Department of Psychology & Sociology

The Department of Psychology & Sociology offers students a solid, liberal arts curriculum. In both majors, students develop an appreciation of themselves and their world through development of critical thinking, knowledge of scientific methodology and theory, and understanding of interpersonal and societal dynamics. At the undergraduate level, the department offers Bachelor of Science degrees in both Psychology and Sociology. The department also offers courses in Philosophy at the undergraduate and at the graduate level, the department offers a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling. Information regarding program requirements for the M.S. in Community Counseling, application procedures, and the pre-application advisement process is available in the Graduate Bulletin or may be obtained by written request to:

Department of Psychology & Sociology
Attn: Community Counseling
NGCSU
Dahlonega, GA 30597

Each major will meet with a faculty advisor of the student's choice to develop academic and career goals and strategies. All majors in the department are encouraged to have an internship in an applied setting, demonstrate competency and skills in their major as well as oral and written abilities. Students majoring in Psychology are exposed to a wide variety of specializations within the discipline. Psychology majors are encouraged to take PSYC 3070 and PSYC 3080 no later than the junior year. Students majoring in Sociology may choose to emphasize: organizations, demography, or stratification (e.g. race, class, gender inequalities).

MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY

No grade below C will be acceptable in any psychology course for psychology majors.

Core Curriculum Requirements - 60 hours
All baccalaureate degree programs at NGCSU have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the core curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum can be found on page 84. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum. Those exceptions and/or course requirements, and Area F of the core curriculum are shown below.

Area A no exceptions
Area B no exceptions
Area C no exceptions
Area D no exceptions
Area E Psychology majors must take PSYC 1101 in Area F.

Area F. Psychology Degree Related Courses - 18-19 hours
PSYC 1101 Introduction to Psychology - 3 hours
PSYC 1102 Advanced General Psychology - 3 hours
PSYC 2103 Human Growth and Development - 2 hours
PSYC 1150 Introduction to the Profession of Psychology - 2 hours
Foreign Language (Appropriate course at the 1000-2000 level) - 3 hours
Computer science (Appropriate course at the 1000-2000 level) or - 2-3 hours
MATH 2400 (If not taken in Area D)
Elective from Area E above - 3 hours

G. Major and other Courses - 60 hours
Major Courses - 39 hours
PSYC 3070 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences - 3 hours
PSYC 3080 Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences - 3 hours
PSYC 3150 Social Psychology - 3 hours
PSYC 3310 Learning & Cognition - 3 hours
PSYC 3430 Theories of Personality - 3 hours
PSYC 3530 Abnormal Psychology - 3 hours
PSYC 4230 Neuroscience - 3 hours
PSYC 4900 Senior Psychology Seminar - 3 hours

The remaining 15 hours from the following courses:
PSYC 3060 Health Psychology - 3 hours
PSYC 3090 History & Systems of Psychology - 3 hours
PSYC 3181 Psychology of Aging - 3 hours
PSYC 3200 Advanced Developmental Psychology - 3 hours
PSYC 3400 Sport Psychology - 3 hours
PSYC 3520 Human Sexuality - 3 hours
PSYC 4250 Sensation & Perception - 3 hours
PSYC 4280 Individual Differences - 2 hours
PSYC 4650 Group Dynamics - 3 hours
PSYC 4669 Organizational Behavior - 3 hours
PSYC 4750 Internship in Psychology - 3 hours
PSYC 4790 Psychological Testing - 3 hours
PSYC 4840 Counseling & Clinical Theories & Interventions - 3 hours

Minor- 15-18 hours An academic minor is required for all Psychology majors. Students should consult with their faculty advisors about the choice of a minor.

* Only 6 hours of independent study will be accepted toward the Psychology major.
Open electives - 6 hours
Basic Physical Education Requirement (exclusive of the 120 hours required for the degree program) - 3 hours
U.S. and Georgia Constitution and History Requirement - 3 hours
Military Science Requirements (for students in the Military) - 12 hours
Regents' Test or exemption (see page 77)

Minor in Psychology
Requirements of a minor in Psychology include completion of PSYC 1101 and 15 additional hours selected from 3000 - 4000-level Psychology courses

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

PSYC 1030 Leadership - 2 hours
Prerequisite: None. An introduction to the dynamics and characteristics of leadership, influence, and power will be analyzed from theoretical and applied approaches. Students will be required to examine their own thoughts and reactions to the diversity of models presented.

PSYC 1101 Introduction to General Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisite: None. A broad study of the major topics in psychology including but not limited to research methodology, the brain, biological and social factors influencing behavior, development, learning, memory, personality, abnormal behavior, therapy, and gender and cultural variables.

PSYC 1102 Advanced General Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. An overview of history, perception, sensation, complex learning, the nervous system (with particular emphasis on the brain and behavior), and genetics.

