Class Schedules

An introduction to psychological science -- the study of behavior and mental processes. This course surveys the major subdisciplines of the field, including such topics as the brain and neuroscience, behavioral genetics, cognitive and social development, perception, learning, memory, decision-making, language, consciousness, emotions, motivation, psychological disorders, social identity, interpersonal interactions and group and cultural processes. Lecture and laboratory components.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

A multidisciplinary investigation of behavior and the nervous system. Particular emphasis is placed on human processes of perception, cognition, learning, memory, and language. This course also serves as the introductory course for the neuroscience major.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Natural science and mathematics

Course Materials

Cognitive neuroscience is a relatively recent discipline that combines cognitive science and cognitive psychology with biology and neuroscience to investigate how the brain enables the myriad of complex functions we know as the mind. This course will explore basic concepts and contemporary topics in the field, focusing in particular on the methods used in cognitive neuroscience research. Through lecture and lab sessions, students will learn to read and interpret primary source material, design and implement cognitive neuroscience studies, and present research in verbal and written forms. Overall, students will gain an appreciation for the amazing intricacy of the brain-mind relationship, as well as a sense of how this relationship may be understood eventually using cognitive neuroscience techniques. Group A course. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 180 or PSYC 100.

General Education Requirements:
Quantitative Thinking Q1

Distribution Requirements:
Natural science and mathematics

Course Materials

Each of us is a unique individual with distinct interests, abilities, and appearances. At the same time, we all have much in common-each of us started as just a single cell at conception, our brains and bodies developed in essentially the same sequence, and someday, we will all die. What are the general paths and stages of development? How do our unique qualities emerge? What role does our genetic material play in development? What role does our environment play? Is there a point at which some of our traits are "set," or do we retain the capacity to change throughout development? In this course, we will work to answer these questions and more. With a life-span approach, we will examine the theories and research that describe and explain our physical, cognitive, and social development from conception to death. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course survey the ways in which social phenomena influence the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of individuals. We examine the major theories, experiments, and issues in the field of social psychology. Sample topics include emotion, aggression, conformity, attitudes, altruism, prejudice, persuasion, and group dynamics. Group B course. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course examines multiple, interactive factors that contribute to human health; we take a biopsychsocial approach to understanding how best to promote and maintain health, prevent and treat illness, and adapt and thrive in the context of chronic illness. We discuss the roles of stress, coping, immune response, social relationships, personality, and structural inequalities in the progression and prevention of disease. We also address some ways in which behaviors (e.g., physical activity, nutrition, substance use, sleep) can contribute to wellbeing or sickness, and we examine behavior change strategies that can help improve our own and our community's health habits. Group B course. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 .

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course continues instruction begun in PSYC 201. We more closely examine key factors for planning and implementing research studies, such as validity, variable operationalization, and common ethical dilemmas faced by psychologists. Students gain in-depth experience in developing, interpreting, and communicating different types of empirical psychological research designs (e.g., experiments, surveys). Prerequisite(s): PSYC 201 and must be a declared psychology major.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Quantitative Thinking Q2

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course will explore what "intelligence" means, how it is measured, and how the answers to those questions depend on time, place, and culture. Specific topics will include the history of IQ testing, the biology of intelligence,  intellectual disability, and "brain training". Special attention is given to cognitive approaches and measurement theory. Class sessions will mainly consist of student-led discussions of primary sources. Counts as a Section B course in the Cognitive Science concentration. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 and PSYC 201.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This seminar-format course will examine both basic research and clinical aspects of pain and suffering. Following introductory lectures on suffering, pain and pain relief, a series of topics will be explored, including but not limited to: pain measurement in humans and animals; the ethics and use of experimental models in pain research; chronic pain; pain relief produced by drugs, acupuncture, hypnosis, and placebos; and learning processes that influence pain sensitivity. Features a student-led component. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100, PSYC 201 or STAT 155, and either PSYC 180 or PSYC 244. Or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This seminar is designed to provide a critical analysis of the distinctive experiences of Black women using a psychological lens. We will explore a broad range of topics relating to Black women’s experiences in home, school, and community contexts, such as identity development, stereotyping, racial and gender socialization, media representations, sexuality, spirituality, and activism. Prerequisite: PSYC 100; and PSYC 201 or STAT 155.

