Psychology Curriculum Overview
Professor Kevin Fleming (Chair); Associate Professor Matthew Thomas; Assistant Professors Mark Stefani, Helene Sisti; Lecturers John Dulmage, Pelin Kohn, Heather Porter
Mission:
Psychology is a scientific enterprise that attempts to articulate principles of human and animal behavior. These principles are formulated within the context of biological, socio-cultural, and environmental factors. Psychology is both a field of scientific inquiry and a professional activity: it shares its subject matter and its methods with the biological and social sciences, while simultaneously sharing some of the same concerns of the arts; namely, human motivation, emotion, aesthetic appreciation and experience, creativity, and the individual’s relations to the world and humankind. Students may explore the discipline from experimental, personality/social, developmental, and/or clinical perspectives. A research-based senior thesis is required, along with an oral presentation at a regional undergraduate research conference. Upper level practica, internships, or field placements that provide practical work experience in a special interest area are encouraged.
Goals:
- To expose students to the full range of ideas in the field of Psychology.
- To give students the opportunity to experience the process of being and acting like a professional in the field of Psychology.
- To prepare students for lifelong career development.
Outcomes:
- To demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the content of Psychology including its major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends.
- To perform research independently and competently in the process of literature review, experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis, as well as completion of the written and oral senior thesis.
- To communicate effectively in both written and oral formats at local and regional undergraduate research conferences.
- To prepare for successful graduate work and/or employment in professions requiring a Psychology background and/or in professions requiring critical thinking.
Graduate School Preparation:
The Psychology Major is an excellent preparation for most professional schools in:
- Law
- Medicine
- Education
- Business
- Psychology
Careers for this Major:
Careers at the BA level include:
- Army Mental Health Specialist
- Child Development Specialist
- Employee Relations Specialist
- Probation/Parole Officer
- Substance Abuse Counselor
Careers with advanced degrees include:
- Applied Statistician
- Clinical Social Worker
- Guidance Counselor
- Military Counselor
- Neuropsychologist
- School Psychologist
- Speech Pathologist
Psychology (B.A.) – Curriculum Map 2021-2022 Catalog
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| EN 110 Writing and Inquiry in Public Contexts | 3 | EN 111 Writing and Inquiry in Academic Contexts | 3 | ||
| General Education Math | 3 | MA 232 Elementary Statistics (General Education Math) | 3 | ||
| Modern Language * | 4 | Modern Language * | 4 | ||
| PY 211 Introduction to Psychology c | 3 | PY 220 Developmental Psychology c | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 13 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 13 | ||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| BA Intercultural Elective | 3 | BA Intercultural Elective | 3 | ||
| BI 101 Principles of Biology I (General Education Lab Science) | 4 | General Education Lab Science | 4 | ||
| PY 230 Biopsychology | 3 | PY 241 Introduction to Personality Theory | 3 | ||
| PY 240 Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 | PY 263 Perception | 3 | ||
| PY 313 Experimental Psychology I c | 3 | PY 314 Experimental Psychology II c | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| General Education Arts & Humanities | 3 | PY 344 Cognition | 4 | ||
| General Education Leadership | 1-3 | PY 398 Thesis Preparation c | 3 | ||
| General Education Literature | 3 | PY 402 Conference s | 0 | ||
| General Education Social Science | 3 | General Education History | 3 | ||
| PY 212 Abnormal Psychology or 324 Adolescent Psychology | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 16-18 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| PY 360 History and Systems of Psychology (General Education Ethics) c | 3 | PY 401 Senior Seminar (General Education Capstone) c | 3 | ||
| PY 498 Senior Thesis c | 3 | PY 403 Presentation s | 0 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | ||||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS FOR THIS MAJOR: 120-122 | |||||
| c | Grade of C or higher required |
| s | Grade of Satisfactory required |
| * | If BA Modern Language Requirement is completed with fewer than 4 credits, then additional credits must be taken to meet 120. |
Psychology (B.S.) – Curriculum Map 2021-2022 Catalog
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| EN 110 Writing and Inquiry in Public Contexts | 3 | EN 111 Writing and Inquiry in Academic Contexts | 3 | ||
