Psychology

PSYC 101 - 3 Credits
Introduction to Psychology

Surveys the science of psychology; addresses research methods, biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory, motivation and emotion, language, lifespan development, intelligence, stress and health, social behavior, personality, abnormal behavior and treatment; applications of psychology in a culturally diverse world. Prerequisite: (ENGL 052 or LVE 2) and (RDNG 052 or ESOL 054 or LVR 2)

PSYC/EDTR 103 - 3 Credits
Principles of Human Growth and Development

Focuses on the biological, psychological, and social changes occurring over the entire human life span; addresses the effects of heredity and culture on human behavior and mental processes during prenatal development, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 105 - 3 Credits
Human Relations in a Culturally Diverse Society

Applies psychological principles, theories, and research to a broad range of interpersonal relationships; explores self-understanding, personality, friendship, family, group dynamics, and work relationships; employs cross-cultural research and diverse different cultural perspectives. Prerequisite: (ENGL 052 or LVE 2) and (RDNG 052 or ESOL 054 or LVR 2)


PSYC/EDUX 107 - 3 Credits
Introduction to Special Education

Presents modern psychological research and principles applied the education of special needs populations; covers historical foundations of special education; gifted and talented; mental retardation; sensorimotor, learning, and behavioral challenges; cultural perspectives; appropriate educational and environmental modifications; and federal and state regulations. Designed primarily for pre-service teachers or others interested in the educational process. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or PSYC 215 or Permission of BSSHS Academic Dean

PSYC/ELDR 108 - 3 Credits
Managing Behavior and Emotional Issues in Older Populations

Presents the psychological principles, theories, and research pertaining to promoting behavior and emotional change; emphasizes developing and applying a variety of basic skills to elder care situations. Prerequisite: ELDR 101 or permission of Coordinator

PSYC/ELDR 109 - 3 Credits
Problems of the Elderly

Presents psychological principles, theories, and research pertaining to the behavioral, emotional, cognitive, physical and medical problems faced by older individuals; covers dementia, memory and other cognitive issues, medication issues, stroke, circulation and heart issues, vision, hearing, and mobility issues, sexual issues, cancer, depression, death and dying issues, dual diagnosis and other behavior and emotional concerns faced by the elderly. Prerequisite: ELDR 101 or Permission of Coordinator.

PSYC 111 – 3 Credits
Personal Psychology

Examines the biological, psychological, cultural and social forces that influence the functioning of the individual student, including: childhood experiences, significant individuals both past and present, ethnicity, notions of masculinity and femininity, genetics, conformity and conditioning, and values as well as crisis or loss events across the lifespan. Prerequisites: None

PSYC 113 – 1 Credit
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Designed to help mental health, law enforcement and other helping professionals provide for the care and welfare, safety and security of persons in their charge through the use of non-violent crisis intervention techniques.

PSYC 122 - 3 Credits
Infant and Toddler Growth and Development

Studies a child’s development from conception to age three; emphasizes the factors affecting human development and associated behavioral factors; investigates caregiver roles and the methods of adult/child interactions which contribute to the health, growth and development of the infant/toddler. Prerequisite: (RDNG 052 or ESOL 054 or LVR 2). It is recommended that students complete a course in the fundamentals of child development such as EDUC 105 (Growth and Development in Early Childhood)

PSYC 125 - 3 Credits
Organizational Psychology

Applies psychological principles and research to study the individual in organizational settings; covers history and research, motivational processes, leadership and management styles, physical environment, individual reactions (stress, alienation, burnout, job satisfaction), organizational entry change in work settings, job performance assessment, and organizational development; communication issues and technological and cultural influences. Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 126-2 Credits
Learning as Journey: Ways of Constructing Knowledge

Facilitates students’ understanding of learning development and how learning is influenced by socio-cultural factors including gender, race, and ethnicity; enables students to gain an appreciation of the diverse ways that people learn and will integrate and apply what they have learned in this course to current and future learning experiences. Prerequisites: (RDNG 052 or ESOL 054 or LVR 2); (ENGL 052 or LVE 2)

PSYC 201 - 3 Credits
Abnormal Psychology

Examines the causes, diagnosis, assessment, symptoms, treatment, and possible prevention of mental disorders; includes historical and current theoretical perspectives, classification systems, cultural perspectives and legal/ethical issues. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or PSYC 105

PSYC 202 - 3 Credits
Altered States of Consciousness

Examines the psychological research relating to sleep and dreaming, hypnosis, meditation, and imagination. Prerequisite: (ENGL 052 or LVE 2) and (RDNG 052 or ESOL 054 or LVR 2)

