2020-2021 Academic Catalog 
    
    Apr 19, 2024  
2020-2021 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


Courses at Furman are typically identified by codes separated into three distinct parts. The first segment designates the academic subject of the course, the second component relates to the level of instruction, and the final element (when displayed) assists with the identification of the meeting times and location for individual course sections.

Credit bearing undergraduate courses typically are numbered between 100 and 599, graduate instruction is typically numbered between 600 and 999, while zero credit experiences frequently have numbers between 001 and 099. Undergraduates can further expect courses numbers to reflect:

100-299 introductory courses, geared to freshmen and sophomores
300-499 advanced courses, designed for majors and other students with appropriate background and/or prerequisites
500-599 individualized instruction, including internships, research, independent study, and music performance studies
 

Politics and International Affairs: Introductory Courses

  
  • POL-102 Introduction to World Politics


    GER: HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
    Examination of similarities and differences between the institutions, processes and policies of selected nations, in the context of globalization and the evolution of international politics. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-103 Introduction to Political Thought


    GER: UQ (Ultimate Questions)
    A survey of major political philosophers in which students consider alternative conceptions of reality as they come to light in ancient, medieval, and modern political orders. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-150 Introduction to Political Analysis


    GER: WR (Writing-Research Intensive) and HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
    Prerequisite: any first year writing seminar and POL-101  or POL-102  
    The methodology of contemporary political science, including research techniques for studying political behavior. 4 credits.

Politics and International Affairs: American Politics

  
  • POL-202 American Presidency


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    The constitutional and political evolution of the presidential office, with emphasis on relations with Congress, the federal bureaucracy and the judiciary. Focus on presidential functions such as legislative leadership, budgeting, administrative coordination and making foreign policy. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-203 Judicial Processes and United States Supreme Court


    GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretation of Texts)
    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    The judicial process and the federal system through the case method. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-204 Civil Rights and the United States Constitution


    GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretation of Texts)
    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Study of the civil rights of the American constitution through readings and the case method. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-205 Public Policy in the United States


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Study of public policy in the United States with an emphasis on influential policy actors, theories of the policymaking process, the tools of policy analysis, and important policy areas, such as education, the environment, and defense policy. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-206 Law and Public Policy


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Do court rulings effect significant change in public policy? We examine this question by investigating U.S. Supreme Court holdings and public policy in the following areas: education, death penalty, abortion, land preservation, access to justice, abortion and voting rights. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-207 State Politics


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Comparative analysis of politics in the American states. Emphasis on federalism (intergovernmental relations), state governmental services and functions. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-208 Urban Politics


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Study of problems facing cities, including community power structures, poverty, welfare, education, housing, urban renewal and law enforcement. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-209 Southern Politics


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    An investigation of how the American South has developed politically and how the region has helped to shape American politics as a whole. Focus includes race, economics, and religion and how they have affected the political dynamics of the region. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-210 Interest Groups and Political Movements


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Analysis of the role of interest groups and political movements in the United States, with a focus on the origins, maintenance and strategies of these organizations. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-211 Racial and Ethnic Politics


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Examination of African American, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American efforts to organize for political action in the face of political, social and economic constraints. Groups are compared to other politically active groups in U.S. politics. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-212 Women and Politics


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Examination of the experience and role of women in the political arena, including such topics as campaigns and elections, political leadership, social movement participation, media coverage, public policy formation and public opinion. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-213 Environmental Policy


    GER: NE (Humans and the Natural Environment)
    Examination of environmentalism from cultural, historical, and political perspectives in the United States. Consumption, development, environmental risk, and environmental justice. Historical development of American environmentalism, environmental policy including styles of regulation, uncertainties in risk assessment, the usefulness of cost-benefit analysis, and the debates over public lands, biodiversity, toxic and hazardous substances, the use of renewable energy, and science and technology. Special emphasis is placed on current environmental issues and debates in the Greenville area. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-214 Environmental Law


    GER: NE (Humans and the Natural Environment)
    Exploration of how environmental law interplays with the public policy dimensions of science, media and politics providing students with an understanding of the breadth of environmental law and the range of tools of conservation advocacy. The constant and ever-changing interplay between the law, politics, media and science leading to public policy in the environmental/conservation/ energy field will be a key focus. Emerging interpretations (both domestic and international) of the impact of the law on climate and policy will also be addressed. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-215 Public Administration


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Study of public administration with emphasis on major theories of administration and democracy, the role of bureaucracy in American society and the challenges facing public administrators at the national, state and local level. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-216 Campaigns and Elections


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    An examination of campaigns and elections in American politics. Topics include campaign financing, the presidential nomination process, theories of campaign strategy, and voting behavior.
  
