Course Descriptions

PHYS 497 - Honors

PHYS 498 - Special Topics

PHYS 499 - Seminar

POSC 101 - Introduction to Politics

• Identify the basic terminologies, concepts, political processes, and theories in the study of politics and power structure
• Students will distinguish the issues of “what to see,” “why,” and “how to see” in real world situations:  recognize the dynamic and complex structure of power within which diverse political issues occur.
• Analyze and identify political actors, their resources of power, and the interconnections between political, social and economic power.
• Appraise how citizens in a given society can effectively participate in political processes and impact government’s policy decisions
• Explain how various types of political ideologies, political culture, government institutions, levels of industrialization, geographic location and current globalization phenomena affect people’s lives.
• Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills to about “things political” to stimulate continued inquiries in the study of politics.

POSC 210 - American Politics

• Recognize the procedures and purposes of the major US institutions (Congress, Presidency, Courts and Federalism.)
• Describe and explain the historical development of US political culture and voter preferences.
• Analyze how individual citizens collect political information and develop values and policy preferences, and express them through political participation.
• Examine evolving rights & responsibilities in US Constitution, Bill of Rights and appraise their effects upon US political development, culture, diversity and citizenship.
• Evaluate major historical and current public policy debates and differentiate arguments and positions.
• Identify collective decision making procedures of the US government; apply disciplinary models to explain outcomes.
• Identify and explain basic concepts of American politics and government used in political science and the real world.

POSC 230 - State and Local Government

• Understanding of the unique responsibilities and interrelationships between local and state governments to one another.
• Choose the proper components of governments for each of the different levels of government.
• Explain the functioning and responsibilities of each level of government to their respective constituencies.
• Identify cases where government officials failed to perform their duties appropriately.
• Provide examples where failure to coordinate across governmental organizations and describe how to prevent problems in the future.

POSC 250 - Language and Power

• Recognize, define, and explain key concepts in cultural politics, identity politics, and sociolinguistics
• Recognize and reflect on how key concepts in cultural politics, identity politics, and sociolinguistics inform their own experiences with language, power, and wellbeing in their personal, social, professional and economic lives
• Identify and describe relationships between the exercise of power and use of language in politics, public policy, education, the work place, media, and the arts
• Recognize, appraise, and compare beneficial and detrimental consequences to individuals, communities, and societies of different uses of language for specific purposes and in different places and historical periods
• Propose and outline plans to use language to improve political participation, systems of justice, community development, employment policies, public funding for the arts and media, K-12 education, second-language education, or language revitalization programs to make multicultural and multilingual communities and societies more healthy, just, and sustainable.

POSC 260 - Comparative Politics

• Identify basic concepts, processes, and theories of Comparative Politics
• Identify comparative political issues in an historical and contemporary context
• Explain the formal connections between political, social and economic power and governmental performance across countries
• Analyze the impact of politics, culture, history and economics on contemporary political systems and develop answers to address these problems.
• Explain how the structures of governance affect comparative institutional performance as concerns issues of equality and equity.
• Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills to address the performance of diverse national political systems.

POSC 270 - International Relations

• Identify the basic concepts, processes, and theories of international relations.
• Identify global issues in an historical and contemporary context.
• Explain ithe connections between global inequality and political, social and economic power.
• Analyze the impact of politics, culture, history and economics on contemporary global issues and develop answers to address these problems.
• Explain how gender, economic class, ethnicity and sexuality impact human rights in international relations.
• Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills to address global problems.

POSC 280 - Introduction to Western Political Thought

• Identify basic concepts, processes, and theories of normative political theory
• Identify normative political issues after reading the works of normative political theorists
• Explain the connections between the normative concepts and insights of the past (ancient, medieval, etc..) and contemporary issues including religious freedom, democracy, and social justice.
• Analyze western normative concepts and interpretations of the human experience with concepts and interpretations from non-western thinkers and traditions.
• Identify and analyze how our normative assumptions and presuppositions shape our response to issues of social justice around the globe.
• Analyze how religious traditions and normative political thought have shaped the human experience.
• Explain and analyze how ideas concerning gender, sexuality, race, class and ethnicity have been utilized to promote social justice over various historical periods.
• Discuss social justice from multiple historical, religious, and ethical perspectives and explain what factors that make social justice difficult to obtain and maintain.