| BI 101 Principles of Biology I (General Education Lab Science) | 4 | BI 102 Principles of Biology II (or General Education Lab Science) | 4 | ||
| MA 107 Precalculus Mathematics (or General Education Math) | 4 | MA 232 Elementary Statistics (General Education Math) | 3 | ||
| PY 211 Introduction to Psychology | 3 | General Education Leadership * | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | ||||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 14 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| PY 212 Abnormal Psychology or 324 Adolescent Psychology | 3 | PY 220 Developmental Psychology | 3 | ||
| PY 230 Biopsychology | 3 | PY 263 Perception | 3 | ||
| PY 313 Experimental Psychology I | 3 | PY 314 Experimental Psychology II | 3 | ||
| General Education Literature | 3 | General Education Social Science | 3 | ||
| General Education History | 3 | General Education Arts and Humanities | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| PY 240 Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 | PY 241 Introduction to Personality Theory | 3 | ||
| PY 344 Cognition | 4 | PY 360 History and Systems of Psychology (General Education Ethics) | 3 | ||
| PY 398 Thesis Preparation | 3 | PY 498 Senior Thesis | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| PY 401 Senior Seminar | 3 | PY 403 Presentation S | 0 | ||
| PY 402 Conference S | 0 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS FOR THIS MAJOR: 121 | |||||
| s | Grade of Satisfactory required |
| * | If General Education Leadership requirement is met with less than 3 credits, then additional credits must be taken to meet 120. |
Cross-Cultural Psychology Minor 2021-2022 Catalog
A Psychology major is ineligible to declare the minor.
| PY 211 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PY 236 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| PY 240 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 |
| PY 344 | Cognition | 4 |
| SO 214 | Racial and Cultural Minorities | 3 |
| SO 212 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| Choose ONE of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Personality Theory | 3 | |
| Perception | 3 | |
| Organizational Psychology | 3 | |
| Learning and Memory | 4 | |
| Total Cr. | 22-23 | |
Engineering Psychology Minor 2021-2022 Catalog
A Psychology major is ineligible to declare the minor.
| PY 211 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PY 232 | Engineering Psychology | 3 |
| PY 344 | Cognition | 4 |
| PY 350 | Environmental Psychology | 3 |
| Choose ONE of the following: | ||
| Biopsychology | 3 | |
| Perception | 3 | |
| Learning and Memory | 4 | |
| Choose ONE of the following: | ||
| Developmental Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Personality Theory | 3 | |
| Organizational Psychology | 3 | |
| Total Cr. | 19-20 | |
Forensic Psychology Minor 2021-2022 Catalog
A Psychology major is ineligible to declare the minor.
| PY 211 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PY 234 | Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| PY 355 | Psychology and the Law | 3 |
| Choose TWO of the following: | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 | |
| Developmental Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Personality Theory | 3 | |
| Choose TWO of the following: | ||
| Biopsychology | 3 | |
| Perception | 3 | |
| Cognition | 4 | |
| Learning and Memory | 4 | |
| Total Cr. | 21-23 | |
Political Psychology Minor 2021-2022 Catalog
A Psychology major is ineligible to declare the minor.
| PY 211 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PY 238 | Political Psychology | 3 |
| PY 240 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 |
| PY 344 | Cognition | 4 |
| PO 105 | American Politics | 3 |
| Choose ONE of the following: | ||
| Public Opinion and Political Behavior | 3 | |
| American Foreign Policy | 3 | |
| Choose ONE of the following: | ||
| Principles and Practices of Corporate Communications | 3 | |
| Introduction to Personality Theory | 3 | |
| Total Cr. | 22 | |
Psychology Minor 2021-2022 Catalog
A Psychology major is ineligible to declare the minor.
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| Experimental Psychology I | 3 | |
| Choose two of the following: | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 | |
| Biopsychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Personality Theory | 3 | |
| Perception | 3 | |
| Cognition | 4 | |
| Learning and Memory | 4 | |
| One PY course at the 200 level | 3 | |
| One PY course at the 300 or 400 level | 3 | |
| Total Cr. | 18-24 | |
Courses
PY 188 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.
PY 210 Psychology of Leadership 3 Cr.
This course is designed to introduce students to the theoretical aspects of leadership, and to help them understand how theory applies to real situations. Topics include leadership models, leader behavior, leadership skills, followership, teams and motivation. Students will be expected to analyze cases, current situations and their own leader style.
