Behavioral Sciences

Overview of the field of psychology, including learning, development, emotion, motivation, personality, abnormal behavior and psychotherapy.

(SAME AS SOC 152) Theoretical synthesis of social influences, including attitude formation, social and cognitive development, aggression, prosocial behavior, prejudice, conformity, culture and gender differences, influences, group processes and interpersonal attraction will be studied.

Learn basic counseling microskills against a backdrop of comparative theories and systems of counseling. Ethical, legal and practical issues included.

Methods and techniques for changing behaviors based on learning principles. Includes modeling, simulation, role playing, operant, aversion, fear reduction and self-management methods.

Physical, mental, emotional and social development of the human individual from conception through childhood. Genetic, prenatal and postnatal influences on development are examined. Cognitive and social learning theories are used to integrate research findings.

Principles and theories of human development from conception through adulthood, with applications to foster optimal development. Cognitive, behavioral and social learning theories are used to integrate research findings.

Survey of those behaviors that do not fit the norm of society, including causal factors, specific disorders and treatment methods.

Application of psychological theories to the teaching-learning process. Principles of cognitive and social development discussed along with discipline, motivation and assessment and evaluation.

Physiological, psychological and sociocultural influences on human sexuality, including gender, sexual maturation and behavior, identity, values, orientation, relationships, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual disorders and therapy.

Performance management and organizational change techniques based on principles of behavioral psychology. Environmental change strategies are emphasized. Topics include personnel management, employee motivation, job satisfaction, compensation strategies and practices, employee behavior and leadership.

Sociology of dominant-minority relations in contemporary American society. Attention to specific ethnic, religious, and racial minorities in terms of prejudice and discrimination.

(SAME AS PSY 152) Theoretical synthesis of social influences, including attitude formation, social and cognitive development, aggression, prosocial behavior, prejudice, conformity, culture and gender differences/influences, group processes and interpersonal attraction.

The discipline and its contributions to understanding the fundamental processes of social interaction. Includes development of self, socialization process, groups and social structure. Application of sociological principles to our society by examination of relevant research.

The position and significance of marriage and the family in contemporary society are examined. Issues are examined within the larger political, historical and social context, including marriage and family values within diverse ethnic, minority and gender identity groups. SOC 231 recommended before enrolling in this course.

An introduction to the social work profession, code of ethics, values, and social welfare policy. This is an examination of the profession’s responsibilities in correlation to the populations served. This includes a history of social work as well as the role of the social work profession and different settings of practice.

Prerequisite: PSY 140 or SOC 231

Sociology of dominant-minority relations in contemporary American society. Attention to specific ethnic, religious, and racial minorities in terms of prejudice and discrimination.

Examination of national and international developments in the past century focusing on such matters as colonialism, global warfare, and emerging nations, appearance and disappearance of communism. In addition, polarization of wealth and power, the revolution in technology, communication, businesses and industry, the conflict between the globalization movement and national tendencies will be examined.

Develops a systematic framework for the interpretation of political activity in the United States. Numerous models explain the theoretical foundations of government and the decision-making process.

Survey contemporary world affairs and examine the nation-state system, the struggle for power, and factors creating harmony and hostility among states.

Cultural anthropology is a one semester introductory course. The course focuses on the thesis that every society is based on an integrated culture, which satisfies human needs and facilitates survival. The course also explores the ways in which our own culture fits into the broad range of human possibilities.

This course covers macroeconomics and explains the operation of free markets, the role of government in the economy, measurement of the national product, inflation and unemployment, monetary and fiscal policy, and economic growth.

This course covers microeconomics: the market structure of firms operating in competition and monopoly, labor markets and unions, how income is distributed, current economic problems, international economics, and alternative economic systems.

This course is the study of American national history beginning with the colonization to the Civil War. Themes include exploration and settlement, development of political theory, development of the West and its influence on the country, the growth of sectionalism and the Civil War.

This course examines the period from the Civil War and Reconstruction to the present day. It emphasizes: industrial, commercial and agricultural expansion; intellectual currents; outstanding social changes; the nation’s expanding role in the world affairs, and the Cold War.

