Psychology

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Contacts

Undergraduate Primary Contact

Chair of the Undergraduate Program Amanda Woodward
G 412
834.1375
Email

Secondary Contact

Director of the Undergraduate Research Initiative in Psychology Anne Henly
Kelly 302
834.2712
Email

Administrative Contact

Student Affairs Administrator Mimi Maduff
Br 109
702.8861
Email

Listhost

https://lists.uchicago.edu/web/info/psychology-majors

Website

http://psychology.uchicago.edu

Program of Study

Psychology is the study of the mental states and processes that give rise to behavior. It seeks to understand the basic mechanisms and functions of perception, cognition, emotion, and attitudes in guiding behavior. Although it focuses on the level of the individual, individual behavior depends on the social relationships and structures in which people are embedded and the biological systems of which we are comprised. Thus, psychological study encompasses a broad set of topics that overlap with a number of disciplines across the social and biological sciences. The requirements of the major are designed to acquaint students with the research methods psychologists use and to provide a foundation of core knowledge covering the major areas of psychology. This broad foundation allows students to pursue a more advanced understanding of subfields related to their own particular interests and goals for the major. The program may serve as preparation for graduate work in psychology or related fields (e.g., neuroscience, education), as well as for students interested in careers in social work, public policy, business, or medicine. Students are encouraged to become actively engaged in research in the department and should consult with the director of undergraduate research about their interests as early as possible.

Program Requirements

NOTE: The following revised requirements are in effect for students who matriculated September 2008 and after.

Statistics/Methodology Sequence

A coordinated two-quarter sequence covering statistical methods (PSYC 20100 Psychological Statistics) and methodological issues (PSYC 20200 Psychological Research Methods) in psychology is typically taught Autumn and Winter Quarters. Students may take STAT 22000 Statistical Methods and Applications or a more advanced statistics course instead of PSYC 20100. Students should plan to take this sequence as early as possible in their studies.

Breadth Requirement

Students are required to take four of the following five courses, each of which will be offered every year:

PSYC 20300	Biological Psychology	100
PSYC 20400	Cognitive Psychology	100
PSYC 20500	Developmental Psychology	100
PSYC 20600	Social Psychology	100
PSYC 20700	Sensation and Perception	100

Additional Courses

At least six additional courses (for a total of twelve in the major) must be chosen from among the courses offered by the Department of Psychology. Courses without a psychology number must be approved by the Curriculum Committee; petitions must be submitted to the undergraduate program chair. Only one independent study course can count toward the twelve courses required of students who are majoring in psychology (PSYC 29200 Undergraduate Reading in Psychology or PSYC 29700 Undergraduate Research in Psychology). In addition to the six electives, students pursuing honors in psychology must also take the PSYC 29800 Honors Seminar. Independent study courses can be taken for P/F grading, but all other courses must be taken for a quality grade. NOTE: Before registering for an elective, students should confirm that they have met any prerequisites for the course.

Research

Students are required to take PSYC 20200 Psychological Research Methods. Students are encouraged to gain additional experience by working on a research project under the guidance of a faculty member.

Calculus

Students are required to take two quarters of calculus as part of the College general education requirements.

NOTE: For psychology students, a maximum of three courses can be transferred into the major from outside the University of Chicago.

Summary of Requirements

General Education
MATH 13100-13200	Elementary Functions and Calculus I-II (or higher) ^†	200
Total Units		200

Major
One of the following:		200
PSYC 20100 & 20200	Psychological Statistics and Psychological Research Methods
STAT 22000 & PSYC 20200	Statistical Methods and Applications and Psychological Research Methods (or above)
Four of the following:		400
PSYC 20300	Biological Psychology
PSYC 20400	Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 20500	Developmental Psychology
PSYC 20600	Social Psychology
PSYC 20700	Sensation and Perception
Six electives ⁺		600
Total Units		1200

†	Credit may be granted by examination.
+	Courses without a psychology number must be approved by the Curriculum Committee; petitions must be submitted to the undergraduate program chair.

Grading

All courses in the major must be taken for quality grades except for the independent study course, which is available for either a quality grade or for P/F grading.

