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Saint Xavier University Chicago Campus Residence Halls

Psychology Courses


Prerequisite/Corequisite Key

P = Course must be taken previously C = Course must be taken concurrently E = Course can be taken previously or concurrently
(RQ) = Required (RM) = Recommended  

PSYCH 101

Introduction to Psychology

3 credit hours

Introduction to Psychology introduces students to the scientific method as it is applied to the study of psychological processes, and surveys theories and research in such areas as sensation and perception, conditioning and learning, motivation, emotion, human development, personality, psychopathology and other aspects of human behavior.

PSYCH 102

Psych Science and Careers Seminar

2 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

This seminar introduces students to the skills necessary to succeed in psychology. The course focuses on study skills, scientific literacy, APA format, and development of a career plan. Students will engage in the exploration of various careers and develop a college plan that will lead to the career of their choosing.

PSYCH 199

Lifespan Development

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Lifespan Development is a survey of theory and research on human development throughout the life span from conception to death. The course focuses on the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive changes.

PSYCH 200

Child Development

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Child Development is the study of the physical, psychological, and social development of the individual from infancy through childhood.

PSYCH 201

Adolescent Development

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Adolescent Development examines the maturation and developmental challenges that typically characterize adolescence and the transition to adulthood, such as the establishment of autonomy and adult life roles in early adulthood.

PSYCH 204

Abnormal Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Abnormal Psychology is an introduction to the understanding of problematic behaviors, their development, symptoms, and suggestions for treatment.

PSYCH 206

Social Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Social Psychology focuses on principles, methods and applications of the study of the effects of people and the broader social environment on human behavior. Topics include social perception, social cognition, relationships, group processes and others.

PSYCH 210

Cultural Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Cultural Psychology seeks to understand the influence of culture on human behavior. It will examine cultural groups both within and outside of the United States. It will also examine the development of culture as arising from both the physical and social environments.

PSYCH 224

Adulthood and Aging

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Adulthood and Aging considers physical changes with aging, psychological and sociological theory and research concerned with the changes and developmental tasks characteristic of adulthood with an emphasis on middle and late adulthood.

PSYCH 232

Personality Theories

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Personality Theories covers representative theories and research from each of the major approaches to the study of personality: psychoanalytic, learning, cognitive, dispositional, humanistic, and intervention strategies derived from these approaches.

PSYCH 242

Stress Management

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Stress Management is an experiential course focusing on the sources and consequences of stress. Students learn how to cope with stress and are introduced to a wide range of stress-reduction techniques.

PSYCH 300

Statistics for the Social Sciences

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101 MATH-135 with a C or better

Statistics for the Social Sciences is an introduction to the basic concepts of and applications of descriptive (frequencies, central tendency, variability) statistics and inferential (parametric and nonparametric) statistics. Students will test hypotheses via statistical software, such as IBM SPSS.

PSYCH 301

Research Methods

4 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101 with a C or better PSYCH-300 with a C or better

Research Methods is a comprehensive analysis of the design and methods used in psychological research. Students will review published research findings and methods in major topic areas in experimental psychology. Laboratory work is included in this course.

PSYCH 303

Human Motivation

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Human Motivation focuses on the question: 'Why do people do what they do?' The course involves exploration of biological, learned, and cognitive factors influencing human behavior. Specific topics may include emotions, curiosity and exploration, achievement, aggression, addiction, stress, work and others.

PSYCH 311

Physiological Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Physiological Psychology is a study of the physiological and neurochemical correlates of perception, motivation, emotion, and learning. Includes background information on the structure and physiology of the nervous system.

PSYCH 312

Sensation and Perception

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

*Formerly Perception. Sensation and Perception covers research on and theories of the phenomena of perception. This will entail an in-depth analysis of the sensory systems, the various aspects of the environment they detect and the theories that have been developed to account for these phenomena.

PSYCH 313

Learning and Memory

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Learning and Memory examines experimental procedures, research data, and theories for such topics as learning, structure of knowledge, memory, retrieval, forgetting and others. Laboratory demonstrations and experimentation are included in this course.

PSYCH 315

Cognitive Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Cognitive Psychology examines human thought processes, primarily from the information-processing viewpoint. Topics include learning, memory, problem solving, pattern recognition, language, and artificial intelligence. Laboratory demonstrations are included in this course.

PSYCH 317

History of Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101 and consent of instructor

History of Psychology is a study of the historical sources of contemporary psychology. Topics include a survey of major historical movements, such as structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt psychology, behaviorism, existential and phenomenological psychology, and others. As the course fulfills the psychology degree capstone requirement, it is recommended that students have successfully completed most of their required psychology courses prior to enrollment.

