Course Descriptions - P

PHILOSOPHY (PHIL)

PHIL 100. Critical Thinking and the Formation of Values. 3-0-3. Prerequisite: ENGL 099 and READ 099, if required. A study of elementary logic, argument analysis and values: their nature, their origin and the roles of philosophical, religious and scientific traditions in both the emergence and perpetuation of values. The perspective is multicultural.

PHIL 301. Ethics. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PHIL 100 and ENGL 102. A study of the major approaches to ethical thought and the applicability of these approaches to selected issues in the humanities, sciences, and professional areas including business, medicine and law.

PHIL 305. Logic. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PHIL 100; ENGL 102 and MATH 105 (or equivalent). An introduction to logic with emphasis on deductive logic including syllogistic and symbolic argument forms; and inductive logic including analogy, Mill’s methods, and elementary probability theory.

PHIL 310. Ancient and Medieval Western Philosophy. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PHIL 100, ENGL 102. Investigates topics, problems and doctrines of ancient and medieval western philosophers including the pre- Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas.

PHIL 315. Modern Western Philosophy. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PHIL 100, ENGL 102. Investigates topics, problems and doctrines of modern western philosophers beginning with Descartes and concluding with Nietzsche.

PHIL 320. Religions of the World. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PHIL 100, ENGL 102. A study of selected world religions with primary concentration on the origin and major periods of the scriptural and doctrinal development of these religions.

PHIL 400. Directed Study. 1-5 credit hours. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor and department chair prior to registration. Special topics of an advanced nature not in the regular course offerings.

PHIL 410. Social and Political Philosophy. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PHIL 100, ENGL 206, and HIST 206. An introduction to some of the social and political philosophical traditions including natural law theory, liberalism, utilitarianism, anarchism and Marxism.

PHIL 415. Feminist Philosophy. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PHIL 100, ENGL 102. A study of the main currents of contemporary feminist philosophy including liberal feminism, radical feminism, socialist feminism and post-modern feminism.

PHIL 420. Existentialism. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PHIL 100, ENGL 206 and HIST 206. A study of Existentialism including its historical roots in the nineteenth centruy, its major exponents of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and its impact on philosophy, literature, and other academic disciplines.

PHIL 425. Asian Philosophical Traditions. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PHIL 100, ENGL 102. The Asian Philosophical Traditions is an upper-division survey course that presents an in-depth exploration into the philosophies of India, China and Japan and engages an ongoing comparison of the various traditions with each other and with western traditions.

PHIL 490. Special Topics in Philosophy. 1-5 credit hours. Prerequisite: PHIL 100 and ENGL 102. Selected topics of interest to faculty and students.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE (PHSC)

PHSC 105. Introduction to Physical Science. 4-3-5. Prerequisite: MATH 105 or higher. A study of the relationships among energy, matter and motion. Emphasis is placed on the structure of matter from subatomic particles to the universe in relationship to existing energy and its transformation and on the motion of energy and matter. May not be used in Area II by math or science majors.

PHSC 106. Applications of Physical Science. 4-3-5. Prerequisite: PHSC 105. A continuation of PHSC 105, with an emphasis on specific applications of physical science in today’s world and on recent scientific theories and discoveries. Selected topics in energy, mechanics, electromagnetism and modern physics will be covered. May not be used in Area II by math or science majors.

PHYSICS (PHYS)

PHYS 127. Mechanics and Kinetic Theory. 4-3-5. Prerequisite: MATH 114. Kinematics, dynamics, statics and particle systems.

PHYS 128. Electricity, Magnetism and Geometric Optics. 4-3-5. Prerequisite: PHYS 127. Basic principles of electricity and magnetism, properties of light, and simple optics.

PHYS 129. Heat, Light, Sound. 4-3-5. Prerequisite: PHYS 127. Wave properties of light and sound, heat transport phenomenon, quantum mechanical foundations of atomic and molecular structure, interactions of radiation with matter.

PHYS 201. General Physics I. 4-3-5. Prerequisite: MATH 190; Corequisite: MATH 201. With PHYS 202 and PHYS 203 constitutes physics for science majors. Covers mechanics, including vector algebra, kinematics, Galilean transformations, Newton’s laws, work-energy principles, conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, rotational kinematics, equilibrium of rigid bodies, rotational dynamics and kinetic theory.