PSYC 1150 Introduction to the Profession of Psychology: Issues, Ethics,
and Careers -2 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. A survey of current research and applied issues in psychology, the ethical code of conduct and standards of behavior, and career options available for individuals majoring in psychology.

PSYC 2103 Introduction to Human Growth & Development - 2 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. An introductory based examination of human development across the life span with an emphasis on normal patterns of physical, cognitive, and social development.

PSYC 3060 Health Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. A survey of the role of psychological factors in the promotion and maintenance of health, the prevention and treatment of illness and dysfunction, and in the operation of the health care system.

PSYC 3070 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences - 3 hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101, MATH 2400. A survey of the statistics which are the most frequently used in the behavioral sciences. Particular emphasis will be placed on analysis of variance techniques; non-parametric techniques will also be covered. Primary concern will be with computation, interpretation, and application.

PSYC 3080 Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences (W) - 3 hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101, MATH 2400. (Psychology majors are required to take PSYC 3070 before PSYC 3080.) A course designed to introduce students to experimental methods applied to the behavioral sciences. Basic statistics, analysis and experimental design will be presented. Laboratory time will be spent designing, implementing, and analyzing research projects.

PSYC 3090 History and Systems of Psychology (W) - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. An integrative course emphasizing the origins and background of the science of behavior. Important contributors and their schools of thought will be studied and related to the present systematic developments.

PSYC 3150 Social Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. A survey of the impact of the social environment on human behavior. The course includes the following topics: aggression, altruism, attitude change, audience effects, conformity, group dynamics, interpersonal attraction, leadership, sex roles, and social perception.

PSYC 3181/5181 Psychology of Aging - 3 hours
Cross-listed as SOCI 3181. This is a distance learning course taught collaboratively via the Georgia Statewide Academic & Medical System (GSAMS). This course is designed as part of a distance learning curriculum, and its purpose is to provide an introduction and overview of research findings in the psychology of aging. Lectures are designed to provide a general overview of the domain of psychology and aging with an emphasis on critical evaluation of research.

PSYC 3200 Advanced Developmental Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and PSYC 2103. An in-depth study of the physical, social, behavioral, self concept, language, cultural, and cognitive aspects of human development across the life span. Research, methodology, and applications will be emphasized.

PSYC 3310 Learning and Cognition - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. Empirical, theoretical, and applied topics in classical, operant, and observational learning are presented in conjunction with current cognitive research including perception, attention, memory, thinking, and language development.

PSYC 3400 Sport Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. A study of the application of psychological principles to athletes and athletics. Emphasis is on enhancing performance of individuals and teams, as well as developing an understanding of the role of personal and social factors in sports.

PSYC 3430 Theories of Personality (W) - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. A survey and evaluation of the major theories of personality development and related research and applications.

PSYC 3520 Human Sexuality - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. A theoretical, empirical and applied analysis of human sexual behavior. Relying on interdisciplinary sources of research, the course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of human sexuality.

PSYC 3530 Abnormal Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. Introduction to the study of the mental disorders as presented in the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Current and historical approaches to conceptualization and treatment will be included.

PSYC 4230 Neuroscience (W) - 3 hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101, 1102 and 8 credit hours from Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics. A comprehensive study of the biological base of behavior. Emphasis is given to roles of neural, hormonal and immunological mechanisms in behavior.

PSYC 4250 Sensation and Perception (W) - 3 hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101, 1102 and 8 credit hours from Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics. A study of traditional and contemporary methods, mechanisms and models of sensation and perception. Emphasis is placed on the organization and interaction of sensory and neural systems for processing information.

PSYC 4280 Individual Differences (W) (O) - 2 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. A study of the development of behavior including personality differences, gender differences, neural and hormonal mechanisms, and physiological and functional differences.

PSYC 4650 Group Dynamics - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. The study of the psychology of small group behavior. The topics covered include: situational, physical, and personality factors as they relate to group formation, interaction, and performance.

PSYC 4669 Organizational Behavior - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. Cross-listed as MGMT 4669. The study of public and private sector organizations and the role of personality, group dynamics, internal political influences, interpersonal communications, and ethical behavior.

PSYC 4750 Internship in Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and junior status. A hands-on experience in psychology in an experimental (research), educational, mental health, counseling, neuropsychological, business, or related setting.

PSYC 4790 Psychological Testing - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101. An introduction to the theories and practices of psychological assessment. Students will be introduced to the various types of assessment instruments used in psychology (e.g., intelligence, aptitude, ability, vocational, personality, etc.). An understanding of the history and development of assessment will lay the foundation for current psychological assessment in research and clinical and counseling settings.

