psychology.
Previously: PSYC 397