Faculty: Marty Andrews, Thomas Creed, Jan Holtz, Aubrey Immelman, Michael Livingston, Linda Mealey, Scott Palmer, Colleen Schaffner, Anthony Sorem, Stephen Stelzner, Richard Wielkiewicz, Bruce Wollmering OSB

The psychology curriculum is designed to acquaint students with the broad spectrum of divisions within the discipline of psychology and to deepen their awareness of the interdependence of all those areas. The mission of the Saint John’s University and College of Saint Benedict joint department of psychology is to produce graduates who have a high level of critical thinking skills derived from knowledge of basic psychological principles and methods, and a clear understanding of the role of psychology in the liberal arts curriculum. Courses expose students to the theoretical and technical principles central to the discipline of psychology, allowing them to adapt to future trends and changes within the field. This breadth of exposure produces graduates who are well qualified for graduate education in psychology or related fields, who are prepared to work in a variety of applied areas, and who can apply the relevant principles in any work environment. Students in disciplines such as education, pre-law, theology, pre-medicine, nursing, social work, nutrition, and management also find many relevant courses within the psychology curriculum.

The psychology faculty promotes critical thinking in the evaluation of research literature and popular ideas about psychology. The department also engages in a process of assessment in order to continuously improve its ability to offer a quality learning experience. In addition, students are required to relate academic course material to moral and ethical concerns of the profession and the community at large.

II. Learning/Cognitive: 320, 331, 349;

III. Social/Developmental: 345, 350, 354, 360, 390;

IV. Biological: 330, 340, 341 or BIOL 336 (Behavioral Ecology);

V. Individual Differences: 280,308,382,347,381;

VII. Senior Experience (requires 20 credits in psychology): 392, 393, 396, 397, 398, 399.

Plus electives for a total of 44 psychology credits.

All majors should obtain a copy of the Handbook for Psychology Students from their faculty adviser, another Psychology Department faculty member, or the department coordinator. The Handbook for Psychology Students is also distributed in PSYC 235.

111 plus 16 credits in psychology.

111 Introductory Psychology. (4)  [Top]

Prerequisite to all upper-division psychology courses. Survey of the major content area of psychology, introducing the basic vocabulary, concepts, principles, and theories of the discipline. Specific topics include history and methods of psychology; biological bases of behavior; sensation and perception; learning and memory; cognition, language, and intelligence; motivation and emotion; lifespan development; personality; psychological disorders; and social psychology.

176 January Term Topics. (0-4)  [Top]

Study at the introductory level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

177 January Term Core Topics. (0-4)   [Top]

Study at the introductory level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirement. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

212 Contemporary Issues in Psychology. (4)  [Top]

Critical thinking of psychology in the 20th century with particular emphasis on problems and viewpoints that affect current psychological practices and perspectives. Prerequisite: 111.

220 Psychology and Adjustment to Modern Life. (4)  [Top]

Adjustment is the process of learning to manage or cope with the demands and challenges of everyday life. In this course students will learn how the empirical methods of psychology can be applied to adjustment issues such as personality, stress, self-esteem, relationships, marriage, sexuality, work and career development, health, and psychotherapy. Small group discussions will be a frequent occurrence. No prerequisites.

Understanding and analyzing data in psychology research; descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, appropriate use of statistics, use of computer to do necessary computations. Prerequisite: 111.

235 Research Methods. (4)  [Top]

Basic design and interpretation of empirical approaches to psychology. Emphasis on theory and practice of psychological experimentation and writing scientific reports. Prerequisite: 221.

271 Individual Learning Project. (1-4)  [Top]

Supervised reading or research at the lower-division level. Permission of department chair required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first-year students.

276 January Term Topics. (0-4)  [Top]

Study of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

277 January Term Core Topics. (0-4)   [Top]

Study of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirement. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

280 Theories of Personality. (4)   [Top]

Survey of the major theoretical orientation in personality psychology, including psychoanalytic, trait, cognitive, humanistic/existential, and social-behavioristic perspectives; includes the investigation of their basic concepts and principles, views of personality development, assessment techniques, treatment applications, and the extent to which they meet standard criteria for judging the scientific adequacy of theories. Prerequisite 111.