General Education Requirements:
U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

Directed Research provides an intensive research experience in which students engage fully in the research process and produce a complete study over the course of the semester. With the close support of a faculty member each step of the way, students design a research project intended to extend knowledge in a psychological area of their interest, collect and analyze data, write a research report that includes an extensive literature review, and present their project as a poster in a public setting. Directed research is open only to declared psychology majors; students are assigned to sections by the supervising faculty. This course fulfills the capstone requirement for the psychology major. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 301, at least one intermediate course, and at least one advanced course (or permission of instructor).

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

An introduction to psychological science -- the study of behavior and mental processes. This course surveys the major subdisciplines of the field, including such topics as the brain and neuroscience, behavioral genetics, cognitive and social development, perception, learning, memory, decision-making, language, consciousness, emotions, motivation, psychological disorders, social identity, interpersonal interactions and group and cultural processes. Lecture and laboratory components.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course is an introduction to the basic principles of research in psychology, with an emphasis on statistical techniques used in psychological science. We examine how to test psychological hypotheses using various statistical analyses, and we consider the pros and cons of experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlational research designs. The course includes a weekly laboratory component in which students develop proficiency with statistical software, writing reports in American Psychological Association style, and familiarity with experimental techniques unique to behavioral research. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 Permission of instructor is required for first year students.

General Education Requirements:
Quantitative Thinking Q3

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

An introduction to theory and research in educational psychology. Topics include learning theory, learner characteristics, intelligence, creativity, motivation, measurement and evaluation, and models of teaching appropriate for diverse learners from early childhood through young adulthood. Students are required to complete observations in classroom settings.

General Education Requirements:
Quantitative Thinking Q1

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

How do people learn, remember, and think?  How much of our cognitive life are we even consciously aware of?  This course addresses these questions and others from the perspective of experimental cognitive psychology.  Topics include perception, attention, memory, the organization of knowledge, language, and decision making. Weekly laboratory sessions afford students the opportunity to interact more directly with cognitive phenomena and research methods.  Readings are mainly from primary sources.  Group A course. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WP

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

An examination of the role of the nervous system in the control of behavior. While the course features a systems approach to the investigation of sensory and perceptual mechanisms, molecular, cellular and cognitive components of the nervous system will also be discussed in the context of course topics. Particular emphasis is given to the nature of learning, memory, and motor processes, motivation, emotion, homeostasis, cognition, and human neurological function. The laboratory features a variety of instructor-demonstrative and student participatory research and laboratory activities. Fulfills Group A requirement. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 and BIOL 200; or PSYC 180.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Natural science and mathematics

Course Materials

This course survey the ways in which social phenomena influence the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of individuals. We examine the major theories, experiments, and issues in the field of social psychology. Sample topics include emotion, aggression, conformity, attitudes, altruism, prejudice, persuasion, and group dynamics. Group B course. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

Industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology is the scientific study of people in organizations - and the application of that science to workplace issues facing individuals, teams, organizations and society. This course will introduce you to the science and practice of I/O Psychology, and what I/O Psychology has to offer anyone who plans to lead others or to help develop effective organizations. Topics will include how to determine what to look for in candidates for hire, how to evaluate candidates for hire or promotion, how best to manage performance in organizations, what's been shown to motivate people, employee retention, team effectiveness, and organizational culture. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This class is an introduction to feminist psychological theory and research dedicated to understanding and critiquing biological, psychological, social, and cultural meanings and implications of gender and its intersections with race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc. Examples of research and theory will come from a wide variety of areas in psychology and related disciplines, and will address such issues as socialization and social development, stereotypes, bodies and body image, social relationships, identity, language, violence, sexuality and sexual behavior, well-being, work, etc. We will also learn about the historical, cultural, and epistemological underpinnings of psychological research on gender. Counts as a UP3 course. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 or permission of the instructor.

