Each section of PSY 493 covers a different topic. Students should read descriptions of all 400 level writing courses. Most of these courses do have prerequisites and are offered in varying semesters.
Spring 2025: 493 Descriptions
Sec 002: Neuroscience of Human and Animal Emotions
This is an advanced seminar-style course in Behavioral Neuroscience, with an emphasis on how the nervous system controls the recognition and expression of emotions such as fear, anxiety, happiness, love, and disgust. This course deals with a lot of the biology underlying the regulation of emotions, so if you don’t like biology or neuroscience very much, this may not be the course for you. Students should already have a background in physiological psychology and/or neurobiology (either PSY 209, IBIO 402 or 405, or NEU 301 or 302) and a good understanding of statistics and experimental design (PSY 295 or STT 201 or higher). This course also fulfills the University’s Tier II writing requirement so most assignments involve writing. In addition to obtaining a solid understanding of how the brain controls emotions, it is expected that students will leave the course with stronger writing abilities, confidence in their ability to express their thoughts about the course topics, and enhanced critical and scientific thinking skills.
Sec 003: Evolutionary Psychology
Evolutionary psychology describes the cross-disciplinary study of the nature and causes of human social behavior and cognition. This writing seminar in evolutionary psychology is concerned with the big questions regarding the human condition. As such we will discuss the evolution and psychology of topics such as family and friendship, sexuality and romance, aggression and warfare, cooperation and conflict, politics, religion, and moral judgment.
Sec 004: Final Conversation: Psycho, socio, cultural perspectives on death, dying and bereavement
Examines psychological theories, concepts, and research that pertain to the study of death and personal death awareness. Topics include cross-cultural and historical perspectives, medical ethics, grief/loss issues, funerals and body disposition, legal(wills, obituaries, estates, dpoa, mpoa) and social issues, death in modern society, suicide and beliefs about life after death.
Sec 005: Neuroscience of Psychopathologies
Sec 006: Intro to Feminist Research in Psychology: Theory, Methods and Practice
Sec 008: Evaluating Social Programs
In this course students learn how to use social science research methods to answer questions about how well social programs operate and how they can be improved. The course is designed to introduce students to the field of program evaluation and prepare them with foundational knowledge and skills needed to engage in evaluation activities at a bachelor’s degree level.
Fall 2024: 493 Descriptions
Sec 001: Health Disparities
This course focuses on theories, methods, and applications of health disparities research and practice. Using a multicultural perspective, we will examine the historical, ethical, and legal issues that influence health disparities and health equity. Analyses of primary literature will be integrated throughout the course to facilitate discussion and provide examples of methodologies in the field.
Sec 002: Multicultural Psychology
This course will introduce students to the psychological study of sexual orientation and gender diversity through theories of identity development and research on issues that impact lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals and communities. This course will include a historical perspective, examining how views of sexual orientation and gender diversity have evolved and changed over time. Students will develop a critical understanding of how psychology has approached the study of issues that impact LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as exposure to topics such as minority stress, mental health, coping, and resilience. A feminist analysis of sociopolitical contexts will be integrated into the course in order to understand the unique drivers of health disparities that exist for LGBTQ+ people.
Sec 003: Social Networks
This course will explore how our social networks shape every aspect of our lives, including how we make friends, form beliefs, and move around. We will also consider how we can collect and analyze data on social networks. This course will focus on social networks (who we interact with); we will talk about the role of social media platforms like tictoc or twitter/X, but social media will not be the primary focus.
Sec 004: Evolutionary Psychology
Evolutionary psychology describes the cross-disciplinary study of the nature and causes of human social behavior and cognition. This writing seminar in evolutionary psychology is concerned with the big questions regarding the human condition. As such we will discuss the evolution and psychology of topics such as family and friendship, sexuality and romance, aggression and warfare, cooperation and conflict, politics, religion, and moral judgment.
Sec 005: Neuroscience of Child Development
This course will examine brain and mind development during the first five years of a child’s life. It will focus primarily on prenatal influences on brain development, and postnatal brain development as it corresponds to sensory and mental function. Topics include: senses and perception; temporal, numerical and spatial processing; emotion; theory of mind; language; attention; motor programs; and developmental disabilities.
Sec 006: Neurobiology of Addiction
This course focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying drug addiction. We will discuss and evaluate 1) current theories of drug addiction, 2) animal models used to study specific aspects of addiction, 3) molecular and cellular neuroadaptations that occur with acute and chronic drug use. Emphasis will be placed on critical analysis and discussion of primary literature and current methodologies used in the addiction field.
Sec 007: Critical Psychology
Sec 008:Close Relationships across the Lifespan
This writing seminar will provide an advanced introduction to close relationships, particularly in the context of lifespan development. By the end of this course, you will be knowledgeable about relationship dynamics at each point of the lifespan. Topics covering both biological and sociocultural influences are designed to give you a more holistic view of close relationships. By studying the antecedents (and consequences) of close relationships, the hope is that the material will give you a deeper appreciation of those around you and lead you to develop more fulfilling relationships.