304 Theories of Organizational Behavior. (4)

This course concerns the study of human behavior in organizations, using psychology and other social science disciplines to pursue two major questions: 1) Why do people behave the way they do within organizations? and 2) How can we use this information to improve the effectiveness of the organization and lives of its members? Topics include: organizational culture, motivation, leadership, communication, decision making, worker stress and health. Prerequisite: 111. Note: This course may also be fulfilled in the

management department as MGMT 301 (Introduction to Organizational Behavior).

305 Industrial Psychology. (4)  [Top]

This course concerns the study and application of principles of psychology as they affect the management of organizations. Three major areas are covered: personnel psychology, organizational psychology, and engineering psychology. Topics include: selecting and evaluating personnel, employment testing, leadership, job satisfaction and motivation, work place design, quality of work life, vocational and career counseling, and consumer psychology. Prerequisite: 111.

308 Psychology of Gender. (4)  [Top]

This course will cover the broadest areas of academic and applied psychology viewed through the lens of gender. All topics will be explored with gender as the salient variable of analysis. The course will begin with the development of psychology as a science with inherent scientific gender biases. Major psychological principles and theories will be analyzed by gender in the areas of human development, physiological processes, social relationships, applied psychology in the workplace, mental health and illness issues and psychotherapy. Prerequisite: 111.

309 Selected Topics in Psychology. (2-4)  [Top]

Topics in psychology of particular relevance to the interests and needs of psychology majors and/or students in psychology. The topics for the course will be announced each semester. Prerequisite: announced with course listing.

310 Community Psychology. (4)  [Top]

The major emphasis of the course will be on the values and assumptions of a "community psychology," as well as the strategies for the prevention of mental illness and mental health promotion. Particular emphasis will be put on the opportunities for psychologists to work in a variety of community settings, such as: community mental health centers, neighborhood organizations, human service organizations, public service organizations, and schools. Prerequisite: 111 and Junior/Senior standing.

320 Principles of Learning and Behavior. (4)  [Top]

An exploration of the basic principles of conditioning and learning. The course covers the phenomena of Pavlovian and Operant conditioning as well as their place in the larger theoretical framework of psychology. Students condition a rat to learn a complex maze as the laboratory component of the course.

Prerequisite: 235.

An exploration of the ways in which we construct a world of things and events from the flow of stimulus energy. Covers such topics as color vision, form perception, perception of space and movement, perceptual constancies, music and speech perception. Prerequisite: 111.

331 Cognitive Processes. (4)  [Top]

The study of the "higher mental processes." Special emphasis is given to memory, attention, imagery, pattern recognition and language. Some consideration will also be given to the theory of artificial intelligence. Prerequisite: 111.

A survey of topics of psychology of the individual from the perspective of biopsychology. Topics will include behavior genetics, neuroanatomy, sensation and perception, learning and memory, drives, emotion, language and abnormal behavior. In-class demonstrations and take-home projects will supplement lecture and text material. Prerequisite: 235

341 Animal Behavior. (4)  [Top]

Overview of the fundamental issues and concepts of animal behavior and adaptation. Starting with the principles of genetics and evolution, ethology and learning, we study behavioral ecology, sociobiology and, ultimately, human behavior. Audiovisual materials and nature walks supplement reading and lecture material. Prerequisite: 235 or strong background in biology. Note: This course may also be fulfilled in the biology department as BIOL 336 (Behavioral Ecology).

343 Health Psychology. (4)  [Top]

This course will survey various models of the mind-body interaction as related to physical health. Topics may include: psychoneuroimmunology, the role of stress on mental and physical health, psychosomatic disorders, behavioral medicine, and the psychology of illness and wellness. Recommended for pre-med, pre-physical therapy, and pre-occupational therapy majors. Prerequisite: 111.

345 Human Sexuality. (4)  [Top]

This course surveys human sexual behavior from a variety of perspectives including: biological, cross- cultural, developmental, clinical, legal, historical and inter-personal. In addition students will address the more controversial issues in greater detail through class discussions. For juniors and seniors only.

347 Tests and Measurements. (4)  [Top]

Review of theoretical and practical concepts consistent with an introductory experience. Topic areas include: the history of testing, the language of testing, measurement and evaluation, measurement statistics and various types of testing instruments. Prerequisite: 221.

349 Motivation and Emotion. (4)  [Top]

The words "motivation" and "emotion" come from the same root: both refer to the psychological "forces" underlying action (behavior). This course will examine the biological, psychological, and social bases that consciously or unconsciously direct our behavior. Topics may include: the physiology of emotion, moral development, attachment, and "free will." Prerequisites: 111.