PHYS 202. General Physics II. 4-3-5. Prerequisite: PHYS 201; MATH 201. Covers electromagnetism, including Coulomb’s law, electric fields, Gauss’s law, potential, Ohm’s law, electromotive force, energy transformation in a circuit, charging and discharging a capacitor, energy density in an electric field, ammeter and voltmeter construction, magnetic fields, Hall effect, Ampere’s law, Faraday’s law, energy density in a magnetic field, inductance, a-c circuits, electromagnetic waves; laboratory work.

PHYS 203. General Physics III. 4-3-5. Prerequisite: PHYS 201. Covers sound waves, geometric and physical optics, Michaelson-Morley experiment, Lorentz transformations, relativistic form of the laws of conservation of momentum and energy, blackbody radiation, photo-electric effect, Bohr model of hydrogen, wave particle duality and the uncertainty principles and other topics in modern physics, with an introduction to quantum mechanics. Laboratory work in wave phenomena.

PHYS 300. Analysis of Physical Systems. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: MATH 201; PHYS 201 or PHYS 127. An examination of the mathematical tools used across different fields of physics combined with their application to specific problems selected from areas such as classical mechanics and electromagnetism. Practical physics problems will illustrate the use of vectors, matrices, differential equations, complex variables, probability and error analysis.

PHYS 305. Modern Physics. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: MATH 201; PHYS 201 or PHYS 127. A course in modern physics for students in math and science. Topics will include quantum mechanics, relativity, solid state physics, the Bohr model, Rutherford scattering, angular momentum, selection rules for quantum numbers and the Schrodinger wave equation. A combination of descriptive and mathematical models will be used.

PHYS 310. How and Why—The Physics in Everyday Life. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: Any 10-hour lab science core sequence. This course will utilize physics as a tool for understanding how everyday systems work and why tasks are done in certain ways. It will be taught at a level appropriate for the general audience. Demonstrations and student activities will be used to investigate the operation of a variety of systems selected from areas such as household appliances, communication systems, transportation systems, television, radio, computers and the electrical power system. These examples will be tied together with the underlying principles from mechanics, optics, electricity and magnetism. The large role of energy in modern society will be examined in detail.

PHYS 311. Concepts of Modern Physics. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: any 10 hour lab science sequence. A look at quantum mechanics (the physics of the very small) and relativity (the physics of high speeds and high energies) for the general audience. The puzzles of modern physics and some philosophical implications will be considered. Topics will include the wave-particle problem, the uncertainty principle, time dilation, and why the speed of light is the “speed limit” for the universe. The strong experimental evidence supporting these (seemingly) strange and paradoxical ideas will also be discussed.

PHYS 312. Concepts of Optics. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: any 10 hour lab science sequence. A survey of optics and its applications for the general audience. Topics will include the nature of light, optical instruments and methods, color perception and depth perception. Techniques of color reproduction will be examined in areas such as photography, printing, art, color TV and computer graphics. The course will include the fundamentals of optical systems such as holography, photography, microscopy and fiber optics. Emphasis will be on the applications of optical principles.

PHYS 340. Electronics. 4-3-5. Prerequisite: MATH 115 or permission of instructor. Fundamentals of analog and digital electronics. Basic components, transistors and integrated circuits and their use in practical circuits. The course will examine the role of electronic building blocks such as amplifiers, oscillators and gates in complex equipment such as audio systems, radio, TV and computers. Lab involves hands-on work with electronic circuits.

PHYS 341. Digital Electronics. 4-3-5. Prerequisite: PHYS 340. Operation and use of digital integrated circuits such as gates, flip-flops, registers, microprocessors and memories. Examination of computer operation from the hardware standpoint. Lab includes logic circuit design and basic computer interfacing.

PHYS 350. Electronics Instrumentation. 3-6-5. Prerequisite: MATH 190. Basic electronics, linear, and digital integrated circuits in modern laboratory instruments. Extensive experience with the design, construction, use and maintenance of electronic instruments.

PHYS 360. Spectroscopy. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: MATH 190. Principles of vibration, rotation and electronic spectroscopy and resonance techniques in the study of atomic and molecular structure.

