Psychology
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology I | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| A course designed to introduce the beginning psychology student to some of the major concepts and approaches necessary to an understanding of human behaviour from a psychological perspective. Learning, biological basis of behaviour, development, personality, and other selected issues are included. | ||
| Note: Students transferring from other institutions with one semester of introductory Psychology should consult with Advising for transferability. | ||
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology II | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 | ||
| A course for those students who desire a complete survey of the basic areas of psychology (when combined with PSYC 100), before proceeding to an in-depth study of particular areas. Course content may include topics such as research methods, consciousness, health, psychological disorders, and therapeutic approaches. | ||
| Note: Students transferring from other institutions with one semester of introductory Psychology should consult with Advising for transferability. | ||
| PSYC 200 | Social Psychology | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 | ||
| A study of the dynamics and effects of social influences on individual human behaviour. The course looks at such topics as attitudes and attitude changes, social beliefs, roles, conformity, group processes, prejudice, interpersonal attraction and psychological effects of the physical environment. | ||
| Note: PSYC 101 is recommended as a prerequisite. | ||
| PSYC 201 | Group Dynamics | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 101 | ||
| A study of the behaviour of individuals in social groups and institutions, such as friendship groups, work groups, therapy groups, and families. This course provides an intellectual and experiential approach to small group theory and allows the student to practise constructive interpersonal skills and leadership skills in a supportive, small group setting. | ||
| Note: Restricted to Music Therapy and ABA students only. | ||
| PSYC 203 | History of Psychology | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 | ||
| This course will examine the development of psychological thought to gain a critical understanding of contemporary psychology. Issues will range from the mind-body problem, and the nature of science, to an analysis of historical and contemporary schools in psychology. | ||
| Note: PSYC 101 is recommended as a prerequisite. | ||
| PSYC 204 | Child Development | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 | ||
| A study of the child's development from infancy to adolescence, including the development of social behaviour, personality, language and cognitive processes. Students will be encouraged to do research and observations. | ||
| Note: PSYC 101 is recommended as a prerequisite. | ||
| PSYC 205 | Adult Development and Aging | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 101 | ||
| A course dealing with the psychological development of the individual from early adulthood to death, with emphasis on intellectual and personality changes, and the social context of aging. As well as being exposed to basic research in the area, students will be encouraged to develop an empathetic understanding of the aging process. | ||
| PSYC 206 | Adolescent Psychology | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 101 | ||
| This course examines the biological, cognitive and social transitions of adolescence and how they affect such developmental areas as identity, autonomy, intimacy, sexuality and achievement. As well as being exposed to basic research in the area, students will be encouraged to explore their own identity development. | ||
| PSYC 212 | Research Methods in Psychology | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 101 | ||
| A course for students who intend to major in one of the social sciences; psychology majors should take this course and PSYC 213. This course will introduce the student to current research methods in major areas of psychology. Students should understand the principles of research methodology, and be able to evaluate, design and conduct research in psychology. | ||
| PSYC 213 | Statistical Methods in Psychology | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 101; Principles of Math 11 with a minimum B grade or Applications of Math 12 with a minimum B grade or Math 091 and 096 with a minimum C+ grade or BMTH 043 and 044 with a minimum C+ grade | ||
| A course recommended for psychology majors. This course deals with descriptive and inferential statistics as applied in psychology. These will be considered as they are used in psychological research. | ||
| PSYC 220 | Theories of Personality | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 | ||
| This course will examine theories of personality including psychodynamic, trait, cognitive and humanistic and other approaches. Included will be a consideration of the historical/cultural development of the theory, what the theory says about the development, structure and dynamics of personality and examples of empirical research. | ||
| Note: PSYC 101 is recommended as a prerequisite. | ||
| PSYC 222 | Abnormal Psychology | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 101 | ||
| A study of the various models and perspectives for viewing patterns and treatment of abnormal behaviour. The course will examine research about how the medical model, behaviouristic school, humanistic school, psychoanalytic school, cognitive school and biological school view normal and abnormal behaviour. This course will also focus on the historical and contemporary approaches to treatment. | ||
| PSYC 225 | Biopsychology of Behaviour | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 101 | ||
| This course will expand on material introduced in introductory psychology dealing with the biological basis of behaviour. Students will examine functions of the nervous system, as well as studying brain anatomy and brain chemistry in relation to both normal and pathological behaviour. As well, students will discuss mind-body issues and develop an understanding of broader ethical and other issues in neuroscience. | ||
| PSYC 230 | Cognitive Psychology | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 101 | ||
| This course will address many of the issues relating to the thinking processes. Research into consciousness, memory, language, imagery, problem solving, creativity and intelligence will be examined, as well as social cognition and cognition across the lifespan. | ||
