Courses in Psychology

REQUIRED & CORE COURSES IN PSYCHOLOGY

Psy 100/101 Introduction to Psychology (6 credit hours)
This is the foundational introduction to the study of behaviour and mental processes. the first term includes topics such as learning, memory, cognition and research design. the optional second term includes psychopathology, assessment, therapy and other practical applications of psychology.

Psy 300 Developmental Psychology
This course provides an overview of human development theories covering the whole life span, though focusing primarily on child and adolescent development.

Psy 302 Biological Psychology
This online course introduces the students to biological foundations of our behaviour and mental processes, including neuroscience, the endocrine system and the role of genetics

ELECTIVE COURSES IN PSYCHOLOGY

Psy 320 interpersonal Communication
Introduces theories of interpersonal communication and their practical application. Difficulties and potentials of communication are explored with a view to improving dialogical and group communication.

Psy 330 Abnormal Psychology
Introduces the study of psychopathology. It will familiarize students with the diagnostic criteria and classification system of mental disorders found in the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual, 4th Edition (DSM-IV).

Psy 340 History of Psychology
After briefing exploring its precursors, this course traces the development of the relatively young science of psychology from the late 19th century to the present. Relationships to other social sciences are explored as well as the impact of psychology on the culture of the 20th century and beyond.

Psy 350 Cognitive Psychology
This course examines principles, theories and research as they relate to learning, cognition, memory and affective processes. Theories of learning as a change of behaviour are discussed. Models of cognitive functioning and the interaction of memory, cognition, and affect are explored.

Psy 365 Community and Individual Transformation
Explores the role of the community as the context for individual transformation (healing and growth). The course will introduce the field of community psychology but will have a particular focus on the rich history of intentional communities as experiments from which much can be learned about the psychology of individual growth.

Psy 470 Research Methods & Testing
This course focuses primarily on the quantitative and qualitative approaches to research that are foundational to the study of psychology. The course will also introduce students to the major issues involved in psychological testing and measurement, particularly as is relevant to research. Students learn how to assess the best method for a particular research question and gain proficiency in writing a research proposal.

Psy 375 Perspectives on Human Sexuality
Presents a variety of perspectives on the complexities of human sexuality. The foundation is psychological, but biological, sociological, literary and theological perspectives will be explored as well.

Psy 380 Counselling Psychology I
Introduces the basics of effective counselling or helping practice and aims to help students grow in their ability to encounter others in this way. A variety of intervention strategies or therapeutic orientations will be surveyed.

Psy 385 Counselling Psychology II
Building on Psy 380, this provides a deeper examination of various therapeutic orientations with a particular emphasis on understanding the nature, significance and facilitation of experiential change.

Psy 390 Readings in Contemporary European Psychology
Based on a firsthand experience of the contemporary European context, this course explores how European culture and perspectives have nurtured unique contributions in psychology in recent decades.

Psy 455 Directed Reading
Selected topics.

Psy 465 Narrative Psychology
Examines the emerging significance granted to the narrative form in Psychology and related disciplines in recent decades. The course will help students to understand narrative theories of identity formation and reality construction. The theory and practice of narrative therapy are also studied.

Psy 490 Thesis Reading and Research
The research portion of the baccalaureate thesis project in Psychology. By the end of the term, each student will submit to the instructor: (1) an annotated bibliography of the secondary material relevant to the thesis, (2) an 8- to 10-page paper related to some aspect of the material examined during the bibliographical search, and (3) a detailed outline of the thesis.

Psy 493 Baccalaureate Thesis
Following successful completion of Psy 490, a student may use the research to write a thesis of at least 15,000 words (exclusive of footnotes and bibliography). The thesis should demonstrate thoughtful appraisal and the ability to present a scholarly argument, and should reflect the ethos of SSU in a substantial way. At the conclusion of the term, students will be required to make oral presentations based on their theses.