PHYS 400. Directed Study. 1-5 credit hours. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor and department chair prior to registration. Special topics of an advanced nature that are not in the regular course offerings.

PHYS 490. Special Topics in Physics. 1-5 credit hours. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Selected special topics of general interest to the faculty and students.

POLITICAL SCIENCE & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (POLS)

POLS 201. American Government in a Global Perspective. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: ENGL 099 and READ 099; if required. Examination of the institutions and processes of American government with some comparison to those of other modern nation-states.

POLS 212. State and Local Government. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: ENGL 099 and READ 099 if required; POLS 201 recommended. A general survey of state and local government; recent and current trends.

POLS 250. Contemporary International Politics. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. This course provides an introduction to the study of international relations. The course examines sources of international order, conflict and war, determinants of foreign policy, global actors and the dynamics of political interaction between nation-states.

POLS 280. Research Methods I. 3-2-5. Prerequisite: All developmental studies courses if required. An introduction to the empirical methods in social research. Provides the student with a working knowledge of the design, implementation and evaluation of social science research.

POLS 303. Politics and Public Policy Formation. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. Origins, principles, structures, processes and practices of American national government. Stresses different perspectives on democratic theory and the adequacy of government institutions.

POLS 315. American Constitutional Law Institutions. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. The constitutional powers and limitations of the national legislative, executive and judicial branches are examined. The course includes analysis of the constitutional relationship of these political institutions and relationship of the states and the national government regarding regulation of commerce, taxation and state courts.

POLS 320. Legal Research. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. An introduction to legal resources for law-related courses and problems stressing the effective utilization of legal research and reference tools in a manner designed to meet the needs of the student in a non-law field. An understanding of legal rules is necessary for scientists, archaeologists and other professionals.

POLS 323. Issues in Political Philosophy. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. Emphasizes the issues of individualism and limits of political authority as dealt with by major political and social theories.

POLS 334. Comparative Politics. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. An introduction to the comparative approaches for the study of politics, focusing on patterns of development and change in contemporary political systems.

POLS 343. Principles of Public Administration. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. Problems of personnel, finance, administrative law, and the growth and significance of administrative legislation and adjudication.

POLS 350. American Foreign Policy. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. This course explores the conduct, substantive policy issues and problems associated with American foreign policy. The contemporary aspects and problems evolving out of and confronted by America’s foreign policy will be emphasized.

POLS 360. The U.S. Congress. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. Presents an in-depth treatment of the origins, development, operation and reforms of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

POLS 370. The U.S. Presidency. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. Examines the historical development of the presidency, the constitutional powers, the personalities, the roles and the relationship with other governmental agencies.

POLS 380. Mass Media and Politics. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. Examines the role of themass media in society.  Emphasis is placed on the media's role in the social, legal and political processes in the United States, as well as other democratic and non-democratic countries such as Japan, the U.S.S.R. and Great Britain.

POLS 385. Campaign and Elections. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. An in-depth look at the process of selecting governmental leaders in the United States. Includes a segment on foreign elections in countries such as the Soviet Union, France and Great Britain.

POLS 396. Cooperative Study. 1-3 credit hours. Prerequisite: Approval of coordinator of cooperative education/internships (KSU Career Services). A supervised work experience program for a minimum of three academic quarters at a site in business, industry or government. For sophomore, junior or senior level students who wish to obtain successive on-the-job experience in conjunction with their academic training.

POLS 398. Internship. 1-15 credit hours. A supervised, credit-earning work experience of one academic quarter with a previously approved business firm, private agency or government agency. Credit is allowed only in elective areas. Students must contact instructor before the end of the quarter prior to the quarter in which the internship is planned.

POLS 400. Directed Study. 1-5 credit hours. Prerequisite: POLS 201 and approval of instructor, adviser and department chair prior to registration. Covers special topics and seminars external to regular course offerings. May require internship.

POLS 402. Political Parties and Interest Groups. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. Examines the nature, structure and functions of political parties in differing national cultural contexts with particular attention to the electoral activity of political parties in the United States.

POLS 410. American Legal System. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. Basic concepts of American law, judicial selection, the legal profession, court systems, criminal justice and judicial behavior.