POSC 298 - Special Topics

POSC 299 - Seminar

POSC 311 - Women and Politics

POSC 313 - The Legislative Process

POSC 314 - American Presidency

POSC 315 - Political Campaigns and Elections

POSC 316 - Latinos and the U.S. Political System

• Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the Latina/o population political relations with and experiences in the US political system.
• Demonstrate knowledge on the variety of methods and theories utilized to approach, analyze, and understand the Latina/o political experience in the United States.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the history of political organizations from mutual aid societies to contemporary civil rights organizations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of Latino electoral behavior and political participation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic policy issues (Immigration, education, criminal justice, language policy, foreign policy, and the economy) affecting the largest ethnic racial minority in the US.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Latina/o community experience towards power, authority, role of government, and actions taken by governmental bodies.
• Use library resources and Internet research tools to find scholarly information about research questions.
• Incorporate knowledge acquired in the course in a written report on a topic of students’ choice.

POSC 318 - Political Parties and Interest Groups

POSC 320 - Public Administration

POSC 325 - Introduction to Public Policy

• Examination of the various theoretical approaches towards public policy
• Identify policy concepts common to nations of the world.
• Compare and contrast the various constituencies, ideas, knowledge, political forces affecting public policy in different political systems.
• Discriminate, through the comparative method, how different political and governmental structures affect each of the stages of the policy process.
• Critique and analyze policy development and implementation from a variety of selected countries.
• Determine the difficult points in the development and implementation of public policy.
• Identify, describe and analyze the effects of historical, cultural, and socioeconomic factors on how public policy has been traditionally formulated and implemented.

POSC 340 - Politics and American Capitalism

POSC 341 - Politics and Religion

POSC 342 - U.S. Foreign Policy

• Understand something of the historical background and context of American foreign policy.
• Recognize the existence of multiple “actors” in the making of American foreign policy at the national, governmental level.
• Gain an appreciation and comprehension of the interrelationships between internal, domestic factors such as fundamental cultural values and interest groups, and the formulation of policy at the national, governmental level.
• Critically analyze and evaluate the appropriateness of given policies from the standpoint of different participants and from the standpoint of those to whom such policies are directed.
• Understand the different models and frameworks utilized by political scientists in the study of American foreign policy.
• Understand the basic theoretical or comparative framework for identifying similarities and dissimilarities among the world’s varied political systems.

POSC 343 - The Politics of the U.S. Mexico Border

• Demonstrate knowledge of the various terms associated with the study of borders, frontiers, borderlands, and boundaries.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the various theories of the state, power and political economy and their application to the US-Mexico border region.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the history of US-Mexico relations and their impact in the development of the border region from the Mexican American War to contemporary times.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic policy issues, specific to the US-Mexico border region (economic development, immigration, urbanization, ecological degradation, and security concerns).
• Use library resources and Internet research tools to find information about research questions.
• Incorporate knowledge acquired in the course in a written report on a topic of the student’s choice.
• Properly document sources in research and writing, as well as organize, present, and communicate opinions in thoughtful and coherent fashion.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the US-Mexico border region in comparative perspective with other regions in the world.

POSC 344 - Environmental Politics

• Recognize and identify roles of political systems and institutions, policy processes, movements, and relations of power in creating outcomes observed in environmental policymaking and public administration
• Examine and describe environmental problems and related ecological processes that pose challenges to sustainable development that must be addressed by political and policy processes
• Examine contemporary political conflicts and debates related to a particular environmental problem and appraise how these are informed (or not) by research findings on dimensions of the environmental problem
• Apply models from public policy and the social sciences to assess how relations of power influence the efficacy of solving environmental problems and addressing challenges to sustainable development
• Formulate and propose political and policy solutions to a particular contemporary environmental problem

POSC 350 - Introduction to Public Law (Put on reserve 9/16/19)

POSC 361 - Latin American Politics

• Demonstrate knowledge of political systems typical in Latin America
• Demonstrate knowledge of political cultures of Latin America
• Explain theories of political and economic development
• Explain theories of democracy
• Demonstrate knowledge of one of five countries studied in-depth during the term

POSC 362 - European Politics (Put on reserve 9/16/19)

• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the essential functions of democratic governance.
• Demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge of the nomenclature used in each country.
• Explain how the functional components of states fit together (congruence) and interact to represent and govern polities.
• Trace the institutionalized patterns through which a given function is accomplished in the selected countries.
• Deal effectively function/nomenclature problems.
• Draw lessons and make recommendations to improve effectiveness and/or congruence for countries with problems from successful countries.

