Fall 2008 Registration Information

See http://psyc.jmu.edu/ug/overridesexceptions.html for information about overrides and exceptions for Fall 2008 classes. Most Psychology courses are reserved for Psychology Majors only, and Psychology-Preparation students cannot register for these courses. For information about declaring the Psychology Major see http://psyc.jmu.edu/ug/declaring.html.

New course and additional seats in others added April 10. Because of the high demand for “Area” courses, an additional section of Psyc 330 (Personality) and additional seats in several other Area classes have been added. See e-campus for times and locations. If your registration window has closed or you want to take these courses concurrently with Psyc 211, submit an online override request to be considered for these courses.

Special Topics Classes & Course Notes

Psyc 200, Section 201 Preparing for Graduate School in Psychology. (First Block, 1 credit). This course will guide students through the graduate school application process. Graduate professors from various fields of psychology will discuss the different career opportunities available in various fields of psychology. Topics will include the importance of participating in research and field work experiences, preparing for and taking the GREs, and applying to graduate schools (including letters of recommendation, interviews, and writing curriculum vitae and personal statements. By the end of the 8-week course, students will have the majority of their applications completed. Offered by Dr. Bill Evans (evanswf@jmu.edu; 568-6373; Miller 1173).

Psyc 200, Section 101. Preparing for a Job in Psychology. (Second Block, 1 credit) . This course will guide students through the job application process for careers in psychology and related fields . Students will discuss what jobs will be available to them upon graduation with an undergraduate degree in psychology . Topics will include resume-building, how to write a cover letter, interview skills, and information on how to budget finances after college . By the end of this 8-week course, students will have completed several job applications . Offered by Dr . Bill Evans (evanswf@jmu.edu; 568-6373; Miller 1173).

Psyc 200, Section 1. Orientation to Psychology. This course is open to students enrolled in the Psychology Learning Community only.

Psyc 200, Section 2. Companion Animal Behavior. This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of animal behavior through a detailed look at the behavior of the two most popular companion animals, cats and dogs. We will examine social behavior, communication patterns, evolutionary history, and learning/cognition in these two species. We will also examine the relationships between humans and these species through a variety of topics, including behavior problems of dogs and cats. This course is being offered by Dr. Suzanne Baker (568-7832; Miller 1125; bakersc@jmu.edu).

Psyc 200, Section 3. Sports Psychology. Sport psychology is the application of the psychological, behavioral, social, humanistic perspective in psychology to sport. The course includes topics such as optimal performance, motivation, self-actualization, psych-behavioral techniques, self-efficacy, and the general health benefits of sport participation. Prerequisites: Gpsyc 101 or 160. This course is being offered by Dr. Wendy Borlabi (568-6552; borlabwn@jmu.edu ).

Psyc 400, Section 1. Single Case Experimentation. The course will critically evaluate the use of single-case experimental research designs and associated methods of measurement and data analysis in basic and applied research. Major topics include (a) the historical development and conceptual underpinnings of single-case methodology, (b) comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of single-case experimental research designs with those of traditional group designs and their associated methods of measurement and data analysis, (c) a review of specific single-case experimental designs used in psychology and related disciplines, (d) and the role of inferential statistics in the analysis of single-case experimental research. Reading assignments and class discussions will cover both theoretical and practical issues facing scientists in laboratory and field settings (including clinical settings) as well as specific designs and data analysis methods. Class meetings will be devoted to informal but scholarly discussion and student presentations; the interests and needs of the students will guide the exploration of course topics. Prerequisites: Behavior Analysis Concentration or permission of the instructor. This course is being offered by Dr. Sherry Serdikoff (568-7089; Miller G081; serdiksl@jmu.edu).

Psyc 250. Introduction to Abnormal Psychology. This course is not recommended for Psychology Majors or Psychology Preparation Students. Psychology students interested in this content should take Psyc 335, Abnormal Psychology. Credit can not be earned for Psyc 335 by students who have previously taken Psyc 250. Psyc 250 is a course designed for non-psychology students who need a brief exposure to this content for their non-psychology academic program.

The list of courses that can satisfy BS or BA degree requirements is available at http://www.jmu.edu/registrar/BA_and_BS_Degree_Courses.shtml.

For Research and Service Learning Opportunities (Psyc 290 and 402) see http://psyc.jmu.edu/ug/training.html .

