Course Offerings

Fall 2024▲

See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.

Brain and Behavior

CBSC 111 - Stewart, Robert E. (Bob)

An introduction to behavioral neuroscience, including the physiological bases of sensation, learning and memory, motivation, cognition, and abnormal behavior.

Brain and Behavior

CBSC 111 - Lee, Nicole (Nikki)

An introduction to behavioral neuroscience, including the physiological bases of sensation, learning and memory, motivation, cognition, and abnormal behavior.

Brain and Behavior

CBSC 111 - Brindle, Ryan C.

An introduction to behavioral neuroscience, including the physiological bases of sensation, learning and memory, motivation, cognition, and abnormal behavior.

Cognition

CBSC 112 - Whiting, Wythe L.

An introduction to human information processing, including an examination of perception, attention, memory, problem solving, and language.

Cognition

CBSC 112 - Johnson, Dan R.

An introduction to human information processing, including an examination of perception, attention, memory, problem solving, and language.

Cognition

CBSC 112 - Woodzicka, Julie A. / Ayala, Nydia T.

An introduction to human information processing, including an examination of perception, attention, memory, problem solving, and language.

Principles of Development

CBSC 113 - Macalister, Heather / Woodzicka, Julie A.

An introduction to the development of individual capacities from conception through the life span. Analysis of thought and behavior at different stages of growth with special emphasis on the period from infancy through adolescence.

Principles of Development

CBSC 113 - Fulcher, Megan

An introduction to the development of individual capacities from conception through the life span. Analysis of thought and behavior at different stages of growth with special emphasis on the period from infancy through adolescence.

Introduction to Social Psychology

CBSC 114 - Woodzicka, Julie A.

The scientific study of how individuals' feelings, thoughts, and behavior are affected by others. Topics include prejudice, the self, interpersonal attraction, helping, aggression, attitudes, and persuasion.

Introduction to Social Psychology

CBSC 114 - Gibson, Jacob

The scientific study of how individuals' feelings, thoughts, and behavior are affected by others. Topics include prejudice, the self, interpersonal attraction, helping, aggression, attitudes, and persuasion.

Psychoactive Drugs and Behavior

CBSC 150 - Stewart, Robert E. (Bob)

An introduction to broad psychological perspectives of drug use, misuse, and abuse. The pharmacological and physiological actions of psychoactive drugs, as well as personality and social variables that influence their use, are considered. Emphasis is given to historically significant and currently popular drugs of abuse.

Introduction to Data Science: Trends Over Time

CBSC 185 - Shablack, Holly

How can we map our feelings, attitudes, and thoughts over the course of a year? can we effectively monitor our behavior and choices to identify how they impact our mental and physical health? Can we assess employee job satisfaction or student learning over periods of time? In this course students will have an introduction to common ways of examining psychological data over time. Students will learn to use R, a popular open-source programming language, to organize and manage data effectively, create eye-catching and informative data visualizations, and conduct a variety of statistical analyses to identify key trends in data. Students will learn best practices in coding, data handling and management, reproducibility, and data ethics. No prior programming experience is required.

Introduction to Clinical Psychology

CBSC 210 - Shablack, Holly

This course is an empirically informed exploration of the characteristics, course, and treatment of psychological disorders as they are currently defined. A biopsychosocial framework is utilized to examine the continuum of psychological functioning, from psychopathology to flourishing.

Development of Human Sexuality

CBSC 213 - Fulcher, Megan

Prerequisite: CBSC 113. This course examines the fundamentals of the development and practice of sexuality in the human being and the historical, psychological, and psychosocial aspects of human sexuality from childhood to old age. The course covers major theories of the development of sexuality in heterosexual, gay, and lesbian people. Students also explore how sexuality itself may be “constructed” as a result of culture, media, and gender. Primary source material as well as popular media depictions of sexuality are examined. Students engage in the creation of a comprehensive sexual education program which involves contact with parents, teachers, and experts in the field. 

The Psychology of Humor

CBSC 214 - Woodzicka, Julie A.

This course focuses on theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding humor, covering traditional and contemporary theories of humor, along with social psychological, developmental, biological, and cognitive perspectives on humor. In addition, humor as a moderator of life stress is examined. Disparagement humor is a central topic, along with nonverbal markers of humor elicitation.

Current Advances in Psychological Science: Personality

CBSC 295F - Gibson, Jacob

In this course, we will study the main theories of personality from both historical and contemporary perspectives, including trait theory, biological, psychoanalytic, humanistic, cross-cultural, behavioral, and social learning. The focus of this class is on how we can increase our understanding of people, including ourselves, and what we think, feel, and do, by looking at each person from multiple perspectives. Emphasis will be given to applying the theories with the goal of understanding personality and predicting behavior, which is important for interactions in our daily lives.

