a c a d e m i c p r o g r a m sCollege of Arts and Sciences - Curriculum Guide
Psychology
Stephen G. Harkins, PhD, Professor and Chair
Matthews Distinguished University Professors
Harlan Lane, PhD
Doc. ès Lettres
Joanne L. Miller, PhD
College of Arts and Sciences
Distinguished Professors
Judith A. Hall, PhD
Joanne L. Miller, PhD
Professors
Harry A. Macka,y PhD
Adam J. Reeves, PhD
Associate Professors
Martin L. Block, PhD
Perrin S. Cohen, PhD
C. Randall Colvin, PhD
Rhea T. Eskew, PhD
Franklin Naarendorp, PhD
Neal Pearlmutter, PhD
Assistant Professors
John D. Coley, PhD
David A. DeSteno, PhD
Richard Gramzow, PhD
Richard H. Melloni Jr., PhD
Fei Xu, PhD
Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. Using studies of animals and humans, psychologists seek to explain and develop ways to manage the behaviors and mental life of the individual.
The psychology curriculum explores such topics as how brain function determines behavior; how we see, hear, and learn; what constitutes abnormal personality; how people develop emotionally and cognitively; and how individuals work in groups. Through laboratory practice and experimentation, individual research projects, and small-group seminars, the program encourages critical evaluation of psychology's accomplishments and its future.
The Bachelor of Arts degree is intended for students who wish to pursue a broad liberal arts education that explores the humanities, the social sciences, and to a lesser extent the natural sciences. The Bachelor of Science degree is more specialized and is usually recommended for students who have a strong scientific interest in psychology and the natural sciences.
The psychology department offers honors sections of introductory psychology, as well as honors activities in other courses. All students are eligible for directed study courses, which are individualized study or research experiences under the supervision of a faculty member. Co-op placements are based in both community (often mental health) and laboratory settings.
A solid scientific background in psychology helps prepare students for careers in teaching, business, public service, or research and provides a foundation for graduate study in all areas of psychology, including clinical, as well as in law and medicine.
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Curriculum
PSY 1111, Foundations of Psychology 1; PSY 1112, Foundations of Psychology 2; PSY 1211 and PSY 1212, Statistics in Behavioral Science 1 and 2. Students in PSY 1111 and PSY 1112 are normally required to participate as research subjects in experiments conducted by department faculty.
Two courses from the following: PSY 1271, Social Psychology; PSY 1272, Personality 1; PSY 1373, Abnormal Psychology 1; and PSY 1241, Human Behavioral Development 1. Three courses from the following: PSY 1262, Psychology of Language; PSY 1364, Cognition; PSY 1231, Learning and Motivation; PSY 1351, Psychobiology; and PSY 1381, Sensation or PSY 1382, Perception.
Within the psychology department, students may concentrate their electives in a variety of subareas, including language and cognition; learning and motivation; personality and social psychology; sensory and psychobiology; or individual study. Students should see a department adviser regarding these concentrations.
Additional requirements for Bachelor of Arts: Four psychology electives; either three psychology labs or two psychology labs and one psychology directed study; one psychology seminar.
Additional requirements for Bachelor of Science: Seven psychology electives; either four psychology labs or three psychology labs and one psychology directed study; one psychology seminar. Four mathematics, science, or computer science courses beyond the core curriculum requirements. Also, one humanities course beyond the core curriculum requirements.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Minor Curriculum
PSY 1111, Foundations of Psychology 1; PSY 1112, Foundations of Psychology 2.
Two courses from the following: PSY 1241, Developmental Psychology 1; PSY 1271, Social Psychology; PSY 1272, Personality 1; PSY 1373, Abnormal Psychology 1. Three courses from the following: PSY 1231, Learning and Motivation; PSY 1262, Psychology of Language; PSY 1351, Psychobiology; PSY 1364, Cognition; and PSY 1381, Sensation or PSY 1382, Perception.
Four psychology electives.