First Year Seminar (FYS) 100: Irresistible–The Psychology of Addictive Technology
This topics seminar course focuses on developing the knowledge, experiences and skills helpful for success at UWL, including learning strategies, community involvement, and academic inquiry. In this specific section we explore why Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, didn’t allow his children to use iPads at home. Why do other technology executives do the same, but design and sell addictive devices to the rest of us? This course explores the psychology behind the technologies that we can’t seem to put down, from how Netflix created “binge watching” to how social media platforms get you to click just…one…more…time. We also explore the general concept of addiction, how it interacts with technology, and what we can all do to live a more balanced life with our devices (and the humans that sometimes don’t get our full attention).
NEU 490: Capstone Seminar in Neuroscience
A seminar-style course designed for students to review and discuss primary literature on current subjects of importance in neuroscience. Students are expected to participate and lead discussions of research literature, develop and write novel review articles, and actively participate in the assessment of the neuroscience interdisciplinary minor. This course should follow the completion of the other courses in the core curriculum of the neuroscience interdisciplinary minor.
PSY 100: General Psychology
A comprehensive introduction to contemporary basic principles and theories of behavior and related processes along with supporting scientific evidence and applications. Topics include sensory processes, perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, developmental change, measurement, social interaction and abnormal behavior.
PSY 204: Abnormal Psychology
This course introduces students to various clinical presentations of psychopathology that may occur throughout human development from a trauma-informed perspective. It provides an overview of specific psychological disorders as well as disorder-specific etiological considerations, associated clinical features, defining characteristics, and diagnostic criteria. The course also includes overviews of current treatments for the major disorders, and ethical considerations in mental health care.
PSY 315: Behavior Modification
This course examines the theory and techniques of systematic behavior management and behavior control. Applied social learning theory, reinforcement, shaping, modeling, cognitive and rational techniques, extinction, aversive procedures, and token economies are covered. Course includes the planning, execution, and evaluation of a personal behavior self-modification program, and several other opportunities to apply behavioral principles to everyday experiences.
PSY 319: Men & Masculinities
This course examines everyday life using the theories, methods, and findings from the psychology of men and masculinities. The psychology of men is analyzed from multiple perspectives including biological, social learning, feminist, and social constructionist theories. The course considers the role of patriarchy, biology, the media, and other factors that shape the lives of individuals and social groups. Specific topics include men’s mental and physical health, violence, work, and diversity.
PSY 334: Health Psychology
This course examines the role of psychological factors in health, wellness, and illness. The focus will be on the interdependence of physiological, social, and psychological factors in the experience and treatment of both acute and chronic illnesses. Medical disorders are also be considered from the perspectives of health research methodology, illness prevention, and traditional and nontraditional treatments. There is a strong focus on the scientific basis for mind/body health and evidence-based mind/body interventions (e.g., physical, psychological, spiritual, social, emotional, and intellectual). Ethical considerations, multicultural contexts, and public policy issues in treatment and research are also considered.
PSY 404: Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy
A comprehensive conceptual review of theories of psychotherapy and counseling with a focus on the processes of change. The theories examined include the psychodynamic, person-centered, gestalt, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, marriage and family therapy, and group therapy. Divergence and convergence among the theories is examined. This course focuses on the presentation of a transtheoretical analysis of these major theoretical views and methods used in psychotherapy. The course emphasizes the pragmatic and integrated qualities of major theories of psychotherapy and counseling.
PSY 440: Psychopharmacology
The course surveys the neurochemical, physiological, and behavioral effects of the major classes of psychoactive drugs, including therapeutic agents and drugs of use/abuse. Special emphasis will be on the drug’s site of action, therapeutic effects, side effects, and clinical uses for psychiatric diagnoses. Also included is discussion on psychedelic-assisted therapies and the link between the gut microbiome and health.
PSY 489: Honors Seminar in Psychology
Students develop introductions and methods for independent research projects. Designing sound proposals and grappling with research design issues are the main foci of the course. Projects are completed under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
PSY 495: Senior Seminar in Psychology – Chemicals of College: A Deep Dive into Alcohol, Caffeine, Cannabis, & Nicotine
Many of you grew up hearing about the “Just Say No to Drugs” campaign. We are going to take the “Just Say KNOW” twist on four psychoactive substances used by college students. How has caffeine become the most widely used/abused drug in the world? Now that marijuana is 10-40 times stronger than in the 1970s, how much can we trust the early research? Is nicotine becoming a popular way to self-medicate anxiety? Are there really any health benefits to alcohol? We’ll work together to have a fun—and honest—exploration into the self-reinforcing properties of these chemicals of college.
PSY 495: Senior Seminar in Psychology – Cult of Self: The Death of Self-Esteem, the Rebirth of Self-Control, and the Birth of Self-Compassion
How much is too much self-esteem? What happened to the children in Walter Mischel’s “The Marshmallow Test” when they grew up? How did a 2,500-year-old concept from Buddhism make its way into the treatment of physical and psychiatric disorders? In studying three major “self” movements in psychology, we’ll explore (1) how good intentions don’t always produce good outcomes, (2) why willpower sometimes comes in limited supply, and (3) what can happen when you combine ancient wisdom with modern psychological science. Special focus will be on how to apply these concepts to improve our wellbeing.
SPY 773: Advanced Counseling & Therapy Methods
This graduate course is designed to expand on previous therapeutic methods and skills through participating in additional helping relationships in a school setting. Special emphasis is placed on designing, facilitating, and evaluating group counseling experiences across developmental stages, and facilitating administrative meetings with parents, teachers, and other school support personnel. Students are expected to advance their clinical skills by exploring practical and ethical components of critical incidents in schools.