"Topics" courses vary by term and section. In some terms there will be several class sections with the same course number (e.g., PSY 1050) but with different focus (e.g., one might be Sleep, one might be Sports Psych, etc.). Topics courses may be offered infrequently. Below is a list of Topics offered this term.
SPRING 2025
PSY 1050 Topics in Psychology
PSY 1050 - 1020 PSYCHOLOGY OF SLEEP
Class Number: 31135
Instructor: Mark Thomas
This in-person course provides an overview of sleep and circadian rhythms across four modules: foundational information about the physiology and measurement of sleep and circadian rhythms, sleep disorders and treatment, sleep and mental, physical, and cognitive health, and a variety of special topics on sleep. This course will provide information about basic terms and concepts in this field, as well as historical and contemporaneous perspectives for understanding the ¿what, how, and why¿ behind sleep and circadian rhythms in humans.
PSY 1050 - 1100 SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY
Class Number: 29848
Instructor: Jay Deiters
PSY 1050 - 7510 POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Class Number: 29279
Instructor: Ahmed Ghuman
PSY 1051 Topics in Social Psychology
PSY 1051 - 1200 SOCIAL PSYCH OF REALITY TV
Class Number: 29361
Instructor: Jennifer Hirsch
Let's put the "real" in reality TV -- in this course, we will explore how social strategy reality TV shows reflect a microcosm of our social worlds. From first impressions, to building relationships, to deceit, power, and alliances, we will analyze, discuss, and even experience these social strategy games through the lens of social psychological research and theories.
PSY 1052 Topics in Clinical Psychology
PSY 1052 - 1025 CLINICAL HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Class Number: 31222
Instructor: TBA
This course examines the interconnections between biological, psychological, social, and sociocultural factors in the study of human well-being and disease from the perspective of clinical health psychology. We will also consider models that seek to explain how people make health-related decisions, look at the experiences that patients have when interacting with medical systems, and delve into how psychological interventions can be used to improve health. A main focus is understanding how clinical health psychologists fit into medical systems, including their roles, education/training, and how they team up with other healthcare providers.
PSY 1052 - 1030 CLINICAL HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Class Number: 31223
Instructor: TBA
This course examines the interconnections between biological, psychological, social, and sociocultural factors in the study of human well-being and disease from the perspective of clinical health psychology. We will also consider models that seek to explain how people make health-related decisions, look at the experiences that patients have when interacting with medical systems, and delve into how psychological interventions can be used to improve health. A main focus is understanding how clinical health psychologists fit into medical systems, including their roles, education/training, and how they team up with other healthcare providers.
PSY 1053 Topics in Developmental Psychology
PSY 1053 - 1015 SOCIAL MEDIA AND BODY IMAGE
Class Number: 31136
Instructor: Sophia Choukas-Bradley
In this course, we'll address the role of social media use in adolescent girls' body image. Focusing on recent research findings and current trends, we will integrate theoretical perspectives from developmental, social, and clinical psychology, as well as theories related to gender, sexuality, and communication. Class meetings will include a mix of interactive lectures and discussions. Class projects will allow students to apply what they have learned to new and emerging social media trends.
PSY 1053 - 1020 CONTEXTUAL INFLUENCES
Class Number: 31226
Instructor: Daphne Henry
PSY 1057 Topics in Biological and Health Psychology
PSY 1057 - 1000 PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY
Class Number: 27813
Instructor: Rebecca Reed
This course introduces students to theories and research in psychoneuroimmunology ¿ an exciting field that examines interactions among the mind, nervous system, and immune system. Topics include an overview of the immune system and its connections with the brain; associations between psychological constructs (e.g., stress, emotion, social relationships, socioeconomic status) and immunity; and new approaches and directions in the field. Classes will be discussion-based, focusing on primary readings from the literature.
PSY 1057 - 1015 THE SCIENCE OF MINDFULNESS
Class Number: 31218
Instructor: Emily Lindsay
This course provides an overview of the science of mindfulness meditation in the context of health. Mindfulness, an awareness of present-moment sensory experience with an orientation of acceptance, has been shown to relate to a variety of health-relevant outcomes, including stress, happiness, social interactions, mental health, and stress-related disease processes. This course will focus on theoretical and empirical scientific research on mindfulness interventions. Students will learn to evaluate studies in the field for methodological rigor. Finally, students will have a chance to learn a variety of mindfulness practices through direct experience.
