Psychology Course Listings

PSYC 1000 Learning Strategies (1-3)

Provides students with a structure for discovering and developing the learning strategies and the time management techniques necessary for becoming self-directed learners. The course content is focused on developing new ways of analyzing, integrating, and applying learning strategies to various learning situations, and developing modes of communication and critical thinking that encourage lifelong learning. This course is not applicable to a major or minor in anthropology, psychology, social science, or sociology.

PSYC 1100 Introduction to Psychology (3)

Introduces the breadth and diversity of contemporary psychology. Provides a foundation from which the student might progress to more advanced, specialized courses. Topics include learning, perception, biopsychological processes, childhood and development, adjustment and mental health, and social behavior.

PSYC 1200 Introduction to Psychology (3)

(International campuses only) A continuation of PSYC 1100. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or permission of the department chair/academic advisor.

PSYC 2000 Issues in Contemporary Psychology (1-4)

Introductory level course designed to provide a brief, intensive overview of specific areas of contemporary psychology. Uses a number of approaches to provide students with a chance to explore how psychological principles are applied to a specific topic or area of interest. Topics vary each semester and have included feminist research, applied learning theory, understanding leadership, and workshop in human relations. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

PSYC 2100 Psychology of Adjustment (3)

Designed to facilitate the application of psychological principles to personal experience. Adjustment is viewed as an active two-way process between the individual and his or her environment. Class members study the physiological and psychological determinants of behavior, with emphasis on relevant research. Organized around the themes of behavior, interpersonal relationships, and processes of psychological growth.  Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 2150 Psychology of Sleep (3)

Sleep inhabits one third of our life. Sleep is not a passive behavior. On the contrary, it is quite active. This course focuses on sleep as a part of the daily sleep/wake cycle. This course examines the history of sleep and sleep research, developmental aspects of sleep, physiological bases of sleep, the functions of sleep, the effects of various drugs on sleep, sleep disorders, and dreaming.

PSYC 2200 Child Psychology (3)

Examines physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development of the child from conception to adolescence. The complex interaction between heredity and environment is considered. Emphasizes language development, achievement, personality, and gender behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 2250 Adolescent Psychology (3)

Examines the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social changes of adolescence. Lectures and class discussions consider the characteristics and problems of contemporary adolescents and implications for emerging adulthood. Special issues such as addiction, adolescent-parent relationships, and achievement are considered. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 2300 Human Development (3)

Studies the development of the individual from conception through adulthood. Examines intellectual, emotional, and social aspects of behavior in terms of the complex interaction of heredity and environment. Content includes the application of prominent theories of human development to the individual's development over the life span. Reviews current research in critical areas of human behavior (e.g., attachment, aggression) and uses it to enhance the student's understanding of the human developmental process. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 2400 Educational Psychology (3)

Focuses on the psychological nature of the child within an educational framework. Considers learning, cognition, motivation, personality, and emotions in an effort to see the child as a whole person functioning in the school environment. Uses a cross-cultural approach to examine the goals and values of American education. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 2425 Women: Power, Place, and Person (3)

For the most part, the generalizations and theories about the nature and behavior of humans have been "man-made" reflecting a predominantly masculine perspective leading to generalizations that excluded women. This course is an examination of women, placing women's experiences at the center of study. The course examines issues of gender, questioning traditional assumptions about being female. Course content is both a complement and correction to established disciplines (as well as a new discipline of its own) that crosses boundaries between established academic arenas presenting new ways of understanding.

PSYC 2450 Psychology of Interpersonal Communications (3)

Examines the behavioral and social sciences theories of communication with an emphasis on interpersonal relationships. The course focuses on developing awareness of communication techniques and more accurate perception of self and others. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 2550 Dynamics of Decision Making (3)

Examines the practical, personal, and interpersonal aspects of decision making. Focuses on the processes of critical thinking, communication, self-awareness, and group dynamics.

PSYC 2600 Social Influence and Persuasion (3)

Examines the factors that facilitate conformity, techniques to ensure compliance, and will investigate the conditions that produce obedience to authority. Strategies utilized by salesmen, politicians, lawyers, special interest groups, and the media will also be examined. Also examines the nature of propaganda, use of subliminal messages in advertising, and role of social influence and persuasion in cults.

PSYC 2650 Nonverbal Behavior (3)

Examines the role of "unspoken dialogue" in human interaction and the influence nonverbal behavior has on interpersonal communication.

