Hartwick's program in psychology focuses on the many factors which shape our behavior, including the environment which surrounds us, our own unique pattern of development and our biological heritage. Students majoring in other disciplines will find study in psychology offers an approach to the understanding of human behavior and experience that will prove valuable throughout their personal and professional lives. A minor in psychology can complement major study in areas ranging from political science, to biology, to management, to sociology.
Courses offered by the psychology department present the major issues, theories, data and methods of the discipline. Students gain experience in the collection of data through laboratory and field research experiences, learn how to make sense out of data using the tools of statistical analysis and journal-style writing and have opportunities through supervised internships to discover the variety of settings in which psychologists can apply their principles and skills.
Courses in general psychology and psychological research methods provide a foundation for other courses. In order to be certified for graduation, students majoring in the discipline must demonstrate competence in designing and conducting an empirical study in psychology. This requirement normally is met through the required laboratory courses and through completion of the Senior Thesis.
Special study opportunities available through the department include independent research (or collaborative research with faculty) and field study experiences. For example, students have conducted research in areas such as how children acquire language, how to improve problem-solving skills and the relationship between television violence and aggression. Recent internship placements have included psychiatric hospitals, crisis centers, Head Start programs, community mental health centers, school guidance offices and children's television advocacy agencies.
A major in psychology provides an appropriate background for a variety of professions in which an understanding of the principles of human behavior is important: graduate study in medicine, law, religion, social work, personnel management or advertising, as well as in psychology might all follow an undergraduate major in psychology. With little or no advanced training, majors also are qualified for positions in psychology-related fields in such capacities as interviewers, probation workers, psychiatric aides and technicians in government service. However, the undergraduate program in psychology, like pre-medical and pre-law programs, does not provide the specialized training needed to be a professional psychologist, which requires a graduate degree as an indication of competence.
General Psychology (110)
Psychological Research Methods (200)
Two 200 level courses, selected from:
Requirements for the minor: A department approved program of
seven courses, distributed as follows:
General Psychology (110)
Psychological Research Methods (200)
One laboratory course
Four additional courses in psychology:
At least two must be from the 300-400 level
Grades for all courses taken in psychology are used to calculate the average in the major for Departmental Distinction.
110 General Psychology Principles of human behavior and experience, including the basic psychological processes and an introduction to the major areas of modern psychology. Prerequisite to all other psychology courses except Psychology 150. (SBA) Syllabus
150 Topics in Psychology Special topics are considered in depth. Topics will vary and more than one topic can be taken for credit. No prerequisite. (SBA) Syllabus
Lower-Level Courses
200 Psychological Research Methods This is a basic course in statistics and experimental research methods used by psychologists. Students will acquire skills in collection, reduction, display and analysis of data; use of the computer; and scientific report writing. All sophomores planning a major or minor in psychology are advised to take this course. Prerequisite: Psyc 110. (MLC) or (SBA) Syllabus
201 Life-Span Developmental Psychology This is a basic course in the developmental perspective. Topics include the genetic foundation of development, the development of brain and body, perception, thinking and reasoning, language and social behavior (for example, the development of attachment, aggression and sex and gender). Prerequisite: Psyc 110. (SBA)
215 Analysis of Interpersonal Relations Students learn from study and experiences in class to analyze their own and others' interpersonal behavior and communication skills. Prerequisite: Psyc 110. (SBA)
226 Social Psychology The social influences upon an individual's attitudes and behavior are considered. Prerequisite: Psyc 110. (SBA)
227 Personality Major theories of personality including psychoanalytic, humanistic, behavioral, cognitive and trait are discussed in depth. In addition, research on the relationship between personality and human social behavior is covered. Prerequisite: Psyc 110. (SBA) Syllabus
250 Topics in Psychology Special topics of current interest are considered in depth. Topics may vary and more than one topic may be taken for credit. Prerequisite: Psyc 110. (SBA) Syllabus
Laboratory Courses
