Psychology Courses
PSY 101 (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Introduction to Psychology (3+0) s
Principles of general psychology emphasizing natural science and social
science orientation. Cultural, environment, heredity, and psychological basis
for integrated behavior; visual, audition and the other senses; motivation and
emotion; basic processes in learning, problem solving, and thinking;
personality; psychological disorders - their prevention and treatment, and
therapeutic strategies. Also available via Independent Learning or via
television as a self-paced, computer-aided course; special telecourse fee:
$30.00.
PSY 230 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Psychology of Adjustment (3+0) s
Study of the psychology of adjustment, growth, and creativity, including
advances in personal psychology, understanding personality patterning, and an
exploration of techniques and methods for furthering creative potential.
(Prerequisite: PSY 101.)
PSY 240 (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3+0) s
The psychology of human development from conception to death. Critical
emphasis on theory and research within the field of developmental psychology
with attention paid to similarities and differences in development across
cultures. Topics include the psychological ramifications of physical
development along with cognitive, personality, and social development across
the lifespan. Also available via Independent Learning. (Prerequisite: PSY 101.)
PSY 250 (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Introductory Statistics for Behavioral Sciences (3+0)
(Same as SOC 250)
Purposes and procedures of statistics: calculating methods for the
description of groups (data reduction) and for simple inferences about groups
and differences between group means. (Prerequisite: MATH 107 or equivalent.)
PSY 255 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Foundations of Counseling (3+0)
(Same as HMSV 255)
Survey of counseling philosophy, approaches, and types of counseling systems
in use. Topics include approach and system match; psychoanalysis, behavior
therapy, and humanistic approaches; counseling ethics and ethical problems.
(Prerequisites: PSY 101 and 240 or permission of instructor.)
PSY 304 (3 Credits) Fall
Personality (3+0) s
Psychological and social/cultural determinants of personality formation
including appropriate theories in both areas. (Prerequisite: PSY 101.)
PSY 310 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Cross-Cultural Psychology (3+0) s
Major theories and research related to understanding the impact of culture
on psychological development, cognition, social behavior, perception, and models
for the conceptualization of distress and disease. Models for research and
inquiry across culture will be discussed in the context of examining the
cross-cultural research on selected topics. (Prerequisite: PSY 101 and PSY 240.
Next offered: 1996-97.)
PSY 320 (3 Credits) Spring
History and Systems of Psychology (3+0) s
The history of present psychology from associationism to humanism with
attention to both the philosophical and physiological foundations of psychology,
the most important theorists and movements, and paradigmatic shifts in the
evolution of contemporary psychological systems. (Prerequisite: PSY 101.)
PSY 330 (3 Credits) Spring
Social Psychology (3+0) s
(Same as SOC 330)
Analysis of intergroup relationships in terms of process and value
orientation, their influences on the personality, and aspects of collective
behavior on group and person. Aspects of social interaction that have cultural
and intercultural variation. (Prerequisite: PSY 101 or SOC 101.)
PSY 337W (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Exercise and Sport Psychology (3+0)
(Same as PE 337)
Theoretical and practical applications of psychological issues related to
participation in physical activities, including exercise adherence, performance
enhancement, group dynamics, leadership and coaching behaviors, arousal/anxiety,
intervention strategies and lifespan participation. (Prerequisites: PSY 101, PE
316 or 317 or permission or instructor. Next offered: 1996-97.)
PSY 345 (3 Credits)Fall
Abnormal Psychology (3+0) s
A study of abnormal behavior, its causes, treatment, and social impact. The
major classifications of disorders are presented. (Prerequisite: PSY 101.)
PSY 350 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Comparative Psychology (3+0) n
An integrated multidisciplinary behavioral approach emphasizing basic
premises, causal factors, functional consequences and interrelationships.
Synthesis of animal behavior and ethology in development and maintenance of
behavioral patterns in individual organisms and social groups. (Prerequisites:
PSY 101, BIOL 105, 106 and/or permission of instructor. Next offered: 1996-97.)
PSY 360O (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Psychology of Women Across Cultures (3+0) s
(Same as WMS 360)
Major theories, research and empirical data which describes the psychology
of women as a discrete field, philosophical values of feminism and history of
women's roles in society. The impact of culture on women interpersonally and
intrapsychically examined across cultures. (Prerequisite: PSY 101 or permission
of instructor. Next offered: 1997-98.)
PSY 370 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Drugs and Drug Dependence (3+0) s
(Same as SOC 370)
A multidisciplinary approach emphasizing acute and chronic alcoholism,
commonly abused drugs, law enforcement and legal aspects of drug abuse, medical
uses of drugs, physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of drug
abuse, recommended drug education alternatives and plans, and treatment and
rehabilitation of acute and chronic drug users. Also available via Independent
Learning. (Prerequisite: PSY 101 or SOC 101 or permission of instructor. Next
offered: 1996-97.)
PSY 380 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Human Behavior in the Arctic (3+0) s
Living systems in Alaska and behavioral characteristics that have to do with
stress and isolation. Material includes structural design as related to
behavioral research. (Prerequisite: PSY 101. Next offered: 1997-98.)