POSC 363 - Russian Politics (Put on Reserve 9/1/2020)

• Identify, describe, and explain major concepts, themes and theories relevant to non-state actors, institutions, and political behavior of Russian polity/political system
• Explain and demonstrate effects of Russian history (prerevolutionary, Communist era, post-Communism) on contemporary politics, especially transitions from Communist rule to political system of today
• Apply political science models and methods of comparative political analysis to Russian system through comparative examination of European and other relevant nations to critically evaluate Russia’s political development
• Explain and assess Russia’s geopolitical contexts and analyze relations with other nations, international state and non-state actors
• Develop and ask appropriate questions and utilize appropriate research tools such as comparative case study approaches or expert analysis to critically evaluate a specific topic or controversy in course subject matter and/or current event(s) as well as demonstrate effective written communication

POSC 364 - Environmental Conflict and Change

• Examine history of environmental conflict in the Americas
• Assess contemporary environmental conflicts in historical context
• Evaluate development and environmental policies as causes of environmental conflict
• Recognize, describe, and discuss environmental conflicts that interest them
• Recognize and describe perspectives environmental historians, political scientists, sociologists, and scholars of political ecology use to interpret environmental conflict and apply vocabularies of natural and social sciences
• Apply knowledge to evaluate environmental conflicts that interest them
• Appraise resolution processes
• Demonstrate ability to synthesize knowledge about environmental conflicts with interpretation of changing roles of ecosystems, economies, and relations of power in creating environmental conflicts

POSC 365 - African Politics

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of African political geography (e.g., country locations, names, colonial rulers, leaders, etc.)
• Demonstrate mastery of various analytic concepts, facts, and political science models (within sub-field of comparative politics) and how they apply in the African context and/or to African political systems
• Improve research, analytical and written communication skills

POSC 366 - Government and Politics of East Asia

POSC 367 - Politics of Japan

POSC 369 - Korean Politics

POSC 372 - Politics of Globalization

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic terms, concepts, dominant ideologies and theories of globalization since the 1970s.
• Demonstrate an understanding of major actors, institutions, systems and structures of globalization as powerful new forces of social change.
• Identify and understand both state power and non-governmental organizations as powerful political actors in the current system of globalization.
• Identify current issues in globalization studies such as global campaigns for democracy, the economic and cultural dimensions of globalization, and the gendered nature of globalization.
• Demonstrate an understanding of political resources in globalization (e.g., information technologies, global networking ability, finance, oil, gender, etc.), and their impacts on our daily lives.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the meanings of Americanization and globalization through analysis of economic and cultural dimensions of current path of globalization.
• Demonstrate how to investigate the dynamic nature of globalization that involves many countries in multi-dimensional areas (e.g., politics, economics, culture, security, environment, gender, etc.).

POSC 373 - International Politics of the Pacific Rim

POSC 375 - The Middle East and International Politics

POSC 377 - Model United Nations

• Articulate the foreign policy of the selected country
• Analyze an issue currently before the United Nations from the selected member nation’s perspective,
• Explain the rationale, format, and instructional methods of the Model United Nations simulation and Define the structures and general procedures of the United Nations
• Understand and competently use the rules of procedure, diplomatic protocol, and negotiating techniques common to UN delegates.

POSC 378 - International Political Economy

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic terms, concepts, dominant ideologies and theories of international political economy (IPE) since WWIl.
• Demonstrate an understanding of major actors, institutions, systems and structures of IPE in contemporary society.
• Identify current issues in IPE such as trade regime, transnational corporate structure, international debt trap, politics of industrialization and development, and the gendered nature of IPE.
• Demonstrate an understanding of political resources in contemporary society (e.g., oil) and how they are used in real world situations affecting people.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the U.S. economic policies and their impact on contemporary IPE system.
• Demonstrate how to investigate the dynamic and symbiotic relationships between politics and economics in contemporary society.

POSC 396 - Individual Study

POSC 397 - Honors

POSC 398 - Special Topics

POSC 399 - Seminar

POSC 401 - Nobel Prize Winning Political Scientists

• Examine the thinking and approaches from various scientific disciplines that defined the lives and careers of the Nobel Prize winners.
• Write a short topical review article based on the assigned readings from each Nobel Laureate. (At least one of the articles must deal with the specified criteria in Health and Well Being and the Ways of Knowing pathways.)
• Synthesize and evaluate a trend from class postings in a short class presentation for each segment.
• Propose, compose and write a paper on the Prize, the winner(s) and some idea or body of work and prepare a presentation for the final class sessions and @ SOURCE.

