Psychology Major and Concentrations Course Descriptions

An introduction to psychology as the study of human behavior. Basic principles of psychology will be explored including the process of learning, memory, perception, sensation, motivation, and emotion. Personal and social aspects of human development will be emphasized. Three hours.

An introductory study of the principles and techniques of investigation and data collection in the social sciences. The course will deal with techniques of organizing, conducting, analyzing, and presenting such data. Three hours.

This course will examine the relationship between the fields of psychology and theology. A theory of integration will be presented, along with discussions concerning specific “psychological” topics (i.e. self-esteem, etc.) from a biblical vantage point. Three hours.

This course will provide an extensive overview of the principles and concepts of traditional and modern victimologists. This course will further examine victimology, analysis of victimization patterns and trends, and theoretical reasoning and responses to criminal victimization. In addition, this course explores the role of victimology in the criminal justice system, examining the consequences of victimization and the various remedies now available for victims. Three hours.

This course is designed to be the capstone for a psychology/counseling student at Grace College. As a capstone course, it will serve to provide a broader context about both the science and field of psychology. This course will also focus on what it means to be a psychologist, the current issues and conflicts of psychology, and future directions in the field. This seminar course will address the importance of evidence-based practice and practical applications to the field of psychology. Three hours.

(4730) A course designed to give behavioral science majors practical experience in a choice of various agencies offering psychological services. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Three hours.

(4930) This internship course in behavioral science is to provide the interns with a structured introduction to various aspects of professional work. Students are given the opportunity to observe and develop their own skills in a first-hand operational structure within a behavioral science agency. Students in the internship course will get direct supervision from an onsite supervisor in their specific field of interest. Three hours.

A study of mental and emotional disorders, their symptomatology, classification, and methods of treatment. Special attention is given to a Christian approach to mental health. Three hours.

A psychological study covering the life span from early childhood to the adult stage. This course stresses practical applications for working in family, educational, and counseling settings. Three hours.

Students will develop an appreciation of the interaction and relationship between biological, psychological and social factors that influence one’s physical health and health behaviors. This course will examine lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress, substance abuse and individual motivational factors. Additionally, this course will assess how psychological research, theories and principles apply to health promotion, health care issues and chronic illness. Three hours.

The measurement of human behavior with psychological instruments. An introduction to tests of intelligence, achievement, personality, and interest, emphasizing test construction, administration, and validation. Three hours.

This course is an introduction to the science of brain-behavior relationships. Topics will include the structure and functions of the nervous system, including mechanisms of sensory processing and motor control, sleep, sexual behavior, emotion, mental disorders, language, and learning and memory. In addition, the course covers psychotropic medications, disorders, and symptomatology associated with various neurochemical disorders, psychological disorders, and addictions. Three hours.

This course is designed to give the student a theoretical and practical understanding of addictive disorders. The topics covered in this class will include sexual, gambling and other addictive disorders. In addition, this course will examine the addictive process and relevant treatment issues in working with a variety of addictive disorders. Three hours.

A study of mental and emotional disorders, their symptomatology, classification, and methods of treatment. Special attention is given to a Christian approach to mental health. Three hours.

PSY 3260 Biblical Psychology is a pre-requisite. An overview of the research into the psychology of religion as it related to biological, social, moral, and personal behavior. Provides a theoretical framework for assessing religion, for exploring the development and role of personal faith through the lifespan, and for understanding the various aspects of religion such as conversion, transformation, mysticism, health, and psychotheology.

A study of the social behavior of the individual and the group. Particular attention is given to the development and dynamics of social groups, social perception, motivation, attitudes and values. Three hours.

An introduction to the major theories of personality and how it develops, including psychoanalysis, humanistic, existential, and behavioristic approaches. Three hours.

Students will develop an appreciation of the interaction and relationship between biological, psychological and social factors that influence one’s physical health and health behaviors. This course will examine lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress, substance abuse and individual motivational factors. Additionally, this course will assess how psychological research, theories and principles apply to health promotion, health care issues and chronic illness. Three hours.

This course is a study of the process of motivation and emotion and how they impact behavior and choices that people make every day. This course will study the research on the psychological and physiological aspects of motivation and emotion and the impact that those aspects have on behavior. The course will provide the student with a framework to view motivation and emotion that can help process difficult questions about human behavior such as “why are some people more emotional than others?”, and “is it possible to create environments that increase the motivation of another human?”. Three hours.

This course is an introduction to the science of brain-behavior relationships. Topics will include the structure and functions of the nervous system, including mechanisms of sensory processing and motor control, sleep, sexual behavior, emotion, mental disorders, language, and learning and memory. In addition, the course covers psychotropic medications, disorders, and symptomatology associated with various neurochemical disorders, psychological disorders, and addictions. Three hours.

The measurement of human behavior with psychological instruments. An introduction to tests of intelligence, achievement, personality, and interest, emphasizing test construction, administration, and validation. Three hours.

