Psychology Courses
PS1013 Introduction to Psychology I
Credit hours: 3
This introductory course acquaints students with the fundamental elements needed to understand ways of explaining human behaviour. It includes the study of topics such as theories of human development, perception, motivation, learning, and personality.
PS1023 Introduction to Psychology II
Credit hours: 3
This course is a continuation of PS1013.
PS2033 Theories of Personality
Credit hours: 3
This course provides an examination and evaluation of the early outstanding theories of personality within the field of Psychology.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023.
PS2213 Early Childhood Development
Credit hours: 3
This course will apply developmental psychological findings to early childhood education and care, early experience and heredity, and learning and perception, to understand how such factors affect the cognitive and social development of the young child. Case studies pertaining to early infantile autism and child abuse will be examined in detail.
Crosslisting: ED3443 Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS2223 Adolescent Development
Credit hours: 3
This course is a survey of the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social dimensions of adolescents as they mature and adjust during years of transition and change, with special consideration of the work of noted psychologists specializing in the study of the adolescent years.
Crosslisting: ED3453 Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS2233 Adult Development
Credit hours: 3
This course provides an overview of biopsychosocial theories of aging. Normative changes and individual differences that occur from early adulthood to late adulthood will be discussed. The concept of successful aging will also be considered.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3053 Principles of Learning and Behaviour Modification
Credit hours: 3
This course will explore principles of conditioning and behaviour modification as well as the experimental studies associated with them. Practical application of these principles in specialized settings (e.g. clinical and educational) will be addressed.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3063 Psychological Perspectives on Education
Credit hours: 3
This course explores the nature and purpose of education from a psychological perspective and helps students learn to distinguish between and evaluate common educational approaches. Also discussed are contemporary topics (e.g. increasing use of testing).
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3073 Cultural Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This course examines cultural variations in social psychological functioning. We will examine how individuals apply cultural knowledge, how cultures interact and reproduce, and how individuals negotiate cultural identities in multicultural contexts.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023.
PS3103 Social Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This course investigates how individual characteristics associated with feelings, thoughts, and actions are influenced by the social setting. The content of this course includes topics such as aggression, prejudice, attraction, persuasion, and conformity.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3203 Sport Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This course examines some of the ways that Psychology has been applied to the world of sports. Areas examined will be methods of training and coaching, teamwork and leadership, motivation and stress, and social issues in sport. Current theoretical perspectives of personality factors in sports and the psychological effects of sports will be investigated.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3213 Language Development
Credit hours: 3
This course examines the sequence of language development spanning the entire life span. Emphasis will be placed on major theoretical approaches to language development and on related areas such as cognition and literacy.
Crosslisting: ED3343 Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3243 Developmental Disabilities
Credit hours: 3
After examining normal cognitive and social development of the child, this course will survey present research pertaining to various developmental disabilities in children, youth, and adults. Case studies in selected areas will be utilized.
Crosslisting: ED3243
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023, PS2213
PS3253 Modern Life and Personal Identity
Credit hours: 3
This course attempts to discover how personal family history and modern Canadian culture shape an understanding of personal identity. This course will familiarize students with larger social trends in the last century in the West and will help them to discover how these trends have influenced family history and them personally.
Crosslisting: SO3213 Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3313 Cognition
Credit hours: 3
This course examines principles, theories, and research as they relate to learning, cognition, and affective processes. Models of cognitive functioning and the interaction of memory, cognition, and affect are explored. Emphasis on the specific content may vary from year to year.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3323 Sensation and Perception
Credit hours: 3
This course provides an introduction to the study of sensation and perception. The course will include an examination of the process by which humans receive, select, analyze, and process sensory information and how this information is perceived. Students will participate in class demonstrations of perceptual phenomena and will develop their individual research skills. (A lab component is included with this course.)
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023; Corequisite: PS3603.
PS3333 Introduction to Neuropsychology
Credit hours: 3
This course will examine what has been revealed about brain function through the use of specialized tests and measures. Particular emphasis will be placed on studies that provide insight into behaviourally observable phenomena and corresponding brain functions.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3343 Motivation
Credit hours: 3
This course will increase students’ understanding of motivation including where it comes from, how one person can help motivate another, how to enhance the quality of motivation, and how and why motivation changes over time.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3413 Behaviour Modification
Credit hours: 3
This course will survey a comprehensive overview of the concepts and rules of behaviour modification and their relevance for today’s application in everyday life. Major ethical and social issues will be examined and discussed. This course will provide students with rudimentary skills that they can put into practice in their own lives. Students will also acquire an understanding of how behaviours are developed in themselves and in others.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3463 Psychology of Attachment
Credit hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of attachment across the lifespan. Attachment theory offers a framework for describing and understanding close emotional bonds in relationships. Attachment issues to be investigated include normative processes, individual differences, measurement, and psychopathology.