PSYCH 319

Hormones and Behavior

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Hormones and Behavior is taught from a comparative perspective and includes examples of hormone-behavior interactions in a variety of organisms. Animal data will be related to human development, physiology and ultimately human behavior.

PSYCH 323

Behavior Management

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Behavior Management is a study of theory and research in conditioning with particular attention to their applications to practical problems in a variety of settings such as psychotherapy, schools, family, hospitals, etc.

PSYCH 325

Individual and Group Therapy

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101, PSYCH-204, and PSYCH-199 or PSYCH-200

Individual and Group Therapy introduces students to theories and research in counseling and psychotherapy. It introduces intervention strategies and counseling skills. Lectures and readings address theories of therapy. Experiential learning activities and counseling lab exercises promote interpersonal effectiveness in interactions with individuals and groups. Modules address career awareness, diversity awareness, ethical decision-making and personal development.

PSYCH 326

Introduction to Clinical Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101 PSYCH-325 and consent of instructor

Introduction to Clinical Psychology will introduce students to basic aspects of clinical psychology and mental health service delivery. Students will participate in weekly discussions of relevant topics such as mental health career paths, psychological assessment, differential diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, case presentation, and ethics related to the provision of mental health care.

PSYCH 328

Sex and Gender

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Formerly named Psychology and Gender, Sex and Gender examines and seeks to understand sex and gender differences in behavior from evolutionary, biological, sociocultural, and cognitive perspectives.

PSYCH 329

Comparative Behavior

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101 with C or better

Comparative Behavior is an overview of psychological processes and how they vary across taxonomic groups. lt takes an evolutionary and ecological approach to understanding differences in behavioral adaptations across animal species, including humans. Students will be expected to understand basic processes which shape animal behavior, utilize primary literature, synthesize information from multiple sources, and demonstrate critical thinking.

PSYCH 335

Sport Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Sport Psychology examines the interaction between psychological variables and performance in athletic and physical activities. The American Psychological Association, Division 47 - Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology-contributes to the standards of this course. The objective of this course is to survey theories and practical skills that contribute to performance in sports.

PSYCH 341

Health Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Health Psychology is an interdisciplinary study of health and psychology. The primary emphasis of the course is a biopsychosocial one. Content includes the history and focus of health psychology, an examination of stress, its relation to illness, and methods for coping with and reducing it, physical and psychological pain, methods for managing and controlling it, and procedures to enhance health and prevent illness.

PSYCH 345

Forensic Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101 with a C or better

This course provides an overview of criminal and civil forensic psychology. Topics include, but are not limited to police and investigative psychology, legal psychology, criminal psychology, victimology and victim services, and correctional psychology.

PSYCH 361

Special Topics: Community Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Community psychology goes beyond an individual focus and integrates social, cultural, economic, political, environmental, and international influences to promote positive change at the individual and systemic levels; multidisciplinary in focus, global in nature - examining behavior in context and promoting well-being through scientific inquiry, while honoring human rights and respecting diversity.

PSYCH 361

Special Topics in Psychology

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101

Special Topics in Psychology is a concentrated study of a special topic within the field of psychology. The subject matter of this course will vary depending on student interest and faculty resources.

PSYCH 390

Research Capstone

3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101 PSYCH-300 PSYCH-301 and consent of instructor

The Research Capstone offers students the option to develop and execute their own research project. Each student produces an empirical research paper and then present their study to their peers at the conclusion of the course. As a capstone requirement option, students have most of their required psychology courses prior to enrollment. Enrollment is limited to 15 students, and preference is given to students in their senior year.

PSYCH 391

Directed Research

1 to 3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101 and consent of instructor

Directed Research provides students with advanced experiences in research. Students may be engaged in activities related to a research project with a faculty member. Such activities could include collecting data, conducting literature searches, analyzing data, writing manuscripts, presenting project results, etc., in collaboration with a faculty member. These opportunities occur at the individual level or in a small group setting.

PSYCH 397

Internship

1 to 3 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101 with a C or better

The Psychology Internship experience allows students to apply academic knowledge they have learned to a psychology related professional setting. This internship is by arrangement; the student should work with the Psychology Program to identify an appropriate internship site and receive program approval prior to enrollment.

PSYCH 399

Independent Study

1 to 6 credit hours

P: PSYCH-101 and consent of instructor

Independent Study is a student-initiated independent program of study or research experience.