PSY 1059 Topics in Advanced Laboratory Methods
PSY 1059 - 1020 HUMAN STRESS
Class Number: 31137
Instructor: Marie Cross
In this course, students will have the opportunity to acquire an understanding of how humans experience, adapt to, and respond to stressful life events. We will discuss the physiological and psychological mechanisms that underlie the human stress response and examine their connections to the development of both acute and chronic diseases. We will also discuss stress management techniques and how resilience to stress can be increased. By the end of the course, students will not only understand the science of stress but also acquire practical tools to manage it effectively in their own lives.
PSY 1059 - 1025 HUMAN STRESS
Class Number: 31138
Instructor: Marie Cross
In this course, students will have the opportunity to acquire an understanding of how humans experience, adapt to, and respond to stressful life events. We will discuss the physiological and psychological mechanisms that underlie the human stress response and examine their connections to the development of both acute and chronic diseases. We will also discuss stress management techniques and how resilience to stress can be increased. By the end of the course, students will not only understand the science of stress but also acquire practical tools to manage it effectively in their own lives.
FALL 2024
PSY 1050 Topics in Psychology
PSY 1050 - 1220 SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
Class Number: 28927
Instructor: Wendy Guo
In this seminar-based course, you will learn about the development of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) as a research discipline by reviewing current cognitive, linguistic, psychological, educational, sociocultural, and interactional perspectives. We will examine topics including the description of patterns of second language development; cognitive, functional, and psycholinguistic theories of SLA; usage-based approaches to language acquisition; the applied linguistics of L2 learning and instruction; critical periods and age effects; sociocultural and sociolinguistic approaches, etc. Main grading components include in-class and online participation, presentations, facilitation of discussions, and a final term paper on an SLA topic of your choosing.
PSY 1050 - 1300 SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY
Class Number: 31186
Instructor: Jay Deiters
PSY 1050 - 1310 PSYCHOLOGY OF SLEEP
Class Number: 31213
Instructor: Mark Thomas
This in-person course provides an overview of sleep and circadian rhythms across four modules: foundational information about the physiology and measurement of sleep and circadian rhythms, sleep disorders and treatment, sleep and mental, physical, and cognitive health, and a variety of special topics on sleep. This course will provide information about basic terms and concepts in this field, as well as historical and contemporaneous perspectives for understanding the ¿what, how, and why¿ behind sleep and circadian rhythms in humans.
PSY 1051 Topics in Social Psychology
PSY 1051 - 1092 SOCIAL PSYCH OF REALITY TV
Class Number: 28926
Instructor: Jennifer Hirsch
Let's put the "real" in reality TV -- in this course, we will explore how social strategy reality TV shows reflect a microcosm of our social worlds. From first impressions, to building relationships, to deceit, power, and alliances, we will analyze, discuss, and even experience these social strategy games through the lens of social psychological research and theories.
PSY 1053 Topics in Developmental Psychology
PSY 1053 - 1100 SOCIAL MEDIA AND BODY IMAGE
Class Number: 32643
Instructor: Sophia Choukas-Bradley
In this course, we'll address the role of social media use in adolescent girls' body image. Focusing on recent research findings and current trends, we will integrate theoretical perspectives from developmental, social, and clinical psychology, as well as theories related to gender, sexuality, and communication. Class meetings will include a mix of interactive lectures and discussions. Class projects will allow students to apply what they have learned to new and emerging social media trends.
PSY 1059 Topics in Advanced Laboratory Methods
PSY 1059 - 1110 MIXED METHODS
Class Number: 31196
Instructor: Andrea Mora
In this course, students will be introduced to mixed methods research in psychology. Mixed methods means that you go beyond the usual quantitative (numerical) data and learn how to collect and incorporate qualitative data¿participants¿ stories and personal experiences. The class will focus on the mental health of university students and barriers to seeking psychological support, such as financial barriers, stigma, and access to culturally competent therapists. Students will use nationally available survey data (quantitative) and conduct individual interviews (qualitative) with university students to conduct their own mixed methods study.