  • POL-218 Healthcare, Public Policy, & Law


    Providing a framework for understanding the social, political and economic dimensions of health policy. Introducing the policy-making and legal system of the United States and providing a
    platform to develop knowledge about the organization of the health care system in the U.S. Providing the practical knowledge to identify legal issues and to understand the legal and ethical ramifications of strategic decisions.  Emerging health policy issues that courts are likely to confront. How the law balances collective and individual rights.  4
  
  • POL-219 Crime and Policing


    HB (Human Behavior)
    POL-101
    This course offers a theoretical, empirical, and normative study of crime policy and law enforcement in the U.S. Students will come away from this course with a deeper understanding of why our society punishes, whether some communities suffer disproportionate punishment, and how crime policy is made and enforced. Students will also learn about alternatives to current crime policies and law enforcement methods. 4
  
  • POL-301 American Congress


    Prerequisite: POL-101  and POL-150  
    The development and operation of the U.S. Congress, focusing on its constitutional and political bases. Topics include elections, representation, congressional parties and committees, policy making, and relations with the presidency. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-304 Jurisprudence, Law and Ethics


    This course examines a broad range of contemporary legal issues from the theoretical standpoint of ethics and jurisprudence. Theory is employed to present legal developments within their particular social and historical context. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-315 Media and Politics


    Prerequisite: POL-101  and POL-150  
    The place of the media as an institution in the American political system. Topics include the nature of the U.S. media, their relationship to the president and the bureaucracy, Congress, the courts and interest groups, the media’s role in political campaigns and policy-making, and the media’s influence on opinion and political behavior of elites and the public. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-317 Political Behavior


    Prerequisite: POL-101  and POL-150  
    Formation, organization and change of attitudes about American politics; study of political participation and its correlates. Methods of survey design and analysis including computer adaptations. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-360 Black Political Traditions


    An exploration of the works of African American scholars, writers and activist and the struggles they chronicle of the Black experience in pursuing the goal of full inclusion in the American body politic. Including an examination of conflicting and synchronous political ideologies, activist, movements, organizations, and institutions that influence the current political position of African Americans. 4 credits.

Politics and International Affairs: Comparative Politics

  
  • POL-220 Political Psychology


    GER: UQ (Ultimate Questions)
    Examination of how political psychologists explain political behavior and how it is manifested in the political world. The psychological, social and political underpinnings of terrorism, genocide, torture and mass killings, will be studied, as will the factors contributing to heroic and altruistic political behavior. Consideration of the ethical and moral requirements for human behavior. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-221 Politics of European Union


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Study of the institutions, policies and processes of the European Union and the major theories of regional integration. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-222 Politics of Russia


    GER: WC (World Cultures)
    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Examination of the development of institutions, policies, processes and cultures in the late Soviet and post-Soviet eras. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-223 Politics of Developing Nations


    GER: WC (World Cultures)
    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Introduction to politics of the non-Western nations, with emphasis on the political development of the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Presentation of a comparative framework for understanding diverse political cultures. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-224 Politics of Africa


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Comparative study focusing on traditional political structures, the impact of colonialism, and contemporary political systems and parties. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-225 Politics of the Middle East


    GER: WC (World Cultures)
    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Focus on the interplay of religion, nationalism, colonialism and regional conflict in the context of national as well as world politics. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-226 Politics of China


    GER: WC (World Cultures) and HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
    Examination of the political, social and economic factors affecting the Chinese Communist Party and its relationship to the Chinese citizenry. Analysis of the domestic and international challenges confronting the Chinese state. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-227 Environmental Politics in China


    GER: NE (Humans & the Natural Environment)
    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Examination of the key environmental challenges facing China, efforts to combat environmental destruction, and prospects for China’s sustainable development. Will explore the interaction of minority and environmental concerns and the impact of tourism on both. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-229 Politics of Asia


