Psychology Course Descriptions
PSY-100 Psychology Passport
An introductory course for students interested in the psychological sciences and a major or minor. Activities and faculty/guest speakers will introduce students to the Psychology program at Pacific University, to the diversity of possible careers in psychology. Pass/No Pass. 1 hour.
Credits: 1.00
PSY-150 Introduction to Psychology
Psychology is the science of human and animal behavior and mental processes. As a survey course, Introduction to Psychology provides an overview of the methods, terms, theories, and research findings in the field. By understanding principles of psychology, students learn more about themselves, other human and non-human animals, historic and contemporary issues within the discipline and how to think about those issues critically. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-155 Special Topics - Psychology
See department for course description.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-160 Culture & Behavior
The goal of this course is to provide a cross-cultural review of general principles of human psychology. Emphasis is on the organizing syndromes of particular cultures and how these world-views affect an individual's emotions, cognitions and behaviors. This course fulfills the comparative cultural core requirement. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-180 Lifespan Human Development
This course offers a survey of human development and developmental theories from conception until death focusing on physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur across the lifespan. Recommended for non-majors. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-195 Independent Study
See department for details.
Credits: 1.00
PSY-208 Addictions and Society
Addictions and Society takes a historical and interdisciplinary approach to the question of alcohol, substance abuse and the social costs of addiction and use. The course investigates human motives to alter consciousness using classic and modern research in the physiology of addiction, sociocultural risk factors and changing cultural representations of drug use. Prerequisite: PSY-150 with C or better. 4 hours. Cross-listed as PACS-208.
Credits: 4.00
PSY-210 Current Issues in Psychology
This is a seminar-style course that varies from one semester to the next. Course themes are selected based on the contemporary issues in the field and the faculty member's area of expertise, interest, and background. Examples of "Current Issues" include: Peoples and Cultures of Hawai'i; The Nature of Self-Concept; Aging; Life-Story Models of Identity; Evolutionary Psychology; and Psychology of Mindfulness. This course may be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: PSY-150 with C or better. Other prerequisites may vary by topic. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-211 Abnormal Psychology
Students critically explore major categories of disorders, with special emphasis on dissociative identity disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and borderline personality. Questions are raised about the use of psychiatric drugs, and attention is paid to the history of insanity. This course includes both textbook and original readings. Prerequisites: PSY-150 with a C or better. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-212 Intro to Chimpanzee Behavior
This course utilizes a variety of teaching and learning modalities. Students lead research, listen to recording, and view films related to studies involving chimpanzees in captive and wild populations. Additionally, students study the behavior of chimpanzees at the Oregon Zoo. Research methods is an implicit component of this course, students collect and present a summary of their data from zoo observations. Implications of the discoveries made through studying sibling species are discussed. Further, students examine current projects from around the world to improve conditions for chimpanzees. Prerequisite: PSY-150 with C or better. Cross-listed with SCI-252. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-213 Psychology of Altruism & Aggression
The Psychology of Altruism and Aggression examines historical and modern views of human and non-human primate behavior related to altruism, empathy, violence, competition and aggression from a social, biological, interspecies and cross- cultural perspective. Prerequisite: PSY-150 with a C or better. Corequisite: PACS-105. Cross-listed as PACS-213. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-214 Cognitive Science
Cognitive Science serves as an interdisciplinary introduction to the study of cognition. Broadly, this class focuses on description and explanation of the nature of mind and mental processes. To this end, topics surveyed include Philosophy of Mind, Mental Representation and Categorization, Memory, Cognitive Neuroscience, Linguistics, and Artificial Intelligence. Through writing and class discussion, students come to understand the complexity of the human mind and the diverse ways in which the mind is studied. Prerequisite: PSY-150 with a C or better. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-220 Community Psychology
Community Psychology is the study of how psychology can be applied to social services such as community mental health centers to effect social change. Emphasis is on planning, prevention, early intervention, research and evaluation as well as how to strengthen existing social support networks and create new ones. Empowerment and primary prevention is the focus of attention. Prerequisite: PSY-150, SOC-101, or SOC-102; with C or better. Cross-listed as PACS-221. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-225 Learning
The discipline of "learning" stemmed from the Behaviorist and Gestalt Psychological camps during the early development of Psychology. Today, learning includes a broader swath of specialties including: Cognitive, Biological, Educational, Social, and Abnormal Psychology. The systematic study of learning is a comparative branch of Psychology, wherein human and nonhuman animal behavior is investigated. Students complete this courses with a more expansive understanding of semi-permanent changes in human and nonhuman animal behavior and the wide applicability and limited generalizability of those behaviors across species and contexts. Prerequisite: PSY-150 with a C or better. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-226 History and Systems of Psychology
Psychology is often discussed as having a long past but a short history. This course investigates the past (early philosophy relevant to the "psych") and the history (the formal establishment and research within the discipline) through the social, political, and historic influences on the science of behavior. The goals of this course are to provide students with a more holistic appreciation and understanding of contemporary psychological theories, and the early foundations of modern psychology. Students consider major theories, emerging research directions and controversies within the specialty disciplines of psychology. Prerequisite: PSY-150 with C or better. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-240 Child Development
