Psychology Course Descriptions
Link to Sociology Course Descriptions
PSY 140 Introduction to Psychology
A survey of the field of psychology: major orientations (neurobiological, behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and humanistic); historical developments; views of personhood; scientific procedures; and relevance to everyday life. Prerequisite for all 300- and 400-level psychology courses, with exceptions by permission of appropriate instructor. Offered each semester. Three hours.
PSY 141 Psychology Seminar
This course is designed for students in psychology to develop their use of information technology and become familiar with psychological resources and report writing techniques. Students will also develop coping skills useful in their academic endeavors, as well as investigate the diverse career and educational paths for those graduating with an undergraduate degree in psychology. Offered fall semester. One hour.
PSY 170X (BUS 170X) Leadership Dynamics (formerly IDS 140)
This course will study the vital role and responsibilities of leaders within various organizations. Emphasis will be given to the study of a biblical concept of leadership, various leadership styles, spiritual gifts, personal development, leadership management, administration/delegation, change management, conflict management, and development of leadership staff. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered spring semester. Three hours.
PSY 210 Life Planning
A personal investigation of the development tasks of young adulthood coupled with an exploration of vocational development. Emphasis is placed on personal application and growth. Offered each semester. Three hours.
PSY 220 Interpersonal Skills Training
A skills training approach to the development of interpersonal relationships. Students will learn skills in expressing themselves, active listening, responding, supporting, and challenging in nonjudgmental ways through group experiences. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate their interpersonal style, will receive input from each other, and make changes in the way they interact with others. Prerequisites: Three credit hours in Psychology and at least sophomore standing. Offered each semester. Three hours.
PSY 228X (HPW 228X) Sport and Wellness Psychology
A study of the psychological and mental factors that influence and are influenced by participation and performance in sport, exercise, and physical activity, and the application of the knowledge gained through this study to everyday settings. Prerequisite: PSY 140. Offered fall semester in even-numbered years. Three hours.
PSY 230 Crisis Intervention
A lecture/discussion seminar dealing with issues of people in crisis, crisis intervention, stress, and stress management. Emphasis will be on the practical aspect of helping people in distress. Prerequisite: Three credit hours in Psychology and at least sophomore standing. Offered fall semester. Three hours.
PSY 240 Human Sexuality
Interdisciplinary examination of the physiological, cultural, and psychological bases of human sexual behavior with attention devoted to the student’s development of a personal perspective toward sexuality that integrates Christian faith and moral integrity. Offered fall semester. Three hours.
PSY 250 Contemporary Issues in Psychology (formerly PSY 270)
A seminar composed of student and faculty desiring to pursue a topic of mutual interest. Preference will be given to issues that are timely and that involve the relating of psychology to the needs of society or the resolution of conflicts within the field of psychology. May be repeated for credit. Offered on demand. Three hours.
PSY 255 The Psychology of Addiction
A survey of various forms of addictive behavior (drug, alcohol, sex, gambling, food, relationship, and others). Numerous theoretical approaches to addiction and the addictive personality are considered. Individual, family, group (including Twelve Step programs), behavioral modification, and other possible treatment interventions are assessed. Offered fall semester. Three hours.
PSY 260X (ED 260X) Educational Psychology (formerly PSY 301)
Consideration of the psychological foundations of learning. Emphasis is placed on the physical, social, and psychological development of children and adolescents. Offered each semester. Three hours.
PSY 280 Introductory Statistics
An examination of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Specific topics include the scientific method, data analysis and production, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation and regression, random sampling and probability, nonparametric inferential tests, and parametric inferential tests including one-way analysis of variance. Credit obtained in this course is not applicable toward meeting the general education requirement of the college or for meeting major requirements in biology, sociology, psychology, or business. Offered each semester. Computer fee. Three hours.
PSY 282 Introduction to SPSS
Examination of SPSS for Windows, including topics in statistical analysis and data management useful to social science majors. Not appropriate for students who have taken or are enrolled in PSY 285X (MA 285X). Offered each semester. Computer fee. One hour.