    GER: WC (World Cultures)
    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Examination of one of the world’s most dynamic regions. Common issues facing disparate regimes will be explored through case studies from Communist regimes, military and transitional systems, and restricted democracies. The region’s changing international role and influence will be discussed. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-230 Politics of Latin America


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Emphasis on the institutions, processes and policies through which Latin American countries attempt to accommodate the forces of tradition and of political, economic and social change. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-231 Democratization in the Mediterranean


    HB (Human Behavior)
    POL-102
    The basic principles, theories, conceptual tools, and comparative methods useful for understanding the processes of, and challenges to, democratization in the Mediterranean region. 4 credits
  
  • POL-232 Islam and Politics


    GER: WC (World Cultures)
    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    An investigation of the complexity and diversity of Islam in its political forms to create a more nuanced understanding of how politics has shaped Islam, and a deeper knowledge of how Islam has influenced political developments in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the West. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-235 Politics of Religious Movements


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Effects of religious movements on the politics of modernizing societies, comparing Europe, the United States, the Middle East and Latin America. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-236 Political Parties


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Examination of political parties as they appear in established and emerging democracies. Special emphasis on U.S. political parties in comparative perspective. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-320 Politics of Europe


    Prerequisite: POL-102  and POL-150  
    Study of political institutions, policies and processes in European democracies. 4 credits.

Politics and International Affairs: International Relations

  
  • POL-250 International Relations


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Examination of the sources of conflict and cooperation in the international system and their effects on the development of foreign policy. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-251 International Peace and Security


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Examination of security challenges facing leaders in the twenty-first century. Topics include: WMD, wars of insurgency, terrorism, peace keeping, nation building, and ethnic conflict. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-252 American Foreign Policy


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Emphasis on the nature of U.S. national interests, major foreign policy actors and institutions, and principal modes and patterns of decision-making. American foreign policy toward selected allies and adversaries is also considered. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-254 Foreign Policy Analysis


    GER: HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Examination of the personalities, beliefs, and cultural milieus of foreign policy leaders and how these leadership factors contribute to historical and contemporary peace and conflict processes in world politics. Also, considering leadership assessment techniques. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-255 Understanding Terrorism


    The phenomenon of terrorism warrants continued study. What qualifies as terrorism and why? What types of terrorism are there? What motivates terrorism? How can it be tackled? 4
  
  • POL-256 International Political Economy


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    The relationship between politics and economics on the national and international levels, focusing on the impact of political forces on the functioning of the international economic system. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-258 International Organization


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    International organization is the ordering principle in the international system including institutions, regimes, law and norms. The goal of the organization is to govern the interactions among state and non-state actors. Challenges to these ordering principles and their effectiveness in specific cases will be studied. 4 credits.

Politics and International Affairs: Political Thought

  
  • POL-270 Classical Political Thought


    GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretation of Texts)
    Prerequisite: POL-103  or PHL-101  
    Textual analysis of selected works by classical authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, and Aquinas. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-272 Modern Political Thought


    GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretation of Texts)
    Prerequisite: POL-103  or PHL-101  
    Textual analysis of works by authors such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Marx, Mill, and Nietzsche. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-273 American Political Thought


    GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretation of Texts)
    Analysis of the principles underlying American politics, focusing on textual analysis of the writings of America’s most influential statesmen, stateswomen, and public intellectuals. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-278 Readings in Political Thought


    Prerequisite: POL-103  or PHL-101  
    Patterned on the model of a reading group, students will focus on a significant author or theme in the tradition of political philosophy. Readings will vary by year and instructor. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • POL-375 Issues in Political Thought


    GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretations of Texts)
    Prerequisite: POL-103  or PHL-101  
    Examination of selected moral and political themes in light of the tradition of political thought, which combines classic texts with the writings of contemporary scholars and public intellectuals. Topics each semester are addressed in more detail on the Tocqueville Program web site. 4 credits.

Politics and International Affairs: Engaged Learning

  
  • POL-405 Fieldwork in Politics


    Prerequisite: POL-101  or POL-102  
    Through internships and related assignments, students employ research methods, test previous political science research, and acquire a deeper understanding of domestic and international affairs. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-406 Fieldwork in State and Local Public Affairs


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Through 25-hour-per-week internships in local or state governmental agencies (both political and administrative) or nongovernmental agencies (such as interest groups, media or nonprofits), students are exposed to the way in which subnational policy is formulated, implemented and evaluated. In addition, students attend a weekly seminar that integrates various themes in public administration, public policy and state and local government. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-407 Washington Experience


    Prerequisite: POL-101  or POL-102  
    Examination of political, civic and cultural aspects of the American political system while living in Washington, DC. Includes internship in a government agency or political organization, with appropriate academic perspectives. 8 credits.
  
  • POL-408 Brussels Experience


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Internship in a European Union institution or related organization with appropriate academic perspectives. Variable credit.
  
  • POL-409 Fieldwork in State Legislatures


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    State legislative interns compare and contrast their internship experiences with the appropriate political science literature to gain a deeper understanding of the representation process. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-411 Mediation and Conflict Resolution


    An introduction to the theory and practice of mediation, a non-adversarial method for resolving disputes. Students will practice active listening skills, facilitative responses, non-verbal communication skills, and mediation techniques (brainstorming, settling on a mutual option, and writing an effective agreement). The broader implications of conflict resolution such as restorative justice and forgiveness studies will also be explored. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • POL-412 Trial Advocacy


    Historical foundations of trial advocacy; analysis of the structure of a trial from opening statements to closing arguments; students practice all components of a trial (e.g., direct and cross examination) and stage several trials in local courthouses. Cases rotate between civil and criminal fact patterns. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • POL-413 Conservation and Renewable Energy


    Fostering and incentivizing conservation behavior and the goal of carbon neutrality and the challenges associated with pursuing those endeavors. Mechanics of renewable energy technologies and the study of encouraging environmentally sustainable behavior. The political context in which college campuses finds themselves with regard to renewable energy policy will also be examined. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • POL-414 Campaigning for Office in SC


    Explores the roles of candidates, consultants, activists, political parties, and the media in state-wide elections in South Carolina. Students will travel the state to speak with key figures in South Carolina politics and to attend political meetings as participant observers. May Experience ONLY. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • POL-415 Poverty and the Law


    Through readings, discussions and field trips (to courtrooms, Legal Aid, public defenders, ICE, DSS, prisons) considering the factual and ethical aspects of the relationship between poverty and the law in the US. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • POL-416 Farm


    An introduction to farm policy, agricultural history, and contemporary issues in agriculture policy (nitrogen run-off, impact of global markets, biofuels). Course is taught on a working farm in north central Iowa. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • POL-417 Politics & National Integration in Ireland


    Examines theories of national integration, democratic accountability, political culture, and nation-building. Students will explore these ideas in the political contexts of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • POL-418 Democracy the Scandanavian Way


    Exploration of politics and policies in the United States and Scandinavia. The course includes briefings by experts and policy makers on location. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • POL-419 Welfare States in America and Scandinavia


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Advanced exploration of welfare states in the United States and Scandinavia. The course includes briefings by experts and policy makers on location. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • POL-422 South Carolina Politics and Policy


    Prerequisite: POL-101  
    Constitutional underpinnings, politics, institutions and policies of South Carolina’s government. Typically offered in conjunction with the State Capital Experience travel study program in Columbia, SC. Typically offered in conjunction with the State Capital Experience travel study program in Columbia, SC. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-423 The European Union in Theory


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Exploration of prescriptive and explanatory approaches to the post-World War II integration of Europe. The course includes briefings by academics on location in Europe. 4 credits. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-424 The European Union in Practice


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Examination of the institutions, policy-making processes and policies of the European Union. Includes visits to EU institutions and briefings by experts and policy makers on location in Brussels and other European capitals. 4 credits. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-440 Economics and Political Analysis of the Eurpoean Union


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Same as ECN-371 . An examination of the formation, implementation and operation of the European Union, with special emphasis on political and economic issues. Taught as part of the Furman program in Europe. Students may not receive credit for both ECN-371 and POL-440. 4 credits. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-441 Issues in Central and Eastern European Politics


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Examination of change in Central and Eastern Europe, with emphasis on such topics as the politics of democratization, economic transformation, international security, and environmental degradation and protection. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-442 Issues in African Politics


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Examination of change in Africa, with emphasis on such topics as the politics of democratization, ethnicity, economic development, the environment and international relations. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-443 Issues in Chinese Politics


    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    Examination of China in the post-Mao era, focusing on the pressures for reform and the central government146s ongoing struggle to maintain control while liberalizing the political and economic system. Includes interviews with government officials and citizens in Shanghai. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-444 Issues in Latin American Politics


    GER: HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
    Prerequisite: POL-102  
    A comparative analysis focusing on the persistence of authoritarianism and the processes and challenges associated with democratic transition and consolidation in selected Latin American countries. Taken as a component of Furman’s Latin America study away program. Taken as a component of Furman’s Latin America study away program. 4 credits.

