May 06, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog [Archived] 
    
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2020-2021 Catalog [Archived] [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions

 

Psychology
  

  • PSYC 2 - Psychology for Effective Living

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A 
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course is a study of personal development and adjustment in society as well as the psychosocial and cultural influences on childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Emphasis on the application of psychological research and theories to the development of social skills and personal adjustments as well as practical approaches to problems of personal development and social relationships will be examined.
  

  • PSYC 3 - Critical Thinking and Psychology

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1A  with a minimum grade of C
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course focuses on the development of critical thinking skills related to psychology. In addition to learning basic skills of logic, students will also learn about the logic of the scientific method and the common errors of human cognition that impede critical thinking. Emphasis is placed on the application of critical thinking skills to writing effective arguments, analyzing the writings of others, and understanding contemporary controversies in psychology.
  

  • PSYC 3H - Honors Critical Thinking and Psychology

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1A  with a minimum grade of C
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, focuses on the development of critical thinking skills related to psychology. In addition to learning basic skills of logic, students will also learn about the logic of the scientific method and the common errors of human cognition that impede critical thinking. Emphasis is placed on the application of critical thinking skills to writing effective arguments, analyzing the writings of others, and understanding contemporary controversies in psychology.

    Note: Students may take either PSYC 3  or Psychology 3H. Duplicate credit will not be awarded.
  

  • PSYC 5 - General Psychology

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A 
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course is a survey study of human behavior and mental processes with an emphasis on basic theory and research generated by the scientific method. Major topics include psychobiology, learning, human cognition, personality, lifespan development, psychological disorders, therapeutic approaches, and social psychology.
  

  • PSYC 5H - Honors General Psychology

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A  
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, is a survey study of human behavior and mental processes with an emphasis on basic theory and research generated by the scientific method. Major topics include psychobiology, learning, human cognition, personality, lifespan development, psychological disorders, therapeutic approaches, and social psychology. This course is enriched through extensive, rigorous reading, writing, and research assignments.

    Note: Students may take either PSYC 5  or Psychology 5H. Duplicate credit will not be awarded for PSYC 5  and Psychology 5H.
  

  • PSYC 7 - Physiological Psychology

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Prerequisite: PSYC 5  with a minimum grade of C
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course focuses on physiological factors in human development, behavior, and experience. Fundamental topics include consciousness, language, emotion, memory, and sensation/perception. Clinical topics include Sexual Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder, Autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and traumatic brain injury. Studies of both humans and other animals are evaluated and organized by scientific and clinical standards.
  

  • PSYC 8 - Social Psychology

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Prerequisite: PSYC 5  or PSYC 5H  with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite
    Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A 
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course focuses on the scientific study of the psychological processes and interpersonal interactions in and between groups. The emphasis is on individual behavior rather than on the group as a unit. Topics include social cognition social perception, attitudes prejudice and discrimination social and group influence aggression and prosocial behavior interpersonal attraction and intimate relationships and gender and culture.
  

  • PSYC 9A - Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences

    4 units
    3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
    Prerequisite: PSYC 5  or PSYC 5H  or SOCI 101  and MATH 73  or MATH 80  with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC*

    Students are taught standard descriptive and inferential statistics for summarizing sample data and estimating population parameters. All aspects of significance testing are emphasized: hypotheses, models, calculations, interpretations, and criticisms. Students are also taught to review scientific articles critically and to write APA-style manuscripts.

    Note: Psychology 9A is the same course as SOCI 109A .

    The maximum UC credit allowed for students completing Psychology 9A and Sociology 109 or Psychology 9A and MATH 150  is one course.
  

  • PSYC 9B - Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences

    4 units
    3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
    Prerequisite: MATH 150  or MATH 150H  or PSYC 9A  or SOCI 109A   with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course is centered on the philosophy of science in general and the scientific method in particular. Students develop individual research studies with these elements: literature review, hypothesis, design and method, data collection and analysis, and discussion, oral presentation, and manuscript preparation (APA Publication Style).

    Note: Psychology 9B is the same course as SOCI 109B .

    This course is only offered in the spring semester.
  

  • PSYC 10 - African American Psychology

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A 
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course is an introduction to the psychological issues related to the African American experience in the United States. The relationship between the African American experience and social perception, social cognition, and identity and attitude formation is emphasized. Individual cognitive styles, personality development, and family structures of African Americans will also be examined.
  

  • PSYC 12 - Human Sexuality

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Prerequisite: PSYC 5  with a minimum grade of C
    Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A 
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course is the scientific study of human sexuality. Emphasis is placed on analysis of sexuality from a psychological theoretical framework. Topics include the history of sex, the scientific research methods used to study sex, and the psychobiology of sex. This course also examines cultural views of sex and gender, sexual behavior and relationships, and sex as a social and medical issue.
  

  • PSYC 15 - Abnormal Psychology

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Prerequisite: PSYC 5  with a minimum grade of C
    Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A  
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course focuses on the scientific study of both normal and abnormal experience and behavior. Emphasis is placed on the characterization, treatment, and prevention of psychological disorders ranging from mild to severe forms.
  

  • PSYC 16 - Lifespan Development

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Prerequisite: PSYC 5  with a minimum grade of C
    Recommended Preparation: ENGL 1  or eligibility for ENGL 1A  or qualification by appropriate assessment
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course examines physical, cognitive and psychosocial development throughout the human lifespan from conception to death. Special emphasis is placed on culture, family relationships, and the interplay of genes and environment. Attention is also devoted to the practical application of research findings to ongoing developmental problems issues.
  

  • PSYC 17 - Cultural Psychology

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Prerequisite: PSYC 5  with a minimum grade of C
    Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A 
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course will examine psychological principles, theory, and research through exploration of cultural differences and similarities, both within and across cultures. Topics may include the interplay between culture and developmental processes, cognition, emotion, communication, gender, personality development, psychopathology, and social behavior.
  

  • PSYC 19 - Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Recommended Preparation: PSYC 5  and Eligibility for ENGL 1A 
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course is an introduction to psychological, social, and cultural aspects of sexual orientation and gender identity, with an emphasis on examining sexual orientation and gender identity from a psychological perspective. Topics will include historical perspectives on sexual orientation and gender identity and basic research methods used to study gender and sexuality applied topics such as identity, relationships, mental and physical health, sexuality, prejudice and discrimination, and the role of LGBTQ allies in effecting change will also be included.
  

  • PSYC 25 - The Psychology of Gender

    3 units
    3 hours lecture
    Recommended Preparation: PSYC 5   and eligibility for ENGL 1A 
    Credit, degree applicable
    Transfer CSU, UC

    This course is an overview of psychological perspectives and research on gender. Topics will include theoretical perspectives on gender, psychological research methods used to study gender, sex-related differences and comparisons, and the influence of gender in areas such as relationships, communication, health, and work.