Honors

To qualify for honors, students must meet the following requirements:

Students must have a GPA of at least 3.0 overall, and a GPA of at least 3.5 in the major by the beginning of the quarter in which they intend to graduate.
Students should arrange to write an honors paper with a faculty sponsor. Papers must represent a more substantial research project than the average term paper. After the paper has been approved by the faculty sponsor, the paper must then be read and approved by a second faculty member.
Students are required to take an PSYC 29800 Honors Seminar in Winter Quarter of their third or fourth year. This is in addition to the twelve required courses for the major. It is expected that students will be actively working on the thesis project during the quarter they are taking the honors research seminar.
Students are required to present their findings in Spring Quarter of their fourth year at an honors day celebration. For details, visit psychology.uchicago.edu.

Specialized Courses of Study

Faculty members (or the undergraduate program chair) are available to help individual students design a specialized course of study within psychology. For example, particular course sequences within and outside of psychology may be designed for students who wish to pursue specializations in particular areas. These areas include, but are not limited to, cognitive neuroscience, language and communication, computational psychology, behavioral neuroscience and endocrinology, sensation and perception, and cultural psychology.

Double Majors

Students pursuing honors in more than one major should note that:

The student's thesis adviser for psychology cannot be the same person as his or her thesis adviser for the second major.
The student must meet all the requirements listed in the preceding Honors section, including taking the Honors Seminar and presenting at an honors day celebration.

Earl R. Franklin Research Fellowship

The Earl R. Franklin Research Fellowship is awarded to a third-year student who is majoring in psychology. It provides financial support during the summer before his or her fourth year to carry out psychological research that will be continued as a senior honors project. Applications, which are submitted at the beginning of Spring Quarter, include a research proposal, personal statement, transcript, and letter of recommendation.

Courses

PSYC 20000. Fundamentals of Psychology. 100 Units.

This course introduces basic concepts and research in the study of behavior. Principal topics are sensation, perception, cognition, learning, motivation, and personality theories.

Instructor(s): J. Cacioppo (Autumn), W. Goldstein (Winter) Terms Offered: Autumn, Winter

PSYC 20100. Psychological Statistics. 100 Units.

Psychological research typically involves the use of quantitative (statistical) methods. This course introduces the methods of quantitative inquiry that are most commonly used in psychology and related social sciences. PSYC 20100 and 20200 form a two-quarter sequence that is intended to be an integrated introduction to psychological research methods. PSYC 20100 introduces explanatory data analysis, models in quantitative psychology, concept of probability, elementary statistical methods for estimation and hypothesis testing, and sampling theory. PSYC 20200 builds on the foundation of PSYC 20100 and considers the logic of psychological inquiry and the analysis and criticism of psychological research.

Instructor(s): J. Correll Terms Offered: Autumn

PSYC 20200. Psychological Research Methods. 100 Units.

This course introduces concepts and methods used in behavioral research. Topics include the nature of behavioral research, testing of research ideas, quantitative and qualitative techniques of data collection, artifacts in behavioral research, analyzing and interpreting research data, and ethical considerations in research.

Instructor(s): A. Henly Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 20100 or STAT 22000, or consent of instructor.

PSYC 20300. Biological Psychology. 100 Units.

What are the relations between mind and brain? How do brains regulate mental, behavioral, and hormonal processes; and how do these influence brain organization and activity? This course introduces the anatomy, physiology, and chemistry of the brain; their changes in response to the experiential and sociocultural environment; and their relation to perception, attention, behavioral action, motivation, and emotion.

Instructor(s): L. Kay, B. Prendergast Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): Some background in biology and psychology.
Note(s): This course does not meet requirements for the biological sciences major.
Equivalent Course(s): BIOS 29300

PSYC 20400. Cognitive Psychology. 100 Units.

Viewing the brain globally as an information processing or computational system has revolutionized the study and understanding of intelligence. This course introduces the theory, methods, and empirical results that underlie this approach to psychology. Topics include categorization, attention, memory, knowledge, language, and thought.

Instructor(s): D. Gallo Terms Offered: Spring

PSYC 20500. Developmental Psychology. 100 Units.