Politics and International Affairs: Seminars and Individualized Instruction

  
  • POL-370 Capstone Seminar in Politics & International Affairs


    Prerequisite: POL-101 , POL-102 , POL-103  and POL-150  
    Reading, research and writing course for majors that covers a specific topic in political science. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-371 Senior Research Seminar


    Prerequisite: instructor permission
    Guided research and writing on a topic in any field of political science proposed by the student and approved by the instructor. 4 credits.
  
  • POL-504 Directed Independent Study


    Prerequisite: instructor and department permission.
    Variable credit.

Poverty Studies

  
  • PVS-101 Introduction to Poverty Studies


    Definition, scope, and measurement of poverty; experiences and effects of living in poverty; individual and structural causes; rights, claims, and obligations regarding poverty; successes and failures in the alleviation of poverty; current proposals. 4 credits.
  
  • PVS-102 Living in Poverty


    Readings, lectures, field experiences, community speakers, and critical reflection to assist students who are considering internships associated with the Poverty Studies concentration or other similar experiences. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.

Psychology

  
  • PSY-111 General Psychology


    GER: HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
    Comprehensive introduction to psychology as a behavioral science through a survey of historical, empirical, and theoretical perspectives of psychological research. Topics include: biological bases of behavior, development, learning, personality, cognition, perception, motivation, behavior disorders, and social psychology. Students must either participate in research projects or write summaries of published research articles. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-150 Psychology in the Archives


    The history of psychology through archival fieldwork. Students will create an online exhibit that showcases a key researcher or concept from the history of psychology based on information gathered from archives. May Experience ONLY. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • PSY-152 Discovering Psychology’s European Roots


    Study the history of psychology by visiting the original laboratories and cultures that gave rise to the discipline. Includes the culture and historical context influencing early psychological theories and the relevance of these theories for contemporary psychology. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
  
  • PSY-201 Research Methods and Statistics I


    GER: WR (Writing-Research Intensive) and HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
    Prerequisite: any first year writing seminar and PSY-111  
    Introduction to the principles of science, research design, data collection with animals and/or humans, statistical analysis, and scientific writing. Designed to acquaint students with the scientific methods used to study behavior; covers the fundamental methodological, statistical, and writing skills necessary for most advanced psychology courses. Lab work, computer analysis of data, and written reports of laboratory projects are integral to the course. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-202 Research Methods and Statistics II


    Prerequisite: PSY-201  (enrolled consecutively in the same semester)
    Continuation of first research methods and statistics course. Introduction to the principles of science, research design, data collection with animals and humans, statistical analysis, and scientific writing. Designed to acquaint students with the scientific methods used to study behavior; covers the fundamental methodological, statistical, and writing skills necessary for most advanced psychology courses. Lab work, computer analysis of data, and written reports of laboratory projects are integral to the course. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-210 Poverty and Child Development


    Examination of the relationship between poverty and child health and development in the cultural context of southern Africa. Major areas of focus include malnutrition, health, education, cognitive and socio-emotional development. Resilience, HIV orphans, and policy issues are also discussed. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-211 Childhood and Adolescence


    GER: HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
    Prerequisite: PSY-111  
    The psychological principles and processes of human development from conception through adolescence. Theory and empirical research related to physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development are reviewed. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-212 Social Psychology


    GER: HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
    Prerequisite: PSY-111 
    Study of individual human behavior as it affects and is affected by other people. Topics include the self, attitudes, group dynamics, prejudice, interpersonal attraction, impression formation, attribution, aggression, and prosocial behavior. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-213 Adulthood and Aging


