Professor Williford, Chair
Associate Professor White
The department of psychology seeks to introduce all students to the study of human behavior and mental processes within a Christian context. The major is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge in the major subfields of psychology and to prepare students for future study in the field of psychology. Emphasis is placed on developing the students’ abilities to understand and to apply psychology in their everyday lives. An important goal in all psychology courses is to help students in their ability to appropriately interrelate their study of psychology and the Christian faith. In order to fulfill the department’s goals, the department offers two degree programs: the B.S. in psychology and the B.A. in social services.
Psychology Major: This major requires students to gain the core knowledge of scientific psychology along with learning about the sub-fields in psychology that apply this knowledge. The B.S. in psychology degree is designed to prepare students to meet the typical requirements for acceptance into graduate study and/or for working with a bachelor’s degree. The B.S. in psychology degree requires 39 hours in psychology to include 201, 202, 303, 305, 312, 331, 332, 341, and 460, as well as 12 hours from either 240 or 241or any 300-400 level PSY course, plus CSC 102 or an advanced computer course, with permission. Additional recommended courses for students who intend to continue in psychology at the graduate level: BIO 105-106, 107-108, 320, and PSY 351.
Psychology Minor: 20 hours to include 201, 202, 303, and 341.
Social Services Major: The social services major is designed to expose students to a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills necessary to provide direct social services to the variety of human needs and problems often addressed by social service, medical, religious, and charitable organizations. The emphasis is upon practical application of psychological and sociological knowledge to human needs and problems. The course offerings are designed to prepare student to work within human service organizations with a B.A. degree. A Christian motivation to assist and aid the weak, suffering, and underprivileged is emphasized. The B.A. in social services requires 45 hours as follows: BIB360, PSY202, 240, 241, 312, 340, 342, SOC101, 201, 202, 220, 310, 350, 351, and 370.
Students in the social services major who wish to pursue a graduate degree in social work should additionally take Psychology 303, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences.
Prospective social service majors must complete an application packet and be interviewed by the social service faculty before being admitted to the program.
| 201 | General Psychology: Research Psychologies (3). An introduction and overview of the foundational topics, methods and applications of research-based psychology subfields. Topics include research methods in psychology, brain physiology, memory, sensation and perception, human development, and social psychology. |
| 202 | General Psychology: Applied Psychologies (3). An introduction and overview of the foundations, concepts, principles and applications of psychology. Topics include learning, behavior, emotion, cognition, personality theories, psychological disorders, psychological treatments and health psychology. |
| 240 | Human Growth and Development I (3) A study of the growth and development of the individual from conception until late adolescence. Emphasis will be placed on physical, perceptual, motor, cognitive, language, spiritual, social and emotional development. Includes study of major developmental theories and concepts that are applied to childhood and adolescence as well as problems common to this period. |
| 241 | Human Growth and Development II (3). A study of the growth and development of the individual from early adulthood until death. Emphasis will be placed on physical, perceptual , motor, cognitive, language, spiritual, social and emotional development. Specific issues common to the older years, including marriage, family, parenthood, grandparenthood, vocational choice, retirement, disabilities and death are an integral part of this class. |
| 263 | Sex, Love, and Marriage (3) A study of gender differences, courting and mate selection, marriage and marital sexuality. This course will blend academic/cognitive understanding of these topics with practical/experiential understanding of each topic. Students will explore these topics from historical and cultural perspectives, as well as examining scientific psychological research on the topics. A special focus will guide students to interact in groups related to their personal values and goals of developing healthy marital relationships |
| 272 | Adventure-Based Counseling (3) This course is an introduction to a wide spectrum of adventure activities and the counseling and spiritual philosophies upon which each is based. Specific technical skills for more rigorous adventure based events such as rope courses will be stressed. Emphasis will be placed on developing the leadership skills required to be an effective adventure based counselor. Oral communication will be an integral part of this course. |
| 303 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4). Prereq: PSY 201, 202 for all psychology majors and MAT 101 or 110. A basic survey of the descriptive statistics and inferential statistics used in research. Computation and elementary theory of correlation, t test and simple analysis of variance. Applicable primarily to the social sciences, and all examples and problems are selected from social and behavioral sciences. Psychology majors should complete this course no later than the first semester of their junior year. |
| 305 | Contemporary Issues in Psychology and Human Services (1). Prereq: Sophomore or Junior standing. Introduces psychology majors to key topics and academic skills necessary for success in upper-level psychology coursework. Guest lecturers and field trips will provide students with broad exposure to the sub-fields within psychology and human service professions. Provides students with a broad overview of graduate school and career options available after graduation. |
| 311 | Psychological Testing (3). Prereq: PSY 201, 202, and 303 or consent of instructor. A study of the process of assessment as it relates to human functioning. Concepts of test construction, standardization, and validation are covered. Tests in the areas of intelligence, personality, attitude, achievement, and vocational interests are examined. |
| 312 | Abnormal Psychology (3). Prereq: PSY 202. A study of the conceptions and classifications of the major personality disorders resulting from both physical and psychological causes. Consideration is given to the causes, symptoms, therapy, and prognosis of these disorders. |
| 331 | Theories of Personality (3). Prereq: PSY 202. A survey of examples of some of the major types of analytic models of human psychological existence. The organization, development, and dynamics of personality according to each theorist are considered in the light of his or her own research evidence and his or her own personality. |
| 332 | Learning and Memory (3). An in-depth analysis of basic concepts and theoretical developments in the area of learning and memory, both animal and human. Particular attention is directed to application of these theories to common, everyday situations. |
| 340 | Introduction to Counseling Theory and Techniques (3). Exploration and examination of the leading theories in psychotherapy and counseling. The philosophical assumptions and implications of each theory and technique are examined and critiqued from rational, empirical, and Christian perspectives. Students are trained in basic people helping skills such as listening skills, communication skills, crisis intervention, and problem-solving skills. The course is designed to prepare students to meet a basic competency level in these skills that are useful in a variety of career and personal settings. |
| 341 | Experimental Psychology (4). Prereq: PSY 201, 202, and 303. A study and application of the research methods used in psychology. The emphasis will be on using experiments to find the causes of human behavior, but other types of research including developmental, correlational case study approaches, and quasi-experiments will be examined. Students study all phases of conducting psychology research including designing the experiment, collecting the data, analyzing the data, and writing psychological reports. Majors should take this course no later than the second semester of their junior year. Lab is required. |
| 342 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child (3). A study of the child whose development follows atypical patterns. This would include all children eligible for special education placement: the mentally retarded, the gifted, the physically and behaviorally handicapped, the visually and hearing impaired, the learning disabled, the speech and language impaired, and autistic children. Students visit several local agencies in order to become more familiar with exceptional children and services available for these children. |
| 351 | Practicum (1-6). Field experience related to the student’s academic and life goals. The practicum is designed to provide professionally supervised experience in the research and application of principles of behavior modification in selected settings. The student can select between clinical or research practice. Only open to majors. Second semester junior or senior standing, 2.75 GPA or above, departmental approval, a journal, and a paper are required. Refer to “Student Intern Programs and Practicums” for further requirements. Will not count toward the 38 hours in psychology. Elective credit only. |
| 352 | Social Psychology (3). Prereq: PSY 201 or 202. The analysis of human behavior, thought, and interactions of individuals, the function of the presence of others. Course topics include: social influence, interpersonal interaction, interpersonal attraction, theories of social behavior, moral behavior, attitudes, prejudice, and aggression. |
| 363 | Sensation and Perception (3). Prereq: PSY 201 or BIO 105 or 106. An intensive introduction to how individuals receive, modify, and utilize sensory information as manifest in contemporary theory, research, and application. Special attention is placed on the visual and auditory systems, but the other senses are also studied along with perceptual psychology. |
| 381 | Seminar on Psychology (3). Prereq: PSY 201, 202 plus 12 additional hours in psychology AND consent of the instructor. In-depth examinations of reading and research in selected topics of current interest to faculty and students conducted on a group basis. Primarily for those who are majoring in the field. Course can be repeated. |
| 401 | History of Systems in Psychology (3). Prereq: PSY 201, 202, and 12 additional hours of psychology. The historical approach to the study of psychology. The development of the current systems of psychological thought is traced from the pre-Greeks through the major periods of history. |
| 410-411 | Undergraduate Honors Research (1 and 2 hours). Supervised original research and instruction related to a specific area of psychology. This is a full year sequence (1 hr fall and 2 hr spring) in which students will choose a topic, complete background research, design and implement a study, and present their findings. Students will have the opportunity to attend and/or present their research at a psychology conference or symposium. Participation in the class is by invitation of the instructor and is required of all honor students. (Honor) |
| 440 | Physiological Psychology (3). Prereq: PSY 201, 202, and at least three of the following courses: PSY 312, 331, 332, 341, 363 or BIO 105, 106. An examination of the physiological events associated with behavior. Emphasis is placed on the neural functions that underlie motivation and emotion, learning, sensation, perception, and mental health. |
| 460 | Psychology and Christianity (3). Prereq: PSY 201, 202, BIB 201, 221, and BIB 301 or WVC 110 and 112, and nine other hours in psychology or consent of the instructor. Senior status only. Current thinking on the subject of the integration of psychology and the Christian faith. Emphasis is on key issues and problems that grow out of interface of psychology and theology. This course is required for all psychology majors. |