PSYC 4840 Counseling and Clinical Theories and Interventions (W) (O) - 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 3530. An introduction to contemporary counseling and clinical treatment models and theoretical approaches. Students will also explore current interventions in context. Current issues, developments, and reactions will be explored in relation to research and application.

PSYC 4900 Senior Psychology Seminar (W) (O) - 3 hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and Senior Status. A capstone course integrating the undergraduate psychology degree program.

PSYC 4950 Independent Study in Psychology - 3 hours
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Applied or practical experiences in the area of the student’s interest under the supervision and approval of the Department of Psychology.

PSYC 4960 Psychological Reading and Research - 3 hours
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Consent of faculty member and agreement on a reading/research topic are required.

PSYC 4970 Senior Honors Thesis - 3 hours
Prerequisites: Minimum 3.0 grade point average in psychology and permission of the instructor. The student develops, collects data/information, assimilates information, and then writes the senior thesis presenting the results.

Major in Sociology

No Grade below C will be acceptable in any Sociology course for Sociology majors

Core Curriculum Requirements - 60 hours
All baccalaureate degree programs at NGCSU have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the Core Curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum can be found on page 84. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum. Those exceptions and/or course requirements, and Area F of the core curriculum are shown below.

Area A no exceptions
Area B no exceptions
Area C no exceptions
Area D no exceptions
Area E no exceptions

Area F: Courses Appropriate to Major - 18 hours
SOCI 1101 Introductory Sociology - 3 hours
SOCI 1160 Social Problems - 3 hours
SOCI 2293 Introductory to Marriage & The Family - 3 hours
Foreign Language 1002 - 3 hours
MATH 2400 (if not taken above) - 3 hours
Elective from Area E above - 3 hours
Select one or two courses from: - 3-6 hours
ANTH 1102-2999
CPSC 1101-2999
ECON 1101-2999
GEOG 1101-2999
HIST 1101-2999
POLI 1101-2999
PSYC 1101-2999
SOCI 1101-2999
*Sociology 1101 serves as a prerequisite for all 3000-4000 level sociology courses

MAJOR AREA - 30 hours
SOSC 3301 - 3 hours
SOSC 3302 - 3 hours
SOCI 4100 - 3 hours
SOCI 3000-4999 - 21 hours

MINOR AREA 15-18 hours
As determined by the department offering the minor.
ELECTIVES 12-15 hours

Basic Physical Education requirements (exclusive of the 120 hours required for the degree program) - 3 hours
Military science requirements (if applicable)
U.S. & GA CONSTITUTION & HISTORY REQUIREMENT
Regents' Test or exemption (see page 77)
Senior Exit Exam

Minor in Sociology
Requirements of a minor in Sociology include completion of SOCI 1101 and SOCI 1160 and 12 additional hours selected from 3000-4000 level Sociology courses.

COURSES IN SOCIOLOGY

SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology - 3 hours
Prerequisite to all other courses. A survey of the discipline of sociology. Topics will include sociological theory, methods and selected substantive areas.

SOCI 1160 Introduction to Social Problems - 3 hours
A theoretical and empirical analysis of selected major social problems confronting American society.

SOCI 2293 Introduction to Marriage and the Family - 3 hours
An introduction to the structure, processes, problems and adjustments of contemporary marriage and family life.

SOCI 3000 The Field of Social Work - 3 hours
An introductory course on the various aspects of present-day social work. Considers family and children’s services, the courts, probation and parole, medical, social services, group work, community organization, public assistance, and social security.

SOCI 3040 Social Work History and Philosophy - 3 hours
Role and function of professional social work practice in dealing with current social welfare problems, historical background, ethical and normative considerations.

SOCI 3050 Race and Ethnicity - 3 hours
An examination of the development and persistence of racial and ethnic cleavages in societies, especially the U.S. Close attention will be given to the historical and economic functions of racism and discrimination, as well as their implications for a pluralistic society.

SOCI 3150 Social Stratification - 3 hours
Explores the economic, political, and social basis of stratification and inequality in the U.S. today. Attention is given to the origins and nature of social classes, as well as other social divisions such as occupation, sex, ethnicity, wealth and power.

SOCI 3180 Social Movements and Collective Behavior - 3 hours
An analysis of mass movements and collective protest from an historical and behavioral perspective. Emphasis is on understanding social movements as both agents and products of social change and their relationship to various other forms of collective phenomena.

SOCI 3210 Juvenile Delinquency - 3 hours
The purpose of this course is to examine the nature, history, measurement, and environmental influences of juvenile delinquency, with particular emphasis on prevention and treatment, and philosophies and practices of the juvenile justice system.

SOCI 3230 Social Change - 3 hours
This course examines the theories, directions, mechanisms, patterns, spheres, and impacts of change at various levels of social organization in society.