This course is an introduction to human development with an emphasis on early and middle childhood. Initial discussion focuses on how to best characterize behavioral change over time and the interactive roles of nature and nurture as facilitators of change. Through detailed discussion of theory and research outcomes, students attain a comprehensive understanding of normative trends in physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and personality development coupled with an understanding of the cause of such change. Prerequisite: PSY-150 with a C or better. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-248 Mind, Theory and Method
This course serves as an introduction to the Philosophy of Science with an emphasis on how psychologists employ the scientific method to answer questions about the nature of mind and behavior. Methodological topics covered may include some or all of the following: the dialectic between philosophical inquiry and empirical methodology, the principles of falsifiability and parsimony, the need for converging evidence in theory building, and the role of case studies in illustrating generalities of behavior. A secondary goal of the course is to introduce students to writing and format expectations set by the American Psychological Association. Content topics used to illustrate these issues vary per instructor, though each section is writing intensive. Prerequisite: PSY-150 with a C or better. ENGW-101 or ENGW-201 highly recommended. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-252 BIOPSY I: Introduction to Neuroscience
This lab-based course seeks to explain and identify the biological structures of behavior, relating to actions, experience, genetics and phylogeny of the organism. Students learn physiological function and injury through case studies, discussion, video, dissection and lecture. The goals of this course are to provide students with a strong background in neuroscience, neuroanatomy, assessment, and the ability to apply their knowledge to individual trauma case examples. Prerequisite: PSY-150 with a C or better. BIOL-110, BIOL-224, or BIOL-240 strongly recommended. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
PSY-255 Special Topics
See department for course description.
Credits: 1.00
PSY-260 Psychology of Women
This course is a survey of the physiological, emotional, and cognitive aspects of the female experience. Students examine both the similarities and differences between women and men, with an emphasis on experiences unique to women. Cultural expectations are examined particularly those which either overemphasis sex differences or underestimate their psychological and sociocultural value. Prerequisite: PSY-150 or FS-201 with a C or better. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-308 Social Psychology
This course addresses social behavior from the perspective of humans as social agents, how they affect and are affected by others, topics include: perception of persons, affiliation, communication and attitude change, group processes, leadership, intergroup tension, cultural syndromes, and social roles. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above, and PSY-150, PSY-248, PSY-348, PSY-349, each with a C or better. PSY-350 or SOC-301 are strongly recommended. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-309 Personality Psychology
Students study the grand theories of personality through detailed examination of original writings by Freud, Skinner, R.D. Laing, and Maslow, among others. Students explore the assumptions, logic, and ramifications of psychological theory, and its place in modern experimental psychology. Some critique of psychology as a discipline is included. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above and PSY-150, PSY-248, PSY-348, and PSY-349, each with a C or better. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-313 Ecological Psychology
This course investigates the reciprocal relationship between the human-environment interaction and the consequences of these interactions. Research from various perspectives are read and discussed. Student discovery occurs through discussion and participation in field trips and through a service learning project. Prerequisite: PSY-150 with a C or better. 3 hours. Cross-listed with ENV-313.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-314 Memory and Mind
This course serves to describe and explain Cognition with an emphasis placed on memory processing. Topics covered include the historical precedence of current theory and research, basic versus applied research perspectives, memory processing, mental representation/categorization, the purpose and development of autobiographical memory, interactions between memory and emotion, and memory malleability. Through writing and class discussion, students achieve a deep understanding of the nature of Cognition and key role that memory plays. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above, and PSY-150, PSY-248, PSY-348, and PSY-349, each with a C or better. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-318 Applied Human Development
In this class, human development is considered from a theoretical and an applied perspective. Broadly, course goals are to understand the complex factors influencing human development and normative expectations of how behaviors change over time. Traditional theory and recent research on topics related to cognitive, linguistic, social-emotional, and motivational development are covered. Through writing and class discussion, students come to appreciate the complexity involved in making sound policy decisions on issues such as school readiness, school safety and violence prevention, educational reform, and/or child welfare. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above, and PSY-150, PSY-248, PSY-348, and PSY-349, each with a C or better. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-348 Research Methods in Psychology
This course examines the principles of research design, methodology, and data analysis in psychology. Method and design issues relevant to a wide range of substantive areas in psychology are covered, such as experimental designs, survey research, observational research, and qualitative content analysis. Further, students receive an introduction to data management and analysis, research ethics and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process. Prerequisite: PSY-150 and PSY-248 with a C or better: Corequisite: PSY-349 must be taken concurrently with this course; both must be passed in same semester with a C or better. Sophomore standing or above. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-349 Research Methods in Psychology Lab
This course is graded separately, but is a required component of PSY-348 and must be taken concurrently. In this course students work in groups to design studies, collect data, analyze it and present it. This course also focuses on the writing standards in scientific publication and presentation of results. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above, and PSY-150 and PSY-248, both with a C or better. Corequisite: PSY-348. 2 hours.