General Education Requirements:
U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course examines specific applications of psychological principles to the mental health field by exploring strategies for therapeutic intervention. We discuss a wide range of approaches (e.g., psychoanalysis; humanistic therapy; cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior therapy; mindfulness based stress reduction; family therapy; art therapy) and we consider issues raised by traditional clinical practice, such as ethics, the politics and economics of mental health, and cultural biases. NOTE: Students who have taken European Clinical Psychology through the DIS study away program must have instructor permission to enroll. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 and either PSYC 252 or PSYC 272 .

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course explores how and why we make moral judgments about people and their behavior. How are our moral judgments shaped by intuition, emotion, and reasoning? What are the moral implications of climate change? Do we ever put the interests of our broader group or community above our own self-interest? How do we balance punishment motives of retribution and deterrence, and how do these relate to policy decisions about capital punishment? Could a robot have moral rights and responsibilities? We will examine these questions by considering theories and findings from social, developmental, evolutionary, and political psychology, as well as from related fields like philosophy and artificial intelligence. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 201 or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

It is known that high levels of early life stress disrupt several aspects of children's development. In this course, we will examine the role of neurobiology, family environment, and societal factors in early life adversity. The questions we will address include: What aspects of the developing brain make children sensitive to stress? What factors contribute to child maltreatment, and what are its long-term outcomes? In what ways do poverty and deprivation affect the developing child? How do racism and discrimination contribute to health disparities in young people? And how does resilience develop? Students will read primary research articles and lead discussions throughout the semester; they will also write and present a research proposal on a subtopic of interest to them. Prerequisite: PSYC 100; and PSYC 201 or STAT 155.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course will introduce students to classic philosophical theory and contemporary psychological research on emotions. Questions covered will include: What is an emotion? How many emotions are there? How are emotions communicated to others? How do they influence decision making and behavior? When do emotions strengthen or weaken relationships? How can we control our emotions? Does experiencing emotions help or hurt well-being? Prerequisite: PSYC 100; and PSYC 201 or STAT 155.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

An introduction to psychological science -- the study of behavior and mental processes. This course surveys the major subdisciplines of the field, including such topics as the brain and neuroscience, behavioral genetics, cognitive and social development, perception, learning, memory, decision-making, language, consciousness, emotions, motivation, psychological disorders, social identity, interpersonal interactions and group and cultural processes. Lecture and laboratory components.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course is an introduction to the basic principles of research in psychology, with an emphasis on statistical techniques used in psychological science. We examine how to test psychological hypotheses using various statistical analyses, and we consider the pros and cons of experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlational research designs. The course includes a weekly laboratory component in which students develop proficiency with statistical software, writing reports in American Psychological Association style, and familiarity with experimental techniques unique to behavioral research. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 Permission of instructor is required for first year students.

General Education Requirements:
Quantitative Thinking Q3

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

An introduction to theory and research in educational psychology. Topics include learning theory, learner characteristics, intelligence, creativity, motivation, measurement and evaluation, and models of teaching appropriate for diverse learners from early childhood through young adulthood. Students are required to complete observations in classroom settings.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

Each of us is a unique individual with distinct interests, abilities, and appearances. At the same time, we all have much in common-each of us started as just a single cell at conception, our brains and bodies developed in essentially the same sequence, and someday, we will all die. What are the general paths and stages of development? How do our unique qualities emerge? What role does our genetic material play in development? What role does our environment play? Is there a point at which some of our traits are "set," or do we retain the capacity to change throughout development? In this course, we will work to answer these questions and more. With a life-span approach, we will examine the theories and research that describe and explain our physical, cognitive, and social development from conception to death. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course examines the experiences, causes, and treatments of the major forms of distress and disorder codified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), including schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, stress disorders, and personality disorders. We critically evaluate theories and research derived from biological, genetic, psychological, interpersonal, and social-cultural perspectives. Group B course. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 or PSYC 180

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course continues instruction begun in PSYC 201. We more closely examine key factors for planning and implementing research studies, such as validity, variable operationalization, and common ethical dilemmas faced by psychologists. Students gain in-depth experience in developing, interpreting, and communicating different types of empirical psychological research designs (e.g., experiments, surveys). Prerequisite(s): PSYC 201 and must be a declared psychology major.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Quantitative Thinking Q2

