PSYC 620
Core Proseminar in Psychology I

Catalog Entry

PSYC 620. Core Proseminar in Psychology I
Three hours lecture (3).

Prerequisites: Graduate standing in psychology or permission of the instructor

This course, intended for first-year graduate students in psychology, will present the core theory and principles of two of three specialty areas in psychological science: Physiological Psychology, Learning, or Sensation and Perception. The two specialty areas chosen will alternate from year to year, and will be based on the needs and interests of the graduate students. Students will develop a firm grounding in these areas of psychology through discussion of original writings in the psychological literature as well as through in-class demonstrations of classic empirical findings in psychology.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

The first half of the semester will cover the core principles of one of the three specialty areas. The second half of the semester will cover the core principles of a second specialty area. Topics to be addressed in all three specialty areas are presented below:

I. Physiological Psychology

• Research methods and history of the study of brain-behavior relationships
• Biophysics of the neuron and gross neuroanatomy
• Biochemistry and biophysics of the synapse
• Perceptual and motor systems of the brain
• Specialization and distribution of function in the use of language
• Emotions and neurohormonal mechanisms
• Mechanisms of learning and memory

II. Learning

• Introduction and Historical Background
• Classical Conditioning
• Appetitive Instrumental Conditioning
• Aversive Instrumental Conditioning
• Biological and Evolutionary Perspectives
• Comparative Cognition

III. Sensation and Perception

• Introduction to Sensation and Perception
• Behavioral Methods for Studying Perception
• The Visual System
• Spatial and Pattern Perception
• Color Perception
• Action and the Perception of Events
• The Ear and the Auditory System
• Hearing

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Students will read several assigned empirical or review articles before class and critically discuss the methods and interpretations of the authors. Students will present articles to the rest of the class and serve as moderators of discussions regarding these articles. Lectures will incorporate and supplement the assigned readings. Whenever possible, widely cited studies in each area will be illustrated through in-class demonstrations of methods and expected results.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

The goal of the course is to provide an opportunity for students to acquire a broad background in two core areas of psychology. In a given semester these two core areas will be selected from among three specialty areas: Physiological Psychology, Learning, and Sensation and Perception. Specialty areas will be selected on the basis of an assessment of current student needs and interests. Through discussions of primary sources in the psychological literature and participation in demonstrations illustrating key concepts in each area, students will develop a knowledge of those theories and empirical findings that psychologists in any specialty should be familiar with. A secondary goal of the course is to provide students with a knowledge base, as well as with options for classroom demonstrations, that they can use in psychology classes that they might be asked to teach in the future.

Assessment Measures

Graded assignments may include in-class tests, a final examination, pop quizzes, the assignment and presentation of exercise/labs and projects, and class preparation and participation

Other Course Information

None

APPROVAL AND SUBSEQUENT REVIEWS

DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
March 1999