POLS 411. Criminal Law. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. An examination of those areas in which the U.S. Constitution affects criminal justice. Emphasis on understanding the role of the Supreme Court of the United States in interpreting those provisions of the Constitution that affect criminal justice. An attempt to understand the content of the important decisions in this area as well as the reason given by the court for its decisions.

POLS 412. Urban Affairs and Problems. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. Emphasis on the changing patterns of local and municipal governments and politics, impact of reapportionment and other problems generated by an urbanized society.

POLS 415. Civil Liberties. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. An intensive study of the rights of Americans as guaranteed by the Constitution. The changing character of civil liberties problems in the United States will be stressed with attention given to the legal, historical and political context of the cases studied.

POLS 420. Judicial Process. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. Courts and judges as agents in the political system. Focus is on the judicial decision-making process, with attention to psychological and other variables in that process. Relation of judicial process to legislative, administrative and electoral processes emphasized.

POLS 421. Ancient and Medieval Political Thought. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. A survey of the political thought of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas and Machiavelli emphasizing the aspects of their thought most relevant to the development of Western political institutions.

POLS 422. Modern and Contemporary Political Thought. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. A survey of the political thought of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Hume, Hegel, Mill and Marx emphasizing the aspects of their thought most relevant to the development of Western political institutions.

POLS 425. Early American Political Thought: 1620 to 1865. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. This course concentrates on the development and explication of American political ideas including the English backgrounds of American political thought, the colonial and formative eras.

POLS 426. Modern American Political Thought: 1865 to Present. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. American political thought from the Civil War era to the contemporary era emphasizing the development of the ideas underpinning the development of democracy, industrialization, the rise of the positive state and the cold war period.

POLS 430. International Law and Organization. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. This course examines the system of law governing relations between states, and the roles and functions of international organizations. It explores the conventional international law in the areas of diplomacy, territorial questions and armed conflicts, as well as the developing regimes in trade and human rights. In addition, the course examines the structures and functions of some contemporary organizations in the security and economic areas and evaluates their performance and contribution.

POLS 435. Foreign Policy of Major Nations. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. A study of governmental formulation and conduct of foreign policy, focusing on major problems of U.S. foreign policy with the Soviet Union and other major areas of the world.

POLS 436. Politics of Developing Areas. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. This course confronts the patterns of development of governmental institutions and use of political processes in meeting the problems of the emerging nations of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

POLS 438. Politics of International Economic Relations. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201 and ECON 203. This course explores the fundamental questions about government and policies, about market systems and about relations between the two.

POLS 444. Administrative Practices and Organization. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. The methods and procedures of governmental administration and the control of public bureaucracies in democratic societies.

POLS 446. Governmental Budgeting. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. This course is designed to introduce undergraduate students to the role of budgeting in the governmental process. Budgetary actors, their motivations, their stakes and their behaviors are investigated. Students examine the legislative process of the budget and budgetary implementation. Students are introduced to cutback management, funding mandates and other current issues in governmental budgeting.

POLS 451. Post Communist Europe. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. This course explains the collapse of communist rule in the former Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe. It introduces the contemporary political institutions and processes of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Hungary, the Czech republic and other key countries of the region. The course will use a comparative approach and develop country profiles to assess the varied degrees of success in achieving stable multi-party democracy. It will examine the widely divergent strategies for meeting the severe economic, environmental, social and political challenges confronting these countries during this difficult and volatile transitional era.

POLS 452. Eastern Asian Politics. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. The course is designed to acquaint students with political institutions and processes of China, Japan and Korea. Particular emphasis will be placed on analysis of the relations of these countries with the United States on selected issues of contemporary relevance.

POLS 453. Politics of Latin America. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. Introduces the contemporary political situations and governmental structures of Latin America. Similarities and differences among the various political systems will be examined as will socioecomonic cleavages and foreign intervention.

POLS 454. Politics of the Middle East and North Africa. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. This course examines contemporary socio-political and economic characteristics needed to understand the many countries of the Middle East/North Africa. The role of Islam, the Gulf War, the quest for development, the Palestine issue, and democracy versus authoritarianism are themes which will be covered in the course. In addition, a “country profile” approach will also be used. This course examines key countries and studies their political structure in detail.

POLS 455. Politics & Governments of Sub-Saharan Africa. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. The course will focus on the political systems of today’s independent Sub-Saharan African states, the patterns and processes of political and economic development, conflict resolution and dispute management and social change. It will also focus on intra-African relations and on relationships between the continent and the outside world.