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This advanced level seminar takes many of the topics covered in Behavioral Neuroscience and Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience to the next level-- investigating and discussing further the biopsychology of a range of topics, such as learning and memory, brain neuroplasticity, aging, consciousness, genetics, addiction, sex differences, emotion and stress, psychiatric disorders, and current thought about the biology of behavior. Prerequisites: PSYC 201 or STAT 155; and PSYC 244 or PSYC 246 or PSYC 248, or BIOL 316 with PSYC 100 or PSYC 180.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

It is known that high levels of early life stress disrupt several aspects of children's development. In this course, we will examine the role of neurobiology, family environment, and societal factors in early life adversity. The questions we will address include: What aspects of the developing brain make children sensitive to stress? What factors contribute to child maltreatment, and what are its long-term outcomes? In what ways do poverty and deprivation affect the developing child? How do racism and discrimination contribute to health disparities in young people? And how does resilience develop? Students will read primary research articles and lead discussions throughout the semester; they will also write and present a research proposal on a subtopic of interest to them. Prerequisite: PSYC 100; and PSYC 201 or STAT 155.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

Directed Research provides an intensive research experience in which students engage fully in the research process and produce a complete study over the course of the semester. With the close support of a faculty member each step of the way, students design a research project intended to extend knowledge in a psychological area of their interest, collect and analyze data, write a research report that includes an extensive literature review, and present their project as a poster in a public setting. Directed research is open only to declared psychology majors; students are assigned to sections by the supervising faculty. This course fulfills the capstone requirement for the psychology major. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 301, at least one intermediate course, and at least one advanced course (or permission of instructor).

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

An introduction to psychological science -- the study of behavior and mental processes. This course surveys the major subdisciplines of the field, including such topics as the brain and neuroscience, behavioral genetics, cognitive and social development, perception, learning, memory, decision-making, language, consciousness, emotions, motivation, psychological disorders, social identity, interpersonal interactions and group and cultural processes. Lecture and laboratory components.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course provides an in-depth introduction to the principles and methods used in the study of how behavior changes as a function of experience. The emphasis will be on classical and operant conditioning principles and procedures, which have become the behavioral standard research technologies used in neuroscience, biomedical, psychopharmacological, and other animal laboratory research areas. The laboratory component is designed to give students experience with behavioral technology and data collection and analysis. Group A course. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 or PSYC 180.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

How do people learn, remember, and think?  How much of our cognitive life are we even consciously aware of?  This course addresses these questions and others from the perspective of experimental cognitive psychology.  Topics include perception, attention, memory, the organization of knowledge, language, and decision making. Weekly laboratory sessions afford students the opportunity to interact more directly with cognitive phenomena and research methods.  Readings are mainly from primary sources.  Group A course. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WP

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This class is an introduction to feminist psychological theory and research dedicated to understanding and critiquing biological, psychological, social, and cultural meanings and implications of gender and its intersections with race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc. Examples of research and theory will come from a wide variety of areas in psychology and related disciplines, and will address such issues as socialization and social development, stereotypes, bodies and body image, social relationships, identity, language, violence, sexuality and sexual behavior, well-being, work, etc. We will also learn about the historical, cultural, and epistemological underpinnings of psychological research on gender. Counts as a UP3 course. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 or permission of the instructor.

General Education Requirements:
U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

What is "disability" and what does an understanding of disability tell us about human experience more generally? What is a "disability identity" and what implications might claiming that identity have for psychological well-being and social change? How do stereotypes of disabled people and expectations of "normality" affect everyone's lives (not just those with disabilities)? Why don't many Deaf people consider themselves "disabled?" What might we learn from shifting the "problem" of disability from the individual person to the social environment? This course will explore these and many other questions that emerge from thinking about the experience of disability (and its intersection with identities based on gender, race, class, and sexuality). Grounded in a critical disability and Deaf studies framework that considers the socially, culturally, linguistically, and historically constructed meaning of physical, sensory, and cognitive "impairments," the course will rely on theoretical and empirical readings from psychology and related disciplines, memoir, film, and guest visitors as we explore the social and psychological meanings of disability. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 and PSYC 201