POSC 410 - Contemporary Issues in American Politics

• Identify, describe, and explain relevant disciplinary and topical concepts in current American polity (politics, government, political economy, policy, etc.)
• Analyze, discuss and assess contemporary issues in sub­field and controversies surrounding politics and policy of such issues experts in the field as well as political practitioners
• Develop and ask appropriate question(s) and prepare appropriate research design methodologies to specific topic or controversy in course subject matter and/or current event(s)
• Utilize, illustrate and apply political science models and research tools to come to an appropriate conclusion as well as relate political science literature to “real world” political and policy issues of the day

POSC 411 - American Indian Politics and Sovereignty

• Synthesize the political impacts in the creation of contemporary Indian Country and Indian Governance across the different arenas of interaction and time frames.
• Appraise the relevance of key concepts (e.g., sovereignty, self-determination) in different contexts and revise/modify concepts to fit circumstances (e.g., Dakota Access Pipeline).
• Evaluate the effectiveness of tribal rights under different conditions (i.e., historical eras, court cases, etc.).
• Develop strategies for the effective application of tribal rights in the changing American Political landscape.

POSC 429 - Research Seminar in Public Policy

• Gather factual data and apply them to real societal problems in public policy.
• Demonstrate an ability to select among alternative academic models of the policy process; critically analyze and evaluate existing public policy case studies.
• Utilize a variety of concepts and models to evaluate public policy problems, offer recommendations to guide decision making or evaluate decisions already made for feedback or adjustment in approach.
• Demonstrate and employ effective professional communication of oral and written formats through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing and presentation.
• Participate, collaborate, and communicate effectively within groups with an emphasis on listening, analytical and reflective thinking, and speaking.

POSC 441 - Politics and Film

POSC 451 - Introduction to Constitutional Law (Put on Reserve 9/1/2020)

POSC 452 - The Constitution and Human Rights

POSC 453 - The Constitution and War

• Describe the challenges facing policy makers when balancing freedom and security in times of war and crisis.
• Compare and contrast the American policies during the “War on Terror” with policies during previous wars and crises.
• Differentiate between legal and political solutions to security crises over time.
• Identify and understand major shifts in policy regarding civil liberties in times of war or crises.
• Apply knowledge of war time civil liberties law to current events and topics.

POSC 460 - Contemporary Issues in Comparative Politics

• Identify, describe, and explain concepts and theories relevant to contemporary comparative politics (politics, government, political economy, policy, etc. across more than one polity or national political system)
• Analyze, discuss and assess contemporary issues in sub­field and controversies surrounding politics and policy of such issues experts in the field as well as political practitioners
• Develop and ask appropriate question(s) and prepare appropriate research design methodologies such as qualitative or quantitative comparative case study approaches to specific topic or controversy in course subject matter and/or current event(s)
• Utilize, illustrate and apply political science models and research tools to come to an appropriate conclusion as well as relate political science literature to “real world” political and policy issues of the day

POSC 470 - Contemporary Issues in International Relations

• Identify, describe, and explain concepts and theories relevant to contemporary international politics (politics, policy and relationships between nations or across the global geo-political system)
• Analyze, discuss and assess contemporary issues in sub­field and controversies surrounding politics and policy of such issues experts in the field as well as political practitioners
• Develop and ask appropriate question(s) and prepare appropriate research design methodologies such as qualitative or quantitative cross-national approaches to specific topic or controversy in course subject matter and/or current event(s)
• Utilize, illustrate and apply political science models and research tools to come to an appropriate conclusion as well as relate political science literature to “real world” political and policy issues of the day

POSC 475 - International Human Rights

• Identify the important political actors (states, IGOs, NGOs) in international relations who affect human rights
• Identify what international human rights consists of
• Demonstrate knowledge of the historical development of international human rights
• Identify international laws that protect human rights
• Identify policies to protect human rights

POSC 481 - Early Political Thought (Put on Reserve 9/1/2020)

POSC 482 - Early Modern Political Thought

POSC 483 - Recent Political Thought

POSC 485 - American Political Thought and Culture

• Know different conceptions of democracy
• Know the influence of religion on American culture
• Know the influence of ideas of racial and gender equality
• Know the influence of ideas of economic justice
• Know the implications of the interplay between federal and state governments
• Understand the influence of individual thinkers, religious leaders, and politicians
• Understand the historical evolution of our system

POSC 488 - Introduction to Political Science Methods and Research

• Construct basic causal models using multiple Independent variables and a singular dependent variable.
• Reproduce a literature review of the given research project by examining the previous research on the given topic.
• Collect data for the given research project using the Internet, online databases, and participant interviews.
• Organize and compile collected data into SPSS worksheets.
• Analyze collected data using basic statistical methodologies.
• Compose a research paper summarizing the finding of the collected and analyzed data.