Current Advances in Psychological Science: Psychology and Law

CBSC 295G - Woodzicka, Julie A. / Ayala, Nydia T.

Why do eyewitnesses identify innocent persons? Why would an innocent suspect confess to a crime they did not commit? This course examines the American legal system in light of psychological theory, Supreme Court rulings, and wrongful conviction cases to answer these questions and many others. In this course, students will delve into the major subtopics within the field of psychology and law including police interrogation, false confessions, plea bargains, lie detection, forensic evidence, eyewitness identification, false memories, criminal profiling, and juries.

Current Advances in Psychological Sciences: Psychology and Health

CBSC 295H - Macalister, Heather / Woodzicka, Julie A.

This course on the psychology of health and wellness, with a focus on mind-body connection, explores psychological factors (e.g., cognitions, emotions, personality) at play in illness and health; and encourages a psychology-based understanding of the behaviors that protect or damage people’s health. This will include using and evaluating psychological theories to explain why people act in ways that harm or protect their health (e.g., smoking, exercising) and how we can use this understanding to promote health and prevent disease. Students will apply psychological theory to intervene with one of their own health behaviors, and analyze their own behavioral data to determine the effectiveness of their chosen intervention.

Data Science: Mind Analytics

CBSC 309 - Johnson, Dan R.

Psychological tests promise to match you with your soul mate, reveal the hidden depths of your personality and attitudes, and predict your success in college. How would you determine if these promises are being kept? Students build data-science skills while teaming on how to assess a test's reliability and validity, including tests of abilities, personality, attitudes, and more. No programming experience is required while we use R, a popular open-source programming language, to learn data management, data visualization, model-comparison metrics, and statistical inference in a reproducible and ethically responsible manner.

Attention

CBSC 314 - Whiting, Wythe L.

An examination of the theories and mechanisms associated with attentional processes. Topics include: selective attention, divided attention, inhibition, working memory, and the application of these processes in human/machine interfaces. The functioning of the above processes in abnormal patient populations is also examined.

Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Health and Disease

CBSC 317 - Brindle, Ryan C.

This course includes elements of lecture and seminar to explore, first, the neurophysiological mechanisms that govern sleep and circadian rhythms and the methods used to measure these phenomena, and, second, the role of dysregulated sleep and circadian rhythms in physical and mental health. The course ends with a discussion of how poor sleep impacts society and how society might confront population-level deficiencies in sleep.

Gender-Role Development

CBSC 322 - Fulcher, Megan

This course provides the student with an overview of gender-role development: How do children learn to be boys and girls? What role do biological factors play in different behaviors of boys and girls? Does society push boys and girls in different directions? We discuss children's evolving ideas about gender, and what can be done to change these ideas (or whether they need to be changed at all). Through the examination of these questions and issues, the course introduces students to the major theories of gender-role development, the research methods used to measure children's gender-role behaviors and attitudes, and the current research in the field.

Language, Culture, and Emotion

CBSC 323 - Shablack, Holly

Learners will develop an understanding of the psychology of human emotion with a focus on language and culture. This course involves an extensive dive into various emotion theories and emotion research from an interdisciplinary perspective. Some areas that will be explored are: the role of physiology and neuroscience in emotions, emotion development, emotion regulation, emotion in decision making, and mental health. Importantly, we will discuss the role of language and culture in these processes, and how these processes themselves may influence language and culture.

Advanced Research Methods in Cognitive and Behavioral Science: Hormones and Social Behavior

CBSC 399A - Lee, Nicole (Nikki)

Directed research on topics in neuroendocrinology (i.e., the study of hormones and social behavior). Students will engage with the primary literature, develop skills related to many aspects of experimental design, and gain familiarity with behavioral and hormonal techniques in the lab and in the field.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 421 - Shablack, Holly

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to six credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 421 - Brindle, Ryan C.

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to six credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 421 - Fulcher, Megan

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to six credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 421 - Gibson, Jacob

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to six credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 421 - Lee, Nicole (Nikki)

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to six credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 421 - Whiting, Wythe L.

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to six credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 421 - Woodzicka, Julie A.

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to six credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 422 - Shablack, Holly

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to eight credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 422 - Brindle, Ryan C.

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to eight credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 422 - Whiting, Wythe L.

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to eight credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 422 - Fulcher, Megan

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to eight credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 422 - Gibson, Jacob

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to eight credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 422 - Lee, Nicole (Nikki)

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to eight credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 423 - Fulcher, Megan

Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings. May be repeated for up to six credits.

Directed Individual Research

CBSC 423 - Whiting, Wythe L.

Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings. May be repeated for up to six credits.

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Spring 2024▲

See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.

