Psychology Undergraduate Courses

Spring 2008 Schedule

 

                                                                            DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
                                                                 400-500-600 LEVEL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
                                                                                               FALL 2008

PSYCHOLOGY 101 IS A PREREQUISITE TO ALL PSYCHOLOGY COURSES.  OTHER PREREQUISITES MAY APPLY TO INDIVIDUAL COURSES.

Psychology 401

Biological Foundations of Behavior

Instructor: Jean-Louis Gariepy

Animal and human behaviors are examined from the dual standpoint of their evolution and development.  Darwinian and modern non-darwinian theories of evolution are examined and compared in the context of concrete examples.  Next fundamentals of developmental psychobiology are presented and contrasted with sociobiological and ethological approaches.  On this basis, this course examines the phylogeny and ontogeny of courtship rituals, aggression, species recognition, and maternal and social behaviors using laboratory and field investigations of avian, mammalian, and primate species.

This course was designed for advanced undergraduate students.  A course pack containing a selection of relevant articles is made available during the first week of class.  Examinations include multiple choice and short essays.

Psychology 402
Physiological  Psychology
Instructor:  Jeannie Loeb

Prerequisites, PSYC 101 and 220. This course reviews and expands upon the topics covered in biopsychology (Psyc 220).  The course covers elements of neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and neurochemistry as they apply to the understanding of brain-behavior relationships.

Psychology 404
Psychological Application of Drugs
Instructor: Mitch Picker

Prerequisites:  This course requires a general background in psychology and preferably a course in abnormal psychology or drugs and behavior (Psyc 320.  Knowledge of chemistry, biology, or pharmacology will be helpful but is certainly not essential.
Course Topics: The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of 1) the basic principles of pharmacology, psychopharmacology and neuropharmacology, 2) legal restrictions regarding the use of drugs in our society, 3) history, clinical efficacy, and side effects of drugs used in the treatment of depression, schizophrenia and anxiety, and 4) history, epidemiology, neurochemical, behavioral and physiological effects of various drugs of abuse, including narcotics, stimulants, hallucinogens, marijuana and depressants.
This course is intended for upper level undergraduate and graduate students.  Method of examination: Four examinations will be administered with each consisting of a mixture of fill-in-the blanks, definitions and short answer essay.  One research paper may be assigned.

Psychology 430
Human Memory
Instructor:  Neil Mulligan

Prereqs:  Psyc 101 and Psyc 222 or Psyc 230.  Theoretical and applied issues in human memory.

Psychology 432

Psychology of Language

Instructor:  Jennifer Arnold

Prerequisite:  Psyc 230 After an examination of the possible relations between psychology and linguistics, this course considers problems in the acquisition of language and particularly recent work in experimental psycholinguistics.

Psychology 434

The Brain and Cognition
Instructor:  Joe Hopfinger

Prerequisites: Psyc 210, Psyc 220, 222, 225, or 230

Advanced Undergraduate Level (Psychology major, or biology major with psychology emphasis)
Course Format: Combination of lectures and discussions.
                                          
Course Topics:
Students will be introduced to the multi-disciplinary field of cognitive neuroscience, which seeks to understand the relationship of mind to brain. Basic mental processes such as perception and object recognition will be covered, as will higher-order levels of cognition including language, attention, memory, and consciousness. In addition to lectures, students will participate in reviews and discussions of recent empirical research being published on these topics. The emphasis will be on appreciating how the various methodologies of cognitive neuroscience are enhancing our understanding of the neural foundations of cognitive processes. Grading will be based on examinations, a term paper, and participation in class projects and discussions.

Psychology 465
Poverty and Development
Instructor:  Lorraine Taylor

Poverty is one of the most consistent and influential risk factors for problematic development.  This course focuses on the scientific study of how poverty affects development across the human life span.

Psychology 467

The Development of Black Children
Instructor:  Vonnie McLloyd

Prerequisite:  Psyc 250. Topics include peer and social relations, self-esteem, identity development, cognitive development, school achievement, parenting, family management and neighborhood influences.