This is an introductory course in developmental psychology, with a focus on cognitive and social development in infancy through early childhood. Example topics include children's early thinking about number, morality, and social relationships, as well as how early environments inform children's social and cognitive development. Where appropriate, we make links to both philosophical inquiries into the nature of the human mind, and to practical inquiries concerning education and public policy.

Instructor(s): K. Kinzler, L. Richland Terms Offered: Winter
Equivalent Course(s): CHDV 25900

PSYC 20600. Social Psychology. 100 Units.

This course examines social psychological theory and research that is based on both classic and contemporary contributions. Topics include conformity and deviance, the attitude-change process, social role and personality, social cognition, and political psychology.

Instructor(s): W. Goldstein Terms Offered: Autumn
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 20000 recommended.
Equivalent Course(s): CHDV 26000

PSYC 20700. Sensation and Perception. 100 Units.

What we see and hear depends on energy that enters the eyes and ears, but what we actually experience – perception – follows from human neural responses. This course focuses on visual and auditory phenomena, including basic percepts (for example, acuity, brightness, color, loudness, pitch) and also more complex percepts such as movement and object recognition. Biological underpinnings of perception are an integral part of the course.

Instructor(s): S. Shevell Terms Offered: Autumn

PSYC 20850. Introduction to Human Development. 100 Units.

This course introduces the study of lives in context. The nature of human development from infancy through old age is explored through theory and empirical findings from various disciplines. Readings and discussions emphasize the interrelations of biological, psychological, and sociocultural forces at different points of the life cycle.

Instructor(s): B. Cohler Terms Offered: Autumn

PSYC 21510. Neuroscience of Communication. 100 Units.

We will read and discuss communication and how various kinds of communication are mediated by neural systems. The course will cover theories, methods, and empirical findings in communication neuroscience. Topics will include speech and language, emotional information, face perception, gesture, and music.

Instructor(s): H. Nusbaum Terms Offered: Autumn

PSYC 21810. Hormones and Behavior. 100 Units.

This provides an overview of behavioral endocrinology. It begins with hormone production and mechanisms of hormone action on targets in the body and brain. Throughout the course we explore diverse behaviors and their bi-directional relations with the endocrine system. The course emphasizes a comparative approach to the neuroendocrine system and behavior, and considers the effects of hormones throughout development-- from the prenatal environment through puberty, and into adulthood. Much of the course focuses on non-human vertebrate species, but the relevance of the material to human physiology, society, and culture will be explored where appropriate. Topics include: mechanisms of sexual differentiation, sex differences in behavior, reproductive, parental, and aggressive behaviors, biological rhythms, hormone effects on psychopathology, hormonal and behavioral homeostatic regulation.

Instructor(s): B. Prendergast Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 20300/Bios 29300

PSYC 21840. Advanced Seminar in Person Perception. 100 Units.

This course will survey research relevant to the study of person perception. The readings and discussions will cover topics in person perception from different research perspectives. As such, some of the empirical and theoretical advances focusing on the perceptual determinants (i.e., face processing), social-cognitive processes and neural substrates of person perception will be introduced. Discussions and response papers will emphasize potential integration and extension of the contributions from these different perspectives.

Instructor(s): J. Cloutier Terms Offered: Winter

PSYC 22500. Cognitive Development. 100 Units.

In the first years of life, children’s thinking undergoes dramatic change. For nearly a century, researchers have sought to understand the causes of these developmental changes. We will survey classic and contemporary approaches to these issues. We will consider the contributions of nature and nurture, the extent to which cognition differs across cultures, and the insights that can be gleaned from comparisons across species and from atypical developmental in people.

Instructor(s): A. Woodward Terms Offered: Winter

PSYC 22550. Topics in Cognitive Development: Nature, Nurture, and When That’s the Wrong Question. 100 Units.

