Psychology (PSYC)

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. Students will be introduced to foundational principles and current trends in the field of psychology. Concepts that are explored include methods of psychological inquiry, the biological basis of behavior, sensation, perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory, cognition, motivation, emotion, stress and health, personality, developmental psychology, psychological disorders, psychotherapy, and social psychology. This course is designed for psychology majors, behavioral and social science majors, and other students who desire a broad overview of the field.

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 and PSYC 300 with grades of "C" or better
General Education: AA/AS Area II(b); CSU Area B4; IGETC Area 2
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
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: PSYC 300 with a grade of "C" or better
Corequisite: PSYC 330; Course may be taken concurrently or previously.
General Education: AA/AS Area II(b); CSU Area D9
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course introduces students to the basic principles and methods of conducting psychological research. The course is designed to expose students to the different experimental and non-experimental research methods used by psychologists to study human behavior and thought processes. In this course students will engage in each step of the research process including developing a hypothesis, conducting a literature review, designing a study, collecting data, analyzing data, and writing up and presenting the results.

PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior 3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area V(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 includes an investigation of specific mental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties as viewed from the biological, psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic and socio-cultural perspectives. Current approaches to psychological assessment and treatment modalities will be covered, including current community mental health practices.

PSYC 351 Human Behavior 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. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the subject matter of psychology while emphasizing the application of psychological thought and research to personal and social issues.

PSYC 354 The Psychology of Family Life and Intimate Relationships in a Diverse Society 3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area III(b); CSU Area E1
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
Overview of the elements involved in building, maintaining and surviving paired relationships, both traditional and newer partnerships and relationship styles. Includes choosing each other, types of commitment (love, romance, sex and security), dealing with conflict, parenting, crisis and family disorganization, such as starting over, and changes confronting the individual throughout life's stages. Not open to students who have received credit for FCS 322.

PSYC 356 Human Sexuality 3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area III(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area E1; IGETC Area 4I
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course offers a balanced scientific understanding of the biopsychosocial perspective on human sexual behavior from birth through adulthood. The course provides factual, up-to-date nonjudgmental information designed to dispel myths, facilitate problem identification and possible solutions. The course explores the impact of cultural influences on human sexual behaviors of different ethnic groups. A survey of the biological, psychological and social aspects of the diversity of human sexual behavior is compared and contrasted. Topics include sexual anatomy and physiology, conception and childbirth, contraception, sexual development, variations and deviations, sex research, sexually transmitted diseases, sex therapy, intimacy and relationships, and sexual victimization.

PSYC 358 Principles of Interpersonal Relations 3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area III(b); CSU Area E1
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
The study of principles involved in effective interpersonal relationships. Includes such topics as interpersonal feedback, self-disclosure, the role of emotions in relationships, the act of listening and the ability to challenge others toward growth and productivity. The focus is on concepts useful to the student in his/her face-to-face relationships at home, school, or work.

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
A course for men and women that highlights the psychological, biological and social influences on the behavior of women.

PSYC 368 Cross Cultural Psychology 3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: PSYC 300
General Education: AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area III(b); AA/AS Area VI; 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 370 Human Development: A Life Span 3 Units
Same As: FCS 324
Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: ENGWR 101 or 103
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 will provide an overview of the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development domains from conception through the end of life. Emphasis will be on examination of theoretical advances and empirical findings applicable to biosocial, psychosocial and cognitive human growth and development throughout the life span. Scientific findings from a range of disciplines will inform an integrated examination of theory and practice with long-term implications in mind. This course is designed to fulfill requirements for general education, Nursing degrees and the Psychology degree. This course is not open to students who have completed FCS 324.

PSYC 372 Child Development 3 Units
Same As: ECE 312
Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: ENGWR 101 or 103; or ESLL 310, ESLR 320, and ESLW 320.
General Education: AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area III(b); CSU Area D7; IGETC Area 4I
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course will examine the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of the child from the prenatal period through adolescence. Scientific findings and theoretical insights from a range of disciplines will inform an integrated examination of development during the childhood years. This course is designed to fulfill general education, Psychology degree, and Early Childhood Education requirements. This course is not open to those who have previously taken ECE 312 or FCS 312.

PSYC 495 Independent Studies in Psychology 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 18 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB

PSYC 499 Experimental Offering in Psychology .5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 18 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB

updated 08/09/10