ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

PSY 105. Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
A survey of the content fields in psychology and the methods used to understand
human behavior. This course is a prerequisite for all other courses in psychology.

PSY 106. Social Psychology 3 credits
An analysis of human conduct in social settings. Prerequisite: PSY 105. Spring

PSY 107. Human Development: A Life Span Perspective 3 credits
A developmental course spanning the entire life cycle from birth to death. Emphasis
will be placed on the psychological, biological, sociological, philosophical, and
historical bases of human development from prenatal and infant development,
through child and adolescent development, and culminating in adulthood and aging,
to complete the life cycle. Prerequisite: PSY 105.

PSY 201. Developmental Psychology: Birth to Twelve Years 3 credits
This course will examine the cognitive, physical, and social development of the child
from conception to twelve years of age. Prerequisite: PSY 105. Fall

PSY 202. Developmental Psychology: The Adolescent 3 credits
This course will examine the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development
of the adolescent (13 to 20 years of age). Prerequisite: PSY 105. Spring

PSY 205. Personality 3 credits
The major theories of personality, personality development, and personality
assessment. Prerequisite: Six semester hours of psychology. Fall
Psychology

PSY 206. Human Adjustment 3 credits
This course will examine how one adjusts to day-to-day events and situations in life
and the developmental factors that are involved in the adjustment process. Emphasis
will be placed on self-developmental, emotional, and social factors that affect one’s
adjustment to day-to-day events and situations. The relationship between past
developmental experiences and current and future adjustment will be considered.
Prerequisite: PSY 105. (Spring 2012 and alternate years)

PSY 208. Psychology as a Profession 3 credits
Specifically designed for psychology majors or minors, this course provides an
introduction to the discipline of professional psychology as it is reflected in
contemporary theory and practice. Students will develop an ability to evaluate and
utilize information from psychological research published in leading journals, as
well as to write research that meet the current standards and practice of psychology.
This course will guide students in developing a personal plan for achieving their own
goals as psychology students and, when appropriate, strategies for graduate school
application or career placement and development. Students are required to become
student affiliates of the American Psychological Association. Prerequisite: PSY 105.
Fall

PSY 209. Introduction to Exceptional Individuals: 3 credits
Society, School, and Family (Cross-listed as SPE 209)
This course is designed to introduce pre-service teacher-education students to the
philosophical, legal, and historical foundations of the education of exceptional
students. The term “exceptional” is used by educators to describe any individual
whose physical, mental, or behavioral performance deviates substantially from
the norm, either higher or lower. In this course, exceptional students will include
individuals with disabilities and/or giftedness. A study of the models and theories
of typical/atypical growth, behaviors, and the current identification criteria used to
describe the characteristics of exceptional learners will be emphasized. This course is
also required for all Elementary and Secondary Majors. Prerequisite: EDU 205.

PSY 215. Human Violence and Survival 3 credits
An exploration of traditional and contemporary psychological theories of human
aggression. Theories related to the motives of perpetrators of violence, the
psychological effects on victims, the process of recovery from violence, and
psychosocial dynamics related to the prevention of violence will be covered. (Fall
2010 and alternate years)

PSY 216. Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 credits
(Cross-listed as HSV 216, POL 216, and SOC 216)
An introduction to statistical and data analytical techniques for students majoring
in the social and behavioral sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics for
central tendency, variation and association, fundamentals of probability, sampling
distributions, and the logic of inference, estimation, and hypothesis tests for means
and percentages, and an overview of more advanced techniques including the analysis
of variance and correlation and regression. Prerequisite: MAT 106. Open to majors in
HSV, PSY, SOC, and POL only. Spring

PSY 217. Sports Psychology 3 credits
Both mental and physical aspects are involved in sport and exercise activities. This
course provides an introduction to the study of human behavior patterns as they
relate to sport and exercise. Athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and other sport and
exercise-related professionals must understand these aspects to be successful. Topics
covered include personality, anxiety and arousal, imagery, goal setting and injury.
Prerequisite: PSY 105. (Spring 2011 and alternate years)

PSY 218. Cognitive Psychology 3 credits
This course will provide a broad overview of human cognition. It will explore why
humans think and believe the things that they do, the nature of memory, and the
process of thought. It will examine the ways in which attention, perception, learning,
memory, problem-solving, thinking and reasoning help us to make decisions and
cope with everyday life. Current research in the field of cognitive psychology will be
presented and evaluated. Prerequisite: PSY 105. (Spring 2012 and alternate years)

PSY 308. Abnormal Psychology 3 credits
The psychobiological and psychosocial factors in the development of psychopathology.
Prerequisites: PSY 105 and 205 or permission of the department chair. Spring

