CHAIR: Donna M.
Desforges
NAVIGATION: Psychology Major BS
| Course Descriptions
FACULTY: Bruce,
Desforges, Conroy,
Edens, Eglsaer,
Harman, Anisman,
Johnson, Kercher,
Kordinak, Marcus,
Miller, Neunuebel,
Sim, Wilson,
Wood
Curriculum:
Major In Psychology
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE |
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First Year |
Credit |
Second Year |
Credit |
PSY 131, 3 hrs. PSY elective |
6 |
PSY 234/214, 332 |
7 |
ENG 164, 165 |
6 |
ENG literature (200 level or higher) |
3 |
HIS 163, 164 |
6 |
SCM |
3 |
BIO elective |
4 |
BIO elective |
4 |
MTH 164 |
3 |
POL 261, 285 |
6 |
Visual and Performing Arts |
3 |
CS 133 or 138 or LS 130, or MIS 188 |
3 |
PHL 261 |
3 |
MTH 170 or higher |
3 |
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31 |
KIN 215 |
1 |
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30 |
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Third Year |
Credit |
Fourth Year |
Credit |
PSY 387/317 9 hours of PSY |
13 |
PSY (advanced) |
12 |
CHM, PHY, GEL (one field) |
8 |
PHL 372 |
3 |
PHL 262 |
3 |
Minor |
9 |
Cultural Studies |
3 |
Math/Lab Science Elective (BIO,CHM,CS,GEL,GEO131/11
or PHY) |
3-4 |
Minor |
9 |
Electives |
4 |
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36 |
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31 |
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The courses within the Psychology Program are divided into
four blocks:
Introductory Block: PSY 131, 332
Experimental Block: PSY 234/214, 333/313, 336, 337, 387/317,
382, 391, 432
Personality-Social-Developmental Block: PSY 365, 374,
381, 431, 434, 491
Clinical-Adjustment Block: PSY 289, 331, 334, 371, 383,
437, 488
In order to complete a major in Psychology, a student takes
6 hours from the Introductory Block, PSY 234/214 and PSY 387/317
plus 6 hours from the three remaining blocks. Six hours of
elective Psychology completes the 38 semester hours required
for the major.
As of September, 2002, Psychology as a certifiable teaching
field will no longer exist.
Psychology majors choose an approved minor of 18 semester
hours, 6 of which must be advanced. Some suggested minors
are Biology, Philosophy, Business Administration, Computer
Science, and Statistics.
Minors in Psychology take 18-24 hours. Courses required
of non-teaching minors are PSY 131, 3 hours from each of the
remaining three blocks, plus 6 hours PSY electives.
PSYCHOLOGY COURSE
DESCRIPTIONS
PSY 131 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY.
[PSYC 2301] This course is designed to be a broad survey of
the field of psychology covering such topics as learning,
perception, personality, development, psychopathology, etc.
It covers both the theoretical basis and the empirical content
of these areas. Credit 3.
PSY 214 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
METHODS: LAB. Laboratory to be taken concurrently with
PSY 234. Credit 1.
PSY 234 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
METHODS. This course is designed to introduce the student
to the scientific method in general and research methodology
in psychology in particular through laboratory and field experiments.
Laboratory period required. Credit 3.
*PSY 237 PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY.
A survey is made of clinical/counseling psychology, e.g. psychopathology,
diagnostic instruments, methods and techniques; individual
and group psychotherapy, theories, community psychology; professional
ethics of the clinical/counseling psychologist. Credit 3.
PSY 289 PSYCHOLOGY OF ADJUSTMENT.
[PSYC 2315] A study is made of the dynamics of human behavior
applying psychological theory to the development of the wholesome
well adjusted personality. Techniques for managing stress,
reducing anxiety, coping with anger, increasing assertiveness,
and achieving self-control are considered. Credit 3.
PSY 313 PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
LAB. Laboratory to be taken concurrently with PSY 333.
Credit 1.
PSY 317 STATISTICS LABORATORY.
Laboratory to be taken concurrently with PSY 387. Credit 1.
PSY 331 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY.
This course includes an introduction to behavioral disorders.
Biological and social factors in the development, diagnosis,
and treatment of psychopathology are studied. Prerequisite:
3 semester hours of Psychology. Credit 3.
PSY 332 HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY.
This course includes an historical survey of the scientific
and philosophic antecedents of modern psychology. Prerequisite:
3 semester hours of Psychology. Credit 3.
PSY 333 PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY.