Toys and Playful Learning

CBSC 223 - Fulcher, Megan

This course examines the fundamentals of the development and practice of play, with emphasis on toy play. The course covers major developmental theories of the development of skills through playful learning. Students explore how gender and gendered toys impact children's play, skills, visions of the future, and body image, and how toy play can be used to intervene with childhood developmental issues. Primary source material is examined along with popular media depictions of toy play. Students engage in the creation of skill building which involves contact with parents, teachers, and experts in the field.

Current Advances in Psychological Science: Sleep, Health, and Society: An Underappreciated Health Emergency?

CBSC 295E - Brindle, Ryan C.

Sleep (or the lack thereof) is increasingly becoming recognized as a major health concern at the societal level leading to poor physical and mental health.  Fortunately, the behavioral nature of sleep, at the same time, provides an opportunity to improve health at the societal level.   In this course we will explore the biology of sleep, why we should sleep, and the impact of sleep deprivation at the population level.

Topics in Cognitive and Behavioral Science: The Psychology of Magic and Deception

CBSC 296E - Gibson, Jacob

This course is an attempt to scientifically study magic and deception. We will use social psychological, developmental, biological, and cognitive perspectives in order to understand why and how individuals are deceived. If time allows, we will invite magicians to come to class and perform, and then we will take time to talk about and enjoy the art of magic. For this class, you will be required to learn some routines, perform them for others, and articulate the psychological principles behind the effects you and others do. 

Topics in Cognitive and Behavioral Science: Exploring Happiness

CBSC 296G - Murdock, Karla / Whiting, Wythe L.

This course will explore concepts of happiness from cultural, empirical, and experiential perspectives. It will draw from theory and research in cognitive, affective, social, and behavioral science to explore how happiness is defined, valued, and pursued. Evolutionary and cultural influences on happiness will be explored, as well as practices associated with variation in self-reported well-being. Special attention will be given to the Scandinavian concept of hygge. The first two weeks of the term will take place at W&L, and the second two weeks will take place at the Danish Institute of Study Abroad in Copenhagen and the surrounding area. The abroad portion of the course will include both classroom discussions as well as field trips where we will explore what makes Denmark one of the happiest countries in the world.

Topics in Cognitive and Behavioral Science: Regulating Emotion

CBSC 296H - Shablack, Holly

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we want to feel more, less, or the same amount of something. In this course we will explore various strategies to regulating our emotions, when we might want to regulate our emotions, what facilitates or hinders this process, and how it impacts our body, decisions, and interactions. We will also touch on how our environment may “regulate” our emotions without us realizing (such as with music and movies). The course will involve various readings, assessing and experiencing ways in which we measure emotion regulation, and more. 

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Winter 2024▲

See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.

Brain and Behavior

CBSC 111 - Brindle, Ryan C.

An introduction to behavioral neuroscience, including the physiological bases of sensation, learning and memory, motivation, cognition, and abnormal behavior.

Brain and Behavior

CBSC 111 - Lee, Nicole (Nikki)

An introduction to behavioral neuroscience, including the physiological bases of sensation, learning and memory, motivation, cognition, and abnormal behavior.

Cognition

CBSC 112 - Gibson, Jacob

An introduction to human information processing, including an examination of perception, attention, memory, problem solving, and language.

Cognition

CBSC 112 -

An introduction to human information processing, including an examination of perception, attention, memory, problem solving, and language.

Principles of Development

CBSC 113 - Fulcher, Megan

An introduction to the development of individual capacities from conception through the life span. Analysis of thought and behavior at different stages of growth with special emphasis on the period from infancy through adolescence.

Introduction to Social Psychology

CBSC 114 - Gibson, Jacob

The scientific study of how individuals' feelings, thoughts, and behavior are affected by others. Topics include prejudice, the self, interpersonal attraction, helping, aggression, attitudes, and persuasion.

Introduction to Data Science: Trends Over Time

CBSC 185 - Shablack, Holly

How can we map our feelings, attitudes, and thoughts over the course of a year? can we effectively monitor our behavior and choices to identify how they impact our mental and physical health? Can we assess employee job satisfaction or student learning over periods of time? In this course students will have an introduction to common ways of examining psychological data over time. Students will learn to use R, a popular open-source programming language, to organize and manage data effectively, create eye-catching and informative data visualizations, and conduct a variety of statistical analyses to identify key trends in data. Students will learn best practices in coding, data handling and management, reproducibility, and data ethics. No prior programming experience is required.

The Psychology of Humor

CBSC 214 - Woodzicka, Julie A.

This course focuses on theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding humor, covering traditional and contemporary theories of humor, along with social psychological, developmental, biological, and cognitive perspectives on humor. In addition, humor as a moderator of life stress is examined. Disparagement humor is a central topic, along with nonverbal markers of humor elicitation.

Statistics and Research Design

CBSC 250 - Shablack, Holly / Brindle, Ryan C.

Students learn about the design and analysis of psychological research, with particular emphasis on experimentation. Students learn statistical inference appropriate for hypothesis testing, and they use standard statistical packages to analyze data. Laboratory course.