PSY 440 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Learning (3+0) s
Theory and research on the fundamentals of learning. Topics include animal
learning, classical conditioning, instrumental learning, discrimination
learning, biological constraints on learning, and cross-cultural differences in
learning styles. (Prerequisite: PSY 101. Next offered: 1997-98.)
PSY 445W (3 Credits) Fall
Community Psychology (2+3) s
Survey of principles and applications of community psychology, emphasizing
person-environment interactions and societal and cultural impacts upon
individual and community functioning. Attention given to interventions which
facilitate psychological competence and empowerment, prevent disorder and
promote social change. Experiential learning emphasized through community
experience/volunteer lab requirement. (Prerequisites: PSY 101 and PSY/SOC 330.)
PSY 455 (3 Credits) Spring
Clinical Psychology (2+3)
Survey of clinical psychology methods and approaches with consideration of
psychological assessment and treatment. Topics include specific counseling
strategies such as psychoanalysis, behavior therapy, crisis intervention,
rational-emotive and humanistic approaches, along with ethics in clinical
practice and issues in cross-cultural counseling and psychological assessment
and treatment. A clinical lab will allow students to apply their classroom
learning and get hands-on experience in clinical skills. (Prerequisites: PSY
240 and PSY 345.)
PSY 460 (4 Credits) Alternate Fall
Physiological Psychology (3+3) n
An integrated multidisciplinary approach to the study of neuroanatomy and
neurophysiology emphasizing the basic principles, cortical and subcortical
organization, functional mechanisms, and the physical-chemical foundations in
physiological bases of behavior with special reference to neuroanatomy,
neurochemistry, and electrophysiological measures employed in the study of
behavior and brain activity. Research topics include brain dynamics, the neural
bases of learning, the neural substrates of emotion and motivation, states of
consciousness, and stress and psychosomatic relationships. (Prerequisite: PSY
101, BIOL 105X, 106X or BIOL 211X, 212X and/or permission of instructor. Next
offered: 1997-98.)
PSY 470 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Sensation and Perception (3+0) n
An integrated psychophysiological inquiry emphasizing principles, functions
and organization, fundamental mechanisms, and the structural complexity extant
in the sensory physiology of audition, gustation, kinesthesis, olfaction,
proprioception, somesthesis, and vision. Theoretical models and systems of
perception with reference to biological, cultural, developmental, hereditary,
physiological, psychological, and social effects on sensory perceptions.
(Prerequisites: PSY 101, PSY 460, and BIOL 105X, 106X or BIOL 211X, 212X and/or
permission of instructor. Next offered: 1997-98.)
PSY 473W (3 Credits) Fall
Social Science Research Methods (3+0) s
(Same as SOC 473)
Techniques of social research: sampling, questionnaire construction,
interviewing and data analysis in surveys; field and laboratory experiments, and
attitude scaling. (Prerequisite: PSY/SOC 250.)
PSY 475 (4 Credits) Alternate Spring
Experimental Psychology (2+6) s
An integrated approach to the study of experimental psychology. Emphasis on
research methodologies and techniques. Design, execution, and analysis of
individual projects involving both animal and human subjects. (Prerequisites:
PSY 101, PSY/SOC 250 or STAT 200, and PSY/SOC 473. Special permission of
instructor is required if prerequisites have not been met.. Next offered:
1996-97.)
PSY 610 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Alcohol: Pharmacology and Behavior (3+0)
A multidisciplinary approach to the study of alcohol abuse and alcoholism
which incorporates the biomedical, epidemiological, genetic, pharmacological,
psychological, social, and cultural bases. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or
permission of instructor.)
PSY 614 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Human Adaptation to the Circumpolar North (3+0)
(Same as NORS 614)
Examines patterns of individual and family adaptation to the stresses and
opportunities of northern regions. Focuses on successful and unsuccessful
responses to northern conditions - the arctic climate, the northern economy,
cultural diversity, and the professional opportunities and stress factors of
sparsely populated frontier settings. Students will complete an original
research paper. (Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 630 (3 Credits) Fall
Community Psychology (3+0)
Current status of community psychology, focusing on person-environment
interactions and societal and cultural impacts upon individual and community
functioning. An advanced level overview of theory, research, and practice of
community psychology with particular emphasis on cross-cultural themes. Students
are expected to apply their learning in a community-based experience. Aim is
to empower students to contribute to effective change in their communities.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 631 (3 Credits) Spring
Community Psychology: Cross-Cultural Applications & the Ethics
of Change (3+0)
Advanced study of the application of community psychology with an emphasis
on the design and evaluation of interventions which facilitate psychological
competence and empowerment, prevent disorder, and promote social change.
Value-context of community psychology and the ethics of intervention are
examined with particular emphasis on applications to cross-cultural settings
and indigenous approaches to change. Students are expected to continue and
broaden their community-based experience. (Prerequisites: PSY 630 or permission
of instructor)
PSY 635 (3 Credits) Spring
Field-Based Research Methods (3+0)
A presentation of methods used in doing cross-cultural research in
community settings. The emphasis is on the formal descriptions of the
interaction between persons and their environments. The course will present a
wide variety of designs, analyses, and conceptual approaches appropriate to
improving our general understanding of behavior in communities. Both
quantitative and qualitative methods will be presented in the context of
carrying out individual research projects. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or
permission of instructor.)