POLS 456. International Environmental Policy. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201. This course examines the basic elements of environmental policy making in the international arena. The course highlights current issues such as tropical rainforests, the “Global Commons” concept, biodiversity and endangered species. Policy approaches will draw upon examples from specific countries as well as policy developed within international organizations such as the United Nations.

POLS 460. Mock Trial I. 2-0-2. Prerequisite: None. An introduction to the American trial process to prepare students to participate in intercollegiate mock trial competition at the state, regional and national levels. The overall goal of the course is to enhance knowledge of the adversarial process of justice. Students who take the course are not required to enter competition but teams for competition will be chosen primarily from currently enrolled students.

POLS 461. Mock Trial II. 2-0-2. Prerequisite: Mock Trial I and permission of instructor. For students who have successfully completed Mock Trial I and wish to continue mock trial participation.

POLS 462. Mock Trial III. 1-0-1. Prerequisite: Mock Trial I and II and permission of instructor. For students who have successfully completed Mock Trial I and Mocke Trial II and wish to continue mock trial participation.

POLS 490. Special Topics in Political Science. 1-5 credit hours. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor and department chair. Selected special topics of interest to faculty and students.

POLS 499. Senior Seminar. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: POLS 201 and a maximum of 25 hours (five courses) from four of the five major areas required course offerings (any two which can be taken concurrently with POLS 499). This capstone course is designed to complete the major by integrating the problems, research and theories from the divergent specialty areas of the Political Science curriculum. The course will focus on both the theoretical and empirical concerns, as well as the interconnectedness among the various Political Science specialty areas.

PSYCHOLOGY (PSY)

PSY 105. Psychology and Contemporary Issues. 3-0-3. Prerequisite: READ 099 and ENGL 099, if required. This course examines contemporary issues addressed by psychology and related disciplines. A cross-cultural perspective is incorporated into the study of issues such as gender, ethics and the relationship between research and application. Students are encouraged to develop effective thinking and communication skills as they learn about the relevance of psychology in modern society. Primarily for students not planning to take upper division couses in psychology.

PSY 201. General Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: READ 099 and ENGL 099, if required. The scientific approach to the study of psychological phenomena, human development, learning and thinking, motivation and emotion, perception, testing and measurement, personality and behavior.

PSY 258. The Psychology of Adjustment. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: All developmental studies courses if required. The dynamics of normal and nonintegrative adjustment, including the study of appropriate and inappropriate reactions to frustrations and stress; resolutions of conflicts, fears and anxiety; building emotional stability and preventing mental illness.

PSY 299. Quantitative Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: MATH 105 or 114; PSY 201. An introduction to the use of quantitative methods in psychology and the social sciences with emphasis on basic quantitative techniques, sampling, psychological testing and assessment, and the selection of appropriate measurements of behavior, their application and their interpretation within the context of the research endeavor.

PSY 300. Research Methods. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 299. A study of the empirical methods of psychology. Course is designed to provide the student with a working knowledge of methods used in the planning and evaluation of psychological research techniques and the description and analysis of data.

PSY 301. Seminar in Experimental Psychology. 4-2-5. Prerequisite: PSY 300. (Sequential to PSY 300) A seminar examining issues and problems in conducting psychological research. Emphasis is placed on practical research experience including conducting and reporting results of experiments in various areas of psychology.

PSY 305. Developmental Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 201. Human development from conception to death, emphasizing biological, cognitive, emotional, social and personality development.

PSY 310. Psychoative Drugs and Behavior. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 201. This course will present information on how psychoative drugs work in the central nervous system and how they affect behavior. The classes of drugs discussed will include stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, analgesics and psychotropic drugs, and will focus on their pharmacologic action in the brain. Substance abuse disorders will be addressed and physiological theories of abuse will be emphasized.

PSY 320. Leadership and Group Dynamics. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 201 and permission of instructor required. Theory and application of psychological knowledge regarding group formation, group process and leadership. Issues are examined in the context of ongoing intensive group discussion.

PSY 325. Social Psychology. 4-2-5. Prerequisite: PSY 201. A survey of the effects of the social environment upon the behavior of the individual. Interpersonal attraction, affiliation, aggression, prejudice, conformity, attitudes and attitude change are discussed. Experimental research findings are emphasized.

