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Macalester College Catalog 2007-2008

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The Academic Program


Psychology

Full Time Faculty: Kendrick Brown, Lynda LaBounty, Brooke Lea, Joan Ostrove, Jaine Strauss (Chair), Jennifer Wenner, Eric Wiertelak

Lab Supervisor: Jamie Atkins

The psychology curriculum fosters a scientific approach to the study of behavior and experience. It provides access to a broad array of psychological information for students with general interests in the field and also offers majors an intensive common experience with the methods of investigation, conceptual analysis, and application most characteristic of contemporary psychology. Laboratory activity, observation in non-laboratory environments, internships and independent projects are included in the curriculum, and students are encouraged to use these opportunities wherever possible in their educational program. Students who plan to continue their study are prepared for graduate degree programs leading to college teaching and research or to professional applications in such fields as personnel/human resources, industrial/organizational psychology, counseling, school psychology, experimental psychology, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, social work, and clinical psychology. Whether or not students intend to continue their formal education in psychology, they encounter a broad course of study in which emphasis is placed upon the application of scientific methods to the complex problems of behavior.

General Distribution Requirement

All courses in psychology count toward the general distribution requirement in social science except those that are largely biological (180, 244, 246, 248) or topical (194, 294, 394, 494, 488) or are independent projects, internships or preceptorships. Psychology 180, 244, 246 and 248 count toward the mathematics and natural science requirement.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar's web page in advance of registration for each semester.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Major Concentration

The major in psychology consists of eleven courses. The distribution of courses presented for a major should conform to the following pattern:

* Psychology 100 Introduction to Psychology
Note: Students can earn credit for Psychology 100 by scoring a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in Psychology.
* Psychology 201 and 202: Research in Psychology I and Research in Psychology II

Note: Students may substitute Math 253, Applied Multivariate Statistics, for Psych 201. Students who plan to follow this path should consult with a member of the psychology department as soon as possible to ensure adequate preparation for Psychology 202, Research in Psychology II.

* Three other courses at the intermediate level, at least one of which must be from Group A and at least one of which must be from Group B.

 
Group A
Psychology 240—Principles of Learning and Behavior
Psychology 242—Cognitive Psychology
Psychology 244—Cognitive Neuroscience (Same as Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 244)
Psychology 246—Exploring Sensation and Perception (Same as Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 246)
Psychology 248—Behavioral Neuroscience (Same as Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 248)
 
Group B
Psychology 250—Developmental Psychology
Psychology 252—Distress, Dysfunction, and Disorder: Perspectives on the DSM
Psychology 254—Social Psychology
Psychology 256—Personality Psychology
Psychology 258—Industrial-Organizational Psychology
 
Other Intermediate Courses
Psychology 180—Brain, Mind & Behavior (Same as Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 180)
Psychology 182—Drugs and Society
Psychology 220—Educational Psychology
Psychology 264—Psychology of Gender
Psychology 266—History of Psychology
Psychology 268—Psychology of Multiculturalism
Psychology 269—Children, Families and Social Policy
*Psychology 300 Directed Research in Psychology

*Three upper level courses (courses numbered 301 or above), at least one of which must be a senior seminar and at least one of which must be an advanced course. A 4-credit independent study, internship, or preceptorship may also fulfill one of the upper level requirements with prior approval from a psychology faculty member.

*Culture and Context Requirement: One course that explores the social and cultural context of psychological science and/or critiques the theoretical, philosophical, and methodological underpinnings of psychological inquiry. Eligible courses include History of Psychology; Psychology of Multiculturalism; Children, Families and Social Policy; Psychology of Gender; Community Psychology; Understanding and Confronting Racism; Psychology of Black Aesthetics, and Lives in Context. This requirement may be met at any level of the curriculum, and courses that fulfill this requirement may also satisfy other requirements for the major (e.g., Lives in Context fulfills both the Culture and Context requirement as well as the senior seminar requirement).

*One other psychology course.

No more than one independent project, internship or preceptorship can count towards the major. The capstone requirement in psychology may be satisfied by Directed Research (300).

Minor Concentration

Students minoring in psychology must complete the introductory course Psychology 100, a statistics or research methods course (Math 153, 154, or 155 or Psychology 201 or 202), and four additional courses beyond the introductory level, selected in consultation with a member of the department. At least one of these courses must be an upper level course (numbered 301 or above). Independent projects, internships and preceptorships may be included in the minor only with departmental permission.

Honors Program

The psychology major participates in the honors program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations are available from either the department office or the Dean of Academic Programs.

Further Preparation

Students concentrating in psychology, particularly those considering graduate work in psychology or related fields, may wish to take courses in the social sciences, biology, mathematics, cognitive and neuroscience studies, and philosophy. Members of the department can help students decide which courses best meet their academic and vocational interests.

Topics Courses

194, 294, 394, 494

Topics courses change annually with course descriptions available at the time of registration. The course description will give the prerequisites and whether the course will count toward the Group A, Group B, or Culture and Context major requirements. (4 credits)


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