POSC 489 - Senior Assessment

• Develop, or one hopes, further refine students’ writing skills in the context of the study of politics.
• Read primary and secondary sources in the student’s chosen research area.
• Review and be able to demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals and foundation of the discipline of political science at the undergraduate level.
• Demonstrate an acceptable level of analytical and research skills.
• Evaluate, by way of the end-of-course questionnaire, the faculty of this department, its curriculum, and its program.
• Develop, in the process of the course, a greater understanding of the nature of the discipline of political science.
• Develop, in the process of the course, an appreciation of the diversity and complexity of political life from an historical and from a contemporary perspective.
• Differentiate between subjective values and opinions and objective facts.
• Learn to organize one’s thoughts and communicate those thoughts in a clear, written form.
• Become an all-round good person, eat all one’s vegetables, don’t be cruel to animals (unless they deserve it), and struggle against corporate fascism.

POSC 490 - Cooperative Education

POSC 496 - Individual Study

POSC 497 - Honors

POSC 498 - Special Topics

POSC 499 - Seminar

PRIM 220 - Procedures in Captive Primate Care (Put on Reserve 9/1/2020)

• Identify chimpanzees behaviors and their contextual meanings
• Gain familiarity with a system of abbreviations for behavioral observations
• Learn and perform husbandry tasks such as cleaning enclosures around captive chimpanzees. They will understand safety protocols
• Read about the nature of chimpanzees and their social behavior and the history of the sign language research
• Learn basic laboratory management
• Identify individual chimpanzees at CSNW

PRIM 298 - Special Topics

PRIM 299 - Seminar

PRIM 396 - Individual Study

PRIM 397 - Honors

PRIM 398 - Special Topics

PRIM 399 - Seminar

PRIM 450 - Primate Behavior and Ecology Capstone

• Prepare a portfolio of work in primatology.
• Articulate if and how her or his attitudes have changed during the PBE program.
• Identify ways for program faculty to improve research and internships experiences provided by the PBE program.

PRIM 490 - Cooperative Education

PRIM 495A - Directed Research in Primatology

• Create a testable research hypothesis.
• Select appropriate data collection method.
• Collect data relevant to research hypothesis.
• Write a scientific report.

PRIM 495C - CHCI Directed Research

• Interact with data.
• Describe research protocols and procedures at CHCI by readings and research tasks.

PRIM 496 - Individual Study

PRIM 497 - Honors

PRIM 498 - Special Topics

PRIM 499 - Seminar

PSY 101 - General Psychology

• Identify and interpret basic psychological theory and principles that underlie human behavior and interaction (individual, group, cultural, and societal) with regard to biology, cognition, and emotion.
• Identify, explain, and apply the different empirical methods used in the subfields of Psychology (research study design, data collection methods, and data analysis).
• Compare and contrast human behavior, perspectives, and culture through exploration of the human cognitive thought processes.
• Explain ways in which humans perceive, experience, and interact with the natural and human-made environments
• Describe and evaluate diversity and similarities with regard to behavior and the thought process in the areas of culture, social, gender, age, and ethnicity.
• Describe and evaluate the biological bases of behavior and the role of biology in fostering a better understanding of the human condition
• Describe and evaluate the role of human development in the contribution of behavioral differences.
• Describe and evaluate abnormal behavior and role in which behavior plays a role in understanding differences among humans and how to foster greater respect, understanding of our differences  and compassion for the human condition.

PSY 200 - Introduction to the Major

• Identify a range of possible careers in psychology.
• Select electives appropriate to an initial specialization.
• Identify practice and research interests of department faculty or community members.
• Identify opportunities for service learning within psychology.
• Identify professional organizations pertinent to psychology.
• Demonstrate how research and practice are interdependent within psychology.