The question of nature vs. nurture is everywhere in developmental psychology. Do children come into the world with certain knowledge and expectations? Or does the world around them shape what they know and how they learn? While some of the things children need to learn are relevant to many species, others are actually cultural products created by humans. Does the nature vs. nurture question make sense for both of these sets of problems? In this advanced seminar we will focus on four topics in cognitive development and consider each with respect to the nature vs. nurture debate. First, we will consider topics for which the question does seem quite sensible, such as how children understand objects and perceive faces. Next we will move onto children's development in several areas for which this question may not be so sensible: language acquisition and theory of mind development. This course will seek to move beyond the traditional solution of accepting that every developmental process is about nature and nurture working in concert. Instead we will think more deeply about when the question is a helpful framework and when it is not.

Instructor(s): M. Flaherty Terms Offered: Spring

PSYC 22750. Developmental Psychopathology. 100 Units.

This advanced course focuses on the development of mental disorders that have their onset in infancy, childhood, or adolescence from the perspective of developmental psychopathology. Developmental psychopathology is a field that lies at the interface of clinical and developmental psychology within which the aim is to identify the earliest deviations from normative developmental processes that likely lead to the development of psychopathology. By incorporating the study of basic biological and psychological processes into the study of psychopathology, the identification of earliest markers, and ultimately causal factors, may be achieved.

Instructor(s): K. Keenan Terms Offered: Spring
Note(s): This course does not meet requirements for the biological sciences major.

PSYC 23000. Cultural Psychology. 100 Units.

There is a substantial portion of the psychological nature of human beings that is neither homogeneous nor fixed across time and space. At the heart of the discipline of cultural psychology is the tenet of psychological pluralism. Research findings in cultural psychology raise provocative questions about the integrity and value of alternative forms of subjectivity across cultural groups. This course analyzes the concept of "culture" and examines ethnic and cross-cultural variations in mental functioning, with special attention to the cultural psychology of emotions, self, moral judgment, categorization, and reasoning. (C)

Instructor(s): R. Shweder Terms Offered: Autumn 2013
Prerequisite(s): Third- or fourth-year standing.
Equivalent Course(s): CHDV 21000,ANTH 21510,CHDV 41050,GNDR 21001

PSYC 23150. Undergraduate Seminar on Developmental Neuroscience. 100 Units.

In this course we explore the contribution of neuroscience to the development of social cognition. We aim to discuss how neuroscience can inform existing developmental theories and how developmental science can benefit neuroscience research by providing theoretical grounding.

Instructor(s): J. Decety Terms Offered: Spring

PSYC 23200. Introduction to Language Development. 100 Units.

This course addresses the major issues involved in first-language acquisition. We deal with the child’s production and perception of speech sounds (phonology), the acquisition of the lexicon (semantics), the comprehension and production of structured word combinations (syntax), and the ability to use language to communicate (pragmatics).

Instructor(s): S. Goldin-Meadow Terms Offered: Spring
Equivalent Course(s): CHDV 23900,LING 21600

PSYC 23220. The Politics and Psychology of Language. 100 Units.

Language is a semiotic system based on difference, and humans use it to differentiate and divide, but also to identify and unite. This course draws on a broad range of writing on language—anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, psychoanalysis and psychology—to explore the social meaning of language in relation to individuals, groups and societies. We will investigate such topics as hate speech, political correctness, language and thought, accent discrimination, language change, and language ideologies.

Instructor(s): K. Kinzler, D. Kulick Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): Third- or Fourth-year standing
Equivalent Course(s): ANTH 27210,BPRO 23220,CHDV 23220,LING 23220

PSYC 23249. Animal Behavior. 100 Units.

This course introduces the mechanism, ecology, and evolution of behavior, primarily in nonhuman species, at the individual and group level. Topics include the genetic basis of behavior, developmental pathways, communication, physiology and behavior, foraging behavior, kin selection, mating systems and sexual selection, and the ecological and social context of behavior. A major emphasis is placed on understanding and evaluating scientific studies and their field and lab techniques.

Instructor(s): S. Pruett-Jones (even-numbered years), J. Mateo (odd-numbered years) Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): Completion of the general education requirement in the biological sciences.
Equivalent Course(s): BIOS 23249,CHDV 23249,HDCP 41650

PSYC 23301. The Empathic Brain. 100 Units.