PSY 335. Theories of Personality. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 201. A survey of selected theories as well as research findings and possible therapeutic, educational and social applications. The theories of Freud, Adler, Jung, Erikson, Rogers, Skinner and other major theoretical systems are covered.

PSY 340. The Psychology of Family Interaction: A Developmental Perspective. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 201. An in-depth coverage of the psychological dynamics involved in parent/child relationships. A developmental approach will be employed to explore the changing needs and demands of the child and the parents as each progress in their own development. Current research and theory concerning parenting techniques, the psychological atmosphere of the home and the interaction of the child’s temperament with the parents will be discussed. Contemporary family issues such as day-care, domestic violence, single parenting and children with special needs will be presented.

PSY 345. Learning and Conditioning. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 201. An examination of behavior theory and the types of learning that help account for similarity and diversity in the behavior of human and nonhuman animals. Course focuses on the learning processes of habituation, classical conditioning, and operant conditioning.

PSY 355. Cross-Cultural Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 201; SOCI or ANTH 105 or 201 recommended. An overview of the study and application of psychological principles across a variety of cultures. Cognition, attitude structure and change, interpersonal communication, personality and mental health issues will be discussed as they relate to different cultural contexts.

PSY 365. Human Sexuality. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 201. An examination of the biological, personal, interpersonal and social aspects of human sexual behavior. Topics include: sexual values, sex and gender, sex and love, sexual behavior over the life span, reproduction, sex and health, sexual dysfunction and treatment, and social problems/issues related to sexual behavior.

PSY 370. Industrial Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 201. The application of psychological principles and research methodology to human problems in industry, including the psychological aspects of personnel selection and appraisal, motivation and work, leadership and human performance.

PSY 380. Principles of Psychological Testing. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 201; PSY 299 or MATH 107. Designed to introduce the principles that underlie the development, use and interpreation of psychological assessment tools. Topics include: test construction, survey development, scaling, norming, assessment interpretation issues and psychological assessment applications in industrial, vocational, clinical and research settings. Additionally, psychological assessment will be discussed in terms of social, legal and ethical concerns.

PSY 396. Cooperative Study. 1-3 credit hours. Prerequisite: Approval of department chair and coordinator of cooperative education/internship (Career Services). A supervised work experience program for a minimum of three academic quarters at a previously approved site in business, industry, government or private agency. For sophomore, junior or senior level students who wish to obtain successive on-the-job experience in conjunction with their academic training.

PSY 398. Internship. 1-15 credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 301 and approval of departmental internship supervisor and department chair. A supervised credit-earning work experience of one academic quarter with a previously approved business firm, private agency or government agency. Credit is allowed only in elective areas.

PSY 400. Directed Study. 1-5 credit hours. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor, advisor and department chair. 135 hours and completion of one 300-level psychology course. Psychology majors must have completed PSY 301. Covers special topics and seminars external to regular course offerings. May include original research projects and practicum experience.

PSY 410. Physiological Psychology. 4-2-5. Prerequisite: 135 hours and completion of one 300-level psychology course; BIOL 104 recommended. PSY majors must have completed PSY 301. Study of the nervous system, endocrine glands and receptor and effector mechanisms as they influence behavior and personality.

PSY 411. History and Systems of Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: 135 hours and one 300-level psychology course. PSY majors must have completed PSY 301. An examination of the historical development of psychology, focusing on antecedents in philosophy and physiology; major early systems; major historical figures; and the historical/cultural context in which the field developed.

PSY 415 Theories of Perception. 4-2-5. Prerequisite: 135 hours and one 300-level psychology course. PSY majors must have completed PSY 301. A study of various theories and phenomena of perception. Course includes experimental investigations of the characteristics of sensory systems including vision, audition, kinesthesis, and the vestibular and skin senses.

PSY 420. Applied Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: 135 hours and one 300-level psychology course. PSY majors must have completed PSY 301. A consideration of selected contemporary psychological approaches to studying human behavior in applied settings. Methodologies available to the psychologist for the evaluation and/or modification of a variety of human problems will be explored.