PSY 205 - Psychology of Adjustment

• Compare and contrast adjustment and personal growth which include major psychological theories used to explain personality development, psychological adjustment, and learning.
• Examine and discuss the concept of the self and how the social world contributes to self-esteem, self-concept, and self-identity and deciding on a career that leads to satisfaction and fulfillment along with identifying the current issues associated with the workplace.
• Identify and explain the difference between physical and psychological factors associated with health, including physical and psychological reactions to stress related to the immune system and cognitive processes, eating and living habits that contribute to a healthy life including nutrition, substance abuse, and sleep hygiene.
• Examine and discuss prejudice and bias and its development along with the effects of social influence and the factors associated with persuasion, obedience, and conformity and how it contributes to behaviors within society.
• Analyze and evaluate the building and maintaining of relationships including interpersonal, intimate, sexual, and romantic relationships, and friendships, and the importance of effective communication to overcome the challenges related to relationships as well as maintaining healthy relationships.
• Identify and describe the types of mental disorders along with the overall development, prevalence, biological factors, and criteria used to diagnose a mental disorder and evaluate the types of therapy associated with psychological disorders and well-being and the effectiveness of each therapy.
• Identify, explain and apply some empirical research methodologies including the scientific method and the major features of research methods used to study psychology.

PSY 235 - Relationships and Personal Development

• Understand aspects of interpersonal relationships, with some ideas about how to find and to be a life-partner and how to achieve growth and actualization as partners
• Identify and describe basic concepts and research findings related to self-knowledge and self-esteem, gender roles in society and child-rearing patterns of childhood retained in adulthood and intimate relationships, solitude: knowing yourself, and solitude v. loneliness
• Identify and describe basic concepts and research findings related to the nature of intimacy, actualization v. neediness in relationships, dangers of intimacy, dysfunctional relationships, finding and promoting healthy intimacy, threats to healthy intimacy, the nature of desire, regulating desire, dysfunctional forms of desire, cultural myths and misunderstandings
• Reflect upon and express elements of one’s understanding and experiences with relationships, solitude, and knowledge of self

PSY 242 - Psychology of Video Games

• Examine and evaluate the way video games (and gaming broadly) influence how humans feel, think, and behave
• Apply critical thinking to analyze the role of community, gender, & culture in games
• Demonstrate how psychological research has contributed to developments in games
• Recognize the social, political, and ethical implications of advancements in games
• Formulate questions that can be addressed through scientific solutions
• Utilize quantitative reasoning and critical thinking skills to understand information sources and address the credibility of such sources

PSY 275 - Community Development in Residence Halls

• Understand the theories and skills necessary to become a successful Resident Assistant (RA) and student leader.
• Describe and discuss the major student developmental theories.
• Understand the importance of community and how to create one.
• Develop and practice communication and confrontation techniques.
• Understand the importance of programming and how to facilitate a program in their current residence hall.
• Describe and discuss diversity and multicultural topics.
• Describe and discuss social issues facing college students today.

PSY 295 - Laboratory Experience in Psychology

PSY 295C - CHCI Laboratory Experience

PSY 298 - Special Topics

PSY 299 - Seminar in Psychology

PSY 300 - Research Methods in Psychology

• Summarize the steps of the psychological research process
• Compare scientific and nonscientific approaches to knowledge
• Describe the process of constructing and testing psychological theory as well as the characteristics of a good theory
• Describe the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of research methods used in psychological research including correlational and quasi-experimental designs
• Identify one or more advantages of a complex experimental design
• Construct a “researchable” question that pertains to your interests
• Develop a research question into a specific hypothesis that relates two or more operationally defined variables
• Describe research designs appropriate to a behavioral research question
• Identify potential threats to internal and external validity in reported behavioral research
• Use computer databases to generate a list of relevant sources on a topic
• Identify and address relevant ethical issues in the treatment of human and animal participants in a specific proposed behavioral research project
• Write professionally using APA style

PSY 301 - Learning

• Discuss the historical development of the theoretical orientations to the study of learning.
• Demonstrate mastery of critical terms and concepts from the field of learning and behavioral psychology.
• Develop the ability to communicate in the language and format of the disciplines of learning and behavioral psychology.
• Develop the ability to read, comprehend and discuss technically sophisticated experimental procedures, data analysis methods, theoretical arguments and interpretations specific to behavioral psychology.
• Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate research designs, data collection methods and interpretations common to the field of learning and behavioral psychology.
• Describe the basic behavioral principles of reinforcement, stimulus control, extinction, punishment, and classical conditioning.
• Identify procedures, methods and techniques developed within the field of learning that have been employed by other disciplines.
• Discuss the relevance of the theories and findings from the field of learning from an interdisciplinary perspective.
• Recognize the continuity of species and the relevance of animal models of behavior.