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the biological
substrates of behavior. A study is made of the genetic, neuroanatomical,
neurochemical and neurophysiological mechanisms of such psychological
processes as sensation, movement, learning, memory, motivation
and emotion. This course is offered primarily for psychology
majors and minors but may serve as an elective for majors
in biology, chemistry, and public health. Laboratory period
required. Prerequisite: 3 hours in Psychology and 4 hours
in Biology or consent of instructor. Credit 3.
PSY 334 HUMAN SEXUALITY. A study
is made of major factors involved in marital adjustment with
emphasis upon practical education for marriage, parenthood
and adult living. Credit 3.
PSY 336 SENSATION/PERCEPTION.
A study is made of the sensory processes, the relationship
between physical stimuli and sensory/perceptual experience,
and perceptual phenomena. Topics such as pain, constancies,
illusions, and psychophysics are covered. Credit 3.
PSY 337 COGNITION. This course
is intended to provide a broad survey of the field of cognitive
psychology covering such topics as attention, memory, forgetting,
consciousness, and organization/structure. It covers both
the theoretical basis and empirical content of the area. Credit
3.
*PSY 365 CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS.
This course examines the processes of social interaction,
using the perspective of psychological theory and research.
Topics include the growth of relationships, love, social exchange,
impression management, communication, jealousy, and loneliness.
Techniques for improving interactions are considered. Credit
3.
PSY 371 HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY.
An examination of the major themes of humanistic/existential
psychology/philosophy and their impact on contemporary society.
Works from literature, psychology, philosophy, and religion
are included. Taught with PHL 371. Credit 3.
PSY 374 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY.
A study is made of the physical, mental, emotional, and social
growth and development of the person across the entire life
span. Credit 3.
PSY 381 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY. This
course examines individual human behavior as it is influenced
by cultural and social stimuli. Topics studied include interpersonal
attraction, aggression, prejudice and sexism, conformity,
altruism, and group behavior. Credit 3.
PSY 382 COMPARATIVE PSYCHOLOGY.
This course deals with physical and behavioral differences
in animals and how these differences can be adaptive. Specific
topics include habitat selection, territoriality, predator
and anti-predator behavior, reproductive behavior, and social
behavior. Prerequisites: PSY 234 and 387. Credit 3.
PSY 383 PSYCHOLOGY AND THE LAW. This
course is designed to examine the application of scientific
and professional principles of psychology in the legal system,
the use of social science methods to study the legal system,
and the impact of law on the practice of psychology. Content
areas include legal competencies, the insanity defense, jury
consultation, psychologists and the death penalty, the accuracy
of eyewitness testimony, prediction of violence, the psychology
of victims, family law, and ethical dilemmas. Prerequisites:
6 hours of PSY. Credit 3.
PSY 387 ELEMENTARY STATISTICS.
This course is a study of statistics as applied to problems
in psychology and education, to include frequency functions,
correlation and regression, and statistical tests of significance.
Credit 3.
PSY 391 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY. This
course includes a study of the field of behavioral pharmacology:
the systematic study of the effects of drugs on behavior and
the way in which behavioral principles can help in understanding
how drugs work. The course focuses on the neurophysiological
mechanisms of action of various psychoactive drugs. Credit
3.
PSY 431 PERSONALITY. A study
is made of the major theories of personality; the biological
and social factors in the development and functioning of personality
are considered. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Psychology.
Credit 3.
PSY 432 LEARNING. This course
includes a study of the major theories of learning and their
historical backgrounds; experimental procedures in the study
of learning are discussed. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours
of Psychology. Credit 3.
PSY 433 SEMINAR IN PSYCHOLOGY.
This course includes discussions of selected topics in psychology.
Credit 3.
PSY 434 APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY.
This course examines the use of social psychological theory
and method to explain and solve real world problems. Topics
include physical and mental health, the environment, law,
consumerism, and processes of conflict and social influence.
Prerequisite: PSY 381. Credit 3.
PSY 475 PROBLEMS. Designed for
advanced students in psychology who are capable of independent
study. Prerequisites: Approval of Program Coordinator and
the instructor directing the study. Credit 3.
PSY 488 PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING.
A study is made of group and individual differences and their
assessment. The student is introduced to instruments and techniques
used in the measurement of intelligence, aptitudes, achievement,
interest, attitudes, and other dimensions of personality and
behavior. Prerequisites: 9 hours in Psychology including PSY
131 and 387. Credit 3.
PSY 491 DIVORCE: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL
IMPACT. A comprehensive investigation is made of psychological,
legal, moral, religious, and cultural variables related to
cause, process, and adjustment to divorce is made. Emphasis
is placed on the impact of divorce on the individual. Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor. Credit 3.
*Subject to action by the Board of Regents, The Texas State
University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board.
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