Psychology 500

Psychological Disorders of Childhood and Adolesence

Instructor:  Andrea Hussong
This course is designed for advanced level undergraduates with a particular interest in behavioral and emotional disorders of childhood and adolescence. We will focus on the description, assessment, epidemiology, etiology and treatment of several of the most commonly diagnosed disorders (i.e. ADHD; autism; PTSD). In order to enroll, students must have successfully completed both Psychology 250 and Psychology 245.

Psychology 501

Advanced Personality
Instructor:  Charlie Wiss

Personality theories of the major clinical and research-based theorists of the twentieth century will be covered in detail.  Examples range from Freud and the ego analysts to the humanistic and behavioral writers.
Prereq: Psyc 240.

Psychology 506

Atypical Personalities and Groups I
Instructor:  Ann Louise Barrick

This course involves the study of mental illness and human development and techniques for working with the mentally ill with an emphasis on the elderly.  Students are required to volunteer at John Umstead Hospital or a local nursing home four hours per week.  Students will conduct Remotivation groups and work one on one with patients as a partial fulfillment of the requirements of the course.  Topics include, but are not limited to:  biological and psychological changes in aging, mental health problems, particularly in the elderly, communication strategies for working with the mentally ill, and remotivation techniques.  Grades are based on one exam, journal entries, group plans and a class presentation and participation.  This course is most appropriate for senior psychology majors considering a career in psychology.

Psychology 530

Design and Interpretation of Psychological Research
Instructor:  Abigail Panter

This course will cover both theory and applied methods in a psychological research, and in particular, social and personality research.  We will discuss a broad spectrum of issues such as experimental design, sampling, measurement issues, ethical concerns, survey methodology, the use of multiple methods, and data analysis.  In addition, a substantial part of the course will be devoted to conducting an original piece of research in the social and/or personality domain.  This latter applied aspect will involve all stages of research including:  (formulating a workable research idea and proposal based on existing theory; (2) preparing stimulus materials; (3) collecting data; (4) planning and conducting statistical analyses; and (4) preparing a final APA-format write-up of the research.  A general emphasis throughout the course will be on developing a critical eye for interpreting and evaluating psychological research (both the research of others, as well as one's own).  Prerequisites:  Psychology 210 or its equivalent and Psychology 270 Requirements:  A research project, three short library assignments, a midterm and optional final, and class participation.

Psychology 567
Research in Positive Psychology
Instructor:  Barbara Fredrickson

This course challenges you to engage with the core topics and foundational theories of the vibrant and emerging field of positive psychology. One basic premise of positive psychology is that human flourishing – a life rich in purpose, relationships, and enjoyment – will not result simply by curing pathology and eliminating behavioral and emotional problems. Rather, flourishing requires building and capitalizing on human strengths and capacities.

This advanced course is a capstone for your undergraduate studies in psychology. All students in the class should be psychology majors and should have satisfactorily completed Statistics (i.e., PSYC 210 or 215). Prior or current enrollment in Research Methods (PSYC 270) is strongly recommended. This course has an intensive research focus.  Most of the readings for the course will be drawn from professional research journals, and each student will complete a research project during the course of the semester.  We will cover a range of topics within positive psychology, including happiness, positive emotions, resilience, creativity, finding meaning, and optimism. Coursework will involve reading, group exercises, and personal reflections. My hope is that as you learn about these academic topics, you will also learn about how to optimize your own health and happiness and that of the communities and organizations around you.

Psychology 602
Evolutionary Psychology
Instructor:  Joe Lowman

This course reviews many of the basic topics covered in introductory psychology and other sub 100 courses, but through the lens of evolutionary theory.  Sample topics are sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, cognition, intelligence, personality, human mating, families, development, social behavior, health, and abnormal psychology.  The theoretical perspective used throughout emphasizes "why" questions about human psychology as shaped by distant evolutionary forces.