Undergraduate
PSY 4931 Selected Topics
Important: Some Selected Topics courses require the successful completion of Research Methods in Psychology, PSY 3213. Check the individual course information for details.
- Career Development in Psychology
- Controversies in Medical Research
- Occupational Health Psychology
- Social Psychology in Film
Career Development in Psychology (Fall 2024, CRN 86834 PSY 4931-001 or CRN 86835 PSY 4931-002)
Course Information
Instructor: Dr. Paul Atchley
This course gives students the skills to succeed in a dynamic career environment. The course is divided into three sections: Knowing Yourself, Knowing Your Options and Knowing How to Succeed. Mid and end-of-semester capstone assignments include an individual online coaching session with the instructor to review work and refine career planning. Grading will be based upon the successful completion of course assignments, quizzes, and coaching sessions.
Prerequisites
None
How to Enroll
A permit is not required for students who have completed PSY 3213. If you have not completed PSY 3213, complete the online Course Permit Request Form.
Controversies in Medical Research (Fall 2024, CRN 80337, PSY 4931-004)
Course Information
Instructor: Dr. David Diamond
This course focuses on poorly designed and biased health-related research which has led to misinformation on nutritional and medical treatment guidelines. Students will have the opportunity to explore how big business interests have corrupted health-related research. The following are examples of myths that are covered in the course: A vegetarian diet is healthier than a meat-based diet; High cholesterol levels cause heart disease; Cholesterol lowering drugs (statins) are beneficial for health; Red meat and a high fat diet increase the risk of heart disease and cancer; Fluoridated water is beneficial and safe; Annual mammogram screening prolongs life; The low carbohydrate diet is unhealthy; The flu vaccine has been shown to reduce flu incidence and duration. There are no exams. Grading will be based on the student’s oral presentations of book chapters and research papers and class participation.
Prerequisites
None
How to Enroll
A permit is not required for students who have completed PSY 3213. If you have not completed PSY 3213, complete the online Course Permit Request Form.
Occupational Health Psychology (Fall 2024, CRN 96333, PSY 4931-008)
Course Information
Instructor: Alyssa Lezcano
This course seeks to provide an overview on Occupational Health Psychology, which is the application of psychological principles to improve the health, safety, and well-being of employees. Traditionally, psychological research related to the workplace has focused largely on work-specific outcomes, such as performance, but more recently greater attention has been paid to how work relates to key outcomes involving employee well-being. The course will provide an introduction to various topics and theories within the field, including knowledge on how aspects of work relate to areas such as occupational stress, safety, physical and psychological strains, and work-nonwork outcomes.
Prerequisites
PSY 3213 minimum grade of C
How to Enroll
A permit is not required for students who have completed PSY 3213. If you have not completed PSY 3213, complete the online Course Permit Request Form.
Social Psychology in Film (Fall 2024, CRN 96129, PSY 4931-007)
Course Information
Instructor: Dr. Jamie Goldenberg
Director Spike Lee admitted,"A lot of times you get credit for stuff in your movie that you didn’t intend to be there." Whether the directors and writers intend it to be there, or not, film can provide a vivid, impactful, accessible platform for examining social psychology. This course combines social psychological theory and research with feature length films to explore social psychological determinants of important forms of human social behavior. Students will read social psychological research on topics such as the self and authenticity, self-determination, fear of death, existential isolation, objectification of women, masculinity, prejudice, ostracism, dehumanization, attachment, and the impact of artificial intelligence, and these readings will be the basis for film analysis and discussion. Students will leave this course with a greater appreciation of social psychology, its applicability, and a number of classic, contemporary, and foreign films.
Warning: Some of the films are R-rated and portray violence, sex, partial nudity, prejudice and racism, and death.
Prerequisites
None
How to Enroll
No advanced permission or course permit is required.