Department of Psychology
Courses
101. Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science
Introduction to the general areas of psychology
including such topics as learning, socialization, motivation,
personality and development. This course is a prerequisite
to all other psychology courses, unless otherwise
specified. Three hours.
102. Introduction to Psychology as a Natural
Science
Survey of general areas
of psychology emphasizing the
biological and physiological
roots of behavior, including
topics such as sensation, perception,
behavioral genetics, animal behavior
and physiological psychology. Three
hours. (Prerequisite: PSY 101)
123. Mind and Brain: An Introduction to
the Neurosciences
This course is designed to provide a broad overview of
scientific study of the brain, focusing on topics of
immediate interest to brain owners. Material
will be presented by the course director as well as 2-4 top neuroscientists from
the Atlanta area who will, as guest lecturers, present material related to their
expertise and research. Course topics may include: drugs and the
nervous system, mental health, aging and Alzheimer’s disease, memory and
attention, and social affiliation. Three hours.
201. Research Methods and Statistics I (co-requisite
with PSY 201L)
Introduction to the scientific method and the mathematical
basis of descriptive statistics. Scientific method, the organization, description, and characterization
of data, scales of measurement, construction and interpretation of graphs and
tables, measures of central tendency and variability, standardizing scores, correlation,
regression, probability, and an introduction to hypothesis testing will be addressed
in this course. Three hours. (Prerequisite: PSY 101)
201L. Research Methods and Statistics I Lab (co-requisite
with PSY 201)
Introduction to the use of descriptive statistics in
psychological research. Topics covered in this course will include
an introduction to research methods, the scientific method, developing
research ideas, the role of statistics in psychological research,
defining and measuring variables, frequency distributions, central
tendency, variability, z-scores, probability, correlation,
probability and samples, and hypothesis testing. Computer software programs such as SPSS and MS
Excel will be used to summarize, describe and present data. One
hour. (Prerequisite: PSY 101)
202. Research Methods and Statistics II
(co-requisite with PSY 202L)
Introduction to inferential statistics, advanced probability
theory, nonparametric statistics and an examination of the strengths
and weakness of hypothesis training. The emphasis in this course will
be on designing experiments and interpreting results, including the
appropriate selection of controls, statistical testing and graphical
presentation. Students will also critically analyze published
work in the field. Three hours. (Prerequisite: PSY 201/201L)
202L. Research Methods and Statistics II Lab (co-requisite
with PSY 202)
Introduction to inferential statistics, advanced probability
theory, nonparametric statistics and an examination
of the strengths and weaknesses of hypothesis testing. The emphasis in this course
will be on designing experiments and interpreting results (includes
choosing appropriate controls, applying appropriate statistical tests
and representing the results graphically). Students will conduct
research experiments in the field and under laboratory conditions
using human and nonhuman animal controls. One hour. (Prerequisite:
PSY 201/201L)
203. Research Methods and Statistics III. (co-requisite
with PSY 203L)
Introduction to advanced statistical techniques, including
those used in qualitative research designs. Students will be
exposed to a number of statistical techniques, including 1 & 2
way ANOVA within design, 2 & 3 way ANOVA between design, multiple
regression and correlation, Bayesian reasoning and Bayesian statistics.
Students will critically evaluate published work in the field. Three
hours. (Prerequisite: PSY 202/202L)
203L. Research Methods and Statistics III/Lab (co-requisite
with PSY 203)
Introduction to advanced statistical techniques,
including those used in qualitative research designs. The emphasis of
this course will be on the design and implementation of advanced studies
and data analyses utilizing the following statistical techniques:
1 & 2 way ANOVA within design, 2 & 3 way ANOVA between design,
multiple regression and correlation, Bayesian reasoning and Bayesian
statistics. Students will also critically evaluate published work
in the field. Conduct of research experiments in the field and under
laboratory conditions using human and nonhuman animal subjects is
required. One hour. (Prerequisite: PSY 202/202L)
204. Educational Psychology
Principles, research and applications of psychology
in the human learning and teaching process. Topics that are
covered include cognitive and social development, theories of learning,
learning abilities and challenges, motivation, learning environments,
pedagogical approaches, assessment, and the roles of cultural factors. Both
mainstream theories and theories that are grounded in understanding
African and African American issues in the field are discussed. Three
hours.
260. African Centered Psychology I
A study of theoretical and empirical psychological
literature pertaining to the cultural, social and political realities
of African Americans and the distinctions between the Africentric
and Eurocentric perspectives. Three hours.
283. Theories of Personality
Review of important theories of personality from psychoanalytic
to learning theory approaches. Theorists studied include Freud,
Jung, Fromm, Rogers, Dollard and Miller, Skinner and others. Three
hours. (Prerequisite: PSY 102)
287. Developmental Psychology
Survey of human development from a lifespan perspective,
including social, emotional and cognitive development. Discussions
will include genetic and environmental factors, parent-child relationships,
and racial identity development. Three hours.
303. Social Psychology
Exploration of influence of others on the individual,
including conformity behavior, obedience, prejudice,
attitude formation and change, social cognition, and political behavior. Three
hours.