The course focuses on how nonverbal concepts like physical appearance, gestures, movement, and facial expressions underscore the "spoken dialogue."

PSYC 2700 Psychology of Women (3)

Focuses on the psychological impact of being female and problems surrounding expectations through infancy, young adulthood, middle age, old age, and death. Explores scientific findings and sexist myths about male and female differences, special dilemmas such as fear of achievement, aggression, and leadership, as well as traditional and nonsexist child rearing and other topics. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or ANSO 1010 or ANSO 1070 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 2750 Introduction to Measurement and Statistics (3)

Designed to aid the student in learning how to "make sense" of a body of numbers; how to summarize and extract information from numbers; how to detect, measure, and use relationships between variables; and how to use statistical aids to the decision-making process. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or ANSO 1010 ANSO 1070 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 2825 Introduction to Research Methods (3)

Research is at the heart of the behavioral and social sciences. This course will cover the basics of quantitative and qualitative research design. In addition, students will be provided with the means to critically analyze and assess the ethics of research findings. Lastly, students will be given the opportunity to collect data and analyze the results. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 or ANSO 1010 or ANSO 1070 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 2850 Peace Psychology (3)

Examines the key concepts, themes, theories, and practices involved in peace psychology. Examines the issues of peace and conflict across a wide range of interpersonal, community, national, and international contexts. Includes multiple levels of analysis from micro to macro, and multidisciplinary perspectives. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 2900 Community Practicum (3)

Students engage in volunteer work at a community agency and have an opportunity to experience firsthand the agency operations. A variety of field placements are available, depending on the student's background and interests. Classroom component will include discussion of placement experiences and issues. Prerequisites: sophomore standing, permission of the instructor, and approval of placement proposal. May be repeated for credit.

PSYC 2950 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging (3)

Approaches adulthood from an interdisciplinary perspective, stressing the interaction of psychological, sociocultural, and biological aspects of human development. Examines theoretical models of development, such as stage and process theories of change. Compares research methods of observing adult behavior and reviews recent studies of adult development. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3000 Topics in Psychology (3)

Analyzes in-depth issues and topics in the field of psychology. Topics vary each semester. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 or ANSO 1010 or ANSO 1070 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

PSYC 3125 Abnormal Psychology (3)

Introduces the student to psychopathology. Includes a consideration of factors (physiological, psychological, and sociocultural) that influence the development of mental disorders. Surveys the major diagnostic categories, including symptomatology, demographics, etiology, and treatment approaches. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3175 Community Psychology (3)

Community psychology views knowledge and understanding of the social context in which individuals and families live as necessary to understanding those individuals. From this framework, it is not possible to effectively intervene with an individual who is experiencing problems without also understanding and intervening in aspects of the community that are involved in the identified problem. Community psychology has four main components: prevention and competence promotion, community building with citizen participation and empowerment, human diversity, and strong research to evaluate programs. Among key values in the field of community psychology are individual wellness, the importance of a sense of community, and social justice. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3225 Holocaust (3)

Examines the Holocaust and the groups of individuals involved in this genocide (e.g., perpetrators, victims, bystanders, resistance fighters) from a psychological/sociological perspective. Issues explored include: the question of what enabled individuals collectively and individually to perpetrate the Holocaust, the nature of extreme prejudice, the psychology of propaganda, the impact of extreme victimization on the victim (during the Holocaust, upon liberation, and in later years), and the question of what enabled some individuals/groups/countries to actively become involved in resistance while others remained passive bystanders and others sympathizers/collaborators. The roles that psychology, psychologists, and psychiatrists played during the Holocaust are also examined. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 or ANSO 1010 or ANSO 1070 and 6 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3275 Genocide (3)

Examines the psychological, cultural, and societal roots of human cruelty, mass violence, and genocide. We examine the questions of what enables individuals collectively and individually to perpetrate mass violence and genocide as well as examine the impact of apathetic bystanders on human violence. Genocides studied include the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, the auto-genocide in Cambodia, the Rwandan genocide, the genocides in the former Yugoslavia, and others. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 or ANSO 1010 or ANSO 1070 and 6 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3325 Psychology of Learning Processes (3)

