BA in Psychology/Developmental Psychology

WR1010 - Writing in the Liberal Arts and Sciences I

Credits: 4

The goals of this course are, first, to develop the students' critical and analytical thinking skills in the context of a sound rhetorical approach to written communication; and, second, to instill a fundamental sensitivity to and facility with language. Areas of study include the nature of the writing process, situation and audience, problem definition, invention techniques, thesis statements, organization, drafting, revisions, and the fundamentals of editing. Assignments follow thematic sequences leading students from experience‐based, issue-oriented arguments to the essentials of formal academic research. This course is offered every semester and is required of all students to meet institutional graduation requirements.

WR1020 - Writing in the Liberal Arts and Sciences II

Credits: 4

The goal of this course is to teach academic research as a tool for critical thinking that provides the basis for well-developed arguments. This course requires synthesis, analysis, and application of information through writing in a variety of rhetorical forms for a variety of audiences. Students are asked to research and discuss a variety of social issues through the use of selected readings from modern essayists and the available library resources. This course is offered every semester and is required of all students to meet institutional graduation requirements. Writing in the Liberal Arts and Sciences I. Students must earn a grade of C or better to fulfill the College Writing requirement.

MT1100 - Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning

Credits: 4

The goal of this course is to develop students' ability to think critically about quantitative statements and information. Students will have opportunities to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of numerical evidence and logical arguments, to apply mathematical methods in the context of real-world problems, and to study and employ strategies and methods for how to manipulate, understand, analyze, and interpret quantitative information.

MT1020 - College Algebra

Credits: 4

This course focuses on the application of algebra to real world problems and includes intermediate algebra topics such as solving linear equations and inequalities, solving quadratic equations, graphic linear, quadratic and other polynomial functions, rational functions, factoring, and solving systems of equations

LAS1111 - History of Political Thought

Credits: 4

This course examines the basic concepts involved in the study of the great ideas and movements shaping the areas of history, philosophy and political science. Students will have the opportunity to examine the ideas and philosophers who have shaped our modern and historical understandings, from Plato and Aristotle to JS Mill and Karl Marx through John Rawls and Robert Nozick. Topics include nature of the state, purpose of government, justice, and the rights and responsibilities involved in various notions of citizenship.

PS1000 - Overcoming Prejudice and Discrimination

Credits: 4

This course examines the forces that promote unity, theories and concepts related to prejudice and discrimination, and specific strategies to reduce conflict and promote respect and understanding among diverse populations. This course was created as a collaborative effort of faculty in criminal justice, education, kinesiology, psychology, and sociology, and has a strong applied (project-based) component.

CW1100 - Introduction to Creative Writing

Credits: 4

This course is a writing workshop that exposes students to the various genres of creative writing such as poetry, fiction, non‐fiction and drama.

PS2110 - Writing and Research in the Social Sciences

Credits: 4

This course helps students identify issues of interest and analyze how texts make claims, invoke social science literature, offer evidence, and deploy key terms. Through analysis and imitation, students are exposed to the challenges of the social science project, including the collection of data on human subjects and the ethical presentation of evidence.

ES1110 - Environmental Science: A Global Concern

Credits: 4

The course that satisfies the Las 5 Lab Science requirement - ES1110 - covers a broad range of current environmental problems including population growth, global climate change, famine and food resources, global warming, and the loss of biodiversity. The laboratory portion of the course provides students with hands-on field and laboratory experiences that introduce a variety of methods and techniques used to examine natural communities and air and water quality.

AR1230 - Introduction to Art and Art History

Credits: 4

This course will explore the ways in which social, cultural, religious, political and aesthetic values have been expressed in art and architecture throughout history. A thematic approach will encourage students to develop a deeper understanding of connections, issues and influences across time periods and cultures. Students will become familiar with the vocabulary and media of art and architecture as well as develop their visual analysis and critical thinking skills.

EN1930 - Survey of American Literature

Credits: 4

Beginning with the Native American voices, this course will progress through the 18th and 19th Centuries to modern times. Though this course focuses on the major writers and movements, it does not ignore the importance of some unrecognized voices that have shaped American literature.

EN1020 - Introduction to Literature

Credits: 4

This course introduces the student to different literary genres - the tale, the poem, the novel, the play - through close and varied readings of a few exemplary literary texts.

PO2420 - World Geography

Credits: 4

Beginning with a broad overview of certain physical aspects of geography and of map and globe skills, this course then moves to an examination of the different regions of the world. Attention will be given to customs of the people, urban and rural patterns of settlement, regional economic activities, and political units.

BU3620 - International Business

Credits: 4

This course focuses on special issues of international management enabling students to compete in the current global environment. Issues covered include evaluation of how the legal, political, financial, competitive, and cultural environment affect international business strategies.

LAS1115 - Making a Difference

Credits: 4

This course focuses on understanding who we are as humans, by learning from people who have “made a difference” in others’ lives. Through a variety of materials and assignments, students will explore how we – as individuals and as a society – can make an impact on small and large scales.

PS1110 - Introduction to Psychology

Credits: 4

A survey course in the fundamentals of psychology. A wide range of topics are covered such as the biological bases of behavior, learning, motivation, human development across the lifespan, emotion, cognition, intelligence, personality, social interaction, abnormal behavior, methods of therapy, and stress and adjustment.

PS4000 - Issues in Professional Practices: Psychology

Credits: 4

This capstone course prepares students for the challenges and responsibilities of professional practice and study in the field of psychology. Discussion of ethics in research and practice, consideration of current controversies in the fields and exploration of future trends and opportunities within the discipline are included.

PS2310 - Statistics for the Social Sciences

Credits: 4

The focus of the course is on the application of statistics to answer questions in social science. Students will be introduced to the theoretical aspects of probability, sampling, and hypothesis testing and taught to utilize statistical software for social science research. Topics include data file creation, data entry, descriptive statistics, basic inferential statistics, pictorial representation of data, and the interpretation of statistical analysis. Students will learn when to use the various statistics, how to interpret them, and how to write up an APA-style results section.

PS4220 - Research Methods

Prerequisite: Junior status

Credits: 4

This course involves an examination of the various research strategies used by psychologists and other social scientists. The advantages and disadvantages of each methodology are analyzed. Control, experimental and alternative designs, context, and standards for ethical research are discussed. A research project constitutes a major feature of the course. Students generate, conduct, write up, and present an original APA style research study.

Available Electives

Credits: 4

Elective courses available will vary depending upon your individual situation.

PS2050 - Social Psychology

Credits: 4

An examination of the way the individual's behavior is affected by the behavior of others. Areas covered include aggression, conformity, attitude formation, methods of persuasion, altruism, environmental effects on behavior, prejudice and discrimination, and interpersonal attraction.

PS2140 - Human Development I: Childhood and Adolescence

Prerequisite: PS1110 - Introduction to Psychology

Credits: 4

This course studies human development from conception through adolescence. It examines the impact of heredity and environmental forces on the formation of the child. The history of developmental psychology, cross-cultural child rearing practices and gender role socialization are examined. Also included are specific topics, such as modern reproductive technology and its legal/emotional implications, the changing role of fathers, the daycare dilemma, the effects of divorce on the child, family systems, culture and learning, computers and learning.

PS2150 - Human Development II: Adulthood and Aging

Credits: 4

A study of human development from late adolescence through old age in a variety of social/cultural settings. Examined are the challenges that confront us as human beings at different stages of growth and development.

PS3210 - Abnormal Psychology

Prerequisite: PS1110 - Introduction to Psychology

Credits: 4

This course focuses on the causes, symptoms, definition, and treatments of psychological disorders. Emphasis is on the more serious forms of psychopathology. The complexities involved in judging normalcy (i.e. the forensic vs. clinical model); the correlation between delinquency and mental illness, de-institutionalization, and the rights of the mentally ill are also studied.

PS3260 - Cognitive Psychology

Credits: 4

An introduction to experimental study of higher mental procedures including pattern recognition, perception and comprehension of language, memory and problem-solving.

Available Electives

Credits: 40

Elective courses available will vary depending upon your individual situation.