PSY Course Descriptions

PSY1001 Introduction to Psychology (3)
Surveys the content and method of psychology, the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The course provides an overview of topics such as how the brain impacts behavior, how we develop, personality, psychopathology, and group and individual behavior.

PSY2101 Personality Theory (3)
Prerequisite: PSY1001 for psychology majors; no prerequisite for non-majors
Surveys classic and modern theories of personality development in their biographical and historical context, e.g. Sigmund and Anna Freud, Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, Karen Horney, Margaret Mahler, Melanie Klein, D.W. Winnicott, Heinz Kohut, Abraham Maslow, and Rollo May.

PSY2109 Research Methods (4)
Prerequisites: PSY1001 and MTH2502 (or other approved statistics course)
Introduces empirical, quantitative, and qualitative research in the behavioral sciences.

PSY2117 Psychobiology (3)
Prerequisite: PSY1001
Studies the brain and its functions as they relate to behavior. This course explores topics such as learning and memory, the rhythms of the brain, emotions, and the senses. Some disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Huntington's Chorea, and memory defects are reviewed.

PSY2125 Cognitive Psychology (3)
Prerequisite: PSY1001
This course is designed to provide a general overview of the field of cognitive psychology. Topics include sensation and perception, learning, thinking, problem-solving, inductive and deductive reasoning, creativity, language and memory, and cognitive neuroscience. Both theory and research will be discussed.

PSY2133 Social Psychology (3)
Prerequisite: PSY1001 for psychology majors; no prerequisite for non-majors
Gives an overview of the classic research areas in social psychology, including conformity, group influence, persuasion, prejudice, aggression, altruism, and interpersonal attraction. In addition, the newer approaches of social cognition, gender and cross-cultural factors, and applied social psychology are discussed.

PSY2141 Developmental Psychology (3)
Prerequisite: PSY1001
Studies human growth and development from prenatal stages through adolescence. Attention is given to various developmental theories, interdisciplinary research, interconnected roles of biological and environment, and practical applications.  Students may not receive credit for both PSY2141 and PSY2149.

PSY2149 Developmental Psychology in the Classroom and Community (4)
Prerequisite: PSY1001
Studies human growth and development from prenatal stages through adolescence. Attention is given to various developmental theories, interdisciplinary research, interconnected roles of biological and environment, and practical applications. PSY2149 allows students to choose a particular area of interest and participate in the community in some way exploring that interest. May be used to satisfy one unit of the Career Development/Community Based Learning Requirement.  Students may not receive credit for both PSY2141 and PSY2149.

PSY2157 Abnormal Psychology (3)
Prerequisite: PSY1001 for psychology majors; no prerequisite for non-majors
Focuses on introduction to mental disorders: classification, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Emphasizes diagnosis using the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association.

PSY2157W Abnormal Psychology (4)

Prerequisite: PSY1001

Focuses on an introduction to mental disorders: classification, diagnosis, causes, and treatment.  Emphasizes diagnosis according to the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association.  This version will include a writing intensive component, focusing on issues in the general writing of scholarly papers, as well as the specifics of APA-style writing.  This is a writing intensive-course.

PSY2180W History and Systems of Psychology (Capstone Course) (4)
Prerequisite: PSY1001
Taken by graduating seniors, this course provides an overview of the field of psychology from a historical perspective. The course examines the major systems, theoretical models, and personalities that have shaped the field since its inception.

PSY2201 Counseling and Psychotherapy (3)

Prerequisite: PSY1001

Reviews the theoretical foundations and clinical techniques of a wide variety of psychotherepeutic approaches, including psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, existential, Gestalt, group, and family therapy.  Basic counseling skills, useful in a vast range of context, are also explored and practiced.

PSY2209 Psychological Assessment (3)
Prerequisite: PSY1001
Introduces the design, validation, and use of different kinds of psychological tests: ability, personality, psychopathology, interests, attitudes, and intelligence. Useful for those going on to graduate school, or interested in clinical, organizational, neuropsychological, occupational, and educational psychology.

PSY2217 Conflict Resolution (3)
This course gives students the basic skills needed to be a mediator, including an introduction to conflict theory and conflict styles, active listening and collaborative speaking techniques, skills for managing interaction in conflict settings, and knowledge about the stages of a mediation process. There is a strong emphasis on practice through role-play activities and sharing of real life experience. This course meets the State of California requirements for volunteer mediators at a community mediation center, and prepares students to volunteer at the on-campus Mediation Center.

PSY2233 Jungian Psychology (3)
Prerequisite: PSY1001 for psychology majors; no prerequisite for non-majors
Surveys the basic concepts in Jungian psychology, or Analytic Psychology, including the persona, shadow, anima and animus, the Self, the process of individuation, as well as the application of the Jungian system in the analysis of case histories, literature, film, and the political process.

PSY2309 Community Psychology (4)
Prerequisite: PSY1001 for psychology majors; no prerequisite for non-majors
Studies a wide variety of forces and structures in the community which affect the positive growth, development, and functioning of its members. As a service learning course, this class includes community work, theoretical discussions, and reflection activities. May be used to satisfy one unit of the Career Development/Community Based Learning Requirement. 

PSY2409 Building Community through Diversity (1)
This course examines cultural diversity as it relates to leadership development and community building.  Students explore the impact of diversity on four levels: intrapersonally, interpersonally, in groups, and in the community.  This is a weekend course totaling 15 hours.  Elements of the course include discussion, experiential activities, small group sharing, dialogues, and reflection.

PSY2701 Human Sexuality (3)
Prerequisite: PSY1001
Explores personal, interpersonal, and transpersonal dimensions of sexual experience: awareness, attitudes, meaning, expression, response, and different sexual orientations.

PSY2717 Women, Shakespeare, and Psychoanalysis [CDiv] (3)
Examines some of the sophisticated ways in which Shakespeare explores the feminine psyche across the stages of psychological development. The course incorporates into this investigation the concepts of certain modern psychologists, including C. G. Jung, D. W. Winnicott, and Heinz Kohut.

PSY2725 Death and Dying (3)

This course commences with theoretical principles of death awareness in illnesses, accidents, suicides and homicides.  This course continues with therapeutic processes and clinical case studies of mourning and healing.  It concludes with theological meanings of death and immortality from world cultures and world spiritualities. Fulfills three units of the Religion and Spirituality requirement.

PSY2778 Introduction to Clinical Art Therapy I (1)

Explores the uses of art therapy in schools, special education, and psychiatric settings as well as in personal growth.

PSY2779 Introduction to Clinical Art Therapy II (2)

Continuation of PSY2778 Introduction to Clinical Art Therapy I.

PSY2886 Special Topics in Psychology (3)
Various topics are offered, providing elective opportunities for psychology majors.

PSY2994 Teaching Assistant (1-3)

This is an opportunity for advanced students to earn credit by special arrangement with the Psychology Department Chair.

PSY2999 Independent Study in Psychology (1-3)
Provides an opportunity for independent study or research under the direction of an instructor. See Undergraduate Policies and Procedures section on Independent Study.