    GER: HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
    Prerequisite: PSY-111 
    Developmental changes across adulthood. Includes topics such as changes in memory functioning, physicality, caregiving, and socio-emotional processing. Selected topics related to atypical aging, such as Alzheimer’s disease and living to be a centenarian will also be addressed. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-214 Health Psychology


    Prerequisite: PSY-111 
    Issues of health and illness from a biopsychosocial perspective. Examining how the body responds to stress, the role of personality, social relationships, coping and socio-economic status in health and chronic disease. Students will conduct a term-long personal health behavior project. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-215 Organizational Psychology


    Prerequisite: PSY-111  
    An introduction to the study of industrial and organizational psychology, major techniques and initiatives employed by those in the field, and the challenges facing organizations and leaders today and in the future.  Topics include job analysis, job evaluation, legal issues in employee selection, recruiting, interviewing, references and testing, employee performance, job satisfaction, work motivation, leadership development, group behavior, teamwork, and work-life balance. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-216 Personality


    Prerequisite: PSY-111 
    Study of the major theories of personality that have provided the historical groundwork and perspective for current personality research. Topics include psychoanalytic, trait, cognitive, behavioral, and humanistic theories. Students will learn about different personality theories and how they are tested empirically, become familiar with different methodologies for studying personality, and better understand what personality is and the role it plays in our lives. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-218 Abnormal Psychology


    Prerequisite: PSY-111  
    An introduction to the study of psychopathology. Topics include the definition of mental illness, classification of psychopathology, a survey of the types of disorders, their etiologies, epidemiology and symptoms. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-284 Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination


    PSY 111
    What are the social psychological factors explaining the causes and consequences of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination? This course will cover empirical approaches to these issues. Students will examine the ways that everyday systems, practices, and artifacts can reproduce these harmful processes, even within an egalitarian, well-meaning society. Building from the research literature, students will evaluate and propose interventions to reduce stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. 4
  
  • PSY-314 Psychometrics and Assessment


    Prerequisite: PSY-202  or BIO-222  and PSY-111  
    An introduction to the psychometric principles of test construction and test use and to the theories and methods of psychological assessment. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-318 Clinical Psychology


    Prerequisite: PSY-202 BIO-222  or HSC-201  and PSY-218  
    Advanced study of how clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat psychopathology. Topics include historical basis of clinical psychology, evidence-based assessments and treatments, ethics and multicultural competency, and professional training and practice. Designed for upper-level students considering a career in mental health or some other health-related field. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-320 Introduction to Biopsychology


    GER: NWL (Empirical Study of the Natural World with laboratory)
    Prerequisite: PSY-202  or BIO-222 
    Study of the biological bases of behavior. Appropriate for all majors, particularly those with potential interest in neuroscience or neuropsychology. Fundamentals of brain structure (gross and fine anatomy) and function (neurophysiology and chemical transmission). Overview of sensory systems from peripheral to central processing, including perception. Study of motor pathways and diseases of movement. Introduction to human neuropsychology, motivation, mood, memory and cognition. Lab projects focus on neuroanatomy and sensory systems. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-321 Psychopharmacology


    Prerequisite: PSY-320 
    An introduction to the mechanisms of drug action, effects, use and abuse. General topics include principles of pharmacology, neural substrates underlying drug addiction, and the therapeutic use of drugs for mental function. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-322 Memory and Cognition


    Prerequisite: PSY-202  or BIO-222  and PSY-111  
    Examination of the research and theories of human memory and cognition. Topics include perception, attention, working memory, getting information into and out of long-term memory, forgetting, imagery, and problem-solving. Experimental approaches to studying these topics will be discussed. Lab projects focus on experimental methods for studying cognitive processes. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-323 Animal Behavior


    Prerequisite: PSY-202  or BIO-222  
    Comparative analyses of behavior in a variety of nonhuman species.  Evolutionary theory is emphasized in the study of social behavior, aggression, reproductive and parental behavior, territoriality, predator-prey relationships, and other topics. 4 credits.
  
  • PSY-324 Learning


    Prerequisite: PSY-202  or BIO-222  and PSY-111  
    Introduction to the study of learning, emphasizing laboratory research of Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning in mostly nonhuman species.  Topics include reinforcement, extinction, stimulus control of behavior, avoidance, punishment, cognitive animal processes, and application of basic research to human behavior.  4 credits.
 

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