This course is designed to introduce undergraduate students to current research and theories of empathy and associated behavior. The focus of this course will be on interpersonal sensitivity, how people perceive and experience and respond to the internal states (e.g., cognitive, affective, motivational) of another, and predict the subsequent events that will result. The study of empathy serves as the basis for integrating a variety of data and theories from evolutionary biology, social psychology, cognitive and affective neuroscience, developmental psychology, clinical neuropsychology and psychiatry.

Instructor(s): J. Decety Terms Offered: Winter

PSYC 23760. The Social Brain: Social Isolation and Loneliness. 100 Units.

The past two decades have witnessed a remarkable rise in the number of investigations published on the social brain. The discoveries conveyed by the titles of many of these reports (e.g., the neural basis of love, altruism, morality, generosity, trust) have piqued the interest of young investigators, funding agencies, the media, and laypeople alike. Such attention is a double-edged sword, however, as errors are exaggerated in importance, and oversimplifications create false expectations and, ultimately, disillusionment in what the field can contribute. It is, of course, one thing to assume that neural processes underlie all psychological phenomenon, it is another to claim that a given brain region is the biological instantiation of complex psychological functions like the self, empathy or loneliness. The purpose of this course is to examine opportunities and challenges in this field primarily through research on two of the most important topics in the field: social isolation and empathy.

Instructor(s): J. Cacioppo, L. Hawkley Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): Third- or fourth-year standing
Note(s): This course does not meet the requirements for the biological sciences major.
Equivalent Course(s): BPRO 23760,BIOS 29324

PSYC 24000. Systems Neuroscience. 100 Units.

This course introduces vertebrate and invertebrate systems neuroscience with a focus on the anatomy, physiology, and development of sensory and motor control systems. The neural bases of form and motion perception, locomotion, memory, and other forms of neural plasticity are examined in detail. We also discuss clinical aspects of neurological disorders.

Instructor(s): M. Hale, D. Freedman Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): BIOS 24204 or consent of instructor.
Note(s): This course meets one of the requirements of the neuroscience specialization.

PSYC 24550. Current Perspectives on the Development of Social Categorization. 100 Units.

Are humans predisposed to categorize other humans into social groups? If so, what is the nature of this predisposition, and how does it develop? Are there individual differences in the way children categorize the social world, or universal norms? Research on the development of social categorization in childhood can inform our understanding of the nature of social bias in adulthood, and how it may be prevented. This course will investigate current perspectives on the perceptual, cognitive, and social processes that underlie infants’ and children’s social categorization. Students develop critical and integrative ways of thinking about the development of social categories through lectures, readings, writing, and discussions. Applications of the course material can extend to educational discourse, parenting, and social policy.

Instructor(s): J. Dautel Terms Offered: Autumn

PSYC 25101. The Psychology of Decision Making. 100 Units.

We constantly make decisions, determine our preferences and choose among alternatives. The importance of our decisions range from ordering a meal at a restaurant to choosing what college to attend. How do we make such decisions? What are the rules that guide us and the biases that shape our decisions? What determines our preferences? What impacts our willingness to take risks? In this course we consider how the way we go about gathering information affects our judgment, and how the way we frame problems affects our perceptions and shapes the solutions to problems. We learn what governs choice and the systematic way it deviates from normative rules. We consider how we think about the future and how we learn from the past. The course focuses on the psychology behind making decisions with implications for a wide range of areas such as public policy, law and medicine.

Instructor(s): B. Keysar Terms Offered: Autumn
Note(s): It is highly recommended to take this course before taking PSYC 25700 The Psychology of Negotiation.

PSYC 25330. Research Seminar: Understanding Communication. 100 Units.

Language is often considered the quintessential form of human communication. However, communication requires far more than just a powerful symbol system and encompasses a wide variety of forms. Moreover, language is used for far more than just communication. This course will explore the relationship between language and communication, focusing on the social and cognitive processes that allow us to use language not only to convey our thoughts, but to construct and interact with our world. As a research seminar, the course will emphasize understanding how research methods can affect the kinds of questions we ask, the theories we propose, and the conclusions we reach. Students will gain hands-on experience designing studies and applying the research methods we discuss to model projects of their own. This is intended as an advanced undergraduate course; although there are no prerequisites, students should be prepared to put in substantial time on this course. Please feel free to contact the instructor if you have any questions.

