Curriculum & Courses The department of psychology offers a major and a minor in psychology. Both of these are designed to expose students to the various branches of psychology (e.g. developmental, social, cognitive, physiological, and individual differences) while allowing them to focus in on one or more of these branches according to their interests. Additionally, both the major and minor requirements incorporate a research methods component, which is essential to the study of psychology. The Psychology Major (46.5 credits) For the major, students must complete I) all of the psychology general foundation courses (16.5 credits), II) select from the options in the content area foundation courses (12 credits), and III) take an additional 18 credits of psychology credits. Prefix Number Course I. General Foundations (all courses required) MTH 201 Elementary Statistics 4 Credit Hours PSY 100 Orientation to Psychology.5 PSY 111 General Psychology 3 PSY 360 Introduction to Research Methods 3 PSY 361 Advanced Research Methods 4 PSY 401 Senior Capstone 2 II. Content Area Foundations (select one course from 4 out of 5 areas) Area 1: Lifespan Development PSY 144 Human Growth and Development 3 Area 2: Social Psychology PSY 222 Social Psychology 3 PSY 232 Close Relationships 3 Area 3: Cognitive Psychology PSY 311 Cognitive Psychology 3 PSY 310 Principles of Learning 3 Area 4: Biological Psychology PSY 330 Biological Psychology 3 PSY 331 Sensation and Perception 3 Area 5: Individual Differences PSY 320 Theories of Personality 3 PSY 322 Abnormal Psychology 3 The minimum of one course from four of the areas is required for II. Additional courses taken from this list are applied as PSY Electives (III). III. Psychology Electives PSY Psychology Electives 18 Students may choose to take up to 6 credits total of PSY 495 (Internship) and/or PSY 496 (Research Practicum) to apply as PSY Electives. Note: Students who declared psychology as their major prior to the 2015-2016 Waldorf Catalog are subject to the major requirements specified in the active catalog the semester they declared. The Psychology Minor (22 credits) For the minor, students must complete General Psychology, Introduction to Research Methods, Elementary Statistics, and 12 additional credits of psychology electives.
Psychology Minor Courses MTH 201 Elementary Statistics 4 PSY 111 General Psychology 3 PSY 360 Intro. Statistics and Research Methods 3 PSY Psychology Electives 12 Suggested Curriculum Semester I PSY 111: General Psychology, (3 cr.) ENG 120: Comp I, (3 cr.) PHIL 111: Critical Inquiry (3 cr.) General Electives, (6 cr.) HUM 110: Freshman Seminar (.5 cr.) Phys. Ed. Elective (.5 cr.) Semester III Science Core Course (4 cr.) History Core Course (3 cr.) ENG 250: Exploring Lit., (3 cr.) Social Psychology Option (3 cr.) SPE111: Essence of Public Speaking (3 cr.) Semester V PSY 360: Intro to Research Methods (3 cr.) Cognitive Psychology Option (3 cr.) Individual Differences Option (3 cr.) Semester VII Biological Psychology Option (3 cr.) Psychology Elective (6 cr.) Semester II Religion 103: Intro to Bib Lit (3 cr.) ENG 121: Comp II, (3 cr.) HUM 120: Artistic Expression (3 cr.) PHY 144: Human Growth & Dev. (3 cr.) General Elective, (3 cr.) Phys. Ed. Elective, (.5 cr.) PSY 100: Psychology Orientation (.5 cr.) Semester IV MTH 201: Statistics (4 cr.) Psychology Elective, (3 cr.) Religion Core Course, (3 cr.) Wellness 101: Concepts of Wellness (1 cr.) Total of 17 Semester VI PSY 361: Advance Research Methods (4 cr.) Global Core Course (3 cr.) PSY 495: Internship (3 cr.) Psychology Electives (6 cr.) Semester VIII PSY 401: Senior Capstone (2 cr.) Senior Religion Core Course (3 cr.) Psychology Elective (3 cr.) General Elective (6 cr.) Total of 14 Psychology Course Descriptions PSY 100 Orientation to Psychology (.5 cr.) This course is an introduction to the psychology major. During this course, students will become familiar with the major requirements as well as degree/career options available to psychology majors. PSY 111 General Psychology (3 cr.) This course is an introductory survey of the principles, theories, and methods of psychology as a basis for the understanding of human behavior and mental processes. Through lecture, video, and various in-class and writing assignments, students will be exposed to a variety of topics in the broad field of psychology, including history, research methods, biological foundations of
behavior, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory, cognition, development, personality, abnormal behavior, and social psychology. PSY/EDU 144 Human Growth and Development (3 cr.) The study of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development from conception to the end of life. The concepts, theories, and determinants in the various periods of development are studied. Emphasis is given to understanding behavior and thinking during childhood and adolescence. Observations of human developmental behavior are required. PSY 222 Social Psychology (3 cr.) This course examines how an individual's mental life and behavior are shaped by interactions with other people. Specific topics include aggression, attitudes, social influence, stereotypes, and group processes. (Prerequisite: PSY 111) PSY 224 Sports Psychology (3 cr.) As an introduction to the topic of Sports Psychology, this course will explore a number of topics related to the roles and goals of sports psychologists, athletes, coaches & trainers. A number of psychological perspectives, such as social psychology, cognitive psychology, and biological psychology, will be applied to the area of sports performance and exercise science. Topics will include the influence of arousal on performance, motivation and goal setting, stress, anxiety, and coping, aggression in sports, and team cohesion. (Prerequisite: PSY 111) PSY 230 Physiological Psychology (3 cr.) Explores the biological foundation of behavior, including divisions of the nervous system, structures and functions of the brain, the endocrine system, and genetic influences. (Prerequisites: PSY 111) PSY 232 Close Relationships (3 cr.) This course will explore a wide array of relationship topics, including attraction, mate selection, theories of love, communication, conflict, jealousy, and infidelity. Throughout the course, research methods, gender roles, and the place of relationships as a science will be emphasized. PSY 265 Health Psychology (3 cr.) This course will provide students with an overview of the fields of health psychology, which involves how attitudes and behaviors interact with physical health. Topics involve exploring research and theory about how human beliefs and behaviors influence and are influenced by physical health, including understanding stress, pain, and coping with illness. PSY/CRJ 300 Mental Illness and Crime (3 cr.) This course will assist students to learn the dynamics behind the correlation of crime and mental illness. With the growing population of those with mental illness, within the system, this course is relevant to policing, corrections and courts personnel, as well as all other aspects of the criminal justice system. Students will explore myths and realities; as well learn about specific disorders in which they will deal with in the field. Sociological issues of gender, class and race will be included wherever relevant. (Prerequisites: CRJ 120, PSY 111) PSY/CRJ 305 Victimology (3 cr.)
