Class Descriptions
PSY 2133 General Psychology
- 3 CREDIT HOURS
Surveys the major sub-disciplines of
psychology as a science and as a helping profession, including
physiology of behavior, learning, motivation, and abnormal and
social psychology. Provides a reasonable understanding of the
field; enables the student to follow up in areas of interests.
Includes Christian perspective of psychology. (Prerequisite for
all other psychology courses.)
Availability: Fall/Spring
PSY 2183 Life Span Development -
3 CREDIT HOURS
Focuses on human growth and development throughout the life
cycle. Examines normal developmental stages with emphasis on the
physical, intellectual, social, and emotional processes.
Prerequisite: PSY 2133 Availability: Fall/Spring
PSY 2333 Psychology and Careers -
3 CREDIT HOURS
Assists students in the career development process with an
exploration of God’s calling, self-assessment of gifts,
challenges, and preferences, job search and application
strategies and skills, pursuing graduate degrees, and a survey of
careers in psychology and related human service professions and
ministries. Prerequisite: PSY 2133 Availability: On Demand
PSY 3004 Principles of Statistics &
Research Design I -
4 CREDIT HOURS
The course is the first of a two-semester
sequence that presents a thorough review of the methodologies
common to the field of psychology and affiliated sciences. Course
goals will include the development of a research question
culminating in an empirical research project proposal. Topics
include collection and analysis of data, with a focus on
non-experimental methods and descriptive statistics. Students who
enroll in this course must register for Principles of Statistics
& Research Design – II (Psychology 3014) for the following
semester (3 hrs lecture, 1 hr laboratory).
Prerequisite: MAT 1803 or MAT 1853, and PSY 2133
PSY 3014 Principles of Statistics &
Research Design II -
4 CREDIT HOURS
The course is the second of a two-semester
sequence that presents a thorough review of the methodologies
common to the field of psychology and affiliated areas of
science. Emphases will include conducting an empirical research
project, collection and analysis of data, with a focus on
experimental methods and the use of univariate and multivariate
inferential statistics (3 hrs lecture, 1 hr laboratory).
Prerequisite: MAT 1803 or MAT 1853, PSY 2133, and grade of C or
higher in PSY 3004
Availability: Fall/Spring
PSY 3123 Personality Theories
-
3 CREDIT HOURS
Surveys the major personality theories
influencing contemporary psychology and evaluates them with a
view toward developing one’s own personality theory. Each theory
is analyzed from a biblical perspective as well as assessing the
theory on the basis of current research. Prerequisite: PSY 2133
Availability: Fall/Spring
PSY 3173 History of Psychology
-
3 CREDIT HOURS
This course surveys the history of
psychology with a focus on philosophical antecedents, biographies
of significant personages, and the zeitgeist in which ideas were
originally formulated. Students respond and interact with
historical, on-going, and contemporary controversies in the field
of psychology. This course will also examine how the history of
psychology has dealt with issues of the “soul”, morality and
Christian faith. Prerequisites: PSY 2133 Availability: Spring
Social/Developmental Courses
PSY 2183 Life Span Development -
3 CREDIT HOURS
Focuses on human growth and development
throughout the life cycle. Examines normal developmental stages
with emphasis on the physical, intellectual, social, and
emotional processes. Prerequisite: PSY 2133 Availability:
Fall/Spring
PSY 3163 Psychology of Gender
3 CREDIT HOURS
This course surveys historical trends in
conceptualizations of masculinity and femininity and the roles of
men and women in society. It also reviews specific gender issues,
and includes biblical perspectives of gender roles. Prerequisite:
PSY 2133 Availability: On Demand
PSY 3XXX Child Psychology
3 CREDIT HOURS
A review of theory and research on prenatal
development, pregnancy and birth, infant’s sensory and motor
capabilities, brain development, and attachment, children's
understanding of their physical and social world, pretense and
theory of mind, language and reasoning, self-concept,
parent-child and peer relations, self-control and morality.
Viewed from biological, cognitive and social-cultural
perspectives. One observation period, to be arranged.