Statistics and Research Design

CBSC 250 - Johnson, Dan R.

Students learn about the design and analysis of psychological research, with particular emphasis on experimentation. Students learn statistical inference appropriate for hypothesis testing, and they use standard statistical packages to analyze data. Laboratory course.

Statistics and Research Design

CBSC 250 - Whiting, Wythe L.

Students learn about the design and analysis of psychological research, with particular emphasis on experimentation. Students learn statistical inference appropriate for hypothesis testing, and they use standard statistical packages to analyze data. Laboratory course.

Sensation Measurement and Perception

CBSC 252 - Stewart, Robert E. (Bob)

Problems associated with sensory encoding, scaling, contextual and social determinants of perception are considered. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the senses in daily life.

Topic: Hormones and Social Behavior

CBSC 298F - Woodzicka, Julie A. / Lee, Nicole (Nikki)

In this seminar, we will investigate the hormonal mechanisms underlying social behavior in mammals, with an emphasis on classic animal models in neuroendocrinology. What hormonal differences make some species or individuals more social than others? Is oxytocin really the "love" hormone? We will address these questions, among others, through engagement with the primary literature as well as pop science. Ultimately, we will consider how and why research on animal models informs our understanding of humans and human health.

Applications of Cognitive and Behavioral Science

CBSC 299 - Fulcher, Megan

This course is designed for junior CBSC/PSYC majors to learn about modern systems and subfields of cognitive and behavior science. Pathways to professional applications of cognitive and behavior science are addressed along with experiences and tools necessary for professional development. The course has a topical structure in which primary source material is utilized to deepen students' exposure to the methodologies and findings of one subfield of cognitive and behavior science. The culmination of the course is a proposal for CBSC/PSYC majors' capstone experience.

Advanced Methods in Attention Research

CBSC 354 - Whiting, Wythe L.

Directed research on a variety of topics in attention and memory. May be repeated for degree credit.

Advanced Methods in Human Psychophysiology

CBSC 357 - Brindle, Ryan C.

Directed research on various topics in human health psychophysiology research. Students develop skills related to the measurement of human physiology across multiple biological systems (cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory systems, etc.) and learn how changes in physiology relate to, and predict, physical and mental health. May be repeated for degree credit.

Advanced Methods in Developmental Psychology Research

CBSC 362 - Fulcher, Megan

Directed research on a variety of topics in developmental psychology. May be repeated for degree credit.

Advanced Methods in Language, Culture and Emotion

CBSC 363 - Shablack, Holly

Directed research on a variety of topics in language, culture, and emotions. Students will develop skills related to identifying and navigating difficulties in emotion research, while thinking critically about how language and culture should be considered in our methods.

Advanced Methods in Social Psychology Research

CBSC 369 - Woodzicka, Julie A.

Directed research on a variety of topics in social psychology. May be repeated for degree credit.

Directed Individual Research: Developmental Psychology

CBSC 421B - Fulcher, Megan

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research: Affective Science

CBSC 421C - Shablack, Holly

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. 

Directed Individual Research: Personality Perceptions

CBSC 421E - Gibson, Jacob

Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research: Technology and Health

CBSC 421G - Whiting, Wythe L.

Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Dir Res: Sleep Science

CBSC 421H - Brindle, Ryan C.

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to six credits. Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research: Computational Cognition

CBSC 421I - Johnson, Dan R.

Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research: Sensory Neurobiology

CBSC 421J - Stewart, Robert E. (Bob)

Directed Individual Research: Developmental Psychology

CBSC 422B - Fulcher, Megan

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to eight credits toward degree requirements.

Directed Individual Research: Technology & Health

CBSC 422C - Whiting, Wythe L.

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to eight credits toward degree requirements.

Directed Individual Research: Affective Science

CBSC 422D - Shablack, Holly

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.  May be repeated for up to eight credits toward degree requirements.

Directed Individual Research: Statistics and Cognition

CBSC 422E - Johnson, Dan R.

Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings.

Directed Individual Research: Developmental Psychology

CBSC 423A - Fulcher, Megan

Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings. May be repeated for up to six credits toward major and degree requirements.

Directed Individual Research: Technology and Health

CBSC 423B - Murdock, Karla

Directed research experience in a psychology member's laboratory. Students assume responsibility in one or more major components of the research program, such as: data collection, management, and analysis; coordination of research team activities and processes; and dissemination of research findings. May be repeated for up to six credits toward major and degree requirements.

Tutorial in Cognitive and Behavioral Science: Identity and Community

CBSC 433B - Murdock, Karla

Advanced reading, study, or internships directed by a member of the staff to meet the needs of the individual student.

Tutorial in Cognitive and Behavioral Science: Developmental Science

CBSC 433C - Fulcher, Megan

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