Psychology Course Descriptions
PSYC 300
General Principles
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area V (b); CSU Area D9; IGETC Area 4I
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is an introduction to the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include scientific method, the biological basis of behavior, sensation, perception, consciousness, conditioning and learning, memory, cognition, developmental psychology, motivation, emotion, stress and health, personality, abnormal psychology, psychotherapy, and social psychology. PSYC 300 is designed for psychology majors, behavioral science majors, and other students who desire a comprehensive overview of general principles of contemporary psychology.
PSYC 312
Biological Psychology
4 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B2; CSU Area B3; CSU Area D9; IGETC Area 5B
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This course examines the biochemical, cellular, and organismal physiological substrates of normal and abnormal behavior. The course content focuses on interactions of the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, endocrine and immune systems to produce consciousness, sensation, perception, thinking, motivation and emotion. These areas will be addressed within an evolutionary context that emphasizes developmental plasticity of the individual and the species. Current methods of obtaining data (e.g. neuroimaging techniques) will be examined and evaluated. Students will be required to perform anatomical identification of brain structures using a sheep's brain.
PSYC 320
Social Psychology
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area V (b); CSU Area D9; IGETC Area 4I
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course focuses on the scientific study of human interaction, with an emphasis on the individual within a social context. Study includes: social perception, social cognition, attitudes and attitude change, the self and social identity, prejudice, interpersonal attraction, close relationships, social influence, prosocial behavior, aggression, and group behavior.
PSYC 330
Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
3 Units
Prerequisite: MATH 120 or 125 with a grade of "C" or better; or the equivalent.
General Education: AA/AS Area II (b); CSU Area B4; IGETC Area 2
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course focuses upon the concepts and applications of descriptive and inferential statistics in psychology and other behavioral sciences. Topics include: descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; parametric and nonparametric statistical methods, hypothesis testing, statistical inference and power; correlation and regression; chi-square; t-tests; and analysis of variance procedures. Application of both hand computation and statistical software to data in a social science context will be emphasized to include the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings.
PSYC 335
Research Methods in Psychology
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area II (b); CSU Area D9; IGETC Area 4I
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course provides an overview of the methodologies used in experimental, quasi-experimental and non-experimental research in psychology. Students will learn how to design and conduct research, including formulating hypotheses, reviewing the literature, evaluating ethical issues, selecting methodologies, organizing data, applying statistics and writing reports.
PSYC 340
Abnormal Behavior
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area V (b); AA/AS Area III (b); CSU Area D9; CSU Area E1; IGETC Area 4I
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is an exploration of the broad questions of normality and abnormality. It offers the investigation of specific mental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties and current approaches to psychological intervention including present community mental health practice. This course considers the contribution of social, biological and psychological factors to the development and persistence of behavior disorders. PSYC 340 would be a useful course for students majoring in Human Services and/or preparing for a career in psychology or the helping professions.
PSYC 353
Psychology of Adjustment
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area V (b); AA/AS Area III (b); CSU Area D9; CSU Area E1; IGETC Area 4I
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
In this course, students will explore the core concepts in psychology and apply them to everyday life experiences. The focus of this course will be on self-development and self-awareness, and students will learn how to use psychological concepts to live more fully and productively. Students will also learn to analyze and think critically about psychological theories and research, and they will learn to use these concepts in an informed manner. Topics include stress and coping, substance abuse, psychological disorders and treatment, motivation and emotions, learning and behavioral change, attitudes and values, interpersonal relationships, and lifespan development.
PSYC 356
Human Sexuality
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area III (b); CSU Area E1; IGETC Area 4I
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course provides a balanced scientific understanding of human sexual thoughts, feelings, and behavior grounded in both female and male perspectives and experiences. Course topics include an examination of the methodology of sexology, gender issues, sexual anatomy and physiology, sexual arousal and response, love and communication, sexual behavior patterns, sexual orientations, contraception, conception and childbirth, sexual development across the lifespan, adult living patterns, sexual difficulties and solutions, sexually transmitted diseases, atypical sexual behavior, sexual coercion, and pornography and prostitution.
PSYC 360
Psychology of Women
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area III (b); CSU Area E1; IGETC Area 4I
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course focuses on understanding of the thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and behavior of girls and women, as well as the impact of sex and gender on women's lives. Course topics include an examination of relevant research methodologies; theoretical perspectives; gender stereotypes; historical and contemporary images of women; gender comparisons; prenatal, infant, childhood, adolescent, and adult development; gender identity; sexuality and sexual orientations; menstruation and menopause; pregnancy, birth and postpartum; motherhood and mothering; physical and mental health; relationships; adult living patterns; ability and achievement; paid and unpaid work; violence towards women; and the sexual exploitation of women. The critical evaluation of theory and research findings is emphasized.
PSYC 368
Cross Cultural Psychology
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area V (b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D3; CSU Area D9; IGETC Area 4I
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course explores the impact of cultural influences on the psychological and individual development of ethnic group members. Emphasis will be placed on integrating traditional theoretical approaches and current cross-cultural statistical research and theory in the study of African-Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, gays & lesbians, the elderly, and the disabled.
PSYC 372
Child Development
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area III (b); CSU Area D2; IGETC Area 4
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course surveys human physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development from conception through adolescence. Typical and atypical development is examined. Topics of interest include research methodologies, theoretical perspectives, genetic and environmental influences on development, the mechanisms of heredity, pregnancy and prenatal development, birth and the newborn baby, parent-child attachment, patterns of physical/physiological growth, patterns of cognitive development, patterns of psychosocial development, fine and gross motor development, health and safety, language development, identity formation, maltreatment, intellectual development, early childhood education, gender development, play, parenting and parenting styles, developing relationships with siblings and peers, obesity and medical problems, sports involvement, moral reasoning, memory, school experiences, children with special needs, family dynamics, friendship, aggression and bullying, stress and emotional disturbances, puberty, eating disorders, drug use and abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, wanted and unwanted pregnancy, depression and suicide, school dropout, sexual orientation, and antisocial behavior and delinquency.
PSYC 495
Independent Studies in Psychology
1-3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
An independent studies project involves an individual student or small group of students in study, research, or activities beyond the scope of regularly offered courses. See the current catalog section of "Special Studies" for full details of Independent Studies.
PSYC 499
Experimental Offering in Psychology
.5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB