Behavioral Sciences | Courses


Course Descriptions

PSYCHOLOGY

G-PY 101 Introduction to Psychology
3 hours
A survey of psychology emphasizing applications to the life of the student. Assumptions of psychological scientists are examined and scientific methods of investigating and reasoning about human behavior are introduced. (Fall, Spring)

PY 204 Child and Adolescent Development
3-4 hours
A basic course dealing with the various processes of child and adolescent development. The overarching goal or mission of the course is to present the basic knowledge of child development in an applied context in which the established knowledge base of child psychology is used to suggest solutions to social problems of children in this society and in the world community. Prerequisite: G-PY 101 Introduction to Psychology. (Spring)

PY/SO 210 Human Sexuality
3 hours
A study of female roles, male roles, values, life adjustments, sexual identities, religion, language, and behavior differences based on cultural, educational and socioeconomic factors related to human sexuality. Course uses lectures, audio-visuals, discussions, guest resource persons, assigned readings, and projects or papers to present information.

PY 254 Parent-Child Relations
3 hours
A study of parenting across the lifespan. Topics include parenting styles, parenting strategies, and parenting in different family systems.

PY 295 Field Experience in Psychology
1-4 hours
Various types of placements are available for practical experience relevant to the psychology major. Examples: institutions for people with developmental disabilities, adolescent group-homes, the Big Brother/Big Sister program, and others.

PY/SO 303 Social Psychology
3 hours
A study of the individual as he/she is affected by other persons. Topics covered include: interpersonal relations, social learning, conformity and individuality, attitudes, groups and organizations, and others. Discussion and involvement methods are emphasized. Prerequisite: 6 hours in the behavioral sciences or instructor consent. (Spring)

PY 305 Abnormal Psychology
3-4 hours
A study of behaviors variously classified as abnormal, psychopathic, sociopathic, disordered, mentally ill, retarded, neurotic, psychotic, deviant and others. Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology and junior standing. (Fall)

PY/SO 308 Counseling
3 hours
A study of the theory and practice of counseling including a survey of the various systems of psychotherapy (person-centered therapy, psychoanalysis, behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, etc.) and learning, through role-play, of skills needed to be a helper. Prerequisite: PY 405 or instructor consent. (Spring)

PY/SO 335 Research Methods I
4 hours
The basic research methods course for behavioral science majors. Correlational, survey, and case study techniques, basic experimental design, research ethics, and general professional conduct of empirical investigation are studied in a team-taught format. Lecture, laboratory, and practical field exercises are used as learning methods. Prerequisite: G-MA221. Concurrent enrollment is acceptable. (Fall)

PY/SO 336 Research Methods II
4 hours
The second of the two basic research methods courses for behavioral science majors. Relatively advanced scientific research designs and statistical analyses are studied. SPSS, a statistical package, is used for most of the work in the course. Prerequisites: G-MA 221 and PY/SO 335. (Interterm)

PY 354 Child Development and Social Policy
3 hours
A study of the relation between children and government. The course considers the interrelations between social policy and research findings from the field of child and adolescent psychology.

PY/SO 375 Junior Seminar
1 hour
Several topics and issues are examined in a seminar format. These include ethical practices and concerns as they relate to research and clinical work, the development and execution of basic and applied research, and career development and related matters. Students work toward developing appropriate research topics for their senior theses and may explore internship opportunities. (Spring)

PY 405 Personality Theories
3 hours
Personality is the field within psychology that specializes in how individuals think, feel, and behave with an emphasis on the person as a whole. The course covers the five basic approaches to personality: the trait approach, the biological approach, the psychoanalytic approach, the phenomenological approach, and the behaviorist/learning theory/cognitive approach. Junior or Senior standing or permission of the instructor required. (Fall)

PY 415 Learning, Memory, Cognition
3 hours
An advanced survey course dealing specifically with current research findings in the area of cognitive psychology. The course will focus on what psychological science has discovered about human learning, memory, and forgetting. Prerequisite: G-PY 101, PY 303, PY/SO 335 or instructor consent. (Spring, odd years)

PY 430 Health Psychology
3 hours
A study of the fundamentals of human psychological and biomedical factors in the areas of health, wellness, and physical/mental illness. The course presents clinical applications of personality and social psychological theories, as they relate to cultural beliefs, human development, and different diseases; introduces key determinants of behavior, such as personality, family, ethnicity, and religion; and explores behavioral/motivational research in the emerging field of alternative and complementary medicine. Health care prevention, intervention, and maintenance issues and strategies are presented within the context of the community health support system. Career opportunities in health psychology are also explored.