PSY 285X (MA 285X) Statistics
An examination of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Specific topics include the scientific method, data analysis and production, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation and regression, random sampling and probability, nonparametric inferential tests, and parametric inferential tests including one-way analysis of variance. Specific instruction and computer experience in the use of SPSS is provided. Offered each semester. Computer fee. Four hours.
PSY 300 Personality Theories
This course acquaints students with theories and theorists having the greatest impact on the understanding of human personality. Some theories covered will be those developed by Freud, Jung, Adler, Rogers, Erikson, and Allport. Personality assessment, current personality research, and philosophical approaches to theory-building will also be discussed. Prerequisite: PSY 140. Offered fall semester. Three hours.
PSY 305 Organizational Psychology
Experientially based survey of the psychological principles that apply to social and organizational situations. Practicality is emphasized for those in supervisory, management, or leadership responsibilities in any setting (e.g., church, business, government). Prerequisite: PSY 140. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years. Three hours.
PSY 310 Abnormal Psychology
A study of history, definitions, and issues related to abnormal behavior. Major emphasis is on behavioral, existential, and physiological approaches. Prerequisite: PSY 140. Offered spring semester. Three hours.
PSY 320 Learning and Motivation
A study of the philosophy, history, methodology, theory, and research of learning and motivation. Applications of learning principles to Christian living, counseling, and education are also considered. Prerequisite: PSY 140. Offered fall semester. Three hours.
PSY 335 Human Development: Childhood
A study of human development as the product of both maturational and environmental influences. Emphasis is on the theories and research findings that pertain to preadolescence. Biological and environmental factors regarding physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, moral, and emotional development will be discussed. Prerequisite: PSY 140. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years. Three hours.
PSY 337 The Psychology of Adolescence
An interdisciplinary study of human development from puberty to early adulthood. Physical, cognitive, and personality development will be examined, both from the social and research point of view, while application will be encouraged for students who plan to work with adolescents. Special emphasis will be placed on the characteristics and needs of early adolescents and the role of professionals in the assessment, coordination, and referral of students to health/social service. Prerequisite: PSY 140; Education majors may substitute ED 260X/PSY 260X for PSY 140 as a prerequisite. Offered each semester. Three hours.
PSY 339 Human Development: Adult (formerly PSY 336)
A study of human development encompassing adolescence through old age. Physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and emotional changes will be considered along with major issues and life decisions faced during adulthood. Prerequisite: PSY 140. Offered spring semester in even-numbered years. (Not open to students with credit in PSY 336.) Three hours.
PSY345 Internship I
Provides the students with opportunities to apply various principles of psychology learned in previous course work to actual settings with a chosen population at an agency or organization. Direct supervision is provided by onsite personnel, and overall progress is monitored by a faculty member. Normally a junior year experience. May be used as psychology elective hours. Offered in any semester or session. Two to six hours.
PSY 346X (SOC 346X) Research Methods and Design (formerly PSY 340)
This course introduces students to research methods in the social sciences. The course guides students, as researchers, in making good choices in applying research methods to reach quality conclusions. It also guides students, as research consumers, in evaluating research reports and coming to quality decisions by recognizing research methods strengths and limiting liabilities. Majors are strongly encouraged to complete this course no later than their junior year. Prerequisites: PSY 140 and PSY 285X. Offered spring semester. (Not open to students with credit in PSY 340.) Three hours.
PSY 350X (SOC 350X) Social Psychology
A study of the interrelationships between the individual and social groups. Topics include the formation of attitudes and attitude change, the nature of groups and group processes, and theoretical perspectives of social psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 140 or SOC 101. Offered fall semester. Three hours.
PSY 355 Group Dynamics
An interdisciplinary course in the social psychology of small groups, with emphasis on understanding and analyzing patterns of group interaction. A study of social forces that lead to group formation, leadership, decision making, problem solving, cohesion, and disintegration. Prerequisites: SOC 101 or PSY 140. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years. Three hours.
