An exploration of the nature of moral psychology. The class discusses how reason, emotion, cultural norms and social pressures shape moral judgments; how brain activity correlates with moral decision-making; and how to use psychological research on moral intuition to evaluate cultural and political disagreements. Prerequisites: PSY 202. Enrollment limited to 25. (E)

Survey of child psychopathology from a developmental perspective. Course covers theories of etiology as well as clinical treatment interventions for a range of childhood disorders and difficulties. Prerequisite: PSY 202, and either PSY 150 or EDC 235, or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 25.

This course introduces students to “neurodiversity,” or the idea that differences in how brains work and the ways that humans think, learn, and experience the world are a natural and valuable part of the human experience. Students gain a deeper understanding of the neurobiological and behavioral characteristics of neurodiverse conditions (autism; ADHD; learning, speech, and intellectual disabilities) by exploring first-person narratives and empirical research articles.

A commonly held view of memory is that it supports a narrow set of functions (e.g., being able to recall the name of a coworker). Memory actually serves a broader function: it forms one’s sense self and allows one to plan for the future. While incredibly important, memory is also susceptible to various kinds of errors (e.g., false memories that lead to wrongful convictions). This course presents cognitive and neuroimaging data and addresses questions such as whether there is one or more types of memory, whether memory function can be improved, and why humans are prone to false memories.

Introduces students to a variety of methods used in psychological research. All sections of this course cover the basic methodological techniques of contemporary psychology such as observational, experimental and survey methods. Sections differ in the particular content theme used to illustrate these methods. Priority is given to Smith College psychology majors and minors. Prerequisite: PSY 100. PSY 201 recommended (may be concurrent.) Enrollment limited to 15.

Introduces students to a variety of methods used in psychological research. All sections of this course cover the basic methodological techniques of contemporary psychology such as observational, experimental and survey methods. Sections differ in the particular content theme used to illustrate these methods. Priority is given to Smith College psychology majors and minors. Prerequisite: PSY 100. PSY 201 recommended (may be concurrent.) Enrollment limited to 15.

Introduces students to a variety of methods used in psychological research. All sections of this course cover the basic methodological techniques of contemporary psychology such as observational, experimental and survey methods. Sections differ in the particular content theme used to illustrate these methods. Priority is given to Smith College psychology majors and minors. Prerequisite: PSY 100. PSY 201 recommended (may be concurrent.) Enrollment limited to 15.

This course provides a broad overview of the field of health psychology using foundational concepts, theories, methods, and applications. With a critical lens, the course examines "state-of-the-art" research and current gaps in knowledge to explore issues including conceptualizations of health and illness, stress and coping, and health behaviors. The course focuses on how health is constituted by and interacts with its multiple contexts, particularly social and environmental ones. Enrollment limited to 60.

Offered as NSC 130 and PSY 130. Introduction to brain-behavior relations in humans and other species. An overview of anatomical, neural, hormonal and neurochemical bases of behavior in both normal and clinical cases. Discussions include the biological basis of sexual behavior, sleep, emotions, depression, schizophrenia, autism, ADHD and neurological disorders. The course focuses on clinical cases in human neuroscience. Open to entering students. Enrollment limited to 60.

This interdisciplinary seminar topic familiarizes students with Brazilian landscapes and socio-biodiversity through an examination of different modes of environmental representation. The course addresses a variety of historical and contemporary topics, including environmental politics, conflicts, and movements and forms of environmental thinking and representation from different periods and perspectives – colonial, post-colonial, and decolonial; Indigenous and Quilombola; artistic, journalistic, scientific, and activist.