Introduction to Psychological Science

 

Professor:

Natalie Wittlin

 

Course Number:

PSY 141 A

CRN Number:

10054

Class cap:

22

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

Mon  Wed     3:30 PM - 4:50 PM Reem Kayden Center 103

 

Distributional Area:

SA Social Analysis  

 

Crosslists: Mind, Brain, Behavior

How does the mind create the reality we perceive? How do experiences shape the brain, and how do processes in the brain influence thought, emotion and behavior?  This course investigates these and similar questions by studying the science of the human mind and behavior. The course covers topics such as memory, perception, development, psychopathology, personality, and social behavior. A focus is on the biological, cognitive, and social/cultural roots that give rise to human experience. Additionally, the course will consider how behavior differs among people, and across situations.

 

Introduction to Psychological Science

 

Professor:

James Hobbs

 

Course Number:

PSY 141 B

CRN Number:

10055

Class cap:

22

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

 Tue  Thurs    3:30 PM - 4:50 PM Olin 205

 

Distributional Area:

SA Social Analysis  

 

Crosslists: Mind, Brain, Behavior

How does the mind create the reality we perceive? How do experiences shape the brain, and how do processes in the brain influence thought, emotion and behavior?  This course investigates these and similar questions by studying the science of the human mind and behavior. The course covers topics such as memory, perception, development, psychopathology, personality, and social behavior. A focus is on the biological, cognitive, and social/cultural roots that give rise to human experience. Additionally, the course will consider how behavior differs among people, and across situations.

 

Design and Analysis in Psychology I

 

Professor:

Frank Scalzo

 

Course Number:

PSY 201

CRN Number:

10056

Class cap:

24

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

Mon  Wed     11:50 AM - 1:10 PM Reem Kayden Center 111

 

Distributional Area:

LS Laboratory Science  

This course provides an introduction to the research designs and data analyses central to psychological science, helping to build a strong understanding of research methods, ethics, and statistics. This course is required for students prior to moderation in Psychology and is built around hands-on laboratory experiences designed to illuminate experimental psychology for intended majors. This course must be taken before the second course in the two-part sequence, Design & Analysis for Psychology II (PSY 202). Together, these courses are intended to provide a strong foundation for designing, conducting, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating empirical research in the discipline. Prerequisites: Introduction to Psychological Science or its equivalent, and sophomore status at the College.

 

Design and Analysis in Psychology I Lab

 

Professor:

Frank Scalzo

 

Course Number:

PSY 201 LBA

CRN Number:

10057

Class cap:

12

Credits:

0

 

Schedule/Location:

   Thurs    9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Henderson Comp. Center 106

 

Distributional Area:

LS Laboratory Science  

Students taking PSY 201 should register for one of these lab sections.

 

Design and Analysis in Psychology I Lab

 

Professor:

Frank Scalzo

 

Course Number:

PSY 201 LBB

CRN Number:

10058

Class cap:

12

Credits:

0

 

Schedule/Location:

   Thurs    1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Henderson Comp. Center 106

 

Distributional Area:

LS Laboratory Science  

Students taking PSY 201 should register for one of these lab sections.

 

Design and Analysis in Psychology II

 

Professor:

Gautam Sethi

 

Course Number:

PSY 202

CRN Number:

10059

Class cap:

28

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

Mon  Wed     11:50 AM - 1:10 PM Reem Kayden Center 103

 

Distributional Area:

MC Mathematics and Computing  

This course explores the study of research designs and data analyses central to psychological science and other related disciplines. (These ideas are introduced in PSY 201, but it is not a prerequisite for this course.) A focus will be on selecting appropriate research designs and analyses for specific research questions. Students will analyze data using the JAMOVI software package and practice communicating their results to diverse audiences. This course is intended to provide a strong foundation for designing, conducting, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating empirical research in the discipline. Prerequisites: PSY 141 or by permission of the instructor.

 

Design and Analysis in Psychology II

 

Professor:

Gautam Sethi

 

Course Number:

PSY 202 LBB

CRN Number:

10061

Class cap:

14

Credits:

0

 

Schedule/Location:

  Wed     4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Reem Kayden Center 107

 

Distributional Area:

MC Mathematics and Computing  

Students taking PSY 202 should register for one of these lab sections.

