ACADEMIC CATALOG >>
2008-2009
PSY (Psychology)
PSY 101 General Psychology (3)
The field of psychology. Psychological principles, methods, theories, and
research broadly applied to various domains within the scope of psychology as a
field, including topics from the biological basis of behavior to social
applications of psychology.
PSY 201 Social Psychology (3)
An examination of the experimental psychology literature regarding social
cognition, obedience, conformity, gender, compliance, aggression, attraction,
and person-situation interactions. This course will explore the prediction of
human behavior in light of culture, group behaviors, prejudice and
stereotyping.
PSY 231 Integration of Psychology and Theology (3)
This is a survey course of the principal models of integration regarding
psychology and Christianity. The content includes a study of ways in which the
scientific findings of psychology can be integrated with the biblical truths
for a better understanding of human behavior, experience, and relationships.
PSY 245 Life-Span Psychology and Development (3)
An introduction to the development of the human being from prenatal through
late adulthood. The various physical, cognitive, and socioemotional issues
attendant to development of a person will be investigated from both theoretical
and practical perspectives.
PSY 301 Theories of Personality (3)
This course examines both theoretical and contemporary experimental literature
across eight perspectives of personality, including but not limited to:
psychoanalytic and neoanalytic schools, biological psychology and neuroimaging,
gestalt psychology, behaviorism, cognitive psychology, existential
perspectives, humanistic psychology, interactionism, and trait theories.
CUS Prerequisites: PSY 101. CAGS Prerequisites: None.
PSY 302 Abnormal Psychology (3)
Etiology, dynamics, symptoms, and treatment of common psychological disorders.
CUS Prerequisites: PSY 101. CAGS Prerequisites: None.
PSY 303 Psychology of Learning, Cognition and Memory (3)
The fundamental concepts and current issues in the psychology of learning,
cognition, and memory are examined in-depth. Emphasis is placed on theoretical
treatment of the learning and cognitive processes of normal humans. The
investigation includes the experimental methodologies with which learning,
cognitive processes, and memory is studied. Prerequisites: PSY 101.
PSY 315 Group Leadership and Process (3)
Group process principles and the nature of groups will be examined. Topics to
be considered will include group formation, dissolution, communication,
leadership, facilitation, decision-making, conflict resolution, and therapy.
Practical application of the theoretical concepts and the development of
group-related skills are emphasized. Prerequisites: PSY 101.
PSY 323 Forensic Psychology (3)
Forensic psychology examines the current research in areas of: patterns of
criminal offending behaviors and antisocial personality, juror bias and jury
selection, hypnosis and lie detection, criminal profiling, police selection,
gangs, eyewitness testimony, and areas of conflict between psychology and the
law. The course includes an examination of psychological interventions in law
as well.
PSY 330 Human Sexuality (3)
This course examines the major developments regarding human sexuality and the
plethora of issues surrounding humans and their sexuality. We will address both
healthy and unhealthy practices from a Christian world view. CUS Prerequisites: PSY
101 and at least junior standing. CAGS Prerequisites: None.
PSY 337 Statistics for Behavioral and Social Science (3)
An introduction to statistical analysis as used in the behavioral sciences,
specifically psychology. Descriptive and inferential statistics and attendant
research designs will be considered. Students will become familiar with SPSS,
although is not a course focused on computer generated statistics as much as it
is on the underlying assumptions and concepts used in statistical analysis.
Prerequisites: PSY 101, MAT 111 (College Algebra or equivalent).
PSY 370 Crisis and Trauma (3)
Conceptual framework for post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide;
psychological and spiritual techniques to facilitate recovery. Prerequisites:
PSY 101.
PSY 380 Addictions (3)
Causes and treatments of addictive behaviors, including a focus on
physiological, emotional, and spiritual components. CUS Prerequisite: PSY 101.
CAGS Prerequisites: None.
PSY 390 Directed Study (1-3)
Guided independent investigation of a topic selected in consultation with the
major or minor advisor. See Academic Policies for guidelines. Dean's approval
required. Graded; may be repeated for credit.
PSY 401 History and Philosophy of Psychology (3)
History of psychology and development of the systems of psychology that have
shaped modern psychology; major historical people and forces that combined to
produce scientific psychology and how it developed into its modern form;
critical examination of current issues in psychology and how they developed
into their modern form. Prerequisites: PSY 101.
PSY 404 Family Psychology (3)
The family as a system; roles of the spouse, parent, and child; personal
application of learned skills. Prerequisites: PSY 101.
PSY 405 Physiological Psychology (3)
Interaction of human physiology and psychology and its relationship to
sleep and dreaming, motivation and emotion, mental health and abnormal
psychology. Prerequisites: PSY 101.
PSY 408 Research Methodology (3)
Various research designs used in psychological research, assessing and choosing
researchable topics, gathering pertinent literature for review, designing
protocol for experiments and surveys, conducting research, and reporting
findings in American Psychological Association format are discussed and applied
to a student project. Prerequisites: PSY 101, PSY 337.
PSY 411 Depression Causes & Cures (3)
Research and discussion of one of the major causes of personal and
inter-relational dysfunction today; applications to self, family, and friends.
PSY 412 Clinical Counseling Methods (3)
Theories of psychotherapy followed by the presentation of an integrative model
of counseling; development and practice of counseling skills. Prerequisites: PSY
301
PSY 451 Applied Psychology Internship (1-6)
Field experience in applied psychology; observation and supervision.
Prerequisites: PSY 101, PSY 301, PSY 302, and junior or senior standing.
Pass/Fail.
PSY 452 Psychological Research Internship (1-6)
Research experience in research proposal development, implementation, and
statistical analysis. This course is especially valuable to those anticipating
graduate studies and needing academic presentation and publication experience.
Prerequisites: PSY 101, PSY 337, PSY 408, and junior or senior standing.
PSY 490 Directed Study (1-3)
Guided independent investigation of a topic selected in consultation with the
major or minor advisor. See Academic Policies for guidelines. Dean's approval
required. Graded; may be repeated for credit.
PSY 497 Special Topics (1-3)
Guided group investigation and discussion of a selected topic. Graded; may be
repeated for credit.
PSY 498 Teaching Assistantship (1)
Supervised and limited preparation and delivery of lectures, tutoring of
students, laboratory preparation, and assisting in the preparation and grading
of examinations. Pass/Fail; may be repeated for credit.
PSY 535 Group Dynamics (3)
Students in the College of Adult and Graduate studies explore and develop group
process, communication, participation, and leadership skills, focusing on group
effectiveness and dynamics. Emphasis is on self-awareness used in application
for K-12, corporate training, and university environments.
COURSES ONLY AVAILABLE TO FOCUS ON THE FAMILY INSTITUTE PARTICIPANTS:
PSY 450 Practicum (3)
See FOF Focus on the Family Institute course
descriptions. FOCUS ON THE FAMILY INSTITUTE PARTICIPANTS ONLY.
PSY 453 Marriage and Family Life Studies (3)
See FOF Focus on the Family Institute course
descriptions. FOCUS ON THE FAMILY INSTITUTE PARTICIPANTS ONLY.
PSY 456 Family Issues in Christian Perspective (3)
See FOF Focus on the Family Institute course
descriptions. FOCUS ON THE FAMILY INSTITUTE PARTICIPANTS ONLY.
PSY 457 Gender and Leadership (3)
See FOF Focus on the Family Institute course
descriptions. FOCUS ON THE FAMILY INSTITUTE PARTICIPANTS ONLY.
Note: Certain courses may be offered only through the College of Undergraduate Studies (CUS) or the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS). Students should refer to their specific degree program in the Catalog or consult their academic advisor to confirm which courses are available in their program. For those course numbers that are similar or identical, “CUS” or “CAGS” will be used to differentiate.