Sociocultural Awareness Courses

Psychology Majors who started at JMU in August 2006 are required to complete at least one “Sociocultural Awareness” course as part of their academic program. The following courses being offered during the Fall 2008 semester fulfill this requirement:

Psyc 220. Psychology and Culture
Psyc 310. Psychology of Women and Gender
Psyc 320. Diversity Issues in Psychology
Psyc 460. Community Psychology in Developing Societies

Senior Seminars

The prerequisites for all capstone courses are two courses from Area A and two courses from Area B. Overrides are routinely given for these courses, if space is available, if a student is completing their final semester of coursework before graduation; submit an override request if you are in that situation. Please register for no more than ONE senior seminar during the first round of registration; submit override requests for additional seminars but don’t register for more than one until after everyone has had to take at least one seminar

Psyc 497, Section 1. Motivation in Education. This senior seminar is focused on motivational theory and research and how it can be applied to educational settings to improve students’ motivation, achievement, and well-being. First, you will be challenged to read and discuss contemporary critiques of our educational system, as well new policies thought to improve students' motivation and performance (e.g., No Child Left Behind and mandatory assessment testing at each grade level). Second, you will engage in in-depth reading and discussion of classic and contemporary motivational theory and research, and will be challenged to distinguish high quality research from poor research. Third, you will consider how well current theory and research is being applied to improve education, and what research is lacking to better inform our decisions about educational reform. Finally, you will propose your own independent research to critically evaluate current interventions or to research new initiatives to improve student motivation. This course is being offered by Dr. Kenn Barron (568-4065; Miller 1161; barronke@jmu.edu).

Psyc 497, Section 2. Environment, Health and Behavior. This course will examine the effects of toxins on the nervous system, inequities in exposure patterns that place particular populations at higher risk for harm, toxicant-induced illnesses that receive psychological diagnoses (e.g., endometriosis), attitudes toward environmental quality, and the emerging fields of ecopsychology and ecotherapy. This course is offered by Dr. Pam Gibson (568-6195; Clev-202; gibsonpr@jmu.edu ).

Psyc 497, Section 3. Addictive Behavior. This course will give students the opportunity to apply and integrate their experiences and knowledge in psychology to the study of the initiation, maintenance, prevention and treatment of addictive behaviors. The course will explore biological, learned, cognitive and socio-cultural factors that contribute to, maintain and impact the treatment of addictions. This course is being offered by Dr. Monica Reis-Bergan (568-4365; Miller 1145; reisbemj@jmu.edu).

Psyc 497, Section 4 . Brain Damage. The purpose of this course is to have Senior Psychology majors examine three major types of brain damage; structural, as found in traumatic brain injury (TBI); functional or pharmacological damage often caused by substance abuse and psychological alteration of brain substrate cause by extreme stress. For examples of these types of cases, the class will examine a full range of literature sources, including peer-reviewed scientific literature; popular magazines, case studies and personal accounts. Alcohol- induced brain damage will be used as an example of pharmacological alteration that results in brain damage and also psychological trauma as reported by refugees and/or survivors of genocide. Prerequisites: Psyc 385, Biopsychology. This course is being offered by Dr. Cheryl Talley (568-8199; Miller 1175; talleyce@jmu.edu).

Psyc 211 Prerequisite for Area Courses

If space is available, the following Psychology Area Class may permit selected students to complete Psyc 211 concurrently. (An override is necessary to apply. Please submit an online override request form available at http://psyc.jmu.edu/ug/overridesexceptions.html .):

Psyc 330. Personality
Psyc 335. Abnormal Psychology (Juniors and Seniors only)
Psyc 345. Social Psychology
Psyc 365. Developmental Psychology
Psyc 380. Cognitive Psychology
Psyc 385. Biopsychology
Psyc 395. Comparative Animal Behavior (Biology Majors and Human Science Minors only)

Also Of Interest

NEW COURSE! Workshop in Psychology: Studio Seminar in Visual Studies, Seminar in Aesthetics. A Multi-disciplinary class! An innovative team taught class on the psychology and philosophy of art and images will be taught in Fall 2008 by Dr Sheena Rogers and Dr Tom Adajian. The course will explore the ways in which people make meaning through the construction and perception of images. It is offered in collaboration with the Institute for Visual Studies and will be taught in the Institute's new laboratory studio space. PSYC 501 is open to all graduate students. Undergraduate students may enroll through PHIL 380 0002-LEC(84341) or in PSYC 402 with permission of Dr Rogers. Contact Dr. Rogers (rogerssj@jmu.edu) or Dr. Adajian (adajiatr@jmu.edu) with questions

Department of Psychology

Announcements