Download PSY - Spring Hill College Departments

PSYCHOLOGY (PSY)
Department Chair/Program Director: Royce G. Simpson, Ph.D.
Requirements
LOWER-DIVISION COURSES
PSY 101. General Psychology (3) This course will provide students with a broad
introduction to the field of psychology and help them develop a more comprehensive
and accurate understanding of human behavior. Among the topics covered
are the history of psychology, biological causes of behavior, learning, memory,
development, personality and psychological disorders. Required of psychology,
art therapy, and nursing majors.
PSY 200. Social Psychology (3) Psychological and group influences on perception;
attitude formation and change; the development of social relations, i.e.,
affiliation, attraction, and affective bonds; group processes, especially leadership,
group problem-solving, status, and role differentiation; group influences on
aggression, mob and panic behavior; escalation and resolution of interpersonal,
intergroup, and international conflict. Prerequisites: PSY 101.
PSY 204. Developmental Psychology (3) (W) The study of social, intellectual,
emotional, perceptual, and physical development from conception to death.
Important theories and research are explored. Prerequisites: PSY 101.
PSY 225. Abnormal Psychology (3) This course offers descriptions of a variety of
psychological dysfunction including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia,
cognitive disorders, substance-use disorders, and personality disorders.
Symptoms, causes, prevalence and treatment issues will be addressed. Further,
models of understanding abnormal behavior, as well as diagnostic, assessment
and classification issues will also be discussed. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or
permission of instructor.
PSY 263. Statistics for the Social Sciences (3) An introduction to the use of
statistics as a decision making process. Probability theory, descriptive and
inferential statistics will be covered. Prerequisite: MTH 111 (must pass with a Cor
higher).
PSY 264. Social Statistics Laboratory (1) An introduction to data analysis using
SPSS and APA-style reporting of statistical information. Prerequisite or corequisite:
PSY 263.
PSY 290. Honors General Psychology (3) (W) PSY 290 is an honors section of
the introductory survey course in psychology. The course will provide students
with a broad introduction to the field of psychology and help them develop a more
comprehensive and accurate understanding of human behavior. Among the topics
covered are the history of psychology, biological causes of behavior, learning,
memory, development, personality, and psychological disorders. The course is
writing intensive and will utilize primary source readings.
Division of Social Sciences 227
UPPER-DIVISION COURSES
PSY 310. Psychology of Gender (3) (D) This course examines the roots, nature,
and social construction of gender. It will focus on psychological issues related to
the roles assumed by males and females in contemporary society. Prerequisites:
PSY 101.
PSY 320. Personality Theories (3) This course has two main parts: (1) the review
of personality theories; and (2) the components, measurement, organization and
development of personality. The focus is on understanding individual differences.
Prerequisites: PSY 101. Recommended for interns.
PSY 322. Tests and Measures (3) This course offers descriptions of various areas
of psychological assessment including cognitive, personality, neuropsychological
and achievement. Basic test construction, use, and interpretation will be addressed
both theoretically and practically. Prerequisites: PSY 101 and PSY 263.
Recommended for interns.
PSY 324. Health Psychology (3) This course examines the psychosocial factors
relevant to health with an emphasis on the contribution of psychological theory to the
encouragement of health and wellness and prevention of physical illness. Topics
include stress management, health and behavior, chronic and life-threatening illness,
treatment, and evaluation of health-related research. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
PSY 330. Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3) This course offers an
introduction to the application of psychological principles and theories to the
workplace. Topics include worker attitudes, stress in the workplace, job analysis,
training, selection, and performance, as well as organizational development,
structure and culture. There will be a strong application/experiential learning
component to this class. Prerequisites: PSY 101 and advanced standing or
permission of the instructor.
PSY 351. Descriptive Research Methods (3) (W) This is the first of a two-course
sequence that will combine methodology and accompanying statistics. This
course will cover ethics, literature review, and descriptive research methods
including naturalistic observation, survey methods, and correlational studies.
Students will propose research questions, collect and analyze data, and learn how
to write an APA style scientific report. Writing intensive. Prerequisites: PSY 101
and PSY 263.
PSY 352. Experimental Research Methods (3) (W) This is the second of a twocourse
sequence in research methods. This course will cover laboratory and field
experiments utilizing both independent groups and repeated measures designs.
Students will learn to design experiments, collect and analyze data, and produce
APA style manuscripts. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: PSY 263 and 351.
PSY 364. Biological Psychology (3) This course is an overview of the biological
processes underlying human behavior. This course begins by presenting fundamental
nervous system structures and processes and concludes by examining the
role of neurobiology in complex behaviors. Topics include genetics, neural
communication, brain structures and their functions, human brain damage, sleep
and dreaming, drug addition, memory and amnesia, and stress and illness.