Instructor(s): A. Henly Terms Offered: Spring

PSYC 25550. Educational Neuroscience. 100 Units.

This course is designed to introduce upper division undergraduate students to research being conducted at the intersection of cognitive science and education. Broadly speaking, this class serves as an advanced introduction to central concepts in psychology and neuroscience such as attention, memory, and emotion, with a focus on how knowledge of these concepts can inform educational practice and policy.

Instructor(s): S. Beilock Terms Offered: Spring

PSYC 25660. The Psychology of Extremism. 100 Units.

This undergraduate seminar will introduce students to theory and research on why people engage in various forms of extremism, including (but not limited to) zealotry, ideological orthodoxy, cults, hate crimes, delinquency, and terrorism. The content of the course will be interdisciplinary, with readings from social psychology as well as political science and sociology. Although there may be a limited amount of lecturing, the vast majority of the course will be discussion-based.

Instructor(s): K. Rios Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 20600 Social Psychology recommended.

PSYC 25700. The Psychology of Negotiation. 100 Units.

Negotiation is ubiquitous in interpersonal interactions, from making plans for a trip with friends or family, to determining working conditions with an employer, to managing international conflicts. In this course we examine the structure of different negotiations and the psychology that governs the processes and outcomes of a negotiation. For instance, we consider the role of perceptions, expectations, intuitions and biases. We evaluate the role of information processing, modes of communication and power in influencing a negotiated outcome. We see how the psychology of trust, reciprocity, fairness, cooperation and competition can affect our ability to benefit from an exchange or contribute to the escalation of conflict. To better understand the dynamics of the negotiation process, we learn both through engaging in a variety of negotiation role-plays and relating these experiences to research findings.

Instructor(s): B. Keysar Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): It is highly recommended to take PSYC 25101 The Psychology of Decision Making before taking this course, as it provides the conceptual foundations.

PSYC 26400. Theories of Emotion and the Psychology of Well Being. 100 Units.

This course will review different approaches to the study of emotion and well being, different ways of measuring well being, the relationship between positive and negative well being, and the degree to which well-being can be changed. We will discuss studies that focus on the mechanisms that control psychological well being, and the thinking, appraisals, and beliefs that lead to positive versus negative well being. We will also investigate those conditions that produce irrevocable changes in psychological well being and those conditions that promote robustness.

Instructor(s): N. Stein Terms Offered: Spring
Equivalent Course(s): CHDV 23800,CHDV 36400,PSYC 36400

PSYC 26660. Genes and Behavior. 100 Units.

There are complex interactions between the genome and behavior. This course will examine how behavior can be understood by investigating the sequence and structure of genes, especially those expressed in the brain. It will consider behaviors in several species (including human), and present various molecular, genetic, and genomic approaches used to uncover how genes contribute to behavior and how behavior alters the genome. Lectures will provide background for gene-behavior interactions that will be further discussed using primary literature readings.

Instructor(s): S. London Terms Offered: Autumn

PSYC 29200. Undergraduate Reading in Psychology. 100 Units.

Terms Offered: Autumn, Winter, Spring
Note(s): Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Available for either quality grades or for P/F grading.

PSYC 29700. Undergraduate Research in Psychology. 100 Units.

Terms Offered: Autumn, Winter, Spring
Note(s): Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Available for either quality grades or for P/F grading.

PSYC 29800. Honors Seminar. 100 Units.

This course is a reading and discussion of general papers on writing and research, and individual students present their own projects to the group. A literature review, data from ongoing or completed empirical projects, or portions of the thesis paper itself can be presented. Students are expected to give thoughtful feedback to others on their presentations and written work.

Note(s): Open to third- or fourth-year students who are majoring in psychology and have begun their thesis project. Available for either quality grades or for P/F grading.

PSYC 31200. Systems Neuroscience. 100 Units.