Crosslisting: ED3463 Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3513, 3523 Directed Studies in Psychology
Credit hours: 3
These courses are available for approved students in situations where their interests and professors’ expertise allow for a more in-depth tutorial approach. Students must be highly capable and must have completed upper level prerequisite courses in the area of the directed study.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Registrar
PS3603 Research Methods in Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This is an introductory methods and procedures course designed to acquaint students with the quantitative and qualitative strategies and approaches used in doing psychological research.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3613 Memory
Credit hours: 3
This course examines the literature and research on the physical basis, development, functions, and disabilities of human memory. The emphasis will be on the contemporary understanding of memory.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3623 Forensic Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This course is a survey of psychology’s contributions and interventions to the civil and criminal justice systems, the correctional and parole services, and public safety.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3633 Theories of Learning
Credit hours: 3
This course will provide an overview of the ideas and research related to animal and human learning. Background on various issues that have shaped the understanding of this field over the years will also be included, as will more recent studies that address the intricacies of how learning occurs.
Crosslisting: ED3633 Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3643 Gender Studies
Credit hours: 3
This course examines gender and gender relations in Canada through a broad range of gender-related topics. The student is introduced to the idea of gender as a social construction and as it thus affects behaviour, beliefs, attitudes, and interpersonal relations.
Crosslisting: SO3643 Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3703 Psychopathology
Credit hours: 3
This course is an examination of theoretical and clinical explanations and treatment of disordered behaviour. Topics studied include disorders of anxiety, mood, personality, and developmental problems.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3723 Psychological Tests and Measurement
Credit hours: 3
This course will include a survey of psychological tests used in both individual assessment and research areas. Principles of test construction and evaluation will be central concepts in the study of selected tests.
Crosslisting: ED3723
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023. Recommended: PS3603 and MT1233.
PS3773 Communication Disorders
Credit hours: 3
This course surveys the field of human communication disorders. It will commence with a brief examination of the basics of the field, including the professions concerned with human communication disorders, definitions of the oral-verbal aspects of communication, and the anatomy and physiology of the human speech mechanism. This will be followed by an introduction to various speech and language disorders. Finally, the course will specifically look at communication differences and disorders of special populations.
Crosslisting: CO3773, ED3773
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023. Recommended: PS3213.
PS3803 Health Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This course focuses on the scientific and professional contributions of Psychology to the promotion and maintenance of health. Practical emphasis is placed upon the psychological care of people in institutional hospital care.
Crosslisting: KN3803 Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3813 Theories of Counselling Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This course presents the concept of counselling as a process and introduces students to the various views, theories, models, and techniques that have been used to enhance this process.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3823 Environmental Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This course will update students about transactions between individuals and their physical settings. In these transactions, individuals change the environment, and, in turn, the environment changes their behaviour and experiences. Environmental Psychology includes theory, research, and practice aimed at making buildings more humane and improving our relationships with the natural environment. Some issues that students will be informed about are environmental perception and cognition, environmental attitudes, personality and environment, personal space, territoriality, and crowding.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3853 Professional Practice and Ethics of Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This course introduces students to basic helping and clinical skills, the ethics of professional practice in Psychology, and various areas of specialization within the practice of Psychology.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023, PS3603
PS3863 Psychology of Religion and Spirituality
Credit hours: 3
This course acquaints students with the psychological processes related to religion and spirituality (R/S). Topics will include foundational and developmental aspects of R/S. Assessment and research methods in R/S will also be discussed.
Crosslisting: RS3863 Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS3913 History of Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This course provides an examination of the historical and philosophical foundations of modern Psychology. This course will trace the development of Psychology from its early philosophical roots to its present status as a behavioural science.
Crosslisting: HI3903
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023; Upper Level Standing Recommended.
PS3953 Organizational Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This course provides an examination of the branch of Psychology that applies the principles of Psychology to the workplace. It will look at what affects behaviour within organizations, and it will examine the impact of individuals, groups, and structure on how organizations perform. This course is concerned with issues of leadership, job satisfaction, employee motivation, organizational communication, conflict management, organizational change, and group processes within an organization.
Crosslisting: BU3733
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023 (Students cannot receive credit for both PS3953 and BU3733.)
PS4133 Crisis Counselling
Credit hours: 3
This course will equip students with an awareness of the complex nature of crisis and give the skills needed by professional helpers/counsellors, to provide competent care for those in crisis. The intervention model presented will suffice across many situations. The model of crisis intervention will be introduced, investigated, defined, practiced, and demonstrated. Various crisis scenarios will be studied.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023, plus six additional credit hours in Psychology
PS4203 Psychology of Prejudice
Credit hours: 3
This course concentrates on the scientific study about what causes, maintains, and lessens prejudice. Topics covered include origin and maintenance of stereotypes and prejudice, racism and sexism, values and prejudice, cognitive components of prejudice, individual differences in prejudice, intergroup relations, stigma and identity, and the process of combating prejudice.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023, plus six additional credit hours in Psychology
PS4213 Feminist Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This unique course focuses on the psychology of women by integrating explanations from social, interpersonal, feminist, and behavioural perspectives. Its spotlight will be on the research that expands current psychological theory concerning the lives of women, including such topics as women’s personality development, psychological factors affecting women’s achievement and career choices, work and family experiences, and mental health status.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023, plus six additional credit hours in Psychology
PS4303 Criminology
Credit hours: 3
Criminological theory and criminal justice policy are examined as unique contexts for psychological practice and research.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023 plus six additional credit hours in Psychology
PS4513, 4523 Advanced Directed Studies in Psychology
Credit hours: 3
These courses are available for students when students’ interests and the professors’ expertise allow for a more in-depth tutorial approach. Students must be highly capable and must have completed upper level prerequisite courses in the area of the directed study.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Registrar
PS4613 Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
Credit hours: 3
An addition to the previous research course providing students with awareness and involvement in accepted forms of experimental design, quantitative strategies, and data analysis.
Prerequisites: PS3603 and MT1233
PS4653 Family Violence
Credit hours: 3
This seminar examines intimate partner violence, child abuse, and elder abuse through a sociological lens. Investigates the types and causes of, as well as solutions to, family violence with a special focus on its relationship to religious institutions.
Crosslisting: SO4653 Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023
PS4703 Death and Grieving
Credit hours: 3
This course examines the human response of grief when faced with the loss of a loved one. Issues regarding attachment theory, normal grief, complicated grief, as well as means for alleviating the pain associated with the loss are considered.
Crosslisting: SO4703
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023 plus six additional credit hours in Psychology. Recommended: PS2233.
PS4713 Behaviour Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Credit hours: 3
This course will involve a survey of emotional, behavioural, and social disorders in children and adolescents. Specific topics in this area of study will include the history of the field, diagnostic classifications, theoretical approaches, and a survey of therapeutic interventions and service- delivery models.
Crosslisting: ED4713
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023 plus six additional credit hours in Psychology are required; PS2213 or PS2223 and PS3703 are preferred.
PS4733 Gerontology
Credit hours: 3
This course examines older adulthood from the perspective of developmental psychology. It includes a survey of the scientific information on the psychosocial, physical, and cognitive status of individuals at this time in their development.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023 plus six additional credit hours in Psychology are required
PS4743 Drugs and Behaviour
Credit hours: 3
This course will enable students to understand the effects of drugs on behaviour and to compare the major characteristics of psychoactive drugs, their physiological, psychological, and societal effects to compare the patterns and causes of their use and abuse, and to compare the systems of drug education. The perspective taken will be to provide accurate unbiased information about the use and effects of drugs on individuals and society.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023, plus six additional credit hours in Psychology
PS4753 Human Sexuality
Credit hours: 3
This course will focus on the scientific and professional contributions of the understanding of human sexuality in psychological development and the maintenance of healthy, intimate relationships. Professional emphasis will be placed upon the role of sex therapy in marriage counselling.
Prerequisites: PS1013, PS1023, plus six additional credit hours in Psychology
PS4843 Research Practicum in Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This course is designed to provide students with practical, directed research experience in psychology. Students will learn about and become involved in a variety of activities such as the collection of secondary and primary data, data entry, statistical analyses, poster/ presentation development, grant applications, and/or conference presentation applications. It is hoped that research conducted in this practicum would lead either to co-authorship on published articles and/or presentations at conferences. This course is useful for those students wishing to further their education. This course is also useful for those who wish to enter the work force directly as it provides practical experience for their resumes.
Corequisites: PS3603, PS4613, MT1203, MT1233.
PS4853 Applied Practicum in Psychology
Credit hours: 3
This class is a supervised practicum in a clinical, mental health, industrial, educational, or general health care setting involving a minimum of eight hours of work per week, plus a weekly class or individual meeting with the professor. Opportunities will be given to develop case presentation skills necessary for most multi-disciplinary team settings. Acceptance into this course is by the permission of the Registrar and is contingent on the availability of practicum placements.
Prerequisite: PS3813 or PS3853
PS4996 Thesis
Credit hours: 6
Certain exceptional students, upon request prior to the completion of their third year, may be granted permission to write a thesis as an element to their Honours degree requirements.
