Psychology Requirements
Communicating Plus: Psychology. Psychology majors address the four Communicating
Plus skills areas—written and oral communication, problem-solving and critical thinking—throughout the major. In early classes, students study how psychologists frame, solve and express their answers to problems. They begin to collaborate in solving problems and designing research. Students in 200-level classes develop tools to evaluate, discuss and write about theory and research, and they learn to do several styles of background research. In 300+ level courses, students refine their methodological and laboratory skills and develop their communication skills through oral reports and research papers. Senior-level students complete a capstone research project. They collaborate in planning research; conduct it and report it, orally and on paper; and critique others work. Seniors also critically analyze controversial texts and evaluate them through discussion and papers. The capstone project allows faculty to evaluate students’ understanding of psychology as a discipline and competence in the Communicating Plus skills areas.
Requirements for a major in psychology: Psychology 110, 211-212, 423, 424 and at least four other psychology courses selected from the following: Psychology 175 and those classes numbered above 200, two of which must be selected from 313, 318, 324, 326, 328 and 342, and each of which must carry a minimum of four credits or receive the approval of the department. All courses in the department may be counted toward the psychology major, provided they are consistent with the requirements specified above. Students also are strongly encouraged to take Psychology 232 (History and Systems). The grades received in all psychology courses will be used in the determination of departmental honors. Psychology 110 and Psychology 211-212 or the consent of both the instructor and chair of the department are prerequisite for all courses numbered above 300. Consult
course descriptions for prerequisites for classes numbered in the 200s.
Requirements for a minor in psychology: Eighteen credits in psychology beyond Psychology 110, all approved by the department chair.
Requirements for a teaching major in psychology: Thirty-seven credits in psychology including Psychology 110, 211-212, 232, 423-424; two of the following: 221, 224, 233, 235, 242, 243; two of the following: 313, 318, 324, 328, 342.
Requirements for a teaching minor in psychology: Psychology 110, 211-212; three courses chosen from the following (one of which must be 313 or 318): 224, 235, 242, 243, 313, 318, 339, and 342.
Requirements for broad field social studies: Consult with your Educational Studies adviser.
Courses
110. General Psychology (Hatcher/Young)
Four credits. An introductory course which considers principles, methods, theories and problems of psychology. Among the topics considered are perception, learning, human development, personality,
psychopathology, thought processes, social determinants of behavior and the physiological
basis of behavior. Class includes occasional laboratory demonstrations and independently designed student projects.
116. Advanced Tutorial (Staff)
One to three credits. An opportunity for students to perform independent work on a topic of interest under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite: Consent of the department chair and the faculty tutor.
211-212. Research Design and Statistics (Hatcher/Petersik)
Four credits each semester. A two-semester sequence which integrates methods of data description and statistical inference with methods of designing and conducting valid and reliable research projects ranging from naturalistic observations to experiments. Lectures and laboratory. An independently designed experiment is conducted and reported each semester. Students may not receive credit for both Psychology 211-212 and Mathematics 120. Prerequisite: Psychology 110.
221. Psychopathology (Petersik)
Four credits. Description and analysis of causative factors (both psychological and nonpsychological), symptoms and therapeutic measures taken with respect to various patterns of deviant behavior.
Students learn to diagnose by examining and discussing published cases. Prerequisite: Psychology 110
224. Theories of Personality (Hatcher)
Four credits. Consideration of the central questions of how the normal personality develops and what constitutes the normal personality. A number of theoretical approaches to these questions are examined. Prerequisite: Psychology 110
225. Human Resource Management (Young)
Four credits. Examines psychological research and practices applied to employee selection, performance and evaluation. Related topics included are: applied research designs and methods, institutional research, job analysis, stress management, employee assistance programs, compensation, motivation, morale and job satisfaction. (Psychology 225 and 226 need not be taken in sequence.) Prerequisite: Psychology 110
226. Organizational Behavior (Young)
Four credits. This course examines interpersonal behaviors and group processes that typically are found in formal organizations. Some of the topics included are: organizational planning, leadership, communication, stress, organizational development, organizational structure, influence, power, politics, organizational differentiation, interpersonal conflict, change management and organizational effectiveness. (Psychology 225 and 226 need not be taken in sequence.) Prerequisite: Psychology 110
232. History and Systems of Psychology (Otis)
Four credits. A survey of Western psychology from its origins in Greek philosophy and biology to the present. The more significant movements, schools and systems within psychology are considered and their interrelationships discussed. Prerequisite: Psychology 110
233. Comparative Animal Behavior (Staff)
Four credits. Exploration of the broad bases of animal behavior. Both theoretical issues and contemporary experimentation and observation are used, employing original source materials. Topics range from genetic and physiological to learned and social determinants of animal behavior. Prerequisite: Psychology 110
235. Child Development (Otis)
Four credits. A survey of research and theoretical literature dealing with the development of the human organism from conception to the onset of adolescence. Emphasis is placed on physical, motor, perceptual, language, cognitive, personality and social development. Prerequisite: Psychology 110
242. Adolescence (Kovack-Lesh)
Four credits. Developmental processes associated with the period of adolescence. Emphasis is placed on physical, cognitive, personality and social changes. Prerequisite: Psychology 110
243. Adulthood (Kovack-Lesh)
Four credits. Developmental processes associated with adulthood. Emphasis is placed on physical, cognitive, personality, vocational and social changes. Prerequisite: Psychology 110
251. Ethology of Killer Whales: Introduction (Otis)
One credit. The ethological study of killer whales in the waters around Vancouver Island. While focus is on the whales’ behavior, the broader principles of animal behavior study, ecological threats and the ethics of captivity also are examined. Prerequisite: Psychology 110 and consent of the instructor.
