L6 - Psychology (Accelerated)

Students are introduced to the study of human behavior and mental processes, with emphasis on the biopsychosocial determinants of behavior. Topics include psychobiology, learning, memory, motivation, development, personality, psychopathology and social behavior.

In this study of processes and theories concerning childhood development, specific theories are covered, including Freud's psychosexual stages of development, Piaget's stages of intellectual development, Erikson's developmental stages and Kohlberg's stages of moral development.  Physical and psychological development and the subsequent acquisition of skills at the various stages of childhood are reviewed.  The emphasis is on normal behavior.

The developmental processes of pre-pubescence through the progression to early adulthood are studied.  Research and theory are examined as they pertain to biological, social, cognitive and emotional development in the context of the quest for identity and relatedness.  Variations of experience according to gender, ethnicity, economic status and sexual orientation are explored.  Typical problems of adolescents are also studied.

A continuing developmental survey of the human being through adulthood and old age, this course focuses on the continuity of development from earlier stages, with special emphasis on changes in cognition, personality and behavior, and the role of the central nervous system in aging.  Cross-cultural studies in social roles and expectancies are included.  Attachment, bereavement, death and related adjustment issues are explored as well.

This survey of the major models of personality and cognitive development includes psychoanalytic, behavioristic, humanistic, cognitive and physiological theories. Emphasis is on the interaction of genetic patterns and experiences, the emergence of individual differences and age-related changes in the normal human personality.

This course is an intensive focus on an applied area of psychology. Emphasis is on experiential learning and class participation. Students receive a letter grade for course. It is open to both majors and non-majors. Majors can use up to three workshops to satisfy elective requirements within the Psychology or HRM major.

This course is an intensive examination of an area related to human resource management or organizational psychology. Emphasis is on experiential learning and class participation. Students receive a letter grade for the course. Majors can use up to three workshops to satisfy elective requirements within the Psychology or HRM major.

This analysis of interpersonal forces in small groups focuses on theoretical analysis of group formation, communication and leadership processes, is combined with an examination of group-based change methods for improvement of individual and group behavior. Experiential learning is an important part of this class.

Students explore cultural differences and similarities in basic psychological processes. The course examines cross-cultural content with special emphasis on causes and coping methods for culture shock. A variety of enrichment experiences, including guest speakers, simulations and films, is used. This course satisfies the Illinois teacher certification requirement for a Third World course.

This course covers the fundamental skills necessary for a complete understanding of statistics as a tool of science. Topics covered include data collection and organization, measures of central tendency, measures of variability, probability, correlation, hypothesis testing, t-tests, analysis of variance, chi-square and nonparametric tests.

This course provides accurate and up-to-date information on a variety of death-related topics. The primary goal is to help students develop a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between life and death and the large-scale sociocultural process.

This course investigates human behavior along the normal-abnormal continuum.  It covers possible causes and treatments of the major types of behavior disorders, as well as issues in diagnosis and classification.

A psychological study of human action in relation to the interpersonal environment, this course focuses on the individual as a functioning member of society. Topics covered include attitude formation and change, decision-making, social influences, prejudice, aggression and attraction.

This course covers elements of union-management relationships in both private and public sector organizations.  It examines aspects of contract negotiation and implementation with attention to conflict reduction and grievance processing.  Focus is on practical application and case-oriented discussions.

Students study the application of psychological principles in governmental, non-profit and private sectors. Emphasis is on the understanding of human resource management processes, motivation, communication, leadership, group dynamics, organizational structure and organizational change.

This course covers the systems, strategies and practices of effective training in organizations. Emphasis is on understanding the psychological principles that guide the design of successful training methods for entry-level positions to executive management development. The class focuses on the sequence of identifying needs, designing programs and evaluating program outcomes. A case-oriented approach is taken.

This study of the theories of work motivation and job satisfaction covers need models, cognitive models, learning models and self-growth models. Emphasis is on practical application of theories in the workplace to increase satisfaction of workers while increasing productivity.

Students examine the systems, strategies and practices of effective securing of organizational staff.  Emphasis is on the psychological principles that shape the design of successful recruitment and selection of members of organizations. This includes external searches, as well as internal transfer or promotion. A case-oriented, practical approach is used to aid in skill development.

This course covers yearly updated national curriculum to orient students to detailed delivery of HRM services.  Content covers six major areas of HRM practices.  Students have option of taking national test for certification. Students share class with working professionals for networking and self-enrichment. Typically offered in online format.

This course examines basic mechanisms of compensating employees, including determining the worth of jobs through job evaluation, creating incentive plans, and creating benefit packages. Goals include increasing performance and encouraging stability of employment.  Issues of pay equity, including comparable worth will be examined. Emphasis will be on practical, case-oriented methods.

This course will examine how small groups and organizations deal with interpersonal and intergroup conflicts. It identifies forces for conflict and methods by which the conflicts can be minimized or controlled. Small group exercises will augment theoretical discussion.

This course is a ten week, accelerated course that prepares students to deal with HRM issues of alignment of global HRM processes and activities. It examines recruitment, mobility, compensation, training and communication in a multi-cultural context. The course is offered in conjunction with the Society for Human Resource Management and reviews materials that prepare HRM professionals to sit for a national test in the area (not required for course). Students share class with working professionals for networking and self-enrichment.

This course covers models of social influence that have been developed to increase the effectiveness of performance within organizations. A situational approach will be used, that recognizes different styles are needed for organizations that differ in size, purpose, staffing makeup and situational circumstances. Exercises will encourage student self-analysis of models that are most effective for their personality and style.

Students gain experience in conducting psychological research, including the formulation of testable hypotheses, experimental design, data collection and analysis, writing of research reports and the ethics of research.  As a course in the accelerated HRM program, this course will focus on applied organizational research with emphasis on program evaluation.

Students participate in supervised, experiential training in private sector, governmental or non-profit organizations for a minimum of 150 hours onsite.  A program evaluation project and report are required. Placement must be arranged and approved by the HRM director prior to registration for the course. This course satisfies the capstone requirement for HRM and Psychology.  This course also satisfies the advanced writing requirement for the HRM major.