PSY 360X (SOC 360X) Introduction to Social Work
A study of social casework principles, procedures and philosophy, welfare history and administration. Related to a biblical view of humanity and the helping process. Prerequisite: PSY 140 or SOC 101. Offered fall semester in even-numbered years. Three hours.
PSY 372 Cognitive Behavioral Psychology
An exposure to the philosophy and methodology of psychology as a cognitive behavioral science. Methodological, radical, and contemporary cognitive behaviorism will be presented, with emphasis on social learning theory, cognitive psychology, self-efficacy theory, and the psychology of consciousness. Prerequisite: PSY 140. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years. Three hours.
PSY 374 Physiological Psychology
A study of the physiological bases of behavior. Topics include sensory coding, the control of movement, sexual development, hunger and thirst, vision and hearing, sleep, emotions, learning and memory, language, and mental disorders. The role of physical and psychological causes of behavior and their interaction are also considered. Prerequisite: PSY 140. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years. Three hours.
PSY 400 Therapeutic Psychology
This course familiarizes the student with the major theoretical approaches to counseling and psychotherapy and the various disciplines involved in psychological treatment. The therapy process is examined in terms of the role of the therapist and client, material frequently addressed in therapy, some of the techniques employed, psychotherapy research, and ethical issues related to counseling. The student will examine these topics as a prospective service-provider, as well as a potential consumer of psychological services. Prerequisite: PSY 300 or PSY 310. Offered spring semester in even-numbered years. Three hours.
PSY 420X (SOC 420X) Advanced Interpersonal Skills Training
An advanced course in interpersonal relationships that explores elements of group leadership. Students will have an opportunity to train other students in relationship skills, to lead groups, and to receive supervision from the professor. Prerequisite: PSY 220, and invitation of the instructor. Offered each semester. Three hours.
PSY 430 Psychology of Religion
An overview of the research into the psychology of religion as it relates to social, economic, political, and personal behavior. Provides a theoretical framework for assessing religion, for exploring the development and role of personal faith through the lifespan, and for understanding the social and organizational frameworks for religious behavior as well as moral behavior. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years to students with a minimum of 9 hours of psychology course work and junior or senior standing. Three hours.
PSY 435 Psychological Tests and Assessment
Analysis of group-administered and self-administered tests of intelligence, aptitude, achievement, and personality. Attention given to measurement concepts requisite to using and interpreting these tests. Prerequisites: PSY 285 and either PSY 300 or 310. Offered on demand. Three hours.
PSY 440 Integration of Psychology and Christian Faith
A discussion seminar on (1) foundational integrative methodologies regarding the discipline of psychology and Christian faith, (2) topics of general interest such as lifestyle, counseling, parenting, and leadership. Emphasis will be on practical applications to situations confronting the Christian today. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years to students with a minimum of 15 hours of psychology course work. Three hours.
PSY445 Internship II
Provides the students with advanced opportunities to apply various principles of psychology learned in previous course work or a previous internship experience to actual settings with a chosen population at an agency or organization. Direct supervision is provided by onsite personnel, and overall progress is monitored by a faculty member. Normally a senior year experience. May be used as psychology elective hours. May be repeated for credit, but total internship credit is limited to 12 hours. Offered in any semester or session. Two to six hours.
PSY 450 Independent Study
Research and specialized studies designed to meet the needs of individual students. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Offered on demand. Two to six hours.
PSY 460 Thesis
Independent research designed and conducted under psychology faculty supervision and completed as a professional style paper. Prerequisite: PSY 340. Offered to individual students with senior standing on demand. Permission of department required. Three to six hours.
PSY 470X (BUS 470X) Leadership Dynamics Practicum
An advanced application course in leadership dynamics. Students will practice and evaluate personal leadership techniques and practices. Prerequisite: senior status, consent of either business or psychology department chair. Offered spring semester. One hour.
Updated to 2008-09 Catalog
