Course Descriptions • Psychology • Carthage College

Psychology courses at Carthage provide a background for a better understanding of the modern world, other academic fields, and one’s self. Classes can be taken as courses for a major or minor concentration in psychology, as supporting courses for other majors, or because of general interest. Scroll down to read descriptions of the psychological science courses offered at Carthage, or click on the following links for additional resources.

PYC 1500

Introduction to Psychological Science (SOC)

4cr
A team-taught introduction to the methods and principles of psychological science. NOTE: Majors must pass this course with a C- or better to move on in the major courses.
Fall/Spring

PYC 1850

Lifespan Developmental Psychology for the Health Professional

4cr
The course integrates theory and research as they relate to neurobiological, cognitive, social, and emotional development of individuals in cultural context from conception throughout adulthood. The course emphasizes normal developmental stages and patterns of adjustment to differing lifetime demands. This course is designed for students in the health professions. This course may not be applied to the Psychological Science major or minor.
Prerequisite: None

PYC 1900

The Cognitive Science of Magic (SOC)

4cr
This course will provide an immersive introduction to the burgeoning psychological “science of magic” with a specific focus on the contributions that stage magic can make to the study of cognition. Students will explore how magicians exploit the fallibility of the human mind through an examination of experimental work from the world of psychology and theoretical work from the world of magic. During the course, students will be exposed to a variety of magical styles and schools of thought via occassional visits from prominent magicians and scientists with an interest in magic as well as field trips to magical performance venues.

PYC 2010

Research Methods and Statistics I (SOC)

4cr
An introduction to statistical and research methods in psychological science, including the design and execution of research projects and the organization, analysis, and interpretation of results.
Prerequisite: PYC 1500 with a grade of C- or better
Fall/Spring

PYC 2020

Comparative Psychology(SOC)

4cr
In this course, students will explore the key themes and classic studies of comparative psychology, or the psychological investigations of the similarities and differences of animal species. This course will cover the types of comparisons made in the discipline, the overarching questions that provide structure to the field, and the more recent expansion of new technologies and taxonomic scope that comparative psychology has experienced. Students will both critique and implement the way in which comparative psychology bridges both subfields of psychology (e.g. neurophysiology, cognition, emotion, perception) and other realms of social sciences and natural scienes (e.g. ethology, behavioral economics, evolutionary biology, artificial intelligence).
Prerequisite: PYC 1500

PYC 2110

Interpersonal Dynamics

4cr
A study of issues and concepts related to human interactions in pairs, triads, and small groups. Theoretical perspectives are reviewed with a focus on practical strategies and problem-solving in everyday encounters.
Prerequisite: PYC 1500

PYC 2150

Sensation and Perception (SOC)

4cr
A survey of research and theory that addresses the complex question of how our sense organs communicate with our brain to process and organize the vast amount of sensory information available in the environment. Particular emphasis is placed on applying the scientific method to perceptual psychology.
Prerequisite: PYC 2010 with a grade of C- or better

PYC 2200

Social Psychology (SOC)

4cr
A survey of research and theory that illuminates how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the presence of others. Topics include social cognition, attitudes, social influence, conformity, stereotyping and prejudice, emotions, attraction, close relationships, group processes, aggression, and prosocial behavior.
Prerequisite: PYC 2010 with a grade of C- or better or permission of instructor
Fall/Spring

PYC 2300

Cognitive Psychology (SOC)

4cr
A survey of research and theory that attempts to explain human thought processes. Topics include perception, attention, memory, language, and problem-solving. An emphasis is placed on research methodology and the evaluation of data from online laboratories.
Prerequisite: PYC 2010 with a grade of C- or better
Fall/Spring

PYC 2850

Child and Adolescent Development (SOC)

4cr
A study of behavioral changes during the first years of life through adolescence and of the important theories and models about these changes. Physical, language (normal and atypical), cognitive, and socioemotional changes will be considered with specific emphasis on the practical significance of these changes for educators and others.
Fall/Spring

PYC 3010

Research Methods and Statistics II (SOC)