252. Ethology of Killer Whales: Field Experience (Otis)
Three credits. A Maymester course. The behavior of killer whales that regularly forage the waters around San Juan Island (Wash.) is the focus of this course. Attention will be paid to those factors that may pose a threat to their existence, including food supply, boats, pollution, captivity and whale-watching. Field trip to the island, including observations of whales in both the wild and in captivity and talks by researchers, will supplement individual research projects. Extra cost. Prerequisite: Psychology 251 and consent of the instructor.
300. Departmental Studies (Staff)
One to four credits each semester. Offered on demand. Special subjects in psychology not covered by regular courses. Some topics have included: Neurobiology of Major Mental Illness; Industrial and Organizational Psychology; Midwest Psychological Association Conference. This course may be repeated for credit when topics change. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
313. Social Psychology (Hatcher)
Four credits. The manner in which the individual is influenced by others. Major topics include conformity, attitudes, pro-social behavior and aggression. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisites: Psychology 110, 211-212.
318. Learning and Memory (Staff)
Four credits. Survey of the basic principles of learning and how we remember what we learn. Topics include classical and operant conditioning processes, and the cognitive mechanisms underlying the acquisition, retention and transfer of knowledge, including concept formation, problem-solving and creativity. Lectures and labs. Prerequisites: Psychology 110, 211-212.
324. Physiological Psychology (Petersik)
Five credits. The biochemical and physiological processes which underlie the behavior of organisms. The basis of perceptual and motor functions, learning, neurological disorders, language, sleep, pleasure and hunger are among the topics discussed. Laboratory projects include dissection of an animal brain and administration of a neuropsychological test. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisites: Psychology 110, 211-212.
326. Theories of Motivation (Hatcher)
Four credits. The different theories which deal with the arousal and maintenance of behavior. Emphasis is on the study of human motivation and the investigation of motivation. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisites: Psychology 110, 211-212.
328. Sensation and Perception (Petersik)
Four credits. Offered in 2004-05 and alternate years. An examination of the means by which organisms come to represent their environments perceptually. Topics include sensory systems, perceptual coding, perceptual illusions, tests for visual and auditory disabilities, and perceptual development. Laboratories include direct investigation of perceptual phenomena. Prerequisites: Psychology 110, 211-212.
339. Cognitive Processes (Staff)
Four credits. An examination of the bases of human thought. Topics include attention, varieties of memory, concept formation, executive processes, problem-solving, decision-making and language. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisites: Psychology 110, 211-212.
342. Cognitive Neuroscience (Petersik)
Four credits. Offered in 2007-08 and alternate years. An introduction to the theories, methods and findings of the interdisciplinary field known as cognitive neuroscience. Both behavioral research and studies of brain activity informs topics such as selective attention, language, cerebral lateralization, perceptual functions, motor control, executive functions’ and consciousness. Laboratories will focus on cognitive and perceptual processes. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisites: Psychology 110, 211-212.
401. Teaching of Psychology (Staff)
Two credits. An introduction to the teaching of psychology in high school. Focus will be on the development of useful pedagogical tools for the teaching of psychological principles in the classroom. A syllabus will be developed and, when possible, the student will give lectures in a high school class. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
423. Research Seminar (Petersik)
Four credits. Reading, discussion and experimental investigation of various topics in psychology at an advanced level. Each student prepares a research proposal and reviews the proposals of other students. The investigation is conducted independently and reported at a symposium held at the end of the semester. Prerequisites: Psychology 110, 211-212 and senior standing.
424. Senior Studies (Staff)
Four credits. A consideration in some depth of one or more problem areas of psychology. This course typically requires the reading of several original works by major figures of the past, as well as by contemporary psychologists. Prerequisite: Psychology 110, 211-212 and senior standing.
430. Internship in Psychology (Staff)
One to three credits. Applications of psychology in the field. Together with an academic supervisor and the Director of Career Planning and Placement, the student arranges either a position observing and assisting a professional in the field of psychology or counseling or a volunteer position in a relevant office or agency. The internship culminates in a paper and presentation. Enrollment is limited to junior and senior psychology majors. Prerequisites: Psychology 110, 211-212.
435. Field Studies in Child Development (Kovack-Lesh)
One to two credits. Organization and execution of observational studies of children in a variety of non-laboratory settings, including day care centers. Focus will be on the use of field research methods to study principles of child development, including language, emotional, cognitive, social and moral development. Students will meet weekly with the instructor. Prerequisites: Psychology 235 and consent of the instructor.
541, 542. Independent Study (Staff)
One to four credits each semester. Experimental investigations of an original nature performed in consultation with the instructor. The experiments are reported in formally prepared papers. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing, Psychology 110, 211-212; and consent of the department chair.
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