| PSYC 300 | Psychology of Interpersonal Relationships | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including PSYC 100 and PSYC 200 as a pre or co-requisite | ||
| This course will include topics in the area of interpersonal relationships, especially romantic or close friendship relationships and family relationships. It will include psychological theories and research about the stages, processes and effects of the development, maintenance, disruption and dissolution of personal relationships. | ||
| Note: PSYC 204 is recommended | ||
| PSYC 330 | Thinking and Reasoning | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including PSYC 100, 101 and 230 as a pre or co-requisite | ||
| This course will address topics in the study of thinking and reasoning, a crucial topic in cognitive psychology, including theory and research on problem solving, thinking and decision-making; formal and "everyday" reasoning; intuition and creativity; cross-cultural and individual variations in thinking processes; and the cognitive heuristics which can bias or distort human rationality and effective decision making when dealing with social issues and problems. The theories will be applied to the problems of human cognitive limitations in solving urgent social and environmental crises. | ||
| Note: PHIL 110 is recommended | ||
| PSYC 335 | Feelings and Emotions | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level including PSYC 100 | ||
| This course will address research and theories in the topic of feelings and emotions. Students will learn about the experience, expression, biology and social aspects of specific emotions, including stress reactions, attachment bonds, and the development of empathy. The theories will be applied to the problems of human social cognition and the effect emotional reactions can have on our thinking and relationships. | ||
| PSYC 340 | Psychology and the Environment | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including PSYC 100 | ||
| This course surveys the new field of conservation psychology, the scientific study of the relationship between humans and the rest of nature. It will focus on the application of theories and research in psychology to the issues of conservation in the face of climate crises and the urgent need to develop environmental sustainability, to decrease the negative impact of humans and to encourage environmentally-friendly behaviour. | ||
| Note: PSYC 200 is recommended | ||
| PSYC 341 | Psychology of Religion and Spirituality | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including PSYC 100 | ||
| This course examines religious and spiritual experiences, attitudes and behaviours from multiple angles within contemporary Psychology. Themes of the course include: history of empirical inquiry into religion and spirituality; modern research methods; interacting roles of biological and psychosocial factors in the formation of religious commitments and predilection toward spiritual experiences; relationships between religious and spiritual orientations and physical and mental health; and determinants of religious behaviours, from altruism to terrorism. | ||
| PSYC 342 | History of Psychology: Conceptions of Imagination | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including PSYC 100 | ||
| This course explores the nature of imagination from a History of Psychology viewpoint. The topic is framed in an evolutionary context; then relevant concepts are traced from preliterate societies to the present. Imagination is examined: as an archaic way of knowing; in relation to historical notions of body, mind, soul and spirit; as cognitive faculty or process; with respect to beliefs about health and illness; and as studied qualitatively and quantitatively in Modern Psychology. | ||
| PSYC 343 | Psychology of Anomalous Experiences | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including PSYC 100 | ||
| This course examines a range of commonly reported anomalous experiences from the critical perspective of Psychology. Unlike an Abnormal Psychology course, the focus is mainly on nonpathological experiences. The 'critical thinking' approach is reviewed; a brief historical overview of claims and critiques is presented; and several types of anomalous experience are considered with respect to the biopsychosocial processes that affect perception, memory and belief. | ||
| PSYC 415 | Psychology and the Internet | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including PSYC 100 and 101 | ||
| This course will cover the development of the Internet in a historical context, and explore how personal and collective relationships to technology influence Internet use. We will examine the empirical research evaluating the personal and collective social and psychological costs and benefits of Internet use, especially of activities that exist or are experienced in wholly online formats. | ||
| Note: PSYC 200 recommended | ||
| PSYC 440 | Contemporary Topics in Psychology | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| The course will relate contemporary research and knowledge from psychology to various current topics and social issues. Specific topics will vary from year to year. Each delivery of this course will have specific instructor identified course objectives. Course focus may be human sexuality, evolutionary psychology, health psychology, approaches to treatment and applications of psychology. | ||
| Note: PSYC 100 and 101 recommended | ||
| PSYC 450 | Psychology of Genocide | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits | ||
| Although humankind has seen, perpetrated, and suffered ethnopolitical violence (EPV) through the millennia, the 20th and 21st centuries CE are marked by a proliferation and intensification of such events. The course will focus on the psychological factors that affect the unfolding of EPV events, with relevant historical and biographical information presented to put the people and events into context. We will examine the psychological theories and research relevant to real-world EPV events as well as psychologically oriented studies of such events themselves. The course will begin with a brief overview and taxonomy, and discuss the roles played by different categories of participants. | ||
| PSYC 490 | Directed Studies | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 15 upper level credits including a minimum of one 300-level PSYC course | ||
| Students will work with a Psychology faculty member to guide them in the development of a research-based project. Specific course details will be arranged between individual students and faculty members. See the Department of Psychology website for complete details on the application process. | ||