Course details

Psychology

Introduction

The psychology department offers a major, minor and secondary social studies teacher certification.

• Major in psychology
• Minor in psychology
• Secondary teacher-education certification

Visit the psychology department Web site at www.goshen.edu/psych.

Career and postgraduate opportunities

Graduates of the psychology program are currently working in administration, counseling, public-welfare agencies, mental-health centers, institutions for delinquent and emotionally disturbed children, probation services and a variety of additional social and religious agencies. Many complete graduate degrees and engage in research or in professions such as teaching, law, or ministry.

Teacher education certification in social studies

Teacher certification in social studies education is available for grades 5-12. Required are 54 credits in social science, with at least 12 credits each in three areas chosen from economics, historical perspectives, geographical perspectives, government, psychology, or sociology. Other requirements of a Goshen College major in history, psychology or sociology must be met as well. In addition, 30 credits of education courses are required, including a fall semester of student teaching. PJCS 210 is required for general education. The first education class, Educ 201, should be taken in May term of the first year or fall of the sophomore year. See the education department pages and the Teacher Education Handbook for more details about requirements.

Major in psychology

40 credit hours

• Psyc 402-403, Statistics and Methods 6
• Psyc 408, Contemporary Viewpoints in Psychology 3
• Psyc 409, Senior Internship 2
• Psyc 410, Senior Seminar in Psychology 2
• Other psychology courses 18
• Related courses in sociology, social work, philosophy, peace studies, anatomy and physiology 9

Planning guide

Minor in psychology

18 credit hours

• Five or more credit hours selected from the following: 5
  Psyc 308, Personality Theory
  Psyc 402, Statistics and Methods in Psychology
  Psyc 408, Contemporary Viewpoints in Psychology
  Psyc 410, Senior Seminar in Psychology
• 13 credit hours in any psychology courses, at least 7 credit hours upper-level (300 and above) 13

Psychology courses

PSYC 100 General Psychology 3
An introduction to the methods, concepts and principles used in the study of behavior. Includes a survey of topics in psychological development, individual differences, memory, personality structure, mental health, learning and social psychology.

PSYC 200 Social Psychology 3
A study of the influence of society on the individual and of the individual on society. Involves the study of person-to-person transactions, with emphasis on attitudes and small group structure and process.

PSYC 210 Developmental Psychology 3
A study of developmental processes across the life span. Physical, social and cognitive changes provide the basic organization for this course. A variety of developmental theories will be examined including Piaget, Vygotsky, Erickson, social learning and psychodynamic. Current research and an understanding of how to think about developmental processes will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Psyc 100 or consent of instructor.

PSYC 221 Human Behavior 3
(Cross-listed from SoWk 221) A study of the individual through the life cycle within the social environment. Focus on physical, psychological, social, cultural and religious factors in the development of the self.

PSYC 302 Experimental Psychology 4
A study of the methods and techniques of experimental psychology. Course will include study of selected empirical findings from the areas of learning, memory, intelligence and physiological psychology. Experimental projects constitute a major emphasis of the course. Prerequisite: Psyc 100.

PSYC 303 Physiological Psychology 3
An introduction to the physiology of the brain and central nervous system and their effects on psychological processes. Prerequisite: Psyc 100.

PSYC 305 Prosocial Behavior 3
A study of theories and empirical research concerned with positive human interaction. Topics of special focus include altruism, empathy and service from the perspective of both the helper and the recipient. Some attention to applications in education, government and church agencies. (Alternate year offering)

PSYC 306 Abnormal Psychology 3
A study of the variety of psychological disorders as classified by the DSM system. Issues related to classification will be discussed. A biopsychosocial model will be assumed when discussing etiology and treatment. Since this is primarily a descriptive course, considerable emphasis will be placed on case studies. At the conclusion of the course, students will be well versed in understanding the major psychological disorders. Prerequisite: Psyc 100.

