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2012-2013 Academic Catalog and Handbook

Psychology (PSYC) Courses

PSYC 150 General Psychology
 3 hours. An introduction to the scientific study of human behavior. Major topics include the biological basis of behavior, sensation, perception, thinking, learning, memory, development, emotion, motivation, personality, social interaction, and abnormal behavior. Prerequisite to most other psychology courses.

PSYC 240 Statistical Procedures
 3 hours. Applied statistics for the social and behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on statistical logic and decision making.
Prerequisite: high school algebra or equivalent.

PSYC 275 Exploratory Field Experience
 2-3 hours. An opportunity to observe professionals in the helping environment.

PSYC 285 Selected Topics
 1-3 hours. A course dealing with various topics, as announced, that represent current faculty interests and competencies and student interest. Previous offerings have included psychology of relationships, drug and alcohol abuse, child and adolescent psychopathology, and psychology of gender.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 310 Lifespan Human Development
3 hours. A study of physical, intellectual, personality, social, and moral development from infancy to old age. Will not count as part of the psychology major.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 311 Child Development
 3 hours. A study of physical, intellectual, personality, social, and moral development from the prenatal period through late childhood. (Identical to FCSC 311.)
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 312 Adult Development
 3 hours. A study of physical, intellectual, personality, social, and moral development from young adulthood to old age.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 314 Adolescent Development
 3 hours. A study of the unique physical, intellectual, personality, social, and moral developmental changes during the period of adolescence.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 320 Neuroscience
 3 hours. This course provides an overview of the neuropsychological, neuroanatomical, and biochemical basis for mental functions including motor control, object recognition, spatial reasoning, attention, language, memory, and emotion. Methods of neuropsychological research are explored.

PSYC 330 Personality Theories
 3 hours. A survey of the major theorists of personality and their theories. Included are psychoanalytic, dispositional, phenomenological, and behavioral theories. An integrative approach will involve synthesis of important elements of theory and Scripture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 350 Social Psychology
 3 hours. A study of the social and psychological processes of human interaction. Major topics to be covered include conformity, aggression, self-justification, persuasion, prejudice, attraction, and interpersonal communication.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 353 Culture and Psychology
 3 hours. This course will cover the nature of culture and its applications to understanding human functioning. Students will examine their own and other cultures, as well as cultural influence on their thought, behavior, and relationships.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 360 Learning
 3 hours. A survey of learning theories and the basic research questions being asked in this important field. Special emphasis will be placed on translating experimental theory into practical methods.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 370 Cognition
 3 hours. Traditional areas of study in cognitive psychology will be discussed. These areas include perception, attention, memory, reasoning, problem solving, and language. Traditional views as well as current trends will be discussed.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 381 Counseling
 3 hours. A study of theory and technique of person-centered counseling. The course is designed to teach basic theoretical postulates and to focus on effective intervention skills for those anticipating future work in Christian ministries, teaching, or mental health settings. Recommended as a prerequisite for field experience work (PSYC 475). (Identical to CHMN 381.)
Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology and sophomore status or above.
Recommended: PSYC 330 Personality Theories.

PSYC 382 Advanced Counseling
 3 hours. This course builds on the knowledge and skills learned in PSYC 381 Counseling. The course is designed to enhance the clinical skills necessary to form a therapeutic relationship and to connect these skills to a theoretical orientation. A focus of the course is on utilizing counseling skills in various settings including schools and clinics, and with various populations.
Prerequisite: PSYC 381 Counseling.
Recommended: PSYC 330 Personality Theories.

PSYC 391 Research Methods
 3 hours. An introduction to methods of psychological research. Explores essential topics for experimental research including research design, reliability, validity, and research ethics. Students also learn how to critically assess research literature, assimilate information from a variety of sources, and interpret data. In addition, students learn how to prepare manuscripts in APA format and to prepare professional research presentations.
Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology and PSYC 240 Statistical Procedures.

PSYC 392 Advanced Research Methods
 3 hours. Students will explore research design, analyses, and computer applications in the areas of cognition, learning, sensation and perception, and development using a variety of hands-on methods.
Prerequisites: PSYC 240 Statistical Procedures and PSYC 391 Research Methods.

PSYC 399 Cross-Cultural Study
 3 hours. This course offers in-depth discipline specific cross-cultural study designed to enhance the intercultural emphasis of various academic majors. The course includes class meetings followed by travel to various locations throughout the world. Students will use core disciplinary knowledge to serve, learn and interact with other cultures. (Offered in May Term. Students must meet eligibility requirements.) Additional course fee is required.

PSYC 400 Psychological Testing
 3 hours. Students will develop skills in understanding and critically evaluating educational and psychological tests (measures of ability, achievement, personality, and vocational interest). Also, modern principles of "psychometrics" - data-based analysis of test items, scores, and interpretations - will be emphasized, particularly the reliability and validity of items and scales. Students will have hands-on experience with various tests and will computer-analyze sample data from test development projects.
Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology and PSYC 240 Statistical Procedures.
Recommended: PSYC 391 Research Methods.

PSYC 410 Sensation and Perception
 3 hours. Using psychophysical techniques, students will study sensory systems, including vision, audition, olfaction, taste, touch, and kinesthesis. Classic and current theories of perception and sensation will be discussed.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 420 Abnormal Psychology
 3 hours. A study of the nature, causation, and treatment of the major psychiatric and behavioral disorders.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 430 Addictions
3 hours. Examines the complex interaction of psychological and sociological forces involved in substance abuse and addictions. Etiology, treatment options, and efficacy of treatments are reviewed.
Prerequisite: PSYC 381 Counseling.

PSYC 440 Psychology of Religion
3 hours. This course will cover topics such as the human experience of the divine, the psychology of religious development, the psychology of dogmatic beliefs, ritual religious psychopathology, the psychology of conversion, and the psychology of faith. The course will also discuss and critique the body of research on religious behaviors.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 450 History and Systems of Psychology
3 hours. The history of the various schools of psychology, their origins, distinguishing characteristics, major contributions, theoretical positions, and contemporary issues are investigated. Required for psychology majors and minors.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 460 Human Sexuality
3 hours. This course explores human sexuality from psychological, cultural, biological and spiritual perspectives. Topics include the physiological, psychological, and cultural variables associated with the development and manifestation of sexual identity and sexual behavior. Special attention is given to the Christian perspective and response to a highly sexualized culture.

PSYC 475 Field Experience
2-10 hours. Supervised experiences in helping activities in mental health agencies and institutions. A maximum of 3 hours may be applied toward a psychology major.
Prerequisite: upper-division majors only and by permission.
Recommended: PSYC 381 Counseling or other 300-level psychology course.

PSYC 485 Selected Topics
1-3 hours. A course dealing with various topics, as announced, that represent current faculty interests and competencies and student interest. Previous offerings have included psychology of relationships, drug and alcohol abuse, child and adolescent psychopathology, and psychology of gender.
Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

PSYC 490 Senior Seminar
1 hour. Integration of Christianity and psychology is emphasized. In addition, students make preparations for careers in psychology. Required for all psychology majors.
Prerequisite: senior status.

PSYC 495 Special Study
1-3 hours. Independent study of subjects outside regular offerings and/or supervised research under the direction of faculty. Guiding bibliographies are provided, and regular reading reports and conferences are scheduled.
Prerequisites: upper-division psychology majors and by permission.

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