Irene López

Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes. In this introductory course, we explore a variety of areas in which psychologists conduct research: the biological foundations of behavior, sensory and perceptual processes, cognition, learning and memory, developmental psychology, personality and social psychology, psychological disorders, and variability in behavior related to culture. This course is open only to first-year and sophomore students. This counts toward the foundations requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every semester.

This course provides students with an overview of the classification, causes, pathways and treatment of adult mental disorders, including anxiety, mood disorders and personality disorders. Included is discussion of critical issues and controversies in this field, such as the definition of abnormality, as well as an extended emphasis on cross-cultural issues in psychopathology. This counts toward the clinical issues and health requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 110 or AP score of 5. Generally offered every year.

There are close to 8 billion people in the world. And yet most of the theories we use to explain psychological functioning have been based on limited samples drawn from the West. In this course, we examine in greater detail the impact of culture on human behavior and review issues such as the role of culture in the concept of the self, the cultural influences on social behavior, the association of culture and cognition, and the measurement and experience of cross-cultural psychopathology. By integrating research from various social science disciplines (such as anthropology and sociology), students should gain a wider appreciation of the influence of culture on everyday experiences, while simultaneously understanding that culture is not a static or homogeneous entity. This counts toward the person and society requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 110 or AP score of 5. Generally offered every other year.

Latino psychology is a vibrant and emerging field geared toward understanding the experiences of the largest minority group in the United States, either U.S.-born or U.S.-residing Latinos. Unlike "Cross-Cultural Psychology," its focus is less on the intercultural group differences and more on intracultural differences and similarities across Latino subgroups. More specifically, this course focuses on understanding the core experiences of Latinos in the U.S. while also revealing the heterogeneity of this group. Students begin this course by reviewing the history of Latino psychology. Following this, topics to be explored include a review of demographic variables (such as immigration/migration, socioeconomic status, language, gender, race and sexuality), and interpersonal variables (such as psychological acculturation, ethnic identity, cultural values and perceived discrimination), and how these variables often operate in conjunction when trying to understand Latino mental health. A special focus of the class is on the assessment of Latino psychopathology, such as the Latino cultural idioms of distress "ataques de nervios," "nervios" and "susto." This counts toward the person and society requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 110 or AP score of 5. Generally offered every other year.

This course introduces students to the helping professions in psychology. Through readings, videos, discussion, role-plays, and presentations, students are exposed to the major therapeutic orientations as well as newer schools of interventions. Case studies from the instructor's experience as a therapist will be used throughout the course to further highlight the material. This course is best suited for students who are considering applying to graduate school in helping professions in psychology. This counts toward the clinical issues and health requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 221 and 250.

This is the first semester of the two-part sequence required for senior psychology majors. Each section has a different topic, but in every seminar, students read and discuss psychological literature, write and discuss critiques of research articles, review the literature and develop a research proposal on a topic related to the seminar's topic, and make a formal oral presentation to the class. This theoretical framework lays the groundwork for the execution of a project in the second half of the practicum. This counts toward the Senior Capstone requirement for the major. Senior standing and psychology major. Offered every fall.

This is the second semester of the two-part sequence required for senior psychology majors. This class features hands-on experience in creating and conducting research to allow students to learn by doing. We investigate the procedure of generating research from start to finish through the lens of theory learned in the first semester. This course strongly and equally emphasizes strengthening scientific writing skills, generating research designs and quantitative reasoning and application. Along the way we practice evaluating research designs and perfecting APA style. This course is designed to prepare students for a career in research in psychology. This counts toward the Senior Capstone requirement for the major. Prerequisite: PSYC 475. Senior standing, psychology major. Offered every spring