350 Social Psychology. (4)  [Top]

Psychological processes of individuals interacting in social settings. Varied topics considered with special emphasis upon research findings as illustrations of theories considered. Prerequisite: 111.

354 Cross-Cultural Psychology. (4)   [Top]

This course examines the cultural contexts that affect the development and expression of social behavior, personality, cognition and perception. Non-western (North American and European) cultures are emphasized since the majority of peoples live beyond our familiar milieu. Contrasts are made with pan-human qualities found in all cultures and with behaviors typical of our American culture.

360 Developmental Psychology. (4)   [Top]

The study of age-related changes which occur as the individual moves through life. Major theoretical perspectives, concepts, research methods for examining physical, cognitive, moral and social-emotional development. Prerequisite: 111.

370 Clinical and Counseling Psychology. (4)  [Top]

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the fields of clinical and counseling psychology. Historical antecedents to the fields will be explored in addition to educational background of professional use of assessment techniques and types of clientele. Basic helping skills, which are useful in any form of communication, are developed. In addition, the theories most representative of the various schools of psychotherapy are explained. Prerequisite: 111.

371 Individual Learning Project. (1-4)  [Top]

Supervised reading or research at the upper-division level. Permission of department chair and completion and/or concurrent registration of 12 credits within the department required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first and second-year students.

372 Child, Couples and Family Therapy. (4)  [Top]

The purpose of this course is to understand and develop psychotherapeutic skills in working with children, couples, and families. The major difficulties which arise with each constituency will be explained. Assessment and treatment for these difficulties will be emphasized. Prerequisite: 370 or permission of instructor.

375 Supervised Study. (0-4)  [Top]

Full-time learning experience during the January Term done under the direction of a faculty moderator, often in conjunction with an off-campus supervisor. Requires permission of instructor. Not available to first and second-year students.

376 January Term Topics. (0-4)  [Top]

Study at the upper-division level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

377 January Term Core Topics. (0-4)   [Top]

Study at the upper-division level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirement. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

381 Abnormal Psychology. (4)  [Top]

This course is designed to be an overview of the various forms of abnormal behavior. Etiology, assessment, and treatment for each disorder will be included. Diagnostic classification will be emphasized. Prerequisite: 111.

382 Neuropsychology. (4)  [Top]

This course explores one of the fastest growing areas of psychology. Neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships in health and disease. This course will cover assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of various difficulties from infancy through old age. Central to this will be a working understanding of the central nervous system. Prerequisite: 111

390 Group Dynamics. (4)  [Top]

Study of groups and group processes: formation, development, structure and general characteristics of groups; social influence, power and leadership; group performance and decision making; conflict and its resolution; collective behavior; groups as agents for change. Prerequisite: 111.

392 History of Psychology. (4)  [Top]

An historical analysis of psychology from the field’s beginnings in philosophy and the natural sciences through the 1950s. Students will give presentations and engage in other activities (e.g., class discussion) based on their own research on the history of psychology. Spring only. Prerequisite: Senior standing and 20 credits in psychology.

393 Psychology Seminar. (4)  [Top]

Detailed consideration of special topic; library research and possible laboratory work included; participants will prepare and present a major paper to seminar participants. Prerequisites: Senior standing and 20 credits in psychology.

396 Senior Research Project. (4)   [Top]

Limited study examining a student’s own researchable hypothesis in consultation with one or more department members. Prerequisites: Senior standing and 20 credits in psychology. Fall only.

397 Psychology Internship. (4-8)   [Top]

Internship in an approved setting. Work experience in an area of applied psychology supervised by agency personnel and department coordinator. Prerequisites: Senior standing, 20 credits in psychology and permission of coordinator.

398 Honors Senior Essay, Research or Creative Project. (4)  [Top]

Required for graduation with "All-college Honors" and "Departmental Distinction in Psychology." Prerequisite: HONR 396 and approval of the department chair and director of the honors program. For further information see HONR 398.

399 Psychology Teaching Practicum. (4)  [Top]

Meet twice per cycle for a teaching seminar plus direct experience developing and teaching introductory psychology laboratories. Based on a broad review of psychology, the practicum emphasizes acquisition of skills in teaching, facilitating discussion, developing organizational skills and interacting with students in a leadership role. Prerequisite: 20 credits in psychology, upper-division standing and permission of instructor.