PSY 303 - Analysis of Everyday Behavior

• Name and describe behavioral tactics for changing behavior (reinforcement, stimulus control, aversive control and its limitations).
• Develop and implement a behavioral self- management program.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of your behavior change strategies.

PSY 310 - Multicultural Psychology and Social Justice

• Explain the ways that psychology has perpetuated social injustice.
• Summarize how privilege, power, and oppression may affect experiences of, and beliefs about prejudice, discrimination, and inequality.
• Critically examine personal beliefs, experiences and assumptions about culture, cultural difference, and social justice.
• Articulate how they will become informed citizens through critical analysis of social and cultural influences on the field of psychology.
• Explain how social, psychological, and culturally diverse experiences enhance both individual life experience and improve the community
• Analyze how the relationships between local, regional, national, and global cultures impact individuals’ experiences of community, citizenship, politics and mental health/wellbeing.
• Critically examine  how historical, social, economic, and cultural developments have affected communities, citizenship, politics and government

PSY 312 - Queer Theory and Sexuality

• Trace the history of gay, lesbian, and bisexual culture and articulate their understanding of that history in both written work and class discussion.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts within queer theory by using some of these concepts to analyze patterns of behavior, outlook, and identity in gay, lesbian, and bisexual communities.
• Examine how queer self-expression contests and challenges homophobic oppression and heterosexual norms.
• Analyze the psychological and social tensions that arise from transgressing gender norms.

PSY 313 - Developmental Psychology

• Demonstrate understanding of the basic theories of lifespan development.
• Demonstrate understanding of the diverse influences on lifespan development, including hereditary, environmental, normative, and non-normative influences.
• Demonstrate understanding of the physical, cognitive, language, and social/emotional development of individuals throughout the lifespan.
• Demonstrate the use of research skills, including the University library and/or the Internet.
• Demonstrate appropriate writing skills, including the correct format for APA references.

PSY 314 - Human Development and the Learner

• Demonstrate knowledge of physical, cognitive, language, moral, and social-emotional development of individuals from conception through adolescence.
• Apply the key components of prominent developmental theories.
• Identify the effects of diverse influences on individual development including the impact of a variety of cultural backgrounds.
• Describe the effects of diverse influences on development, including hereditary, environmental, normative, and non-normative influences.
• Demonstrate the use of research and writing skills, including the University library and/or the internet as well as using APA style.

PSY 315 - Psychology in the Schools (Put on Reserve 9/1/2020)

• Describe major theories of psychology (behavioral, cognitive, sociocultural, etc.) and how those apply to student learning and behavior in school settings.
• Demonstrate knowledge of diversity and human development and how these impact student learning and the learning environment in school settings.
• Describe psychology’s role in the schools in relation to other disciplines or interdisciplinary fields of study, particularly education.
• Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary educational settings and contemporary issues in educational psychology and to consider those issues from various viewpoints (e.g. teacher, student, parent, and administrator).
• Demonstrate knowledge of research methods used in school settings, research skills and the ability to apply research to classroom settings.

PSY 333 - Social Justice: The Psychology of Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination

• Articulate how approaching the issues of stereotyping, prejudice, and minority experience from a psychological perspective improves our understanding of human behavior.
• Analyze how theory helps to frame issues associated with stereotypes, prejudice, and minority experience and how research that examines these issues speak to basic psychological theory.
• Identify and analyze the techniques and findings of psychology relating to stereotyping and prejudice to facilitate the application of psychological research and theory to the solution of real-world problems
• Evaluate the influence of group-relevant psychological processes on human behavior in the real world.
• Apply findings and theories to “make sense” of why people do the things they do, and further appreciate the importance of social groups in society.
• Cultivate theabilities to think critically, to formulate arguments, and to express reasoned ideas

PSY 340 - Teaching of Psychology

• Read and acquire fluent knowledge of basic concepts and skills of the course for which you are assisting the professor.
• Execute basic tasks of academic instruction, such as finding source material, evaluating exams and papers, leading discussion groups, explaining concepts to students.