Focuses on fundamental phenomena and basic literature in learning and memory. Compares human abilities with the learning capacities of various animal species. Integrates important theories and research methods with major topics including classical and instrumental conditioning, perception and information processing, attention, short- and long-term memory, motivation, discrimination and concept learning, perceptual and motor learning, and the physiological bases of memory. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3350 Cognitive Psychology (3)

Focuses on fundamental phenomena and basic literature in cognition; compares human language abilities with the learning capacities of various animal species; integrates important theories and research methods with major topics including pattern recognition, perception and information processing, attention, short-and long-term memory, discrimination, concept learning, creativity, and decision making. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3375 Behavioral Management (3)

Focuses on techniques to change behavior patterns based on laboratory investigations in the experimental psychology of learning. Provides opportunities to observe these techniques in use in selected service and educational settings as well as participation in these applications. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3425 Juvenile Delinquency (3)

Examines the construct of juvenile delinquency focusing on causation, prevention, and intervention. Specific attention will be given to how various explanations/theories of delinquency influence social policy, social agencies, intervention strategies, and the administration of juvenile justice. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 or ANSO 1010 or ANSO 1070 and 6 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3450 Psychology and Law (3)

This interdisciplinary examination of psychology and the law focuses on the psychological underpinnings of legislation, common law, and the administration of justice. Discussion of the relationship between law and human behavior is integrated throughout. Attention is also given to the various ways in which the law informs and regulates the practice of psychology professions. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3550 History, Philosophy, and Systems of Psychology (3)

Examines the contributions of philosophy, physics, physiology, and other disciplines and intellectual traditions to the development of the subject matter, problems, and methodology of contemporary psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3575 Organizational Behavior (3)

Examines the basic theoretical foundations of individual and organizational behavior, exploring the diversity of organizational structures and how various structures affect the individual. The course focuses on the individual within the organizational setting, group and interpersonal relations, and the psychology of work. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 or ANSO 1010 or ANSO 1070 and 6 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3600 Social Psychology (3)

Examines how people influence and are influenced by their social setting. Examines the social nature of individuals (attitudes, attitude change, prejudice), dyads (human relations), and small groups (conformity, decision making, leadership). Students are encouraged to apply theories and research to issues of personal concern. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 or ANSO 1010 or ANSO 1070 and 6 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3610 Independent Reading Course (1-5)

Designed for individual student exploration of a given body of knowledge or a specific area of interest. Selected topics agreed upon between student and a member of the departmental faculty. Topic of the course, detailed learning outcomes, and means of evaluation to be negotiated between student and faculty member. Intended for majors. Prerequisites: junior standing and permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

PSYC 3650 Prejudice and Discrimination (3)

Examines the essential features, principles, facts, and theories that surround stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Theoretical approaches considered will include those from psychology, sociology, and international human rights. Consequently, discussion of intergroup relations as they pertain to different racial and ethnic groups throughout the world. In addition, the course examines discrimination based on appearance, gender, age, ability, and sexual orientation. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 or ANSO 1010 or ANSO 1070 and 6 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3700 Altruism and Aggression (3)

Examines antecedents of aggressive behavior--why people aggress and what steps can be taken to prevent or control this destructive behavior. Topics to be covered may include child abuse, racially based violence, terrorism, antisocial personalities (i.e., psychopath), sexual aggression, spousal abuse, drugs and aggression, and the media's impact on violence. Also explores the conditions that lead to helping behavior. The role of empathy, gender, race, and attractiveness in bystander intervention will be examined. The concept of true altruism (i.e., helping without regard to potential rewards) will also be debated. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3725 Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making (3)

Provides survey current theories of human judgment and decision making. Includes an examination of judgment and decision making under a variety of social conditions. Students examines how people make personality judgments about themselves and others; how people attribute causation to human behavior; and how people make estimates about uncertain outcomes. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3775 Personality Theory (3)

Examines the structure, dynamics, and development of personality and explores the assumptions about human nature that underlie the various theories about personality. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3800 Introduction to Experimental Psychology (3)

Focuses on the content and methodology of experimental psychology. Examines traditional experimental designs and laboratory methods; explores content areas including learning, cognition, physiological psychology, and psychophysics; and provides opportunities for student research. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3850 Sensory and Perceptual Processes (3)

Examines the anatomy and physiology of the sense organs, the electrophysiology of the neural input, and the nature of perceptual development. Considers pathological states, although the emphasis is on normal functioning. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 3875 Social Science Lab (1-3)