PY 211 Introduction to Psychology 3 Cr.
An introduction to psychology as the science of behavior. Topics to be discussed will include learning, motivation, emotions, perception, personality, tests and measurements, and additional selected topics.
PY 212 Abnormal Psychology 3 Cr.
A course on the origin and development of psychopathology with emphasis on the biological, social, and psychological determinants. Prerequisite: PY 211 or Permission of Instructor.
PY 220 Developmental Psychology 3 Cr.
A lifespan study of normal development with emphasis on physical, intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Prerequisite: PY 211 or Permission of Instructor.
PY 230 Biopsychology 3 Cr.
This course is a survey of the neurophysiological bases of human behavior. Topics include basic brain anatomy and physiology, neurotransmitters and drugs, sensation and perception, learning and memory, sleep, and neurological disorders.
PY 232 Engineering Psychology 3 Cr.
The objective of this course is to expose students to the theoretical foundations of research in human factors. Students will be introduced to basic concepts in psychology such as perception, attention, decision making, and motor control. Knowledge of these concepts is critical for the intelligent design of human-technological systems.
PY 234 Forensic Psychology 3 Cr.
A survey of psychological research and theory dealing with criminal behavior and the legal system. Topics include prediction of violent behavior, sexual assault, victimization, juvenile delinquency, scientific jury selection, criminal investigation and profiling, eyewitness testimony, assessment of mental competency, lie detection, DNA testing, and forensic science.
PY 236 Cross-Cultural Psychology 3 Cr.
This course will expose students to the influence of culture on human behavior, and will illustrate differences and commonalities in behavior, verbal and non-verbal, attitudes, and values across a range of cultures around the world. Issues concerning cultural contact and inter-cultural relations will be considered to enhance a student's ability to deal with and understand variations in human behavior across cultures and ethnic groups. Methodological issues of particular importance to cross-cultural research will be discussed.
PY 238 Political Psychology 3 Cr.
This course will examine key research in political psychology which includes the interactions of political and psychological processes and their impact on behavior in personal, local and global communities.
PY 240 Introduction to Social Psychology 3 Cr.
A general survey of theories, methods and research on individual behavior in a social context. Among topics to be considered are: aggression, interpersonal attraction, affiliation, person perception, attitudes, group processes, and social influence. Prerequisite: PY 211.
PY 241 Introduction to Personality Theory 3 Cr.
An overview of selected influential statements regarding the structure, dynamics, and development of the human personality. Included are the theories of the Freudians, Freud, Jung, Adler, the Environmentalists Dollard and Miller, Skinner, and the Existentialists and Humanists Rogers, Maslow, Frankl. Comparisons among theorists are organized around philosophical and historical themes. Prerequisite: PY 211.
PY 263 Perception 3 Cr.
Coverage of the major themes and research in perception. Topics include perception of color, form, motion, depth, illusions, perceptual learning, development, and the physiology of perception. Prerequisite: PY 211 or Permission of Instructor.
PY 288 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.
PY 313 Experimental Psychology I 3 Cr.
A course on the principles and skills required to plan, execute, and interpret psychological research. Topics include the nature of science, the value of empirical evidence, psychology viewed as a science, the logic of experiments, and the ethics of using human subjects. Students are taught to develop a testable idea, to write and read research reports, and to design, conduct, and analyze univariate and correlational studies. Prerequisite: PY 211 or Permission of Instructor.
PY 314 Experimental Psychology II 3 Cr.
This course will teach students how to design, conduct, and report psychological experiments. The purpose of the course is to link the academic subject matter of psychology to the conduct of research in the laboratory and the field. Topics include the nature of science, formulation of hypotheses, measurement and reliability, research methods, including experimental, correlational, and observational techniques, research design, and ethics of using human subjects. Issues of experimental control, its relation to confounding and research design, and internal and external validity will be included. The course will also focus on the teaching of library research and scientific writing skills. Students will design, implement, analyze, and report results of several research projects. Prerequisite: PY 313, or MA 232, or Permission of Instructor.
PY 321 Organizational Psychology 3 Cr.