This course will examine the family from a systems approach for the purpose of understanding how the family operates and how dysfunction occurs. Knowledge gained from this course will be useful in understanding and analyzing what often occurs in other systems (workplaces, churches, schools, etc.). Family counseling will also be an aspect of this class. Three hours.

A psychological study covering the life span from early childhood to the adult stage. This course stresses practical applications for working in family, educational, and counseling settings. Three hours.

This course will focus on the human experience of grief and loss that occur across the lifespan. Current theories and research will be examined, as well as the evidence-based practices of grief therapy. Three hours.

This course provides an overview of principles of therapeutic play and play therapy including history, theories, techniques, applications, and skills. The content focuses on basic therapeutic skill development within the context of ethical and cultural diversity sensitive practice. Attention is given to understanding the role of therapeutic play and play therapy in the context of the participant’s clinical responsibilities in multiple settings including: schools, counseling clinics, and/or medical facilities. Participants learn strategies for engaging children in art, music, and other alternative therapeutic strategies to assist children and teens in improving their coping skills and ability to respond to stress in a healthy manner. Three hours.

This course fulfills all of the Associate of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) requirements for the Child Life course. A course exploring the hospitalized child and family. Psychosocial and developmental needs of infants, children, adolescents and families in health care context, with a focus on the role and interventions of the child life specialist. Applies theories of child development and family systems to effective child life practice in hospitals. Three hours.

This course studies the relationship between identity development and primary culture(s). A variety of ethnic, social, religious, and cultural group norms are considered along with an examination of the extent of influence these may have on the individual. The environmental factors that impact people such as global markets, Internet collaborations, and multicultural neighborhoods are examined. Three hours.

A study of the social behavior of the individual and the group. Particular attention is given to the development and dynamics of social groups, social perception, motivation, attitudes and values. Three hours.

This course is designed to help students both learn and then apply practical as well as theoretical information as it relates to the psychology of sport. The class will work to provide an understanding of how personality, self-concept, self-esteem, self-efficacy and other psychological characteristics relate to participation and performance in sport and physical activities. The class will also investigate the impact of stress, motivation, goal-setting, leadership and imagery on performance. The student will also learn common struggles and intervention strategies in working with athletes and recreational exercisers to enhance performance and participation. Three hours.

This course develops a theoretical base for evaluating human problems within a biblical framework. Once this has been accomplished, practical techniques will be discussed to help counselors structure the counseling session and implement change. Three hours.

Students will develop an appreciation of the interaction and relationship between biological, psychological and social factors that influence one’s physical health and health behaviors. This course will examine lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress, substance abuse and individual motivational factors. Additionally, this course will assess how psychological research, theories and principles apply to health promotion, health care issues and chronic illness. Three hours.

This course is a study of the process of motivation and emotion and how they impact behavior and choices that people make every day. This course will study the research on the psychological and physiological aspects of motivation and emotion and the impact that those aspects have on behavior. The course will provide the student with a framework to view motivation and emotion that can help process difficult questions about human behavior such as “why are some people more emotional than others?”, and “is it possible to create environments that increase the motivation of another human?”. Three hours.

This course is specifically designed for students interested in Psychology and the Professional Communication major offered through the communication department. This course will focus on the application of social psychology to organizational settings. Topics covered will include motivation of workers; group decision-making; leadership styles; career management, and organizational development. Class format will consist of experiential exercises combined with lecture, discussion, and team activities. Three hours.

This course studies the relationship between identity development and primary culture(s). A variety of ethnic, social, religious, and cultural group norms are considered along with an examination of the extent of influence these may have on the individual. The environmental factors that impact people such as global markets, Internet collaborations, and multicultural neighborhoods are examined. Three hours.

Students will develop an appreciation of the interaction and relationship between biological, psychological and social factors that influence one’s physical health and health behaviors. This course will examine lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress, substance abuse and individual motivational factors. Additionally, this course will assess how psychological research, theories and principles apply to health promotion, health care issues and chronic illness. Three hours.

This course is a study of the process of motivation and emotion and how they impact behavior and choices that people make every day. This course will study the research on the psychological and physiological aspects of motivation and emotion and the impact that those aspects have on behavior. The course will provide the student with a framework to view motivation and emotion that can help process difficult questions about human behavior such as “why are some people more emotional than others?”, and “is it possible to create environments that increase the motivation of another human?”. Three hours.

This course is designed to give the student a theoretical and practical understanding of addictive disorders. The topics covered in this class will include sexual, gambling and other addictive disorders. In addition, this course will examine the addictive process and relevant treatment issues in working with a variety of addictive disorders. Three hours.

The measurement of human behavior with psychological instruments. An introduction to tests of intelligence, achievement, personality, and interest, emphasizing test construction, administration, and validation. Three hours.