 

Methods of Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology

 

Professor:

Elena Kim

 

Course Number:

PSY 205

CRN Number:

10062

Class cap:

22

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

 Tue  Thurs    8:30 AM - 9:50 AM Hegeman 102

 

Distributional Area:

SA Social Analysis  

This course provides an overview, history and politics of diverse qualitative research perspectives and methods within psychological science. It focuses on qualitative research paradigms such as thematic analysis, grounded theory, phenomenological methods, case studies, discursive psychology, and narrative psychology.  The course provides students with hands-on experience as it covers the entire process of a qualitative study, from formulating a research question to interpreting data and reporting your analysis. You will learn to design an original qualitative psychological study and collect data using a variety of qualitative tools including observation, in-depth interviews, focus-group discussions, discourse analysis, content analysis, and thematic analysis. You will also acquire skills in interpreting and managing qualitative data using specific software (MAXQDA). Ethical qualitative research practice will be emphasized throughout the course. Prerequisite include one introductory course such as  An introductory Psychology, An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology,  Introduction to Sociology, or consent of the instructor.

 

Gender in the History of Psychological Disorders

 

Professor:

Elena Kim

 

Course Number:

PSY 216

CRN Number:

10063

Class cap:

16

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

 Tue  Thurs    11:50 AM - 1:10 PM Hegeman 102

 

Distributional Area:

SA Social Analysis  

 

Crosslists: Gender and Sexuality Studies

This course examines the history of abnormal psychology from the perspective of women’s experiences within this field. We will explore the role that psychiatry has played in defining and shaping what has been considered ‘normal female’ as opposed to ‘normal male’ behavior. The course begins with the history of conceptualizing the ‘female madness’ starting from the witchcraft persecution in Europe to the emergence of diagnostic categories such as “neurasthenia’ and ‘hysteria’ which were frequently applied to women in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries. We will discuss biological explanations used to explain mental disorder in women and associated psychiatric practices of the past. The key point of the course is to look at how gender roles and stereotypes may have contributed to definitions of mental illness with varied impacts on women and men. For example, we will read materials about how women who deviated from their ascribed gender roles were continuously likely to be categorized as ‘insane’. In the second part of the course, our focus will be on how diagnoses have changed over time and the modern day gender biases still found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Intersections of gender with race, class and sexual subjectivity in the history of abnormal psychology will be examined throughout the course. Prerequisites: Introduction to Psychological Science or permission of the instructor. This course fulfills the Cluster A requirement for the psychology major.

 

Emotions

 

Professor:

Justin Dainer-Best

 

Course Number:

PSY 218

CRN Number:

10064

Class cap:

22

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

Mon  Wed     10:10 AM - 11:30 AM Olin 201

 

Distributional Area:

SA Social Analysis  

This course explores the psychological process and experience of emotion. Emotions influence what we pay attention to, what we remember, and how we behave. In this course we will discuss current psychological understanding of emotional processing. We will discuss theories of emotion including evolutionary accounts, categorical theories, and dimensional approaches. We will learn about the neural and physiological processes underlying emotions as well as the psychological processes that affect emotional perception, expression, and regulation. We will also cover how the dysregulation of emotions can result in psychopathology. This course fulfills the major’s Cluster A requirement. Prerequisite: PSY 141 (Introduction to Psychological Science)

 

Child Development

 

Professor:

Sarah Dunphy-Lelii

 

Course Number:

PSY 224

CRN Number:

10065

Class cap:

22

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

Mon  Wed     10:10 AM - 11:30 AM Hegeman 102

 

Distributional Area:

SA Social Analysis  

This is a specialized course that prepares students to understand the biological, motor, perceptual, cognitive (including intelligence), language, emotional, social, and gender development of children. The process of human development from conception through early adolescence is studied. Emphasis is placed on what enables children to reach physical, mental, emotional and social maturity, and helps us to address the question “What environments promote optimum development for children?” Child development history, theory, and research strategies will be discussed, as well as the effect of family, peers, media, and schooling. This class would be good for those interested in children, education, or the cognitive and social development of humans. This class is not appropriate for students who have already taken Psych 216 (Developmental Psychology).

