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Psychology
Psychology’s roots in the inquiry into the nature of human beings and the relationship of the mind or psyche to the body and the physical world date from earliest recorded history.
Contemporary psychology has evolved into a diverse field comprising areas such as biopsychology, clinical and personality psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and neuroscience. The psychology concentration at Simon’s Rock offers courses in many of these areas as an academic foundation for students who wish to do graduate work in psychology and related disciplines such as sociology. It also provides a valuable complement for students interested in the many disciplines with which psychology has a natural affinity, including biology, medicine, literature, theater, the arts, and philosophy. Work in these related areas also provides an excellent complement to the concentration.
Related Career Paths
Students with a concentration in psychology may enter into fields and positions such as social work, human resources, business, consulting, market research, medicine/medical research, education, special education, and mental health.
Curriculum
The prerequisite for the concentration is Psychology 100. The psychology concentration requires a minimum of 27 credits including:
- No fewer than nine credits (3 courses) at the 200-level, including at least two courses from Area A and one course from Area B (see below);
- Two advanced (300-level or higher) psychology courses;
- A research methods course;
- Either an applied internship or research internship for 3 or more credits, and
- One related course from outside the discipline.
(Note: The research methods course does not count toward either the 300-level course or the outside the discipline requirements). Students wishing to pursue graduate study in psychology are encouraged to take additional courses in psychology (two additional 200-level courses, and at least one additional advanced course) and to also take Introduction to Statistics.
Area A: Social, Cultural, and Cognitive
- Psychology 203 Social Psychology
- Psychology 215 Multicultural Psychology
- Psychology 217 Political Psychology
- Psychology 218 Psychology of Women
- Psychology 221 Stereotyping and Prejudice
- Psychology 229m1 Introduction to Cognitive Neuropsychology
Area B: Developmental and Clinical
- Psychology 202 Developmental Psychology
- Psychology 206 Theories of Personality
- Psychology 223 Family Systems
ADVANCED COURSES
- Psychology 302 Abnormal Psychology
- Psychology 306 Conflict and Conflict Resolution
- Psychology 307 Psychological Theories of Self
- Psychology 310 Principles of Clinical Psychology
- Psychology 315 Multicultural Psychology
- Psychology 321 Stereotyping and Prejudice
- Psychology 332m Electromagnetism and the Brain
METHODS COURSE
- Social Science 309 Quantitative Research Methods (required)
- Anthropology 223 Life Histories (recommended)
Students in the concentration have done internships with Volunteers in Medicine, Blue Rider Stables, Simon’s Rock Resiliency Research, and Bard High School Early College.
Course Spotlight
Psychology 221: Stereotyping and Prejudice
Is stereotyping inevitable? Does prejudice always lead to discrimination? What is dehumanization? This course will highlight the distinct differences yet interrelations between stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Topics to be addressed include the functions/goals served by stereotypes and prejudice (e.g., to make yourself feel better). Also discussed will be stigma, the various types of –isms (e.g., modern racism), and individual differences (e.g., personality influences). Cross-cultural perspectives will be explored. Popular culture, current events, and scholarly articles will be used to demonstrate the numerous concepts we will cover.
Student Profile