Prerequisite: PSY 2133
PSY 3223 Psychology of Aging
3 CREDIT HOURS
Utilizes the developmental approach as a
framework for viewing the adult years. Issues include models of
adult psychosocial development, psychobiological concerns
(sensation, perception, memory, intelligence, and cognition),
personality, marriage, retirement, psychopathology, and death and
dying. Prerequisite: PSY 2133 and PSY 3123 Availability: On Demand
PSY 3033 Social Psychology
3 CREDIT HOURS
This course examines multiple
psychological processes such as attitudes, motivation, emotions
and perception and their influences on social behavior with an
emphasis on implications for Christian living.
Prerequisite: PSY 2133 Availability:
Fall/Spring
PSY 3073 Psychology Foreign Travel Experience
3 Credit Hours
This course provides students an
opportunity to examine key figures in the history of psychology
in the context of their times and setting of London and Oxford.
The course also introduces students to the city of London and
examines how “the spirit of the times” influenced and helps
interpret their ideas. Specifically, we will visit the homes of
Freud, Darwin, and C.S. Lewis. We also visit the college of
Titchener, and the homes of the James and J.S. Mill. Students
will also get first hand experiential knowledge of London and
British history and culture.
PSY 3803 Self-Concept
3 CREDIT HOURS
Examines contemporary psychological
theory and biblical revelation in an effort to understand both
the academic theory of self-concept development and of personal
growth toward effective living.
Prerequisite: PSY 2133 and PSY 3123
Availability: On Demand
PSY 4523 Research Practicum II
3 CREDIT HOURS
Allows continuation of Research
Practicum I and provides research experience in
a specified area of psychology on a research project with a
faculty member in the department. Offers an intensive and
extensive learning experience of a practical nature to supplement
and complement academic studies. Requires 60 contact hours and a
personal experience paper
Prerequisite: minimum of 12 Credit Hours
of psychology coursework and PSY 4513 Availability: Fall/Spring
Clinical/Applied Psychology
PSY 2113 Marriage
& Family Dynamics
3 CREDIT HOURS
A study of dating, courtship, engagement,
marriage, roles, parenthood, dysfunctions, divorce, and changing
definitions of family. Biblical, historical, and sociological and
psychological perspectives are used, while emphasizing practical
applications.
Availability: Fall/Spring
PSY 3013 Procedures in Counseling
3 CREDIT HOURS
This course is a general introduction to
the field of Christian counseling. Secular and Christian
presuppositions are contrasted, the process of counseling is
explored, specific counseling techniques are examined and
practiced for handling a wide array of common presenting
problems. Prerequisite: PSY 2133, PSY 3123 Availability: Fall
PSY 3063 Sport Psychology
3 CREDIT HOURS
This course surveys the application of
psychological principles and methodologies to various aspects of
athletics and athletic performance. Topics include individual
philosophies of sport, motivation, personality of coaches and
athletes, recreational sports for children, psychological
testing, training and learning principles, mind/body
relationships, and the effects of anxiety, arousal, and
relaxation on performance, and current research in the field. Availability: On Demand
PSY 4403 Selected Topic: Addiction
3 CREDIT HOURS
This course provides students with the
opportunity to explore the many issues related to the various
forms and processes of addiction. The course will focus on
etiological, assessment, treatment, and legal issues with regard
to addiction. Students will also have the opportunity to learn
about social and community resources designed to aid recovery.
Prerequisite: PSY 2133
PSY 4103 Psychological Assessment
3 CREDIT HOURS
Examines the principles, methods, and
problems of psychological measurement. Surveys important tests in
the field.
Prerequisite: PSY 2133, PSY 3123, and PSY
3004 Availability: On Demand
PSY 4113 Abnormal Psychology
3 CREDIT HOURS
Surveys the nature, causes, outcomes, and
therapy for psychopathological behaviors.