PSYC 307 Industrial/Organizationl Psychology 3
A study of the application of psychologyical principles to industry and organizations. Topics include employee selection, motivation, job satisfaction, workplace violence, stress, organizational climate, organizational effectiveness and leadership. Emphasis will be on applied issues. Designed for both psychology majors and for nonmajors. Prerequisite: Psyc 100. (Alternate year offering)

PSYC 308 Personality Theory 3
A study of theory development with particular focus on major personality theories. The central concepts of each theory, the unique place in contemporary psychological thought and relationship of theory to psychological experimentation and research will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Psyc 100.

PSYC 309 Educational Psychology:Secondary 3
(Cross-listed from Educ 309) A study of physical, cognitive, psychosocial, emotional, linguistic, moral and identity develpment birth through adolescence. Includes developmental theories, influence of cultural and social factors on develpment and school influences on children and adolescents.

PSYC 310 Educational Psychology:Elementary 3
(Cross-listed from Educ 310) A study of physical, cognitive, psychosocial, emotional, linguistic, moral and identity develpment birth through adolescence. Includes developmental theories, influence of cultural and social factors on develpment and school influences on children and adolescents.

PSYC 313 Violence and Nonviolence 3
(Cross-listed from PJCS 313) An interdisciplinary study of the nature, causes and types of violence. Examines the juxtaposition of scientific theories and religious teachings about violence and nonviolence.

PSYC 314 Psychology of Religion 3
An exploration of the interaction of psychological dynamics and religious behavior. Includes study of belief systems, faith, behavior change, conversion, life styles, personality and religious persuasion. (Alternate year offering)

PSYC 316 Introduction to Clinical Psychology 3
A study of the major issues facing someone entering the professional world of delivering psychological services to others. Critical thinking about the most recent diagnosis and treatment modalities will be emphasized. Other topics include ethics, psychopharmacology, counseling, health psychology, psychobiology and community psychology. Prerequisite: Psyc 100. (Alternate year offering)

PSYC 317 Leadership Education 1
A learning experience in leadership that integrates theory and practice. Philosophy and theory of leadership will be integrated with each student's specific campus leadership responsibility. The course is repeatable as the student assumes additional campus leadership. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor.

PSYC 320 Psychologic Assessment 3
A study of psychological testing theory, test administration and test interpretation. The course will survey intellectual, aptitude, achievement, interest, personality and neurological assessment. Students will be given direct experience with tests from each of these categories. Prerequisite: Psyc 100. (Alternate year offering)

PSYC 400 Advanced Projects in Psychology 1 (1-3)
Independent reading or research for psychology majors. Requires extensive reading or research on a topic of the student's choice. Consultation with instructor required.

PSYC 402 Statistics & Research Methods I 4
A study of research methods and data analysis in psychology. Involves research on a specific problem. Prerequistie: senior standing and consent of instructor.

PSYC 403 Statistics & Research Methods II 2
Overview of multivariate statistics. Further analysis of the problem studied in Psyc 402, culminating in a written thesis and oral presentation. Prerequiste: Psyc 402.

PSYC 408 Contemporary Viewpoints in Psyc 3
A study of the research and current status of contemporary psychological issues in the areas of personality, measurement, intelligence, perception, learning, developmental, mental health and psychology of religion. Prerequisites: Psyc 100; minimum of nine additional hours in psychology.

PSYC 409 Senior Internship 2
Internship offers opportunity to observe and participate in a supervised field learning experience in which psychological theories and concepts are employed and issues pertaining to psychology as a career can be addressed. Prerequisites: senior standing; minimum of 12 hours of upper-level psychology or consent of instructor.

PSYC 410 Senior Seminar in Psychology 2
A focus on integrative issues concerning psychology and Christian faith. Questions related to psychology as a profession will also be addressed. Prerequisites: senior standing; minimum of 12 hours of upper-level psychology or consent of instructor.