4cr
An advanced introduction to statistical and research methods in psychological science, including the design and execution of research projects and the organization, analysis, and interpretation of results.
Prerequisites: PYC 2010 with a grade of C- or better and PYC 2150, PYC 2200, PYC 2300 or NEU 2100
Spring

PYC 3200

Psychological Science of Teaching and Learning

4cr
The Psychological Science of Teaching and Learning helps us understand the social, emotional, and cognitive processes that constitute learning throughout the lifespan. Psychological theory and research address the multiple factors (e.g., cognition, creativity, social environment, motivation) that should inform the design of educational programs and interventions for learners in settings that include schools, communities, and organizations. Participants in the class will research, design, and test an evidence-based educational intervention for a specified learner, or group of learners.
Prerequisites: PYC 2010 and PYC 2850

PYC 3400

Hormones and Behaviors (SOC)

4cr
This course aims to explore the role hormones play in the study of behavior and developmental across various stages in the life course. We will explore how biological mechanisms take part in explaining many different aspects of human (and nonhuman) behavior, and how these explanations fit into discourse from both psychology and the fields of evolutionary biology, neurophysiology, and behavioral economics.
Prerequisites: PYC 2010 and one of PYC 2150, PYC 2200, PYC 2850 or NEU 2100

PYC 3500

Abnormal Psychology (SOC)

4cr
This course is an introduction to the study of abnormal behavior and psychological or mental disorders. Major psychological disorders will be reviewed. Each disorder will be examined by its description, the etiology of the disorder, and treatment.
Prerequisites: Any PYC breadth course and PYC 2010
Fall/Spring

PYC 3600

Organizational Psychology

4cr
Organizational Psychology applies social psychological methods and principles to understand how interactions among individuals, groups, and the broader social context impact organizations. By examining topics such as motivation, leadership, intergroup dynamics, conflict, and organizational culture, this course will prepare students to be successful members and leaders in organizations.
Prerequisite: PYC 2200

PYC 3650

Childhood Psychopathology (SOC)

4cr
This course concerns the diagnosis of, assessment of, and intervention with children and adolescents who are experiencing or are at risk for significant emotional, cognitive, or mental disabilities. Specific risk factors for children of the disadvantaged will also be studied.
Prerequisites: PYC 2850 and PYC 2010
Spring

PYC 3750

Psychology of Personality (SOC)

4cr
An examination of the major approaches to the explanation of personality. How do various theorists understand the basic processes that are common to all people, the traits that are shared by some people, and the specific ways in which individuals are unique?
Prerequisites: PYC 2200 and PYC 3010

PYC 3850

Adult Development and Aging (SOC)

4cr
The psychology of adult development and the processes of aging will be studied. Theories and empirical study of adult functioning during the contemporary long lifespan will be considered, including the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical domains. Practical implications for the education and societal care of a growing population of middle-aged and aging persons will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: PYC 2850
Fall

PYC 4010

Psychology of Stress

4cr
This course places a timely emphasis on the role of stress in production of disorders in health and psychological status. Some treatment of subcultural and cultural definitions of stress will be included. This course can be counted as a depth course.
Prerequisite: PYC 2200 or PYC 2150 or PYC 2850 or NEU 2100

PYC 4150

Cultural Psychology

4cr
This course places a timely emphasis on the global applicability of principles and research on human behavior. Further, cross-cultural research methodologies will be considered.
Prerequisite: PYC 2200 or PYC 2150 or PYC 2850 or NEU 2100

PYC 4700

Fieldwork in Psychological Science

4cr
Seminar class with psychology instructor combined with field experience under the supervision of psychologists and other professionals in various selected agencies in the community.
Prerequisites: By permission of the department chair, junior standing, and PYC 3010 with a grade of C- or better.
Fall/Spring

PYC 4800

Thesis in Psychological Science

4cr
In this course students develop a Senior Thesis. The course will culminate in a thesis and an oral presenation. Exceptional thesis will be considered for Honors in the Major.
Prerequisites: By permission of the department chair, junior standing, and PYC 3010 with a grade of C- or better
Fall/Spring

PYC 4990

Senior Thesis Completion

0cr
Students should register for PYC 4990 during the semester that they intend to complete their Senior Thesis.