Lab is designed to complement a 3000-level core course allowing the instructor and student to work collaboratively towards the development of a course related project. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 or ANSO 1010 or ANSO 1070 and 6 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

PSYC 3900 Introduction to Counseling (3)

Introduces a variety of counseling theories, techniques, and skills. Focuses on the problems and issues facing a professional counselor in a variety of settings (including individual and group counseling, family counseling, counseling handicapped individuals, career counseling, and consulting). Provides students with opportunities to explore new dimensions in counseling and to confront and clarify their own reasons for wanting to do this kind of work. Prerequisites: PSYC 1100 and 6 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 4000 Advanced Studies in Psychology (3)

Designed for in-depth study of a specific area or issue in psychology. Topics vary each semester. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

PSYC 4150 Political Psychology (3)

Surveys many of the important topics from the field of political psychology. Political psychology is focused mainly on the intersection between psychology, particularly personality and social psychology, and political behavior. The field of political psychology has been strongly influenced by political and psychological theories as well as important political events and social issues. The course examines many of the important theories that have relevance to political behavior and provides the opportunity to apply these theories to important events and issues. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 4275 Gender and Sex Roles (3)

Explores the status and roles of women and men from cross-cultural and historical perspectives. Among the enduring issues to be examined are the concepts of masculinity and femininity; role acquisition; gender inequality; and the connections between ideologies and the organization of work and unequal sex roles. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 4300 Health Psychology (3)

Focuses on the fundamental issues and current literature on health psychology. This course includes material on the social and cultural bases of illness and looks at issues that affect wellness such as stress, pain, and personality. Also discussed are factors related to health care providers such as communication, utilization, and ethics. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 4350 Cross-Cultural and International Psychology (3)

Explores the role of cultural, social, ethnic, and political contexts in human development. Assumptions, theories, methods, and interventions of traditional western psychology are critically examined for relevance to people outside the western world. Human development and family life are studied from a cross-cultural perspective. Recommendations for training global psychologists are reviewed. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 4400 Human Sexuality (3)

Examines human sexual behavior within the cultural, social, and political context. Topics discussed include historical/cross-cultural sexual attitudes, reproductive health and rights, the range of sexual experience, gender differences and roles, sexual orientation, sex and disease, sex and the law, and sex and social responsibility/personal ethics. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 4550 Drug and Chemical Dependency (3)

Introduces the history, pharmacology, and physiological effects of a variety of commonly abused substances. Emphasis is on the behavioral and social implications of drug use and abuse, treatment, and treatment methods for drug abuse. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 4610 Advanced Independent Readings Course (1-5)

Designed for individual student exploration of a given body of knowledge or a specific area of interest. Selected topics agreed upon between student and a member of the departmental faculty. Topic of the course, detailed learning outcomes, and means of evaluation to be negotiated between student and faculty member. Intended for majors. Prerequisites: senior standing and permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

PSYC 4650 Physiological Psychology (3)

Examines the physiological concomitants of behavior and acquaints the student with the methods and major findings of the interaction that has recently taken place between biology and psychology. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 4700 Psychological Tests and Measurements (3)

Provides a survey of psychological testing and principles of test construction and evaluation, including characteristics, administration, and interpretations of psychological and educational tests. Students will examine the development and use of objective tests, rating scales, attitude-scale construction, etc. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of psychology or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 4750 Advanced Statistics (3)

Examines data analysis techniques for complex research designs, emphasizing the application of advanced statistical techniques, such as complex analysis of variance and multivariate statistics. Introduces the student to the use of statistical software as a tool for data analysis. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of social science, including PSYC 2750, or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 4825 Advanced Research Methods (3)

Provides a focused investigation of a particular research methodology (e.g., quantitative, qualitative) used in the social sciences. Topics vary each semester. The focus of the course is on the theory and practice of social science research, covering research concept formation, research design, data collection, and data analysis. In addition, students will apply this knowledge to their own independent research project. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

PSYC 4875 Advanced Social Science Lab (1-3)

Lab is designed to complement a 4000-level core course allowing the instructor and student to work collaboratively towards the development of a course related project. Prerequisites: 12 credit hours of social science and permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

PSYC 4900 Senior Seminar (3)

This seminar is designed to be a capstone experience in the major. The purpose of the course is for students to demonstrate an integration of their learning/knowledge in the discipline. Course topics vary each semester. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

Copyright © 2008 Webster University