General Education Requirements:
U.S. Identities and Differences

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

An examination of psychological factors that affect the comprehension of oral and written language. Topics include the origin of language, how language can control thought, the role of mutual knowledge in comprehension, and principles that underlie coherence in discourse. Includes readings from psycholinguistics, philosophy, sociolinguistics, social psychology, and especially from cognitive psychology. Emphasis is placed on current research methods so that students can design an original study. Student led component. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 100 (or PSYC 201) and PSYC 242 or two linguistics classes or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

Why are we motivated to find meaning in our lives, where do we look for it, and when do we feel that we’ve found it? To explore these questions this course will draw from current psychological research on self-definition, narrative identity, mortality salience, free will, religious belief and political affiliation. Prerequisite: PSYC 100; and PSYC 201 or STAT 155.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

What exactly happens inside the brain when the mind goes awry? What are the subjective experiences of psychiatric disorders and how can our understanding of the brain better elucidate the causes and potential treatments for these conditions? Today, modern neuroscience has significantly advanced our insight into these questions. This course is designed to overview major types of mental illness and delve into their origins using a neuroscience approach. In order to explore these topics, class will involve (1) first-hand narratives of individuals with mental illness, (2) interactive lectures, during which you’ll acquire and share knowledge, (3) group presentations, and (4) group discussions on neuroscience research. As students in this course, you will be evaluated through written and presented work, as well as critical review and discussion of neuroscience research. By the completion of this course, you should have a detailed understanding of the neurobiology of psychopathologies, and an increased capacity to read and interpret neuroscience research. Prerequisite: PSYC 201 or STAT 155; and PSYC 244 or PSYC 246 or PSYC 248, or BIOL 316 with PSYC 100 or PSYC 180.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

What makes people choose their jobs and careers? Why are women and people of color hardest hit by unemployment due to COVID-19? First, we'll establish a foundational understanding of classic gendered topics, such as interests, stereotypes, socialization, and intersectionality. Then, we’ll focus on specific issues such as occupational choice, the opportunity gap, the wage gap, workplace prejudice and discrimination, leadership, and parenthood-career dynamics. This seminar will grow students’ skills in reading and discussing research and science from multiple psychology fields. Students will gain an important perspective on their upcoming experiences as members of the workforce and discuss ways to advance employment social justice. Prerequisites: PSYC 100; and PSYC 201 or STAT 155.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

The Theory of Special Relativity makes our heads hurt. The Theory of Gravitation has graduated to Law. The Theory of Evolution remains divisive somehow. But what are the key theories of Neuroscience? This class deals with the theoretical underpinnings of neuroscience on all levels from the generation of action potentials through channel dynamics in the cell to models of animal (and human) behavior. By studying these theories we will explore the organization of the nervous system on many different levels, explore the ways in which the brain is similar to and highly different from a traditional desktop computer, see the way in which a proper theory can help explain the results of experiments and guide the development of future experiments, and begin to understand those areas of Neuroscience in which theoretical understanding is currently lacking. Along the way we will discuss computational and mathematical methods that have been successful in furthering our knowledge about the brain and are likely to be important in the future theoretical development of neuroscience. By the end of class students will be able to evaluate theoretical descriptions of neural phenomena, design experiments to test these theories, and propose their own models and explanations. Prerequisites: PSYC 201 or STAT 155; and PSYC 244 or PSYC 246 or PSYC 248, or BIOL 316 with PSYC 100 or PSYC 180.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:

Course Materials

Directed Research provides an intensive research experience in which students engage fully in the research process and produce a complete study over the course of the semester. With the close support of a faculty member each step of the way, students design a research project intended to extend knowledge in a psychological area of their interest, collect and analyze data, write a research report that includes an extensive literature review, and present their project as a poster in a public setting. Directed research is open only to declared psychology majors; students are assigned to sections by the supervising faculty. This course fulfills the capstone requirement for the psychology major. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 301, at least one intermediate course, and at least one advanced course (or permission of instructor).

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials