KSU
PSYCSERIES
PSYCSERIES 5
PSYCHOLOGY COURSES
COURSE OFFERINGS – 2010-2011 CATALOG
PSYC 1101. Introductory Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0099 and READ 0099, if required.
This course is an introduction to the scientific study of human behavior. A brief historical account of the
discipline of psychology and an introduction to the scientific method serve as the foundations of the course. In
addition to the biological bases of behavior, basic principles of the psychological processes of human
development, learning, diversity, social interaction, sensation and perception, thinking, memory, and personality
are presented. An overview of psychological disorders and treatment is also provided.
PSYC 2105. Social Issues: Perspectives in Psychology. 2-0-2.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0099 and READ 0099, if required.
One of four disciplinary options (Anthropology 2105, Geography 2105, Psychology 2105, Sociology 2105) that
can be taken to satisfy the Social Issues requirement in the general education curriculum. A common set of
world social issues is critically examined from one of four social science perspectives. The discipline of
psychology addresses social issues from the perspective of how these issues impact the individual and his or her
relationship to the larger society. Emphasis will be placed on the use of scientific methodology in the
investigation of these issues.
PSYC 2110. Interacting Effectively in a Diverse Society: Psychological Approaches. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: None.
Constructive interaction with people from multiple identity groups is a critical skill in our modern global
society. However, most Americans have little background or training for productive multicultural interaction.
This course will draw on the extensive work in social psychology and multicultural counseling to enhance
student self-awareness and skill in interacting with those from a wide range of backgrounds. Coursework will
involve readings from both psychology and literature, viewing of relevant films, and participation in
experiential learning exercises and dialogues.
PSYC 2210. Careers in Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and Declared major in Psychology
This course focuses on career planning and development issues for psychology majors. Using a combination of
lecture, readings, and exercises, students will be exposed to information designed to assist in the clarification,
selection, and pursuit of a career in psychology or a related field. Topics will include an overview of the
undergraduate major in psychology, career options in psychology and related fields, preparation for
employment with a bachelor’s degree, preparing for and succeeding in graduate school, and applying for a job
or to graduate school.
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PSYC 2258. Psychology of Adjustment. 3-0-3.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0099 and READ 0099, if required.
The dynamics of normal and maladaptive adjustment, including the study of appropriate and inappropriate
reactions to frustration and stress; resolution of conflicts, fears, and anxiety; building emotional stability; and
preventing mental illness.
PSYC 2300. Research Methods in Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101; ENGL 1101; & MATH 1101, 1111, 1112, or 1113. Corequisite: PSYC 2300L.
This course is designed as an introduction to methods and statistics used in psychological research, emphasizing
non-experimental methodologies including observation, correlational research, surveys, archival research, and
quasi-experimental and ex post facto designs. Topics will include an introduction to the scientific method, an
overview of experimental design, and an emphasis on measurement and error, experimental control, descriptive
statistics, statistical inference, scientific writing, and ethical issues in non-experimental research.
PSYC 2300L. Research Methods in Psychology Laboratory. 0-2-1.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101; ENGL 1101; & MATH 1101, 1111, 1112, or 1113. Corequisite: PSYC 2300.
Laboratory course designed to apply topics taught in PSYC 2300 (Research Methods in Psychology).
PSYC 3301. Experimental Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2300 and PSYC 2300L. Corequisite: PSYC 3301L.
This course will focus on experimental designs used in laboratory research in psychology. Topics will include
hypothesis testing, independent-group and within-subjects designs, complex designs, and statistical analysis
using t tests and the analysis of variance. Emphasis will be on the selection of appropriate designs for different
research questions, data collection, data analysis, the interpretation of results, and writing laboratory reports.
PSYC 3301L. Experimental Psychology Laboratory. 0-2-1.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2300 and PSYC 2300L. Corequisite: PSYC 3301.
Laboratory course designed to apply topics taught in PSYC 3301 (Experimental Psychology).
PSYC 3305. Life-Span Developmental Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101.
Human development from conception to death, emphasizing biological, cognitive, emotional, social, and
personality development. Scientific approaches for studying developmental psychology will stress the
importance of research methodology and research findings across the life-span. Theories of development and
applications to real-world problems will provide a context for understanding how humans change during the
life-cycle.
PSYC 3310. Psychopharmacology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisites: One psychology 3000-level course.
This course addresses how psychoactive drugs work in the central nervous system to affect behavior.
Stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, analgesics, and psychotropic drugs will be discussed primarily in terms
of their pharmacological action in the brain. Substance abuse and treatment disorders will be addressed from a
biological perspective.
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PSYC 3320. Leadership and Group Dynamics. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101 or PSYC 2105.
Theory and application of psychological knowledge regarding group formation, group process, and leadership.
Issues are examined in the context of ongoing intensive group discussion. Experiential activities will be
included in the course to provide students with opportunities to apply and observe the group process.
PSYC 3325. Social Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2300 and PSYC 2300L.
This course examines how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are shaped by the social environment. Topics
include interpersonal attraction, affiliation, aggression, prejudice, conformity, attitudes, persuasion, social
cognition, altruism, self-presentation, social perception, and group behavior. Experimental research findings are
emphasized.
PSYC 3335. Theories of Personality. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2300 and PSYC 2300L.
This course surveys classic and current theories of personality that represent several of the major perspectives in
psychology (e.g., psychoanalytic, biological, developmental, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, sociocultural),
highlighting the contributions of each theory to personality description, assessment, research, therapy, and
application.
PSYC 3340. The Psychology of Family Interaction: A Developmental Perspective. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101 or PSYC 2105.
An in-depth coverage of the psychological dynamics involved in parent/child relationships. A developmental
approach will be employed to explore the changing needs and demands of the child and the parents as each
progress in their own development. Current research and theory concerning parenting techniques, the
psychological atmosphere of the home and the interaction of the child’s temperament with the parents will be
discussed. Contemporary family issues such as day-care, domestic violence, single parenting, and children with
special needs will be presented.
PSYC 3355. Cross-Cultural Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101.
An overview of the study and application of psychological principles across a variety of cultures. Cognition,
attitude structure and change, interpersonal communication, personality, and mental health issues will be
discussed as they relate to different cultural contexts.
PSYC 3365. Human Sexuality. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101 or PSYC 2105.
An examination of the biological, personal, interpersonal, and social aspects of human sexual behavior. Topics
include: sexual values, sex and gender, sex and love, sexual behavior over the life span, reproduction, sex and
health, sexual dysfunction and treatment, and social problems/issues related to sexual behavior.
PSYC 3370. Industrial-Organizational Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101 or PSYC 2105.
The application of research and psychological principles to human behavior in the workplace. Course topics will
include the psychological aspects of employment selection and assessment, performance appraisal, employee and
work team development, reorganization and down-sizing, work stress, employee violence, work/family conflict,
and the changing nature of the workplace.
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PSYC 3375. Psychology of Career Development. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101 or PSYC 2105.
The application of research and psychological principles with respect to how people formulate and make career
decisions. The course explores career development across the life-span, focusing on theories of career decisionmaking, work adjustment, adult career crises and transitions, and career counseling interview and assessment
techniques.
PSYC 3380. Principles of Psychological Testing. 3-0-3.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2300 and PSYC 2300L.
Designed to introduce the principles that underlie the development, use, and interpretation of psychological
assessment tools. Topics include: test construction, survey development, scaling, norming, assessment
interpretation issues, and psychological assessment applications in industrial, vocational, clinical, and research
settings. Additionally, psychological assessment will be discussed in terms of social, legal and ethical concerns.
PSYC 3385. Ethnic Minority Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101.
This course will provide an overview of the study and application of ethnic minority psychology. We will
examine concepts and issues that pertain to ethnic minority groups in the United States, particularly the
following four groups: African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans.
Topics for discussions are: multicultural theory and research, history, cultural values, identity, developmental
and family issues, mental health, and other relevant issues that are pertinent to the experiences of the abovementioned four ethnic minority groups in the United States. The course will be conducted with a combination of
lectures, class discussion, guest speakers, group activities, student presentations, and videos.
PSYC 3425. Psychology of Gender. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101 or GWST 3000.
This course examines gender issues from a psychological perspective. Topics include the social construction of
gender, gender and personality development, sex role socialization, and a critical examination of the research on
gender differences. The ways in which gender intersects with other aspects of identity (e.g., race, ethnicity,
class, sexual orientation) are examined. Scientific research findings are emphasized.
PSYC 4345. Learning and Behavior. 4-0-4.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3301 and PSYC 3301L.
This course offers an introduction to the various learning mechanisms that influence the establishment,
maintenance, and/or reduction of behaviors in both humans and nonhuman animals. The course focuses on
linking processes and theories of classical and operant conditioning to everyday behaviors.
PSYC 4400. Directed Study in Psychology. 1-3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2300 and PSYC 2300L, approval of instructor and department chair.
This course is offered to students interested in investigating special topics and seminars external to regular
course offerings. May include original research projects. A maximum of 6 hours of PSYC 4400 may be used
towards satisfying the upper division major requirements. A maximum of 9 hours of PSYC 4400 is permitted
overall.
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PSYC 4400. Special Directed Study in Psychology. 1-3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisites: See course description. Application required.
Psychology majors with a minimum overall and Psychology GPA of 3.0 may apply to assist in psychology
courses they have already completed. Each undergraduate teaching assistantship is unique, tailored to both the
applicant’s skills and knowledge and to the faculty member’s needs. Responsibilities may include interacting
with students (e.g., preparing learning modules, assisting with in-class instruction), developing teaching-related
skills (e.g., developing a teaching philosophy, assisting an instructor in the preparation of assignments or
assessments), providing evaluative feedback to the instructor on student-submitted assignments (e.g., finding
APA-style errors in papers and lab exercises), and clerical tasks (e.g., taking attendance, photocopying courserelated materials). Students who are selected as undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) would be required to
sign a contract detailing their specific responsibilities. The number of UTAs in any particular semester may be
limited, because not all faculty members may opt to work with a UTA or may choose to do so only periodically.
Further, beyond the minimum requirements noted above, other qualifications are dependent on the particular
assistantship and faculty member's needs.
PSYC 4410. Physiological Psychology. 4-0-4.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2300 and PSYC 2300L.
This course addresses the relationship between our underlying physiological systems and behavior. The topics
investigated include neural communication, the anatomy of the nervous system, and the biological bases of
sleep, reproductive behavior, stress, learning and memory, and mental disorders.
PSYC 4415. Perception. 4-0-4.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2300 and PSYC 2300L.
The subject matter of the course includes the physical properties of stimuli, the psychological methods of
investigating perception, the anatomy and physiology of the sense organs, the central processing of stimuli, and
demonstrations or laboratory investigations of sensory phenomena.
PSYC 4420. Ethics and Professional Issues in Applied Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: One psychology 3000-level course.
A critical analysis of professional issues and the ethical standards in the practice of psychology. Traditional and
emerging practice areas will be discussed. Topics such as licensure, prescription drug privileges, managed-care,
and treatment efficacy research will be explored. Ethical standards and decision-making will be studied in the
context of professional practice.
PSYC 4430. Abnormal Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: One psychology 3000-level course.
A comprehensive study of the various forms of mental illness and maladjustment.
PSYC 4440. Clinical and Counseling Psychology: Science and Practice. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: One psychology 3000-level course.
The course provides an introduction to the science and practice of clinical and counseling psychology from an
integrated biopsychosocial perspective. History, major theories, and scientific underpinnings are covered, as
well as current developments in practice and research. Major topics include research design, theoretical models,
diagnostic and assessment methods, psychotherapeutic interventions, treatment effectiveness, specialization,
and training. The course may emphasize clinical or counseling psychology at the discretion of the instructor.
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PSYC 4445. History and Systems of Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: One psychology 3000-level course.
An examination of the historical development of psychology, focusing on antecedents in philosophy and
physiology, major early systems, major historical figures, and the historical/cultural context in which the field
developed.
PSYC 4455. Cognitive Psychology. 4-0-4.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3301 and PSYC 3301L.
An examination of the experimental investigation of complex cognitive processes, including the storage and
retrieval of information, concept formation, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making
PSYC 4475. Psychology of Workplace Motivation and Leadership. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: One psychology 3000-level course.
This course examines topics of motivation and leadership in the workplace by addressing theoretical
formulations, major research findings and real-world applications. Issues related to these topics will include
gender, corporate culture, job attitudes, cross-cultural influences, and organizational reward systems.
PSYC 4480. Field Practicum in Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3301 and PSYC 3301L, declared major in psychology, GPA at least 3.0 overall and in
psychology, completion of two placement related courses, submit an application before registration, and
approval of department faculty and permission of instructor.
The psychology practicum offers the advanced psychology major an opportunity to combine appropriate
supervised field experience with classroom discussion of site-specific and general issues related to the
application of psychological theory. Course structure combines 100 hours of supervised on-site experience with
weekly class sessions.
PSYC 4485. Research Practicum in Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 3301 and PSYC 3301L, declared major in psychology, GPA at least 3.0 overall and in
psychology, submit an application before registration, and approval of department faculty and permission of
instructor.
This course is for students seeking additional experience in applied research settings combining in-class
instruction and individual placement either on or off campus. Students who seek employment in a research
setting upon graduation or are interested in attending graduate school and wish to obtain additional experience
in research techniques should select this course.
PSYC 4490. Special Topics in Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: One psychology 3000-level course.
This course will address selected topics of special interest to faculty and students.
PSYC 4499. Senior Seminar in Psychology. 3-0-3.
Prerequisite: PSYC 3301, PSYC 3301L, and one course from each of the five psychology course areas (any
one of the five psychology course areas can be completed concurrently with PSYC 4499).
A capstone course designed to complete the major by integrating the student’s prior academic experiences in
psychology. Contemporary issues, problems, research, and theories from the different areas identified in the
psychology curriculum will be examined. Discussion will focus on both substantive and methodological
concerns, as well as interconnections among areas of study. A seminar format will be used throughout the
course to encourage student participation and interaction with peers and with faculty.
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