An analysis of organizational behavior including motivation, climate, leadership, and the use of such techniques as behavior modification in changing human behavior. Theoretical consideration will be followed by application experiences through role playing and case analysis. Prerequisite: PY 211 or Permission of Instructor.
PY 324 Adolescent Psychology 3 Cr.
This course examines the physical, emotional, social, cognitive aspects of adolescence from a developmental perspective. Identity, autonomy, sexuality, achievement, and intimacy are examined within the context of the school, the peer group, and the family. Students will have the opportunity to work with adolescents in schools, recreational centers, counseling centers, or through youth service agencies. Required for secondary teacher licensure candidates. Prerequisite: PY 211.
PY 344 Cognition 4 Cr.
Overview of research and theory on human cognitive processes emphasizing the acquisition, storage, representation, retrieval and use of knowledge. Topics include memory, concept formation, language and thought, problem solving and creativity, and cognitive development. Lab will include hands-on experiments in cognitive research paradigms.
PY 350 Environmental Psychology 3 Cr.
A study of the relationship between people and the environment, the use of space as a means of regulating social interaction, and human responses to environmental stressors such as overcrowding, toxic agents, noise, air, and water pollution. Also a brief look at ecological psychology in which setting-specific rather than person-specific determinants of a person's reaction to the environment are analyzed. Prerequisites: PY 211.
PY 352 Learning and Memory 4 Cr.
This course provides an overview of historical and current research findings in the area of learning and memory. The subject will be approached from various theoretical approaches, including behaviorist, cognitive, and neurobiological paradigms. Labs will include hands-on experiments using research paradigms from the field of learning and memory.
PY 355 Psychology and the Law 3 Cr.
A course that examines the research of psychology as it relates to the judicial process; the nature, source, and development of antisocial behavior and forensic psychology relative to the development of law and policy at the national and international levels. Prerequisites: PY 211.
PY 360 History and Systems of Psychology 3 Cr.
An overview of significant movements, theories and individuals in the development of contemporary psychology. The course is organized around significant themes and includes discussion of the philosophy of scientific growth, structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, Gestalt psychology and psychoanalysis. Included will be examples, cases, and discussions of the APA ethics code that governs the performance of professionals in the field of psychology. This course satisfies the university’s General Education Ethics requirement. Prerequisite PY 211.
PY 388 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.
PY 398 Thesis Preparation 3 Cr.
The students will prepare a senior thesis prospectus in accordance with the ethical standards of the Human Subjects Committee. This course precedes PY 498. Prerequisites: PY 211, PY 313, PY 314.
PY 401 Senior Seminar 3 Cr.
This course is the capstone experience marking the end of a student's undergraduate studies. Students both majoring and minoring in psychology will be provided the experience of synthesizing their learning across their courses in the context of a liberal arts education. Prerequisites: PY 211, PY 313, PY 314.
PY 402 Conference 0 Cr.
Each Psychology major, must during his/her tenure at Norwich attend at least one professional Psychology meeting.
PY 403 Presentation 0 Cr.
Presentation to complete the process of psychological inquiry and communication. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Offered: Spring.
PY 451 Thematic Seminar 3 Cr.
A seminar course which deals with particular theories or areas of psychology not elsewhere covered in depth or within present course offerings. Prerequisite: PY 211 and Permission of Instructor.
PY 452 Thematic Seminar 3 Cr.
A seminar course which deals with particular theories or areas of psychology not elsewhere covered in depth or within present course offerings. Prerequisite: PY 211 and Permission of Instructor.
PY 453 Internship 3-9 Cr.
Assignments will include work and observation in local, state, and federal institutions or agencies concerned with the education, health, or the protection of society. Written and oral reports. Prerequisites: PY 211 Permission of Instructor.
PY 471 Directed Readings 3 Cr.
A course in which there is an opportunity to select and read in a specific area of interest that is not available through regular course offerings. Prerequisites: Three psychology courses and Permission of Instructor.
PY 488 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.
PY 498 Senior Thesis 3 Cr.
A research course designed to enable a student to experience all phases of the experiment from literature research, experimental design, data collection and analysis, and written and oral reports. The student will learn all of the procedures, considerations, and standards necessary to ensure the ethical treatment of human participants. Prerequisites: PY 211, PY 313, PY 314, PY 398.