 

Cognitive Psychology

 

Professor:

Tom Hutcheon

 

Course Number:

PSY 230

CRN Number:

10066

Class cap:

22

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

 Tue  Thurs    10:10 AM - 11:30 AM Hegeman 102

 

Distributional Area:

SA Social Analysis  

 

Crosslists: Mind, Brain, Behavior

Cross-listed: Mind, Brain, Behavior. Cognitive psychology is the study of mind: how we perceive the world, remember, represent knowledge, acquire new information, become aware of our emotions, make plans, reason, and use language. In this course we examine the empirical foundations that determine our understanding of mind, including classic research designs, recent advances in computational modeling, philosophical perspectives, and changes in cognition throughout the lifespan. The course, which fulfills the Cluster C requirement for the Psychology Program, also considers the neural underpinning of these topics. Enrollment is open to students who have completed Introduction to Psychological Science, Introduction to Neuroscience, or Foundations of Mind, Brain, and Behavior.

 

Face Perception

 

Professor:

Tom Hutcheon

 

Course Number:

PSY 306

CRN Number:

10067

Class cap:

12

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

 Tue      12:30 PM - 2:50 PM Reem Kayden Center 200

 

Distributional Area:

SA Social Analysis  

 

Crosslists: Mind, Brain, Behavior

Faces carry important information about the identity, thoughts, emotions, and future behavior of an individual, and humans prioritize this information from the earliest stages of development. This seminar will explore the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying face perception, the developmental time course of face perception, and individual differences in face perception. In addition, we will consider how social characteristics of the face and the observer interact to influence how a face is perceived. Students will complete a data collection project with the goal of replicating an existing finding in the face perception literature. This course is open to moderated students who have completed at least ONE of the following prerequisites: Cognitive Psychology (PSY 230), Neuroscience (PSY 231); Sensation and Perception (PSY 233), Learning and Memory (PSY 234), Attention (PSY 235), or Drugs and Human Behavior (PSY 237), or with instructor’s permission.

 

Trans Topics in Psychology

 

Professor:

Natalie Wittlin

 

Course Number:

PSY 373

CRN Number:

10069

Class cap:

12

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

 Tue      12:30 PM - 2:50 PM Olin 310

 

Distributional Area:

SA Social Analysis  

 

Crosslists: Gender and Sexuality Studies

This seminar will explore gender diversity through the lens of psychology—and psychology through the lens of gender diversity. Throughout the semester, students will reflect on research findings, theories, debates, and controversies related to trans and nonbinary people and identities—and cis people’s beliefs and feelings about them. Readings for this course will consist primarily of empirical and theoretical papers in academic journals. Topics covered will include: (de)pathologization of gender diversity; denial and affirmation of gender identities; gender dysphoria and euphoria; questions surrounding who should conduct research on trans people; access to gender-affirming medical care; bias against trans and nonbinary people; and challenges to the gender binary.  Prerequisites: Moderation into Psychology and at least one social psychology course (PSY 220 or PSY 225), or permission of instructor.

 

Assessment

 

Professor:

Justin Dainer-Best

 

Course Number:

PSY 376

CRN Number:

10070

Class cap:

12

Credits:

4

 

Schedule/Location:

   Thurs    12:30 PM - 2:50 PM Reem Kayden Center 200

 

Distributional Area:

SA Social Analysis  

Psychological evaluation is the general term for assessments that may be used for diagnosis, identifying cognitive dis/abilities, school placement, or any of a number of other goals. This course will give students a foundation in theories of assessment, with a focus on empirical support and clinical utility. We will explore how research is conducted on assessments and develop mock interviewing and assessment skills. We will also discuss interpretation of assessment results from clinical and research perspectives. Students will be expected to make oral presentations of material in class and to write a substantial research paper, as well as to write reports of mock assessments presented in class. Prerequisite: Moderated in psychology and a course related to psychopathology (e.g., PSY 210, PSY 211, or PSY 216), or permission of instructor

 

Senior Conference

 

Professor:

Justin Dainer-Best

 

Course Number:

PSY 405

CRN Number:

10071

Class cap:

30

Credits:

1

 

Schedule/Location:

   Thurs    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Reem Kayden Center 103

 

Distributional Area:

SA Social Analysis  

In Senior Conference, psychology majors will cultivate the skills necessary to complete a successful Senior Project and continue to build community among their cohort. Topics will include: scientific writing, approaches to evidence, data collection, data analysis, and data management. Professional development and preparing for life after Bard will also be emphasized. Enrollment is required for psychology majors who begin their psychology Senior Project while taking this course.