SOCI 3250 Introduction to Gerontology - 3 hours
An interdisciplinary approach to the study of the process of aging.

SOCI 3300 The Feminist Movement - 3 hours
An historical study of the Feminist Movement in the United States emphasizing its political, economic, and social impact. Dual listed with History 3155.

SOCI 3350 Political Sociology - 3 hours
A sociological analysis of political systems and power and their relationship to social and economic forces. Attention is given to exploring the question of “Who rules America?” and the process involved in maintaining and legitimating political order.

SOCI 3400/6400 Population & Society - 3 hours
This course is an analysis of the size, composition, and distribution of human populations. Social consequences and policy implications of population dynamics are emphasized for the U.S., selected other countries, and the world.

SOCI 3410 Environmental Sociology - 3 hours
A comprehensive exploration of the sociological relationships between technology, economic policies, natural resources, population growth, and environmental degradation. Emphasis is on understanding these problems from an ecological perspective and the seriousness of these issues for future survival.

SOCI 3481/5481 Sociology of Aging - 3 hours Cross-listed as PSYC 3481. This is a distance learning course taught collaboratively via the Georgia Statewide Academic & Medical System (GSAMS). This course is designed as part of a distance learning curriculum, and its purpose is to provide an introduction and overview of research findings in the psychology of aging.

SOCI 3500 Institutions and Organizations - 3 hours
An analysis of occupations, professions, and work roles from an organizational perspective. Attention is paid to such topics as occupational inequalities, mobility, and professional ethics, as well as the effect of technology on work and job satisfaction.

SOCI 3530 Death and Dying - 3 hours
Current sociological perspectives on death and the experience of dying are explored with special attention to the psycho-social needs of the terminally ill and their families.

SOCI 3600 Deviance and Social Control - 3 hours
A study of the causes and consequences of behaviors labeled problematic and reactions to them on the part of American society.

SOCI 3650 Military Sociology - 3 hours
This course will investigate contemporary military institutions using sociological theory, concepts, and methods. The student will look at the changing social organization of the military. The student will also investigate such topics as civil-military relations, military recruitment and socialization, the military as a profession, modern warfare, and the role of the military in various nations.

SOCI 3800 The Sociology of Gender - 3 hours
What does it mean to be a "real man" or a "real woman" in the contemporary United States? This course considers issues of gender from a sociological perspective. We will focus on gender socialization, practices, and inequalities in the contemporary United States. Specifically, we will examine the influence of gender in interpersonal relationships, at work, in education, and in other areas of social life.

SOCI 4000 Special Topics in Sociology - 3 hours
Intensive directed study in selected topics in Sociology.

SOCI 4020 Social Work Intervention Strategies - 3 hours
A study of the conceptions, functions, and processes of various methods of social work through which the social functioning of individuals, groups, and communities may be enhanced. Emphasis will be on analyzing problem situations, then selecting appropriate goals and strategies of intervention.

SOCI 4100 Sociology Theory - 3 hours
A survey of the major theoretical concepts of major writers in sociology from Comte to the present.

SOCI 4700 Effective Interviewing - 3 hours
A study of basic communication skills and how they may be used effectively in a wide array of situations.

SOCI 4850 Internship in Sociology - 3 hours

COURSES IN PHILOSOPHY

PHIL 1001 Introduction to Philosophy - 3 hours
This course is intended to introduce the beginning student to the major, traditional philosophical questions, and the methods of philosophical discourse. These questions include: What can we know? How do we know that we know? What is truth? What is reality? Is there a God? Does free will exist? What is the right thing to do?

PHIL 1001H Introduction to Philosophy - Honors - 3 hours
This course is intended to introduce the beginning student to the major, traditional philosophical questions, and the methods of philosophical discourse. These questions include: What can we know? How do we know that we know? What is truth? What is reality? Is there a God? Does free will exist? What is the right thing to do? As an Honors course, the focus is on the interpretation and evaluation of primary texts.

PHIL 1200 Introduction to Ethics - 2 hours
An introduction to the development and implications of ethics, values, principles, and morals. Integrating models from philosophy, religion, psychology, law, and genderstudies, the course will help students understand the development of ethics as a field and its applications in today's society.

PHIL 1260H Environmental Ethics - Honors - 2 hours
This course is intended to introduce Honors students to the philosophical study of the central issues of environmental ethics. It is also intended to introduce the students to the philosophical bases of the major, contemporary theories within the field. Finally, the course will profit from and be enriched by collaboration with the course BIOL 1260H: Honors Environmental Science.

PHIL 2500 Logic - 3 hours
This course is intended to familiarize the student with the basic concepts of both formal and informal logic through the study of arguments, both inductive and deductive, rhetoric, truth-tables, and venn diagrams.