PY 445 Readings and Research in Psychology
1-4 hours
An opportunity to take a course by readings that is not offered in the regular curriculum. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. (By appointment)
PY 450 History and Systems of Psychology
3 hours (Language Intensive)
A study of psychology’s origins, development as a field, and current status, examined in a seminar format. Prerequisite: Upper division majors/minors only or instructor consent. (Spring, even years)

PY 454 Applied Behavior Analysis and Youth
3 hours
A study of the field of applied behavior analysis and its use in solving the behavior problems of children and adolescents. The course explores fundamental issues related to behavior change, including assessment, measurement, and ethics.

PY 470 Developmental Psychopathology
3 hours
A study of psychopathology as it relates to children and adolescents. The course explores the causes of and treatments for various psychological disorders and considers issues related to assessment and diagnosis.

PY/SO 475 Senior Seminar/Thesis
2 hours (Language Intensive)
This is the culminating or capstone course for behavioral science majors. Coordinated guidance is given on the preparation of the Senior Thesis. Discussion of current topics in sociology and psychology is combined with guidance on practical matters such as application to graduate study, developing a career, and so on.

PY 495 Field Experience in Psychology
1-4 hours
More advanced placements and arrangements in applied psychology. See PY 295. NOTE: PY 495 requires permission of the instructor before enrollment.

Individualized Courses Available
PY 295/495 Field Experience 1-4 hours
PY 299/499 Independent Study 1-4 hours
PY 388 Career Connections 1-12 hours
PY 445 Readings and Research 1-4 hours


SOCIOLOGY

G-SO 101 Introduction to Sociology
3 hours
An introduction to the general field of sociology and its principle subdivisions; the nature of culture; the socialization of the individual; the character and behavior of social groups; social organization and institutions; social interaction, deviant behavior and social change. (Fall)

G-SO 202 Minorities in the U.S.
3-4 hours
An exploration of the problems faced by physical, cultural, economic, and behavioral minority groups in American society; the causes and consequences of prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination; the nature of minority-majority group interaction; current crises and possible solutions; and some comparison with similar situations in other countries. Prerequisite: Course not open to first semester freshmen. Second semester freshmen by instructor consent. (Fall, Spring)

SO 206 Social Problems
3-4 hours
A study of contemporary American and world social problems, including prostitution, drug addiction, poverty, sexism, racism, and war. (Fall)

SO/PY 210 Human Sexuality
3 hours
A study of female roles, male roles, values, life adjustments, sexual identities, religion, language, and behavior differences based on cultural, educational and socioeconomic factors related to human sexuality. Course uses lectures, audio-visuals, discussions, guest resource persons, assigned readings, and projects or papers to present information.

G-SO 246 Marriage and Family
3-4 hours
This course explores the institution of marriage and family in American society from a sociological perspective. Topics covered include socialization, dating, courtship, marriage, parenting, dysfunctions, divorce and remarriage. Family dynamics and major social changes affecting the family are discussed. The course allows the individual to explore her/his own marriage and family attitudes and experiences. (Interterm, Spring)

SO 260 Introduction to Human Services
3 hours
An introduction to the history, theory, practice, and trends in human services. The goals, functions, and organization of human services are examined in the context of contemporary social problems; a historical survey of human services is presented as a background against which current efforts can be viewed; major theories, techniques, and methods that govern helping efforts are covered; a description of consumers of human services, and the strategies both consumers and service providers initiate to overcome barriers to effective service delivery, are discussed. Career opportunities in the human services field are also explored.

SO 275 Criminal Justice
3 hours
An introduction to the field of criminology and the American criminal justice system. Emphasis is placed upon the nature of crime, and trends and theories of crime along with components and functions of the criminal justice system including police, courts, and corrections.

SO 285/PE 285 Sociological Implications of Sport & Recreation
2 hours
A study of the interrelationships of sport and society.

SO/PY 303 Social Psychology
3 hours
A study of the individual as he/she is affected by other persons. Topics covered include: interpersonal relations, social learning, conformity and individuality, attitudes, groups and organizations, and others. Discussion and involvement methods are emphasized. Prerequisite: 6 hours in the behavioral sciences or instructor consent. (Spring)

SO/PY 308 Counseling
3 hours
A study of the theory and practice of counseling including a survey of the various systems of psychotherapy (person-centered therapy, psychoanalysis, behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, etc.) and learning, through role-play, of skills needed to be a helper. (Spring)

SO 320 Urban Sociology
3 hours
A study of the development of modern cities, theories of urban growth, and urban problems and policies. Topics will include urbanization, urban renewal, economic restructuring and globalization, international migration, culture and politics of urban places, gentrification, crime and poverty, and ecological patterns of land use.

