Psychology
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)
(Cross-listed with 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 107X or equivalent.)
PSY 255 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Foundations of Counseling (3+0)
(Cross-listed with 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: 2000-01.)
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
(Cross-listed with 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 335 (3 Credits) Independent Learning Only
Biological Psychology (3+0) n
Study of the biological bases of human behavior. Emphasis on functional anatomy of the nervous system to understand both normal behaviors and the major behavior disorders. (Prerequisites: PSY 101 and freshman composition. Recommended: BIOL 211X and 212X, or equivalent.)
PSY 337W (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Exercise and Sport Psychology (3+0)
(Cross-listed with PE 337W)
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 PE 317 or permission or instructor. Next offered: 2000-01.)
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: 2000-01.)
PSY 360O (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Psychology of Women Across Cultures (3+0) s
(Cross-listed with WMS 360O)
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: 2000-01.)
PSY 370 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Drugs and Drug Dependence (3+0) s
(Cross-listed with 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: 2000-01.)
PSY 380 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Environmental Psychology (3+0) s
Human behavioral responses to the physical environment, such as stress, darkness, isolation, and so forth. Didactic methods include empirical methods related to behavioral research. (Prerequisite: PSY 101. Next offered: 1999 - 2000.)
PSY 436 (3 Credits) Fall or Spring
Consumer Behavior (3+0) s
(Cross-listed with BA 436)
Effects of nationality, culture, social class, family, personality, symbolism, and persuasion on consumptive behavior. Qualitative methodologies such as focus groups covered. (Prerequisites: Upper division standing.)
PSY 440 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Learning and Cognition (3+0) s
Theory and research on the fundamentals of learning. Topics include information-processing, attention and consciousness, learning processes, memory structures, retrieval, and the biological and cultural considerations relevant to each. (Prerequisite: PSY 101. Next offered: 1999 - 2000.)
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: 1999 - 2000.)
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: 1999 - 2000.)
PSY 473W (3 Credits) Fall
Social Science Research Methods (3+0) s
(Cross-listed with SOC 473W)
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: 2000-01.)
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)
(Cross-listed with 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 615 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Drug Action: Physiology and Behavior (3+0)
Multidisciplinary approach to the study of drugs and drug abuse which emphasizes the biomedical, epidemiological, genetic, pharmacological, psychological and sociological factors extant in drug use and misuse. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 618 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Community Treatment Alternatives (3+0)
Examination of the role of community in the treatment of mental health problems among indigenous or ethnic groups. Focus on bringing to bear the resources of the community of the healing process. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 620 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Dependency (3+0)
Examination of the treatments available for drug and alcohol abuse. Medical and psychological treatments will be studied. Medical treatments include abrupt, gradual and substituting techniques. Psychological techniques include traditional Western therapies as well as less traditional approaches. (Prerequisite: PSY 610 or PSY 615; graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 625 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Dependency (3+0)
Study of the various ways to prevent alcohol dependency, especially among indigenous peoples or in ethnic groups. Emphasis on cross-cultural approaches to the prevention of dependency. (Prerequisite: 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 and 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)
(Cross-listed with 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 645 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Prevention Theories and Strategies (3+0)
(Cross-listed with SOC 645)
Environmental and psychosocial approaches in the prevention of mental and emotional disturbances. Theories that focus on situational stress are examined, as well as methods and coping situations that can be used to reduce stress. The unique environmental problems of rural areas and problems in cases of cultural conflict are particularly noted. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 646 (3 Credits) Summer, As Demand Warrants
School Counseling (3+3)
(Cross-listed with 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 (3 Credits) Fall
Counseling Theories and Applications I (3+2)
(Cross-listed with COUN 623)
A survey of the major theoretical systems of counseling and psychotherapy combined with a laboratory experience focused on building microskills in counseling. Specific application of theoretical principles will be investigated, analyzed and described. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing; COUN 615 for counseling students and an abnormal psychology course for psychology students; and/or permission of instructor.)
PSY 661 (3 Credits) Alternate Summer, As Demand Warrants
Cross-Cultural Counseling (3+0)
(Cross-listed with 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 and 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 664 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Behavior Therapy (3+0)
A comprehensive examination of behavior therapy and its associated techniques. The philosophical and scientific basis for behavior and therapy are studied as well as specified procedures such as systematic desensitization, assertive training, behavior modification and others. Includes practice of techniques to gain facility with the skills involved. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 665 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Psychoanalytic Theory and Clinical Method (3+0)
Psychoanalytic theory and the study of lives are presented to acquaint the student with the analysis of life histories or psychoanalytic perspective. Study the Therapeutic procedures of Freud, Jung, Searles, Sullivan, Lacan and object relations theorists. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing 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 667 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Existential Psychotherapy (3+0)
Focus on ultimate concerns rooted in the individual's existence. Theoretical and therapeutic approaches to existential issues such as death, freedom, isolation/relationship, meaning/meaninglessness and suffering. Euro-American, Native American and Eastern concepts and practices are examined. (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) Alternate Summer, Spring, As Demand Warrants
Group Counseling (3+0)
(Cross-listed with 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 677 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Psychological Assessment-Intelligence (3+0)
Focus on methods of psychological assessment concerning intelligence. Survey of the concept of intelligence and its many multicultural implications. Widely-used intelligence assessments procedures will be examined with particular concern to minority issues and the concept of intelligence. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
PSY 678 (3 Credits) Spring
Psychological Assessment (3+0)
Introduction to administration, scoring, and interpretation of selected intelligence and personality instruments for children and adults. Integration of test findings and report writing are reviewed. Basic psychometric theory and test validity are explored. A particular focus is multicultural assessment practice, with emphasis upon practice with Alaska Native people (Prerequisite: Graduate standing in the Community Psychology Program or permission of instructor.)
PSY 688 (3 Credits) Fall, 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, Spring, Summer As Demand Warrants
Internship in Community Psychology (0+40)
Supervised practice experience in community and/or clinical psychology setting. Student spends 40 supervised clock hours for every credit. Internship may involve more than one site. (Prerequisite: Completed permission to enroll form and internship plan signed by program director.)