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 and a Certificate Program in Gerontology at the undergraduate and graduate level. 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, if not required, to have an internship in an applied setting as well as demonstrate competency and skills in their major as well as oral and written abilities. Students majoring in Psychology may choose to emphasize: experimental, general, industrial/organizational, gerontology, military and leadership, bio-psychology, pre-law, or pre-medicine. Students majoring in Sociology may choose to emphasize: social work, demography, or stratification (e.g. race, class, gender inequalities.)
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 80. 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) | 3 hours | |
| MATH 2400 | 3 hours | |
| 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 | Physiological Psychology | 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 10 hours of independent study will be accepted toward the Psychology major.
Open electives 6 hours
Basic Physical Education Requirement 3 hours
U.S. and Georgia Constitution and History Requirement 3 hours
Military Science Requirements (for students in the Military) 12 hours
Regents' Test (see page 73)
Requirements of a minor in Psychology include completion of PSYC 1101 and 15 additional hours selected from 3000 - 4000-level Psychology courses
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
Prerequisite: 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 Physiological Psychology (W), 3 hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and 6 credit hours of biology
A comprehensive study of the neuro-anatomical basis of complex behavioral processes.
Emphasis is given to providing an overview of how neurological and other bodily
processes produce and control behavior and how behavior influences neurological
processes. Personality is viewed from the perspective of the morphological,
physiological, and psychological approaches. The relationship between the internal
environment and behaviors such as food intake control, mating behavior, neural
action, emotion, etc., will be discussed.
PSYC 4250 Sensation and Perception (W), 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101
Appraisal of traditional and contemporary psychophysical models of sensation
and perception. A study of sensory systems emphasizing behavioral significance
of the brain. Emphasis is on the general characteristics of the senses, color
perception, illusions, perceptual learning, and attention.
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
Prerequisite: 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.
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 80. 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 |
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 3 hours
Military science requirements (if applicable)
U.S. & GA CONSTITUTION & HISTORY REQUIREMENT
Regents' Test (see page 73)
Senior Exit Exam
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.
SOCI 1101 Introductory 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 presentday 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 Environment, Technology, and Society, 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 Occupations 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, Society and the Human Experience, 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, 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. Gender plays an important part of our lives as individuals,
but also structures life within U.S. society. 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. Although this course is primarily
about gender, we will examine how masculinities and femininities are shaped
by other factors such as, race, and sexual orientation.
SOCI 4000 Seminar 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
PHIL 1101 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 1110 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 2000 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.
Gerontology Certificate Program
The Gerontology Certificate Program at North Georgia College & State University is designed to enable students at the undergraduate and graduate level, non-degree students, and residents of the community to obtain a certificate in 2-3 semesters of course work. Students will complete a total of eighteen (18) semester hours of upper level undergraduate, or graduate level courses to meet the requirements of the certificate program. Twelve (12) of the hours must arise from the four certificate courses associated with the Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System (GSAMS) and the Gerontology Distance Learning Partnership grant from the University of Georgia (UGA). These four courses are the Seminar of Aging, the Biology of Aging, the Sociology of Aging, and the Psychology of Aging.
GERO 3081 Seminar in Aging, 3 hours
The Seminar in Aging is designed as the first in a series of four gerontology
courses collaboratively taught over the GSAMS distance learning network. This
course is appropriate for both upper level undergraduate students and graduate
students. Its primary purpose is to provide an introduction and overview of
the biology, psychology, and sociology of aging. In addition, contemporary topics
related to older individuals and aging are introduced. Participation by students
and discussion among collaborating faculty will highlight the complexities of
the aging process from diverse perspectives. The views, expertise, and experiences
of such a diverse collection of faculty and students will provide an introduction
to the field of gerontology not typically found at a single university. Another
important goal of this course is to introduce, and provide training experiences
for using technologies which will increasingly become required skill set repertoires
for our graduates entering the academic and professional work places in the
21st century.
GERO 3381 Biology of Aging, 3 hours
The Human Physical Aging and Biology of Aging is designed as one of a series
of four (4) gerontology courses collaboratively taught over the GSAMS distance
learning network. This course is appropriate for both upper level undergraduate
students and graduate students in health related fields and those interested
in the physiological changes that occur with aging. Its primary purpose is to
provide the basics of the biology of aging with a system-by-system description
of aging phenomena in the body. Participation by students and discussion among
collaborating faculty will highlight the complexities of the aging process from
diverse perspectives. The views, expertise, and experiences, of such a diverse
collection of faculty and students will provide exposure to aspects of human
physical aging not typically found at a single university. Another important
goal of this course is to introduce and provide training experiences for using
technologies which will increasingly become required skill set repertoires for
our graduates entering the academic and professional work places in the 21st
century.
GERO 3481 Sociology of Aging, 3 hours
The Sociology of Aging is a distance learning course taught collaboratively
via the Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System (GSAMS). The course is
designed for upper level graduate and undergraduate students. Its central focus
will be the examination of age as a social construct and aging as a social process.