SO/PY 335 Research Methods I
4 hours
The basic research methods course for behavioral science majors. Correlational, survey, and case study techniques, basic experimental design, research ethics, and general professional conduct of empirical investigation are studied in a team-taught format. Lecture, laboratory, and practical field exercises are used as learning methods. Prerequisite: G-MA 221. Concurrent enrollment is acceptable. (Fall)

SO/PY 336 Research Methods II
4 hours
The second of the two basic research methods courses for behavioral science majors. Relatively advanced scientific research designs and statistical analyses are studied. SPSS, a statistical package, is used for most of the work in the course. Prerequisites: G-MA 221 and SO/PY 335. (Interterm)

SO 355 Juvenile Delinquency
3 hours
A comprehensive examination of juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system. An emphasis on the causes of juvenile delinquency; its relation to family, school, peers, and society; treatment of juvenile delinquents; and criminal proceedings and the family court.

SO 365 Social Work in American Society
3 hours
An introduction to the social work movement, profession, and practice in the United States. The course examines the social welfare policies and client populations that engage social workers, and explores the social work practice settings that range from child maltreatment and health care to work with older adults and corrections. Social issues are raised and case examples are presented to give insight into the clients and issues for which social workers initiate advocacy and social change through leadership positions in American society. Career opportunities in the social work profession are also explored.

SO/PY 375 Junior Seminar
1 hour
Several topics and issues are examined in a seminar format. These include ethical practices and concerns as they relate to research and clinical work, the development and execution of basic and applied research, and career development and related matters. Students work toward developing appropriate research topics for their senior theses and may explore internship opportunities. (Spring)

SO 401 Sociological Theory
4 hours
A review and analysis of historical sociological theory including the masters of sociology: Durkheim, Weber, Marx, Pareto, Veblen, and others. Prerequisite: Six hours in sociology. (Fall, odd years)

SO 425 Deviant Behavior
3 hours
This course exposes the student to the perspectives, principles, issues and research findings of the deviant behavior field. Topics covered include: poverty, substance abuse, prostitution, homosexuality, violent behavior, family violence, mental disorders, crime and social control. Prerequisite: SO 206, SO/PY 335 or instructor consent. (Spring, even years)

SO 450 Proseminar in Sociology
3 hours
An advanced-level seminar to integrate the information learned in earlier sociology courses. The goal is to bring full circle the sociological knowledge of students who are about to graduate. The course will explore a number of enduring sociological issues, including the meaning of sociology, the purpose of sociology and the effect sociology has on the world. Prerequisite: Upper division majors/minors only or instructor consent. (Spring, odd years)

SO 455 Police and Law Enforcement
3 hours
An analysis of the evolution of police, the police system, and the police role. Organization and jurisdiction of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies along with philosophical and ethical issues surrounding their role will be discussed.

SO 460 Correctional Institutions
3 hours
An exploration of the historical and philosophical development of correctional systems with an emphasis on categories of inmates, treatment policies and their effectiveness, staff organization and training and their relation to the criminal justice system, and problems associated with correctional practices and procedures.

SO 470 Social Gerontology
3 hours
A comprehensive introduction to an emerging field dealing with the social aspects of human aging. The course covers major areas of theory, research, social policy, and practice that impact older adults, and discusses the strengths and contributions that elders bring to their peers, families, and communities. The historical overview of aging in the United States, as well as the human and social meanings behind longevity population shift, is also explored. Also examined are social issues and psychological perspectives and strategies, as well as political and economic situations that produce undesirable outcomes as well as promote well-being in later life. Career options in the field of social gerontology are also explored.

SO/PY 475 Senior Seminar/Thesis
2 hours (Language Intensive)
This is the culminating or capstone course for behavioral science majors. Coordinated guidance is given on the preparation of the Senior Thesis. Discussion of current topics in sociology and psychology is combined with guidance on practical matters such as application to graduate study, developing a career, and so on.

SO 495 Field Placement
1-4 hours
Practical experience working in an established social agency, mental health clinic, or correctional institution. Supervision and direction given on the job by the agency personnel. College personnel visit and give consultation.

Individualized Courses Available
295/495 Field Experience 1-4 hours
299/499 Independent Study 1-4 hours
388 Career Connections 1-12 hours
445 Readings and Research 1-4 hours


For complete MC course descriptions and schedules please refer to the latest Course Catalog 09-10 (1.4MB .pdf) and Schedule 10-11 (1.8MB .pdf).

 



CONTACT
Dept of Behavioral Sciences Chair
midgleyb@mcpherson.edu

800.365.7402
info@mcpherson.edu
Forms & Applications
Campus Directory
Visit McPherson