341. Animal Behavior
A synthesis of comparative psychology and ethology,
studying the behavior of animals. Begins with an introduction
to the role of evolution, genetics and neurophysiology in behavior. Continues
with an examination of specific areas in animal behavior, such as
migration, sexual behavior, communication, dominance, territoriality,
predator-prey relationships and social behavior. Includes an
introduction to areas that are closely related to animal behavior,
such as sociobiology and behavioral ecology. Three hours. (Prerequisites: PSY
203/203L)
341L. Animal Behavior Laboratory
Laboratory and field research projects using a variety
of small animals. Investigating topics such as sexual behavior,
territoriality, aggression, grooming and social behavior. One
hour. (Prerequisites: PSY 203/203L, PSY 341)
360. African Centered Psychology II
Focuses upon understanding and applying various perspectives
of African worldview to psychology. The course utilizes the
research and theoretical literature in psychology and other sciences,
that attempt to explain pre-colonial African thought as it applies
to human psychological functioning. Applications to contemporary
African American lifestyles are discussed. Three hours.
369. Relationships Between the Sexes
Study of the psychology of male/female relationships
and interactions utilizing small group methods. Prerequisite:
Permission of Instructor. Three hours.
372. Learning and Memory
An empirical and theoretical examination of the processes
of learning and memory. Three hours. (Prerequisites: PSY 203/203L)
372L. Learning and Memory Laboratory
Laboratory and field investigations of human and animal
learning and memory. One hour. (Prerequisites: PSY 203/203L)
381. Community Psychology
Examination of interaction between individuals and
institutions in the community and the psychologist's
role in intervention to maximize psychological functioning in this
non-traditional setting. Three
hours.
386. Abnormal Psychology
Study of causation, description, and treatment of psychological
maladjustment including mood and anxiety disorders,
somatoform and dissociative disorders, personality disorders, and
organic brain dysfunction as listed in DSM-IV-TR. Three hours. (Prerequisites: PSY
202/202L)
393. Health/Medical Psychology
Familiarizes students with the rapidly expanding area
of health psychology and the role of the health psychologist. Understanding
will be gained of the impact of psychological factors in health and
illness. Examines, from a biopsychosocial and cross-cultural
perspective, the prevention, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of
illness; relation of stress and health; coping strategies; interacting
with health care systems; as well as health policy formation and implementation. Three
hours.
394. Honors Advanced Research Methodologies
An exploration of the research process from selection
of topic to research proposal. Prerequisite: Participation in
the NIMH-COR Program. Three hours.
395. Honors Applied Computer/Data Analysis
Practical applications of computers in various research
settings. Analysis and interpretation of data. Prerequisite:
Participation in the NIMH-COR Program. Three hours.
389-390. Selected Topics in Psychology
This course may be offered each semester depending
upon departmental needs, and the specific topic may
vary. Faculty
and specific topic will be chosen through departmental discussion
each semester. Some topics may be repeated every other year
while others may be repeated less frequently, depending on need, student
interest, and faculty availability. Possible topics include:
- Psychopharmacology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Qualitative Research
- Language Development & Psycholinguistics
- Forensic psychology
- Environmental psychology
- Advanced Seminar in ..(various areas)
Although the course structure is determined by the faculty person teaching, seminar format is standard. Three hours.
397-398. Honors Research and Communications
Seminar
On going in-depth examination of the research process
through student presentations and guest speakers. Prerequisite:
Participation in the NIMH-COR Program. Three hours each
semester. May be repeated for credit.
400-401. Supervised Fieldwork
Practical work experience in various community service
centers and projects supervised by faculty and agency
directors. Three
hours each semester.
444. Leadership, Creativity, and Innovation
This multi-disciplinary course will explore practices
that facilitate creative collaboration and innovation. Three
hours.
450. Clinical Assessment
Introduction to the administration and interpretation
of basic psychometric instruments, including tests
of intelligence, aptitude, and personality. Prerequisite: Either Psychology 283
or 386. Three hours.
452. Techniques of Psychotherapy
Introduction to the basic theoretical orientations,
methods and techniques of individual and group therapy
as well as other intervention strategies. Prerequisite: Either Psychology
283 or 386. Clinical Assessment (PSY 451) need not be
taken in order to take Techniques of Psychotherapy. Three hours.
460. Psychobiology
An examination of the interactions between biological
aspects of an organism and its behavior; covers basic
neuroanatomy and neural physiology; techniques of psychobiology;
sleep and wakefulness;
internal regulation of motivation and emotion; neural basis of learning
and memory; higher cortical functions, language, and recovery of function. Three
hours. (Prerequisite: PSY 203/203L)
461. Psychobiology Laboratory
Designed to familiarize the student with some of the
techniques used in the study of psychobiology. The combination
of demonstrations and individual projects gives the student an opportunity
to work directly with various types of equipment in the investigation
of the areas covered in Psychology 460. One hour. (Prerequisite: PSY
203/203L, PSY 460—or concurrent enrollment)
470. Industrial/Organizational Psychology
The goal of the course is to provide broad exposure
to the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology. It includes
methods and procedures used in maximizing the effectiveness of personnel
selection and training. It will also cover theory and research
on organizational and environmental factors that influence behavior
and employee satisfaction in the work setting. Three hours.
495-496. Directed Studies
Special problems, individual research, or field work
under faculty supervision. Three hours each semester. (Prerequisite: PSY
202/202L). PSY 495 and PSY 496 may be taken in lieu of PSY 250 (Psychology
Colloquium) and PSY 498 (Senior Seminar).