Prerequisites: PSY 2133, PSY 3123, & PSY
3004 or equivalent. Availability: Fall/Spring
PSY 4263 Forensic Psychology
3 CREDIT HOURS
This course examines the interface
between psychology and the law. Basic definitions of psychology
and law are reviewed as well as the history of the relationship
between the two. This course broadly reviews the research
literature regarding the following topics: issues related to
injuries, cognitive issues in accuracy and validity of witness
statements, memories and testimony, forensic assessment and
treatment of criminal behavior, violence prediction, and custody
evaluations. Ethical and Christian worldview considerations in
the field of forensic psychology are also discussed. Prerequisites: PSY 2133, PSY 3123
PSY 4303 Seminar and Field Experience in
Psychology
3 CREDIT HOURS
Students will attend weekly seminars covering
topics relevant to work in the fields of psychology and human
services such as ethics, professionalism, listening skills, and
abuse prevention and reporting. Completion of required and
supervised hours at an approved site involving real-world
applications of psychological theories and concepts is expected.
Prerequisite: A minimum of
12 credits hours of psychology coursework.
Availability: Fall/Spring
PSY 4743 Assessment & Treatment of
Childhood Disorders
3 CREDIT HOURS
Reviews the fundamentals of normal
childhood development, mood disorders, behavioral disorders,
psychotic disorders, and pervasive developmental disorders.
Methods of assessment and treatment of children/adolescents are
also discussed.
Prerequisites: PSY 2133; PSY 2183 Availability: On Demand
Biological/Cognitive
PSY 4033 Health Psychology
3 CREDIT HOURS
The scientific study of behavior that
relates to health enhancement, disease prevention, safety and
rehabilitation. Looks at the changing field of health care and
the changing patterns of illness with an emphasis on prevention
behaviors.
Prerequisite: PSY 2133 Availability: On Demand
PSY 4053 Neurobiology of Learning and
Memory
3 CREDIT HOURS
This course examines basic learning and
motivation processes that enable humans and animals to acquire
new knowledge and adapt to environmental demands. These learning
processes include classical and instrumental conditioning,
habituation, sensitization, and reinforcement. Students will
investigate current research findings and become familiar with
the empirical methods used to study these topics. They will also
identify the metatheoretical assumptions and major theoretical
perspectives of learning theories and evaluate them from a
Christian perspective. Prerequisites: PSY 2133 and PSY 3123 Availability: On Demand
PSY 4063 Psychopharmacology
3 CREDIT HOURS
The purpose of this class is to introduce
students to the major classes of psychotherapeutic agents as well
as the various drugs of abuse of concern in society. Discussions
of the therapeutic indications, mechanisms of action, and side
effects of these drugs are considered. Prerequisite: PSY 2133; PSY 4283 is
recommended Availability: On Demand
PSY 4213 Cognitive Psychology
3 CREDIT HOURS
Studies the mental operations that
support individual’s acquisition and use of knowledge. The
processes by which sensory input is transformed, reduced,
elaborated, stored, retrieved, and used are examined. Specific
issues include general models of sensation, perception,
attention, memory, learning, knowledge base, expertise, language,
problem solving, decision making, and intelligence. Discussion of
the integration of cognition and Christianity is also included.
Prerequisites: PSY 2133 and PSY 3123 Availability: Spring
PSY 4283 Behavioral Neuroscience
3 CREDIT HOURS
An examination of the current theories,
methods, and research in in the field of behavioral neuroscience.
Course topics will include a consideration of neuroanatomy and
neurophysiology, neurotransmitters and neuropsychological
processes. A number of the biological mechanisms that underlie
psychological processes will also be explored, with topics
ranging from learning and memory to sleep and dreaming.
Prerequisite: PSY 2133 and PSY 3123 Availability: Fall
PSY 4523 Research Practicum II
3 CREDIT HOURS
Allows continuation of Research
Practicum I and provides research experience in
a specified area of psychology on a research project with a
faculty member in the department. Offers an intensive and
extensive learning experience of a practical nature to supplement
and complement academic studies. Requires 60 contact hours and a
personal experience paper
Prerequisite: minimum of 12 Credit Hours
of psychology coursework and PSY 4513 Availability: Fall/Spring
Capstone Experiencea
PSY 4753 Integration of Christianity &
Psychology
3 CREDIT HOURS
This senior capstone course addresses
various theoretical, theological, empirical, and clinical aspects
of the relationship between Christianity and Psychology.
Principles and models are presented in a seminar/discussion
format.
Prerequisite: PSY 2133, PSY 3123, and PSY
3004
Availability: Fall/Spring
bDoes not
count towards the 41 hours for the major.