The following course descriptions are from the Clarke University 2012-2013 Academic Catalog.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: PSYCHOLOGYPSYC 111 INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY 3 hours
A scientific survey of selected topics of interest in psychology. These include such topics as biology and behavior, sensation, perception, consciousness, learning, memory, intelligence, motivation, emotion, personality, abnormal behavior, therapy and social psychology. Attention is given to research methods in psychology, as well as to the history of psychology itself.PSYC 121 CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT 3 hours
A study of research and theories of physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development from conception through adolescence. Special topics are discussed including attachment, child maltreatment, bullies, movies and media, adolescent employment and teenage pregnancy.
PSYC 122 ADULT DEVELOPMENT 3 hours
An examination of physical, cognitive and socioemotional development issues in adulthood from young adulthood to later life, including issues of career, family, aging, retirement and death.
PSYC 221 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 3 hours
An examination of the most recent approaches to the understanding and treatment of various mental-health problems, such as phobias, depression, psychoses and other forms of "abnormal" behavior. Included are comparisons to the more traditional approaches to these problems. Prerequisite: PSYC 111.
PSYC 223 LIVING WITH LOSS 3 hours
Designed to assist individuals to examine their personal philosophy of life and death. Losses throughout life as well as methods of coping and caring provide the focus of the course. It also provides the basis for assisting others by being able to respond in a caring holistic manner during a time of impending loss of grief. Specific focus on death and dying is included. See NURS 233. Prerequisite: PSYC 121 or PSYC 122.
PSYC 224 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 3 hours
An analysis of the interaction between the individual and the group. Topics include conformity, mass communication, propaganda and persuasion, social cognition, self-justification, human aggression, prejudice and liking, loving and interpersonal sensitivity. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 or SOC 101.
PSYC 231 BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION 3 hours
A practical approach to the elementary principles of behavior modification. Topics include reinforcement, punishment, extinction, stimulus control, generalization and classical conditioning. Prerequisite: PSYC 111.
PSYC 261 PSYCHOLOGY OF SEX AND GENDER 3 hours
This course provides a comprehensive and academically sound introduction to the biological, psychosocial, behavioral and cultural aspects of sexuality and gender. Topics include the biological basis of sexuality, sexual behavior, love and the development of relationships, communication, exploring personal values, complexities of gender, cultural perspectives on sexuality, sexual problems and social issues. Prerequisites: PSYC 111, PSYC 121, PSYC 122, or SOC 101.
PSYC 280 TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 3 hours
Issues such as: critical thought with contemporary issues in psychology, history of psychology, learning and memory, professional seminar and transpersonal psychology. Prerequisite: Acceptance to psychology major or consent.
PSYC 281 MOTIVATION 3 hours
Hunger, sex, addiction, sleep, aggression, happiness, creativity, etc. Why do we do what we do? What motivates our behavior’? An honest and eye-opening examination of the many factors that arouse, maintain and direct human behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 111.
PSYC 305 MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY 3 hours
Basic framework of the systems approach to understanding marriage and family relationships. Experience with various techniques will be provided through role plays. Prerequisite: PSYC 111, PSYC 121 or PSYC 122.
PSYC 320 SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODS 3 hours
A comprehensive examination of experimental designs and techniques used in psychological research. Topics include sampling and generalizability, measurement, reliability, validity and methods of measuring behavior. Students will be expected to use this course as preparation for developing their own research study/experiment, which will occur in PSYC 499 Capstone: Psychology Research. Prerequisite: Psychology major or consent.
PSYC 330 THEORIES OF COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY 3 hours
An examination and discussion of major psychological approaches to helping people with personal problems. Emphasis is placed on comparing and contrasting various approaches and their techniques. Prerequisite: PSYC 111, PSYC 121, or PSYC 122.
PSYC 350 HELPING SKILLS 3 hours
An experientially designed course for students interested in developing active listening and effective interpersonal skills. Helping skills are taught and practice opportunities are provided through role plays and taped sessions. This class is appropriate for anyone who will be working with people in any type of interpersonal setting. Prerequisites: PSYC 111, PSYC 121 or PSYC 122.
PSYC 381 PERSONALITY 3 hours
Is there such a thing as personality? What evidence do we have that personality traits exist? From where do these traits come? What is the relationship of these traits to behavior? All of these questions and much more are addressed in this class. Students learn about personality by studying major personality theories and by examining their own individual personalities. Prerequisite: PSYC 111.
PSYC 385 PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY 3 hours
Basic neuroanatomy, physiology, and psychopharmacology to serve as foundation for learning about sensory and motor systems, homeostatic regulation, the biological underpinnings of language, learning, memory, higher order cognition and neurological and psychiatric disorders. Prerequisite: PSYC 111, 121, or 122.
PSYC 395 PSYCHOLOGY INTERNSHIP CV
Individual internships on campus and off campus provide valuable supervised practical experience. No more than three credit hours may be applied to the major without approval of department chair. Prerequisites: PSYC 305, PSYC 330, PSYC 350, acceptance as a psychology major or consent.
PSYC 471 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 3 hours
The thinking involved in such activities as language, problem-solving, and memory are investigated. Topics including the self, consciousness, and emotion’s role are addressed. Students grapple with what it means to think like a human being, as distinct from other forms of creation. Prerequisite: PSYC 111.
PSYC 490 INDEPENDENT STUDY CV
Individual study in the field of psychology supervised by a psychology faculty member. No more than three credit hours may be applied to the major without approval of the department chair. Prerequisite: Acceptance as a psychology major with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in major courses and/or consent.
PSYC 499 Capstone: Psychology Research 3 hours
This course provides a focal point for and closure to the psychology major within the context of a liberal arts education. As a departmental offering, this course focuses on individual empirical research on a topic chosen by the student and expands to include breadth and integration of knowledge and synthesis. Approved research plans are supervised by a psychology faculty member and include statistically analyzed results that are reported in a professionally written research paper. Psychology major and general education outcomes are integral to course assessment. Prerequisites: Ordinarily a student must have junior/senior standing with a minimum of 42 credit hours in general education completed; PSYC 320, and acceptance as a psychology major or consent.