Prerequisite: PSY 101; BIO 100 Human Biology is highly recommended.
PSY 374. Drugs, Brain, and Behavior (3) This course covers the behavioral
effects of recreational, therapeutic, and experimental psychoactive substances.
228 Division of Social Sciences
Students will learn how drug action is related to brain and other physiological
processes. Topics include addiction, tolerance, and drug interactions. Prerequisite:
PSY 101; Biological Psychology (PSY 364) is highly recommended.
PSY 375. Cognitive Psychology (3) Introduction to the workings of the human
mind and the influence of development, gender, and culture. Topics such as
attention, memory, language, problem solving, and perception will be covered.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 and advanced standing.
PSY 380. Learning and Behavior (3) Presents the basic principles of classical
and operant conditioning in a practical way where the students can learn to
become effective change agents. Prerequisites: PSY 101.
PSY 385. Special Studies in Psychology (1-3) Seminar covering a special topic.
This course will be offered when: (1) Six or more students request advanced work
on a topic; (2) a faculty member wants to cover material within his or her specialization
not emphasized in a regular course; (3) a special or unique opportunity
arises. Prerequisites: PSY 101, advanced standing, consent of the instructor, and
consent of the department chair.
PSY 445. Approaches to Psychotherapy (3) This course offers an introduction to
several theoretical approaches to psychotherapy as well as offers practical applications
of these approaches. Cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic and
integrative orientations are included for discussion. Other areas of clinical applications,
including working with children, therapeutic assessment, and ethical considerations,
will also be addressed. Prerequisites: PSY 101 and 325, or permission of
instructor.
PSY 446. Field Experience (3) (W) This course provides the student with a
practicum experience in one of a variety of placements in the community and on
campus. Students will work 120 hours in a hands-on environment that will be
individually selected by the student. Possible placements include mental health
agencies, private practice settings, law enforcement agencies, and health care
agencies as well as teaching assistantships at Spring Hill College. The student
will be supervised by an individual at the placement and will also fulfill requirements
as set forth by the faculty member teaching this course. Extensive writing,
both informally and formally, will be required to allow students to synthesize,
critically analyze, and report their experience. Further, in partial fulfillment of the
major requirements, students will formally report their experience orally. Prerequisites:
Advanced standing; psychology majors only.
PSY 451. Research Experience (3) (W) The course provides the student with a
unique individualized research experience. The student will conceive, develop,
implement, analyze and formally present an original research project that is chosen
by the student. The work requires considerable commitment and the ability to
work independently (with supervision). Students will utilize skills they have
learned in research methodology and statistics classes to complete their projects.
Students will present their research in a comprehensive, formal, APA style paper
(fulfilling W designation requirements) as well as orally to their peers and/or
faculty and/or at a professional meeting (fulfilling, in part, the department’s
requirements for oral competency). Prerequisites: PSY 352 and permission of the
instructor. Psychology or traditional biopsychology majors only.
Division of Social Sciences 229
PSY 464. Human Neuropsychology (3) This course is designed to: 1) offer
students an understanding of the role of neuropsychology within the neurosciences
and in psychology; 2) provide fundamental history and theory of brain
behavior relationships; 3) offer information regarding more specific theory and
research on higher brain functions/dysfunctions in humans; 4) offer description
and application of neuropsychological assessment techniques and their interpretation;
5) provide understanding of select neurological diseases and injuries; (6)
provide a description of research and practice in rehabilitation of cognitive
dysfunction; and (7) facilitate interest in the area of neuropsychology research
and practice as an area for future study and/or work. Prerequisites PSY 322 and
PSY 364.
PSY 468. Historical and Contemporary Issues in Psychology (3) (W) The first
half of this course will cover the development of important theories and research
problems in psychology. The influences of philosophical, social, political, and
historical events and ideas will be examined with an emphasis on the period from
the late 19th to late 20th centuries. The second half of the course will examine
critical issues that are defining contemporary approaches and future trends in the
field. Prerequisite: Seniors only.
PSY 472. Forensic Psychology (3) This course is designed to offer students an
understanding of the role of psychology in its application to the legal system.
Areas of discussion will include the philosophical differences between science
and law, psychological principles and research and their application to legal issues
in general, and the role and techniques of the forensic psychologist in specific
types of cases. Specific topics may include jury selection, eyewitness identification,
and victims and punishment, though there will be an emphasis on the role of
the psychologist as an expert witness. Prerequisite: PSY 322.
PSY 499. Individual Studies (1-3) A course of individual study or research. The
student works under the direction of a faculty member or other specialist. Prerequisites:
PSY 263, PSY 351, advanced standing, permission of instructor and department
chair, and a GPA. of 2.9. Ordinarily, projects must be approved