PHILOSOPHY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
PHL 261 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY. [PHIL 1301] A general examination of
the fields and issues of philosophy as discussed by both classical and modern
philosophers. Philosophical problems discussed include the existence of God,
the nature of knowledge and truth, the issue of human free will, and theories
of moral judgment. Credit 3.
PHL 262 CRITICAL THINKING. Designed to improve students' ability to
think critically. The course covers the fundamentals of deductive reasoning,
the identification of common fallacies, and an introduction to inductive
reasoning, as well as sensitizing the students to some of the ways information
is distorted, e.g., by advertising and news management. Credit 3.
PHL 362 INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY LOGIC. Introduces the student to
the principles of ordered thought and to the terminology and rules of symbolic
logic. Discusses the logic of statements and the logic of predicates,
quantifiers, and identity. Credit 3.
PHL 363 CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES. A study of major moral issues in
contemporary society. Includes topics such as abortion, euthanasia, censorship,
capital punishment, and other issues that confront today's society. Credit 3.
PHL 364 ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY. A survey of philosophical
thought from the time of the pre-socratics to about 1500. Includes the study of
the work of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the hellenistic schools, and medieval
philosophy through the late scholastic period. The artistic, scientific,
ethical, political, and general cultural ramifications of the major systems of
thought are noted. Credit 3.
PHL 365 MODERN PHILOSOPHY. A survey of philosophical thought from about
1500 through the first half of the twentieth century. The course will examine
the philosophical significance of the rise of modern science, the classical
philosophies of rationalism, empiricism, the philosophy of Kant, and the
development of these philosophies through the nineteenth and twentieth
centuries. Credit 3.
PHL 366 AESTHETICS. An inquiry into the nature and meaning of art.
Analysis of aesthetic experience, the relation of art to value, and an
examination of aesthetic theories concerning representation, form and
expression. This course satisfies 3 semester hours of the fine arts requirement
for the BA degree program. Credit 3.
PHL 367 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION. An examination of the nature and meaning
of religion and religious expression. Philosophical and scientific critiques of
religious faith and experience are considered. The nature of faith and reason,
the question of the existence and nature of God, and the relation of religion
and value are typical course topics. Credit 3.
PHL 368 WORLD RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES. A survey of the major
religions of the world together with the philosophies which have grown out of
these religions. The study will include the major views on the nature of the
divine, of immortality, and the basic theories of morals, knowledge, and
reality. The major ethical, political, and economic implications of these
systems of thought will be surveyed with a view to providing the student with a
context for understanding how the differences in these religions and
philosophies are reflected in events in the contemporary world. Credit 3.
PHL 371 PHILOSOPHY OF SELF-AWARENESS. An examination of the major themes
of existentialism and its impact on contemporary society. Existential works
from literature, psychology, psychoanalysis, and religion are included.
Examines the existential concepts of anxiety, fear, guilt, meaninglessness,
death, and authentic and inauthentic existence. Taught with PSY 371. Credit
3.
PHL 372 PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE. A survey of topics in philosophy of
science including the logic of explanations in the physical and social
sciences, the relations of science to the realm of values, and a look at the
"mind-body problem". Credit 3.
PHL 471 DEATH AND DYING. An examination of the philosophical reflections
on death and dying from the literature of philosophy, wpsychology, theology,
medicine and other contemporary sources. Course includes discussions of the
nature of grief, sorrow, anxiety, fear, and suicide as related to death, and
the social implications of death for the individual, family, friends, and
community. Credit 3.
PHL 480 SEMINAR IN PHILOSOPHY. Affords students a chance for in-depth
study of a particular topic or area in philosophy not covered fully in the
other course offerings and a chance for participation in a course conducted on
a seminar basis. As the topics vary, the course may be repeated for credit.
Credit 3.
| First Year | Credit | Second Year | Credit |
| PSY 131 | 3 | PSY 234/214, 332, | |
| ENG 164, 165 | 6 | 3 hrs. PSY elective | 10 |
| HIS 163, 164 | 6 | ENG 265, 275, or 295 | 3 |
| BIO elective | 4 | SCM or ENG electrive | 3 |
| MTH 164 | 3 | BIO elective | 4 |
| Fine Arts | 3 | POL 261, 3 hrs. POL | 6 |
| KIN 215, 1 hour | 2 | CS | 3 |
| PHL 261 | 3 | ||
| 30 | 32 |
| Third Year | Credit | Fourth Year | Credit |
| PSY 387/317, 6 hrs PSY | 10 | PSY (advanced) | 12 |
| CHM, PHY, GEL(one field) | 8 | Criterion VI, Cluster 1 | 3 |
| PHL 262 | 3 | Minor | 9 |
| SOC 261 | 3 | electives | 9 |
| Minor | 9 | ||
| 33 | 33 |
The courses within the Psychology Program are divided into four blocks:
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 232 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 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 289 PSYCHOLOGY OF ADJUSTMENT. 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 361 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: CHILDHOOD. A study is made of the physical, mental, emotional, and social growth and development of the child. Credit 3.
PSY 362 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: ADOLESCENCE AND ADULTHOOD. A study is made of the physical, mental, emotional, and social growth and development of adolescents and adults. Credit 3.
PSY 365 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF INTERPERSONAL INTERACTIONS. 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 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 232. Credit 3.
PSY 437 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. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Credit 3.
PSY 460 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MENTAL RETARDATION. This course includes a study of the nature and causes of subnormality; the characteristics, needs, and adjustment problems of subnormal children are considered. Prerequisites: Senior standing and 6 semester hours of Psychology. 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.
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