PSY 309. Learning 3 credits
This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts and processes of learning
and memory, with particular emphasis on animal learning and cognition, as well
as the continuing influence of the early researchers in this field. As a result of this
course, students should be able to recognize the influence of the environment on
behavior, distinguish between major types of learning, identify basic principles of
learning, use the technical terminology appropriate to the psychology of learning,
and appreciate the significant role that learning plays in the lives of human and
nonhuman animals. Prerequisite: PSY 105. Fall

PSY 311. Research Methods 3 credits
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the methods used
for the collection and analysis of data in psychology. The steps in the scientific study
of behavior, including literature review, method selection, and statistical analysis
of data will be covered. Topics to be covered include experimental design, ethics,
descriptive and inferential statistics, and the preparation of research reports. Students
must take this course immediately prior to taking PSY 312. Prerequisites: PSY 105
and PSY 216. Fall

PSY 312. Experimental Psychology 3 credits
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to engage in
psychological research firsthand. Students will be conducting scientific literature
reviews, collecting data, analyzing data using statistical software, writing research
reports, and presenting their research at a mock research conference held on campus.
Students must take this course immediately after taking PSY 311. Prerequisites: PSY
311, ENG 101 and 102. Spring.

PSY 315. Psychological Measurement and Evaluation 3 credits
An introduction to the philosophy and practice of psychological measurement.
Emphasis is placed upon the statistical techniques which form the basis for the
development and interpretation of psychological tests. The student becomes directly
acquainted with testing procedures through simulated administration of a variety
of tests and analyzing psychological evaluations that summarize and interpret test
results. Prerequisites: Six semester hours of psychology, MAT 215, or permission of
the instructor. (Spring 2012 and alternate years)

PSY 316. Psychobiology 3 credits
This class will familiarize students with the principles of biological psychology as
well as with the relationships between behavior and brain /neurological functions.
This course provides a survey and discussion of the structure and functions of the
nervous system, the sensory and motor systems needed for daily functioning and the
biology behind emotions, sleep, learning, sex, reproduction, and mental illnesses.
Prerequisite: PSY 105. (Fall 2011 and alternate years)
Psychology

PSY 326. Psychology of Women (Cross-listed as SOC 326) 3 credits
An examination of psychology as it relates to women and psychological issues of
concern to women. Issues of concern will include, but not be limited to, media
images of women, women and leadership, gender differences, relationships, career
success, sexuality, date rape and psychological disorders that are represented
disproportionately among women. Prerequisite: PSY 105. (Spring 2011 and alternate
years)

PSY 406. Psychotherapy 3 credits
An introduction to the theory and practice of psychotherapy, with particular emphasis
on the principles of clinical intervention, counseling skills, consultative processes and
case-study techniques. Prerequisite: PSY 105, 205, or permission from the instructor.
(Spring 2011 and alternate years)

PSY 409. The History of Psychology 3 credits
This course will examine the discipline of psychology in a historical context, focusing
on its philosophical and physiological underpinnings. Prerequisite: PHL 105 and
fifteen semester hours of psychology. Spring

PSY 465. Psychology Internship Program 6 credits
A field-placement wherein qualified students intern as paraprofessionals in the ongoing
activities of one or more social service agencies in the community. A total of
15 hours per week of agency-related activities is involved as well as one two-hour
seminar per week. Limited to psychology majors and minors. Prerequisite: 15
semester hours in psychology including PSY 406; approval of the department. Passfail
grade. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit)

PSY 466. Child Development Internship 6 credits
A field-placement wherein qualified students intern as paraprofessionals in an ongoing
activities of a facility that is involved in serving children such as Children
and Youth Services of a day care center. A total of 15 hours per week of agencyrelated
activities is involved as well as one two-hour seminar per week. Limited
to psychology majors in the child development minor. Prerequisites: 15 hours in
psychology, including PSY 201 and 202. Pass-fail grade. (Offered when interest is
expressed and departmental resources permit.)

PSY 475. Advanced Faith and Learning Integration 3 credits
In the spirit of the mission of Waynesburg University, this course intends to provide
junior and senior level students with an unparalleled opportunity to integrate the
Bible materials and its history of interpretation to the academic disciplines. Students
who wish to engage in this level of theological reflection on vocation should consult
with both their academic advisors and with the Chair of the Biblical and Ministry
Studies Major Program. See page 117 for further information. This course will not
substitute for senior capstone/research courses required in the majors. Prerequisites:
Junior or Senior standing; three credits in BMS courses; 3.0 minimum gpa. (Offered
when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)

PSY 495. Special Topics 3 credits
Appropriate and related topics pertaining to the student’s specialized interest. Subject
matter to be arranged. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair. (Offered when
interest is expressed and departmental resources permit)

PSY 497. Independent Research 2-3 credits
Independent study and research into specific topics and problems in the field of
psychology. Open to junior and senior psychology majors with permission of the
department chair. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)