We will explore the effects of societal norms and social institutions on the
aging experiences of individuals as well as the effects of qualities of generations
and the age structure of a population on a society and its institutions. Students
will become familiar with major sociological theories of aging. We will study
the demographics of age by looking at the changing age structure of the United
States and reviewing social indicators to document the composition and comparative
status of the current older population. We will discuss issues of age-related
inequality and its confluence with social class, race, and gender inequalities.
We will investigate major contemporary issues in aging, using research literature
to not only inform, but also to enable us to analyze these issues and possible
public policy responses to them. A number of faculty members of participating
institutions will lecture and facilitate discussions in their areas of expertise
in aging.
GERO 3181 Psychology of Aging, 3 hours
Psychology of Aging is a distance learning course taught collaboratively via
the Georgia Statewide Academic and 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. At NGCSU this
is an introductory level graduate course and an upper level undergraduate course.
Lectures are designed to provide a general overview of the domain of psychology
and aging with an emphasis on critical evaluation of research. Accordingly,
we will examine aging research and practice to obtain a general picture of the
far-ranging contributions of both academic and applied psychology to later life
and show how psychological research translates into practice. We will study
academic research and look at some illustrations of clinical applications of
research findings in order to demonstrate how the abstract content of the psychology
of aging can come alive in a concrete way. Central goals of the course are to
learn about procedures, biases, and limitations of major studies, evaluate the
accuracy of theories, and explore actual research evidence supporting those
theories. Through this snapshot of what we know, students should gain the tools
and critical framework to question and evaluate future theory, research, and
practice, in the psychology of aging. We will focus on abstract theoretical
questions and study topics with immediate, pressing applications to daily life.
Among the topics that will be considered are the challenges of disability and
health care, family relationships, personality consistency (or change), the
ways people cope with stress, the course of retirement and widowhood, marital
happiness, how families cope with caregiving, and the trajectory of Alzheimer's
disease.
Three (3) additional hours must be fulfilled to meet a research/practicum experience requirement. These hours may involve a service learning practicum which is relevant to the study of gerontology, and which is also community-based. As an alternative, a student may present a thesis which fulfills their degree program requirements AND which is relevant to the study of the older population, or may complete a research project relevant to the study of gerontology.
GERO 3581 Practicum Experience, 3 hours
Students whose discipline has a practitioner's emphasis may complete an approved
practicum in a community-based gerontological setting for not less than three
(3) semester hours. The practicum must be approved by the Gerontology faculty
advisor. The student should outline the proposed practicum experience in a letter
to the Gerontology faculty advisor.
Example of practicum experience: Service learning with the elderly. This course is a supervised field experience designed to assist in reinforcing knowledge, theories, and principles, gained through courses related to Gerontology.
GERO 3681 Research Experience, 3 hours
Students whose discipline is focused on research may submit a thesis which they
have completed to fulfill Master's requirements within their academic department,
or they may complete an individual research project for not less than three
(3) semester hours. The thesis or project must focus on some aspect of aging,
and the project must be approved by the Gerontology faculty advisor prior to
the development of the project in order to qualify for the certificate. The
student should outline the proposed project in a letter to the Gerontology faculty
advisor.
As stated previously, students should describe the proposed research project or practicum in a letter to the Gerontology faculty advisor or complete the form developed for this purpose. The student will receive written response from the Gerontology faculty advisor regarding the suitability of the proposed plan for the Gerontology Certificate. In addition, the student and his or her advisor must submit written documentation to the Gerontology faculty advisor that the project has been approved through the student's specialty department if the course is being taken in lieu of a requirement in that program of study, and also when that project has been completed as proposed. When the project has been completed, the completion form must be submitted to the Gerontology faculty advisor. As stated previously, theses and disciplinary practica completed in departments may fulfill these requirements as long as it is determined that the subject matter is suitable for the certificate before the project begins. When the academic credit for the thesis or practicum is awarded by any academic unit other than the Gerontology Program, the responsibility for evaluating the quality of the work resides solely in the department.
The remaining three (3) hours may be chosen from a list of elective courses which are offered on the North Georgia College & State University campus and are as follows:
SOCI 3230 Social Change, 3 hours
This course examines the theories, directions, mechanisms, patterns, spheres,
and impact 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 3530 Death, Society, and the Human Experience, 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 4100 Sociology Theory, 3 hours
A survey of the major theoretical concepts of major writers in sociology from
Comte to the present.
SOSC 4350 Family Violence, 3 hours
An interdisciplinary examination of the main areas of family violence: spousal
abuse, child abuse, sibling violence, etc. Research in the field will be reviewed
for factors related to causation and prevention.
PSYC 3200 Advanced Developmental Psychology, 3 hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 & 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 3530 Abnormal Psychology, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101
A survey and evaluation of the major theories of personality development and
related research and applications.