PSY 638 (3 Credits) Fall
Proseminar in Community Psychology (3+0)
(Same as SOC 638)
Analysis of important topics in community psychology including community
mental health, empowerment, social change, cross-cultural issues, and
intervention program development in rural contexts. Particular attention placed
on policy issues as they relate to changing community mental health concerns.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 646 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
School Counseling (3+3)
(Same as COUN 646)
Topics related to the role of the school counselor such as consultation,
career guidance, and culturally appropriate assessment. (Prerequisite: Graduate
standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 650 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Cross-Cultural Psychopathology (3+0)
The etiology and treatment of different forms of major and minor mental
illnesses across a specific group of cultures: Western, Native American,
Oriental, and African. Students will learn to conceptualize madness and its
diagnosis using a variety of cultural formats. (Prerequisite: PSY 345, graduate
standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 655 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Healing: Implications for Clinical/ Community Practice (3+0)
A presentation of healing across a variety of cultures: Native American,
Western, African, Polynesian, and Oriental. The course will emphasize the
preparation and education of healers, their roles and work, and integration
within a community. Analyses and implications for the practice of preparation
for community psychology roles will be stressed. (Prerequisite: Graduate
standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 660 (4 Credits) Fall
Counseling Theories and Applications (3+3)
(Same as COUN 623)
A survey of the major theoretical systems of counseling, including
psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, family systems, phenomenological,
existential and non-western approaches to healing and mental health. Specific
application of theoretical principles will be investigated, analyzed and
developed. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing; COUN 615 and/or permission of
instructor.)
PSY 661 (3 Credits) Spring
Cross-Cultural Counseling (3+0)
(Same as COUN 660)
An examination of cultural and ethnic variables in human nature and their
effect on the counseling process. Specific focus will be placed on the nature
and function of culture, cultural variables in the context of the human
experience, universal and culture specific aspects of the counseling process,
barriers to effective cross-cultural counseling, specific ethnic and cultural
considerations, and methods of intellectual training with special emphasis on
Alaskan applications. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of
instructor.)
PSY 662 (3 Credits) Spring
Counseling Theories & Applications II (3+0)
This course supplements the PSY 660 course. It will provide further
psychological perspectives on modern psychodynamic, family, group, and crisis
intervention forms of counseling and psychotherapy. Theories and practice
presented will focus on both brief forms of therapy as well as long term
methods of treatment. The course will examine ways in which cross-cultural and
gender factors influence the conduct of counseling and the development of
theories. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor)
PSY 663 (3 Credits) Fall
Clinical Methods and Assessment (3+0)
Fundamentals of therapeutic interviewing. Assessment of personality style
and classification of psychopathology. Introduction survey of, and experience
with, psychological tests. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing in community
psychology program or permission of instructor.)
PSY 666 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Family and Network Therapy (3+0)
Survey of concepts and theories of function and dysfunction in the area of
couples and families as social networks. In addition, it provides an
introduction to the skills necessary for one who would intervene in these
systems. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 668 (3 Credits) Spring
Crisis Intervention (3+0)
An overview of the development of crisis theory that examines major
assumptions, characteristics, and stages of a crisis situation. Counselor
training issues and descriptive intervention techniques with respect to
assessing individuals in crisis will be discussed. Examining specific types of
crises encountered within the community and strategies for handling those
crises situations will be focused upon in depth. Class activities will include
utilizing skills in brief treatment through role-playing of crises situations.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 674 (3 Credits) Spring
Group Counseling (3+0)
(Same as COUN 674)
Kinds and types of groups with emphasis on methods, problems and needed
skills in working with groups in a counseling situation. (Prerequisite: Graduate
standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 678 (3 Credits) Spring
Psychological Assessment - Personality (3+0)
An examination of current practices, issues, and problems in the rapidly
developing field of personality assessment. Particular emphasis will be paid to
problems of multicultural personality concepts and evaluations. Hands-on
experience will be required. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of
instructor.)
PSY 688 (3 Credits) Fall and Spring
Practicum in Community Psychology (2+7)
Practicums provide for supervised experiences and weekly seminars with
course instructor. The supervised experience is at an agency that will provide
direct and/or participant observation and interactions for the beginning
counselor along with immediate feedback concerning the experience. The weekly
seminars will cover actual and role-playing situations and skills appropriate
to the specific practicum, i.e., alcohol or drug abuse, community, or clinical.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 690(3-12 Credits) Fall and Spring
Internship in Community Psychology (0+40)
Usually one semester. The internship would not occur until after the first year. However, it can be two summers or one-half time over a year or so or full-time for one semester in order to get 600 hours. The internship must be adequately supervised and may involve more than one site. Graded Pass/Fail. (Prerequisite: Completion of required coursework.)