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Psychology courses

PSY111 General Psychology
PSY214 Social Psychology
PSY215 Research Methods I
PSY216 Research Methods II
PSY221 Developmental Psychology: Childhood
PSY224 Developmental Psychology: Adolescence
PSY225 Developmental Psychology: Adulthood
PSY230 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
PSY260 Psychology of Personality
PSY315 Learning and Cognition
PSY319 Motivation and Emotion
PSY360 Abnormal Psychology
PSY390 Psychology Seminar
PSY398 Directed Study
PSY402 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
PSY405 History and Systems of Psychology
PSY406 Psychology Research Lab
PSY417 Internship
PSY418 Christ and Psychology
PSY420 Directed Research
PSY499 Honors Research
 
PSY111 General Psychology 4 credits
(general education option under social science) This course is an overview of the field of psychology and includes topics such as biological bases of behavior, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, human development, personality, intelligence, abnormal behavior and therapy. The course emphasizes methodologies including observation, correlational and experimental as they are used in the study of psychology. A major purpose is to have the student struggle with the question, "What is psychology." Finally, this course provides students with the necessary background in psychology to move on to other more advanced topics in the field. (4 credits)
 
PSY214 Social Psychology 4 credits
This course involves the study of the way individuals think about, influence and relate to one another. Topics include: attitude change, social thinking, conformity, obedience, persuasion, prejudice, aggression, altruism, roles, norms and environmental influences on social behavior. The major aim of the course is to encourage an appreciation of the relationship between personal and situational determinants of social behavior. Prerequisites: Psychology 111, 221, or Sociology 101. Cross-referenced in sociology. (4 credits)
 
PSY215 Research Methods I 4 credits
This course acquaints the student with basic empirical research techniques in the behavioral sciences including political science, psychology, social work and sociology. The course aims to enable the student to function as a conductor and a consumer of behavioral science research. Techniques include: observation, questionnaire and survey, interview, single-subject designs, qualitative research, and experimental and quasi-experimental methodologies. Topics include: descriptive and basic inferential statistics, sampling methods and research ethics. Prerequisites: Psychology 111, Sociology 101, Political Science 101, or Political Science 105; and fulfillment of the general education math requirement. (4 credits)
 
PSY216 Research Methods II 4 credits
Skills in statistical analysis and interpretation of psychological research are developed in this course with emphasis on correlation, regression and analysis of variance. Basic skills learned in Research Methods I are extended through practice in conducting, analyzing and reporting research using statistical software such as SPSS. Prerequisite: Psychology 215. (4 credits)
 
PSY221 Developmental Psychology: Childhood 4 credits
(general education option under social science) The study of the physical and mental development of the child from the prenatal period into adolescence. The course includes the study of physical, cognitive, moral, social and personality development of childhood and adolescence. (4 credits)
 
PSY224 Developmental Psychology: Adolescence 4 credits
Adolescents experience many changes in a few short years as they transition from childhood to adulthood. This course explores the major psychological issues and theories in adolescent development with emphasis on cognitive development, self-concept, peer relationships and sexuality, among others. (4 credits)
 
PSY225 Developmental Psychology: Adulthood 4 credits
This course explores psychological issues and theories in normal adult development, with emphasis on cognitive, social and personality functioning from young adulthood to old age. (4 credits)
 
PSY230 Industrial/Organizational Psychology 2 credits
This course covers the psychological issues of the work place such as personnel selection and development, organizational psychology and the work environment. The professional activities of I/O psychologists are examined including selection and the placement of new employees, staff training and development, performance management, organizational development, analysis of the quality of work life, and ergonomics. (2 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PSY260 Psychology of Personality 4 credits
Includes theories about the dynamics and structure of personality and current research on personality. The course emphasizes psychoanalytic, trait, humanistic and behavioral views of personality. Prerequisites: Psychology 111, 221, or Psychology 224 and 225. (4 credits)
 
PSY315 Learning and Cognition 4 credits
An introduction to the topics of learning, memory, and cognition within the field of experimental psychology. An emphasis will be placed on approaching problems as an "experimental psychologist." Advantages and limitations of the experimental approach and applications of the knowledge base of experimental psychology will be highlighted. Prerequisites: Psychology 111 and 215. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PSY319 Motivation and Emotion 4 credits
Why do we do what we do? How do we know what we want and what we need? How do we set goals for ourselves and act to achieve them? These are some of the questions that the psychology of motivation and emotion attempt to answer. This course will examine universal and specific motivations and emotions in the context of physiological, cognitive and affective systems. It will also pursue applications of motivation and emotion to the psychology of addiction, health, coping and optimal functioning. Prerequisites: Psychology 111 and 215. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PSY360 Abnormal Psychology 4 credits
A study of the disordered personality including theories of causation, diagnosis and characteristics of disorders. The system found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV of the American Psychiatric Association will be followed. Prerequisites:4 credits of psychology. (4 credits)
 
PSY390 Psychology Seminar 2-4 credits
A study of a selected topic. The course may be repeated on different topics for a total of 8 credits. Prerequisite: Psychology 111 and four additional credits in psychology. (2 or 4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PSY398 Directed Study 2-4 credits
 
PSY402 Introduction to Clinical Psychology 4 credits
This course provides a first exposure to the theory and practice of clinical psychology. A major emphasis will be a review of the various theories of psychotherapy. The way in which these theories are applied within professional psychology constitutes a secondary, but strong, emphasis. Prerequisites: Psychology 111 and eight additional credits in psychology. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PSY405 History and Systems of Psychology 4 credits
An overview of the history and theories which have shaped contemporary psychology. Particular attention is given to the assumptions and presuppositions underlying the discipline. Prerequisite: 12 credits of psychology courses. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PSY406 Psychology Research Lab 4 credits
As a culminating experience, senior students conduct a semester-long empirical research project and produce an APA-formatted report. This is substantive project that allows the student to individually explore a self-selected research topic in depth and to experience the research process from initial idea to finished publication-ready manuscript. It challenges the student to think creatively, to integrate knowledge and skills obtained throughout the psychology curriculum, and to produce a worthwhile contribution to the field. Prerequisites: 20 credits of psychology courses including Psychology 215 and 216. (4 credits)
 
PSY417 Internship 6-8 credits
(4 credits may apply toward the major)
 
PSY418 Christ and Psychology 4 credits
This course challenges thoughtful Christians to be critical but genuinely appreciative of the increasing role psychology is playing in modern life. A sizeable literature has developed which focuses on the relationship between orthodox evangelical Christianity and the formal discipline of psychology. The course examines some of this literature and asks: How can a scientific psychology be compatible with a person-oriented Christianity? Can a better system of psychology be built on a different understanding of science? Prerequisite: At least one course in psychology. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PSY420 Directed Research 1-4 credits
Directed research involves students in research projects conducted under the supervision of department faculty. Encouraged for those students with expectations of graduate study. With the approval of the department, students may register for more than one semester. Prerequisites: 8 credits of psychology, approval of the research director and the department chair. (1-4 credits)
 
PSY499 Honors Research 2-4 credits


Research the programs
Contact
Dr. Laird Edman
Department of Psychology
Northwestern College
101 7th St. SW
Orange City, IA 51041
712-707-7075
ledman@nwciowa.edu

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