This course covers both substantive and procedural law at local, state and federal levels. Special emphasis given to the Michigan Penal Code and landmark court decisions.

This course covers the history, evolution and philosophy of the American criminal justice system. Emphasis on the interrelationship of system components: police, attorneys, courts and corrections.

Introduction to deviant behavior and current criminological theories with emphasis on synthesis and police applications to juveniles; diversion and status offenses considered.

Administration and operation of a police department including line/staff activities are explored.

(SAME AS SOC 117) Provides an understanding of the cultural nature, origin and development of criminal behavior with attention given to the psychological and sociological factors involved.

A survey of the American corrections system as a component of the criminal justice system.

“What are the things prospective teachers beginning their formal study of teacher education should know?” Students will gain knowledge of the role of a professional teacher and education topics: schools, diverse students and their needs, historical and current education issues and trends, as well as philosophical and legal foundations in American education. Students will explore and experience key concepts and skills through reading, research, presentation of a lesson, development of a professional portfolio and a teaching philosophy, documented technology and education site-based field experiences. Minimum of 16 hours field experience is included.

This survey course introduces the learner to exceptional children from pre-kindergarten through adolescence. Characteristics, educational considerations and implications for educators and parents are a sample of the topics addressed. Developmental factors and the role of families in education and intervention, appropriate practices, culturally competent professional behavior, and collaborative interpersonal and inter-professional actions are included. The course includes historical and organizational factors, laws, and implications of all areas of exceptionality that govern special education. A minimum of five hours of approved literacy field service is required.

This course surveys learning development from prenatal stages through adolescence. Students study normal and exceptional development of the physical, cognitive, emotional and social domains of children in the contexts of home, school and group settings. Students study developmental theories and best practice methods. A minimum of 20 hours of approved field service including a group diversity project is required.

This course provides background material for students preparing to teach at the elementary level and emphasizes the structure and properties of the number system. It also covers concepts, models in algorithms for whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals and percents. Some additional hours of on-site field work may be required. The mathematics department recommends that the prerequisite not be more than two years old. If the prerequisite is more than two years old the recommendation is the course placement exam be taken or the prerequisite be retaken to ensure the success of the student.

This course will provide the second semester of math content for elementary education majors. It is a continuation course for MAT 210, Foundations of Mathematics I. Topics include probability and statistics, geometry and measurement. The mathematics department recommends that the prerequisite not be more than two years old. If the prerequisite is more than two years old then the recommendation is that the course placement exam be taken or the prerequisite be retaken to ensure the success of the student.

Application of psychological theories to the teaching-learning process. Principles of cognitive and social development discussed along with discipline, motivation and assessment and evaluation.

Students will learn the basic principles of speech communication including speech development and delivery, interpersonal message, non-verbal messages, and small group dynamics. The course is designed to prepare students to be effective communicators in a diverse global society. Student speeches will be evaluated for effectiveness.

(FORMERLY SPH 234) Explore the role of the speaker, audience, occasion and the message. Opportunities are offered for participation in all general purposes of speech plus some special occasion speeches. Delivery methods are impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript and memorized. Outlining, organization, delivery technique and other theories of public address stressed.

(FORMERLY SPH 240) Students will learn to improve communication in one-on-one and small group situations. In this course, students will examine basic verbal and non-verbal elements affecting communication between individuals in family, peer group and work contexts. Specific units of discussion include intrapersonal perspective, conflict resolution, self-disclosure, message generation, intercultural messages and non-verbal communication.

(Students cannot receive credit for both COM 250 and COM 350) This course will explore how diverse cultural orientations influence the way we perceive and interact with an increasingly culturally diverse world. We will discuss the causes of intercultural conflicts in different communication settings (interpersonal, small group, school, workplace and global) and how to manage them effectively.

In this course, students will examine small group communication theories and processes by observing and participating in group activities. As group members, students will apply communication theory to enhance their effectiveness as members and leaders

Prerequisite: COM 231 or COM 240