Credits: 2.00
PSY-350 Behavioral Statistics
Behavioral statistics provides an introduction to experimental design, descriptive and inferential statistics as well as computer statistical analysis. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above, and PSY-248 with a C or better. MATH-165 strongly recommended. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-351 Directed Research in Psychology
Directed Research provides students with the opportunity to participate in an ongoing research project with a psychology faculty member. This opportunity provides practical research experience for business, career development, and graduate school. Research experience at the undergraduate level facilitates a more competitive application for graduate programs and jobs. Students must have instructor permission and enrollment is limited. May not be used as elective credit in Psychology; can be taken for up to 6 credits total, up to 2 credits per semester.
Credits: 1.00
PSY-352 BIOPSY II: Sensation & Perception
Sensation-Perception is the study of how our sensory experience (e.g. vision, taste, smell, hearing, and touch) is translated into a perceptual experience via the central nervous system. Virtually all knowledge of the sensory system is the result of investigation into our nonhuman relatives physiological functioning; therefore this course investigates both human and nonhuman animal physiology and sensory function in conjunction with human perceptual experience. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above, and PSY-150, PSY-248, and PSY-252, each with a C or better. BIOL-110, BIOL-224, or BIOL-240 strongly recommended. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-355 Special Topics
See department for course description.
Credits: 1.00
PSY-395 Independent Study
See department for details.
Credits: 1.00
PSY-420 Special Topics in Psychology
Special Topics is a seminar course focusing on topics of special interest to students and faculty, examples include: Behavioral Endocrinology, Cognition, Evolutional Psychology, Personality, Sociocultural Psychology. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above, and PSY-150, PSY-248, PSY-348, PSY-349, and a statistics class from PSY-350, MATH-207, or SOC-301, each with a C or better. Instructor permission required. May be repeated for credit as topic varies. 3-4 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-444 Psychobiography
Psychobiography attempts to understand the form and content of artistic work from the vantage point of the artist's life history. Previous classes have included analyses of artists Diane Arbus, Kathryn Harrison, Sylvia Plath, Picasso, Oscar Wilde, Jackson Pollack, Vladimir Nabokov, Roald Dahl, Jack Kerouac, James Agee, Kurt Cobain, and Truman Capote, among others. Significant use is made of psychological theory as a means of tracing meaningful connections between the life and creative products. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above, PSY-150 and PSY-248, each with a C or better. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-448 Mentoring in Psychology
Advanced psychology students will serve as facilitators and laboratory assistants in psychology classes in which they have previously demonstrated excellence. Mentors attend all classes and co-curricular events and complete all of the readings. Mentors will assist in classroom management, study sessions, and laboratory activities. They will work closely with faculty in developing the means to good mentoring during independent meetings with the professor outside of class. Prerequisite: 15 credits in PSY and permission of the instructor. May be repeated for elective credit in the major. 1-4 hours.
Credits: 1.00
PSY-452 BIOPSY III: Behavioral Endocrinology
This course concerns the interrelationships among hormones, the brain and behavior in both human and nonhuman animals. The role of hormones in the development and activation of behavior as well as how behavioral interactions regulate endocrine physiology will be examined. A central topic of this course concerns the effects of sex steroid hormones on various reproductive behaviors (e.g. sexual and parental behaviors). Other topics covered include: the endocrine regulation of aggressive behavior, biological rhythms, energy balance, stress, learning, memory, and contemporary topics within endocrinology like hormone replacement therapy and the behavioral effects of endocrine disorders. Prerequisite: PSY 252. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-455 Special Topics
See department for course description.
Credits: 2.00
PSY-475 Internship
See department for details.
Credits: 1.00
PSY-490 Senior Capstone Seminar
The Senior Capstone Seminar is a writing-intensive course. Topics vary as a result of the faculty member's specialty area(s). Students engage in an analysis and discussion of the research and theories in the area. They prepare original works reflecting critical reviews of theories or they design original research as their final products. Students also present their proposed projects at Senior Projects Day in the spring (regardless of which semester enrolled in PSY-490.) Prerequisite: PSY-248, PSY-348, and PSY-349, and a statistics class from PSY-350, MATH-207, or SOC-301, each with a C or better. Senior standing and instructor consent required. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PSY-495 Research
Students enrolled in this course will have successfully completed the Senior Research Preparation and Seminar courses. Students will execute a research project, analyze data and do a public presentation of their data. This course includes both independent research and class discussion components. Knowledge of research design and method, data analysis, and APA writing style are presumed for this course. Prerequisite: PSY 490 and instructor's permission. 2 hours.
Credits: 1.00
PSY-499 Advanced Senior Research
This course is for select senior students who wish to engage in research based on their PSY-490 seminar projects or their PSY-351 research experience. Students prepare their results in APA style for required professional presentations at academic conferences and at Senior Projects Day. Prerequisite: Senior standing and PSY-490 with C. Instructor consent is required (minimum 3.25 GPA in the major and 3.00 cumulative Pacific University GPA required). 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00