Psychology

Foundations in Psychology

Will focus on preparing students for future courses in psychology. An overview of the field of psychology will be provided including major ideas and theories, subfields of psychology, and various graduate school and career options. In order to promote success in the psychology major, foundational academic skills (e.g., using the library, reading research, writing APA style papers, how to present scholarly information) will be addressed via community building activities.

Statistics for Behavioral Sciences

An examination of the fundamentals of statistical theory and practice in the behavioral sciences. Emphasis is on the use and interpretation of elementary descriptive and inferential statistics in psychology.

Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences

An introduction to basic methodological and design concepts needed to understand and perform research in the behavioral sciences. Major topics include various techniques in experimental and applied research, techniques in correlational research as well as important ethical considerations.

Introduction to the Bible

A survey of the Bible from an evangelical perspective. The course will affirm biblical authority and relevancy to everyday living. Biblical content will be studied and analyzed.

Child Development

A consideration of physical, cognitive, and socioemotional aspects of child development from conception through adolescence. Major theories and research related to child development will be surveyed.

Adult Development

A consideration of physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development during adulthood. Major theories and research related to adult development from young adulthood to old age will be surveyed.

Christianity and World Religions

An introduction to the history and central beliefs of Christianity and other world religions with emphasis on the ethical implications of each religion for modern society and uderstanding divergent worldviews.

Abnormal Psychology

An introduction to the nature, cause, and classification of psychological and behavioral disorders. Definition and identification of such disorders will be emphasized.

Counseling Theories

An overview of current theory and practice in psychotherapy. Basic models and techniques for helping to facilitate growth and behavioral changes will be presented in addition to ethical concerns related to helping professions.

Social Psychology

An examination of how people think about, influence and relate to others. Social perception, attitude formation, conformity, persuasion, aggression, altruism, and interpersonal attraction are among the major concepts that will be addressed.

Learning and Motivation

An examination of research on basic conditioning and learning processes. Major theories of learning will be reviewed including functionalistic, associationistic, and cognitive theories.

Theories of Personality

A consideration of major traditional and contemporary theories of personality, with a view toward usefulness in understanding human behavior. Psychological research and assessment of the unique variety of personalities will be studied. This course will examine how personality develops over time, what influences this development, and its stability or malleability.