This course will examine trends and patterns of victimization throughout history. This course will explore rights related to victims, fair treatment, empowerment and compensation. Focus will be given to society s response to victims and their problems, as well as victimization by the justice system. (Prerequisites: CRJ 120, PSY 111) PSY 310 Principles of Learning (3 cr.) This course provides an overview of different perspectives of learning and memory. Specifically, the neuronal basis of learning, classical and operant conditioning, social-cognitive, cognitive, and developmental view of learning as well as long-term memory will be emphasized. (Prerequisite: PSY 111) PSY 311 Cognitive Psychology (3 cr.) An upper-level survey course on models and theories of human cognitive processes. This includes learning, memory, perception, representation of knowledge, problem-solving, language, and decision-making. (Prerequisite: PSY 111) (Prerequisite: PSY 111) PSY 320 Theories of Personality (3 cr.) An exploration of the psyche, including personality, motivation, and concept of self. Traces the history of the major theories of personality from psychoanalysis, to social learning and humanism. Also looks at how psychologists use assessment to help understand human behavior. (Prerequisite: PSY 111) PSY 322 Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.) Course content includes history and causes of abnormal behavior; characteristics and classification of major abnormalities; and intervention strategies. (Prerequisite: PSY 111) PSY 331 Sensation/Perception (3 cr.) This course examines how humans receive and process information through vision, hearing, touch, taste and smell. Laboratory and in-class exercises will demonstrate these principles. Also examines how culture and previous experience influence perception. (Prerequisite: PSY 111,) PSY 350 Psychology of Women (3 cr.) This course explores the biological, psychological, and social understandings of the lives of women from infancy to old age. The course will include an exploration into the similarities and differences between men and women from these three perspectives, discuss the variety of roles women play (e.g. mother, worker, and partner), as well as address issues related to challenges to women s well-being, such as oppression, mental and physical health, and violence. (Prerequisite: PSY 111) PSY 360 Introductory Statistics and Research Methods (3 cr.) An examination of statistical and research methodology used by social scientists. Topics covered include research design, hypothesis formulations and testing, and correlational and experimental research designs. Students will also learn to apply statistical techniques such as correlations, regressions, t-tests, and analysis of variance.(prerequisites: MTH 201)
PSY 361 Advanced Research Methods (4 cr.) PSY 361 builds on much of what students learned in PSY 360. In this class the research process will be considered from start to finish. Students will get research experience by completing a research project over the course of the semester. Students will collaborate to design a study, collect and analyze the data, and write a research paper about their project. (Prerequisites: PSY 360) PSY 400 Special Topics in Psychology (3 cr.) This course will examine a specific topic in psychology. Historical and contemporary theories and research about the topic will be discussed in depth. The topics will vary and are determined by the instructor. PSY 401 Senior Capstone Seminar (2 cr.) This capstone course will allow students the opportunity to examine current psychology issues by building on the content they have learned as psychology majors.. The course will assist students in culminating their educational experience by completing an independent research proposal while also exploring original sources of the content they have learned in previous classes. (Prerequisite: Senior psychology major or permission of instructor) PSY 422 Counseling Theories and Techniques (3 cr.) This class is intended to prepare students who seek to enter a counseling-related career. The main theoretical perspectives of counseling will be addressed. In addition, an emphasis will be placed on maintaining confidentiality, avoiding dual relationships, and navigating power issues. A variety of instructional approaches, including student role plays, will be used to achieve the course goals. (Prerequisite: PSY 322) PSY 495 Internship On-the-job learning in an applied setting such as a mental health center, psychiatric unit, residential treatment center, human resources office, or laboratory setting. Supervised by on-site facilitator as well as faculty member. A minimum of 25 clock hours of supervised work is required for each hour of credit. PSY 496 Research Practicum Students will work with a psychology faculty member to gain experience conducting research in a laboratory environment. Responsibilities will vary depending on the project, but may include designing and conducting experiments, creating stimuli, coding and analyzing data, literature searches, and written reports of experimental findings. A minimum of 25 clock hours of supervised work is required for each hour of credit.