This course meets one of the requirements of the neuroscience specialization. This course introduces vertebrate and invertebrate systems neuroscience with a focus on the anatomy, physiology, and development of sensory and motor control systems. The neural bases of form and motion perception, locomotion, memory, and other forms of neural plasticity are examined in detail. We also discuss clinical aspects of neurological disorders.

Instructor(s): M. Hale, D. Freedman Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): BIOS 24204 or consent of instructor
Equivalent Course(s): BIOS 24205,PSYC 24000

PSYC 33000. Cultural Psychology. 100 Units.

There is a substantial portion of the psychological nature of human beings that is neither homogeneous nor fixed across time and space. At the heart of the discipline of cultural psychology is the tenet of psychological pluralism. Research findings in cultural psychology raise provocative questions about the integrity and value of alternative forms of subjectivity across cultural groups. This course analyzes the concept of “culture” and examines ethnic and cross-cultural variations in mental functioning, with special attention to the cultural psychology of emotions, self, moral judgment, categorization, and reasoning.

Instructor(s): R. Shweder Terms Offered: Autumn
Prerequisite(s): Third- or fourth-year standing
Equivalent Course(s): GNSE 21001,ANTH 21500,ANTH 35110,CHDV 21000,CHDV 31000,PSYC 23000

PSYC 34400. Computational Neuroscience III: Cognitive Neuroscience. 100 Units.

This course is concerned with the relationship of the nervous system to higher order behaviors (e.g., perception, action, attention, learning, memory). Psychophysical, functional imaging, and electrophysiological methods are introduced. Mathematical and statistical methods (e.g., neural networks, information theory, pattern recognition for studying neural encoding in individual neurons and populations of neurons) are discussed. Weekly lab sections allow students to program cognitive neuroscientific experiments and simulations.

Instructor(s): N. Hatsopoulos Terms Offered: Spring
Equivalent Course(s): BIOS 24223,CPNS 33200,ORGB 34600

PSYC 36210. Mathematical Methods for Biological Sciences I. 100 Units.

This course focuses on ordinary differential equations as models for biological processes changing with time. The emphasis is on dynamical systems theory, stability analysis, and different phase portraits, including limit cycles and chaos. Linear algebra concepts are introduced and developed. Numerous biological models are analyzed, and labs introduce numerical methods in MATLAB.

Instructor(s): D. Kondrashov Terms Offered: Autumn
Prerequisite(s): BIOS 20151 or BIOS 20152
Equivalent Course(s): BIOS 26210,CPNS 31000,ISTP 26210

PSYC 36211. Mathematical Methods for Biological Sciences II. 100 Units.

This course continues the study of time-dependent biological processes and introduces discrete-time systems, studying period-doubling, and onset of chaos. Fourier transform methods are used to analyze temporal and spatial variation, leading to the study of partial differential equations. The diffusion, convection, and reaction-diffusion equations are all used to model biological systems. Finally, common optimization methods are introduced. In labs, computational techniques are used to analyze sample data and study models.

Instructor(s): D. Kondrashov Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): MATH 15300 or equivalent
Equivalent Course(s): BIOS 26211,CPNS 31100,ISTP 26211

PSYC 36400. Theories of Emotion and the Psychology of Well Being. 100 Units.

Instructor(s): N. Stein Terms Offered: Spring
Equivalent Course(s): PSYC 26400,CHDV 23800,CHDV 36400

PSYC 47001. Language in Culture I. 100 Units.

Among topics discussed in the first half of the sequence are the formal structure of semiotic systems, the ethnographically crucial incorporation of linguistic forms into cultural systems, and the methods for empirical investigation of “functional” semiotic structure and history.

Instructor(s): M. Silverstein Terms Offered: Not offered 2012–13; will be offered 2013–14
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor
Equivalent Course(s): ANTH 37201,CHDV 37201,LING 31100

PSYC 47002. Language in Culture II. 100 Units.

The second half of the sequence takes up basic concepts in sociolinguistics and their critique.

Instructor(s): C. Nakassis Terms Offered: Not offered 2012–13; will be offered 2013–14
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor
Equivalent Course(s): ANTH 37202,LING 31200