PSYC 207 - 3 Credits
Social Psychology

Studies psychological principles and research pertaining to the social influences on behavior and mental processes; covers attitude formation and change, conformity, social exchange, prejudice, altruism, structure and function of groups, persuasion, motivation, aggression, and interpersonal attraction; examines culture’s impact on social behavior and human interactions. Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 213 - 3 Credits
Cognitive Psychology

Introduces methods of investigation, theoretical perspectives, and research findings; examines memory, language, perception, information processing, and thought; emphasizes the interrelationship between theory and experimentation. Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC/EDUC 215 - 3 Credits
Educational Psychology

Applies psychological research and principles to educational theory and practice; covers human development, theories of learning and instruction, creating positive learning environments, teaching for learning, assessment and grading, learner differences, motivation, and the impact of culture and community. Designed primarily for pre-service teachers or others interested in the educational process. Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 217 - 3 Credits
Theories of Personality

Introduces major personality theories, their historical and social origins, and their contributions to psychotherapy; investigates Psychoanalysis, Neo-Freudian, Humanistic, Behavioral, Transactional Analysis, Gestalt, Radical Psychology, Cognitive, and other contemporary theories; explores the role of culture in personality development. Prerequisite: PSYC 1

PSYC 219 - 3 Credits
Adolescent Psychology

Focuses on the scientific study of the biological, psychological, cognitive, emotional, personality, and social changes that occur during adolescence; includes the effects of heredity and culture, major theories, moral development, gender-role issues, sexuality, and family relationship issues. Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 221/HLTH 221/MNTH 221 - 3 Credits
Human Sexuality

Explores the nature of sexuality, love and relationships; uses physiological, psychological, sociological, economic, legal, and health and wellness perspectives; historical and contemporary cultural perspectives; and individually oriented discussion.

PSYC 222 - 3 Credits
Behavior Problems of Children and Adolescents

Examines the problems of the young including nature, scope and contributing factors; covers problems in development, motivation, and learning; autism; retardation; depression and suicide; schizophrenia; anxiety and conduct disorders. Explores the effects of physical illness and brain damage, child abuse, and divorce; issues associated with minority membership; methods of prevention, assessment, and managing distur bances. Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 223 - 3 Credits
Group Dynamics

Presents interpersonal dynamics through direct participation in a small group experience; covers major theories and research strategies, interpersonal styles, forms of communication, group process, theories of interpersonal behavior, group goals, decision making, controversy and conflict, leadership, and communication problems. Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 225 - 3 Credits
Holistic Wellness

Explores the interaction of mental and emotional states and physical wellness; emphasizes therapeutic techniques such as biofeedback, acupuncture, meditation, physical exercise, yoga, autogenic training, self-hypnosis, herbal medicine and coping skills; enables students to become proficient in at least one health maintenance or improvement technique.

PSYC 230 - 3 Credits
Child Psychology

Studies the physical, cognitive, linguistic, emotional, social, and personality development of the child from conception through adolescence; presents psychological principles, research and methodology; emphasizes scientific study of child development. Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 240 – 3 Credits
The Helping Relationship

Teaches effective communication, including listening and empathy skills, the verbal and nonverbal symbolic language, effective interpersonal relating, and crisis intervention. Topics include giving death notifications, understanding cultural diversity issues, assisting in conflict resolution and domestic violence situations, working with substance abusing or mentally ill persons, dealing with agitated individuals and distressed adults or children, and helping people (including one’s colleagues) who may be grieving, depressed, or suicidal. Emphasis is on the practical application of skill sets for helping professionals such as police officers, mental health counselors, nurses and various medical workers, funeral directors, clergy, social workers, teachers, and others.

PSYC 250 - 3 Credits
Psychobiology

Investigates physiological and neurological basis of behavior; considers receptor, central, and effector structures; the organization of behavior as it relates to action of the nervous system. Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 251/WMST 251 - 3 Credits
Psychology of Women

Examines the unique psychological and social issues confronting women today; critiques past and present theories regarding women’s social development, sexuality, intellectual capacities, and psychology; analyzes social and cultural stresses particularly affecting women; presents skills and strategies for promoting constructive change. Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 255 - 4 Credits
Experimental Psychology

Introduces research methods used to study animal and human behavior and mental processes; examines how to perform experiments in learning, memory and problem solving; apply statistical methods for data analysis, writing of scientific reports, and critically evaluate classical and current research. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 and MATH 153