PSY 424. Adult Development and Aging. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: 135 hours and completion of one 300-level PSY course. PSY majors must have completed PSY 301. This course examines human development across the second half of the life span. The class explores the psychology of adult development and aging with a particular emphasis on issues related to gerontology. Topics include cognitive/intellectual development, personality/social development, gender similarities and differences, family issues, mental health, death and bereavement. Psychological theories and research, as well as examples and applications, will be used to better understand the aging process.

PSY 425. Psychology of Women. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: 135 hours and one 300-level psychology course. PSY majors must have completed PSY 301. Advanced study of psychological research and theory relevant to women. Focus will be on areas in which real and false gender differences manifest themselves.

PSY 430. Abnormal Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: 135 hours and one 300-level psychology course. PSY majors must have completed PSY 301. A comprehensive study of the various forms of mental illness and maladjustment.

PSY 440. Black Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: 135 hours and one 300-level psychology course; SOCI 105 or ANTH 105. Psychology majors must have completed PSY 301. An examination of some of the major psychological issues affecting black Americans. Topics include: racial consciousness and identity; definition and effects of racism in the work place and in school; testing issues and cultural deficit theories of IQ; dating, marriage and family structure; issues in the evaluation and treatment of mental disorders; and an examination of research methods used to study this population.

PSY 455. Cognitive Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: 135 hours and one 300-level psychology course PSY majors must have competed PSY 301. An examination of the experimental investigation of complex cognitive processes, including the storage and retrieval of information, concept formation, reasoning, problem-solving and decision-making.

PSY 470. Personnel Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: 135 hours and completion of one 300-level course; PSY 370 or MGT 360 recommended. PSY majors must have completed PSY 301. An advanced study of the application of psychological research and theory to problems of organizational human resource utilization. Focus will be on individual differences in behavior and job performance and on methods of measuring and predicting such differences. Major areas of emphasis include job analysis and evaluation, recruitment, screening, validation, personnel selection, training and development and performance appraisal.

PSY 490. Special Topics in Psychology. 1-5 credit hours. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of 20 hours of 300- to 400-level psychology courses and consent of instructor and department chair. Selected topics of special interest to faculty and students.

PSY 499. Senior Seminar in Psychology. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSY 301 and one course from each of the four Psychology course groupings (any one of which can be done concurrently with PSY 499). A capstone course designed to complete the major by integrating the student’s prior academic experiences in psychology. Contemporary issues, problems, research, and theories from the different areas identified in the psychology curriculum will be examined. Discussion will focus on both substantive and methodological concerns, as well as interconnections among areas of study. A seminar format will be used throughout the course to encourage student participation and interaction with peers and with faculty.

PUBLIC & SOCIAL SERVICES (PSS)

PSS 275. Policy & Program Evaluation. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: Completion of Developmental Studies. An introduction to quantitative and qualitative social science research methods with an emphasis on the specific methods necessary for public and social services research and provision. This course enables students to become informed producers and consumers of research products, particularly in public and social services areas. The emphasis is on basic concepts and underlying assumptions of various social science research methodologies and their design implications. It also develops skills in designing research projects with a particular emphasis on survey research.

PSS 300. Foundations of Social Theory and Practice. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: SOCI 201 and one other course in AREA IV. A survey of the historical development of social theory that focuses on the major theories and theoreticians of sociology, social work, and anthropology, with an emphasis on their importance for understanding contemporary social science and practice.

PSS 375. Data Analysis & Reporting in PSS. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: PSS 275 and MATH 107 or equivalent. The course is an introduction to data analysis methods and reporting formats used in the public and social services. The emphasis is on basic social science data analysis methods which are specifically applicable to public and social services research, and the writing of research reports. The course builds upon the theoretical contents of PSS 275 and uses the data generated in that course for data analyses. The course covers descriptive and inferential analytical techniques which are specifically and most commonly used in public and social services research.

PSS 398. Internship. 1-10 credit hours. Prerequisite: HS 313 or persmission of instructor. PSS majors are required to complete a minimum of 300 hours of supervised field experience. Placement must be approved by the chair and internship faculty supervisor and must be in agencies appropriate to the mission of the PSS major .

PSS 498. Capstone Seminar in Human Services. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: HS 410, PSS 375. The culmination of the public and social services program, involving the completion of the portfolio and preparation and presentation of the senior paper.