301 Laboratory in Developmental Psychology This class gives students an opportunity to explore topics in developmental psychology at an advanced level. Students will explore three areas of study: sexual development, personality development and moral reasoning. This exploration is achieved by reading original works, having class discussions, giving class presentations and running individual experiments. Prerequisites: Psyc 110, 200 and 201. Syllabus
324 Laboratory in Learning and Memory Research and theory in human and animal processes by which past experience or practice results in relatively permanent changes in behavior; design and execution of experiments. Prerequisites: Psyc 110 and Psyc 200. (SBA)
325 Laboratory in Psychological Testing Principles and procedures of psychological testing are examined with respect to the following: the Minnesota Multi-Phasic Personality Inventory, the Rorschach, California Personality Inventory, the Thematic Apperception Test and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—revised. The laboratory component consists of the collection, analysis and reporting of data by students. Prerequisites: Psyc 110 and Psyc 200. (SBA) Syllabus
328 Laboratory in Cognition Cognition, or mental activity, involves how we acquire, store, retrieve and use knowledge. The course focuses on what we know about how our mind works. Several types of mental processes are highlighted: perception, memory, imagery, language, concept formation, problem solving, reasoning and decision making. The laboratory component consists of the collection, analysis and reporting of data by students. Prerequisites: Psyc 110 and Psyc 200. (SBA) Syllabus
336 Laboratory in Social Psychology Students will conduct experimental research projects relating to some of the central concepts of social cognition (attribution, theory, dissonance theory) and social influence (social comparison theory, the bystander effect). Emphasis will be on practicing research, statistical and report-writing skills and on learning how to turn an original idea into a research project. Prerequisites: Psyc 110, 200 and 226 or permission of the instructor.
Upper-Level Courses
307 Psychology of Women Factors influencing the behavior of women. Prerequisite: Psyc 110. (SBA)
320 Psychology of Work Behavior An introduction to personnel (industrial) and organizational psychology. Topics include the application of psychological measurement to personnel decisions, personnel training, work motivation, job satisfaction, leadership and organizational development. Prerequisite: Psyc 110. (SBA)
322 Junior Seminar Current scientific and professional problems which are of interest to individual students. Limited to junior psychology majors. Preparation of senior thesis proposal.
329 Physiological Psychology The biological foundation of behavior. Topics include the neuroanatomical basis of behavior; the development of the nervous system; and the physiological bases of sleeping and waking, eating and drinking, sexual behavior, perception, emotion and cognition. Prerequisite: Psyc 110. (SBA)
330 Abnormal Psychology Mental and emotional disorders—causes, treatments. Topics such as organic brain syndrome, schizophrenia, the affective disorders and the anxiety-based disorders are discussed. Treatments such as drug therapy, behavior modification, psychoanalysis and humanist existential approaches are also covered. Prerequisite: Psyc 110. (SBA) Syllabus
331 Mental Retardation This course introduces students to the psychology of those with subaverage intellectual functioning and deficits in adaptive behavior which were manifested during the developmental period. Topics include: definitions, assessment, causes, treatment, normalization, legal rights, behavior management, sexuality and working with families. In addition, students will intern in various community sites that work with the developmentally disabled. Prerequisite: Psyc 110. Syllabus
334 Human-Computer Interaction In the first half of this course, students learn to apply psychological theories and methodologies toward making computers easier to learn and simpler to use. In the second half we explore the role of computers in society. Sample topics in this segment include computerized workplaces, ethical and legal issues, privacy, international perspectives, educational applications, the economy, technological risks, philosophical frontiers, etc. Prerequisite: Psyc 110.
350 Topics in Psychology Special topics of current interest may be considered in depth. Topics vary and more than one topic may be taken for credit. Some 350-level topics courses fulfill the psychology laboratory requirement. Particular topics may be designed as appropriate 200-level courses. Prerequisite: Psyc 110. (SBA)
406 History of Psychology The development of Western psychology is followed from ancient Greece to the 20th century. A major goal is to identify the fundamental questions about humans that link psychology's past and present. Offered every third year. Prerequisite: Psyc 110.
490 Senior Thesis Individual study required of all majors.
496 Field Study—Clinical Community Counseling This course introduces students to specific techniques used in counseling such as rational emotive counseling, behavioral counseling and client-centered counseling. In addition, students observe and counsel in various community sites including nursing homes, the Job Corps and mental health clinics. Prerequisite: Psyc 110.Syllabus