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Online Social Sciences Courses

Psychology

PSY 100 Introductory Psychology (3 credits)

Course Description

This course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive survey of the field by introducing you to its major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings. Topics include worldviews in psychology, history of psychology, current perspectives in psychology, and models of integration of psychology and Christianity. This course will provide you with a broader understanding of human behavior and how the field of psychology and its study affects our lives. The topics speak to your own experiences and behavior, and will apply to real world events and issues. Further, this course is designed for the purpose of laying the groundwork for the study of psychology. It is intended to give you an understanding of the background and philosophical ideas that influence psychology today. 

Learning Results

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Define psychological perspective.
  • Discern how the psychological perspectives influence the collection and interpretation of
    psychological data.
  • Understand the importance of the history of psychology on the discipline today.
  • Understand important psychological concepts.
  • Evaluate psychological theories and date in light of biblical revelation.
  • Think about various psychological issues that Christians are concerned with.
  • Gain an appreciation of the application of psychology to everyday life.
  • Become knowledgeable consumers of scientific research in the field of psychology.

Textbooks

The course uses Macmillan Learning, Achieve: Psychology in Everyday Life (an online interactive program and e-text). The student will find specific instructions about ordering this resource within the syllabus.

Learning Documentation

The course utilizes various activities and reading in LaunchPad, as well as three papers.

Learning Evaluation

14 Unit Exams in LaunchPad are worth 50 points each, and three Involvement Activities (papers) are worth 100 points each, for a total of 1,000 points in the course.

Faculty
Profile image of Vance Maloney

Vance Maloney

  • PhD, Counseling Psychology, Ball State University
  • MA, Counseling Psychology, Ball State University
  • BA, Psychology, Cedarville University

PSY 240 Child Psychology (3 credits)

Course Description

This course deals with developmental psychology (cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional development) and
applies the subject matter to those actively working with children, including parents, teachers, coaches, etc. It
meets Taylor’s Foundational Core as we consider how a right relationship with God, others, self, and the world
equips us to minister Christ’s redemptive love and truth to a world in need. This course highlights the beauty
and nature of development while encouraging critical thinking and spiritual maturity.

Learning Results

By the end of the course, if you apply yourself, you can expect to:

  1. Think critically and Biblically about major issues and controversies related to child development. Students will
    evaluate and synthesize information from diverse resources to reach an informed conclusion.
  2. Understand child development from multiple theoretical perspectives, cultures, and approaches.
  3. Apply theories, concepts and research findings to promote child well-being.
  4. Analyze the interplay between biology, social environment, personality, cognitive and spiritual factors in shaping child development.
  5. Identify major developmental milestones and developmentally appropriate behavior.
  6. Apply developmental concepts in personal and professional settings.

Textbooks

This course uses OpenText, a free online resource.

Learning Documentation

This course consists of 5 quizzes, one observational assignment, one Big Idea assignment, and video assignments. 

Faculty
Profile image of Laura Edwards

Laura Edwards

  • EdD, Educational Psychology, Regent University
  • MA, Clinical Psychology, Wheaton College
  • BA, Counseling, Berean University 

PSY 250 Lifespan Development (3 credits)

Course Description

This course is designed to provide a general overview of the developmental process in humans from conception through death and dying. Included is attention to the physical, cognitive, spiritual and psychosocial developments.

Learning Results

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Think critically about major issues and controversies related to human development. Students will
evaluate and synthesize information from diverse resources to reach an informed conclusion.
2. Compare, contrast, and evaluate human development from multiple theoretical perspectives and
approaches throughout prenatal, child, adolescent, and adult stages of development.
3. Apply theories, concepts, and research findings in promoting well-being.
4. Analyze the interplay between biological, social, personality, cognitive, and spiritual factors in shaping
development.
5. Identify major developmental milestones and developmentally appropriate behavior.
6. Apply developmental concepts in personal and professional settings.
7. Appraise and interpret research related to psychological concepts, its limitations, and research
strategies.
8. Identify the effects of sociocultural contexts and diversity on human development.
9. Understand and distinguish between changes in biological, cognitive, and socioemotional development
throughout the lifespan.
10. Develop an understanding of nature versus nurture as it relates to development.

Textbooks
Learning Evaluation

Types of Assignments Points per Assignment


Total Points of Assignments
8 Chapter Discussion Boards 20

4 Reflective Discussion Boards 25 

4 Exams 50 200

Moral Dilemmas 40 

Lifespan Review Project Preparation 100 

Lifespan Review Paper 100 

Total Points = 700

Faculty
Profile image of Laura McClelland

Laura McClelland

  • PhD, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Clemson University 
  • MA, Applied Psychology—Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Clemson University
  • BS, Psychology, Iowa State University 

PSY 300 Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)

Course Description

A study of the nature, causes and treatment of maladaptive behavior with special consideration given to the symptoms and dynamics of psychological disorders.

Learning Results

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the historical background and research methods in abnormal psychology.
  • Use the DSM-IV as a basic tool to classify and understand the symptoms of various mental disorders.
  • Apply biblical principles to the understanding and treatment of abnormal behavior.
  • Read and write about the impact of stress on daily life and health.
  • Analyze and discuss anxiety and panic disorders, and biblical approaches to understanding and dealing with stress and anxiety.
  • Demonstrate foundational knowledge of mood disorders, somatoform, and dissociative disorders.
  • Evaluate the causes, consequences, and resources of eating disorders.
  • Discuss personality disorders and analyze their impact on everyday life and work.
  • Investigate substance abuse and dependence issues and evaluate treatment approaches, including the church’s role in ministering to people with substance-related disorders.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of sexual variants in modern society.
  • Evaluate the impact of sexual abuse and dysfunction.
  • Analyze the origin, treatments, and outcome of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
  • Survey issues related to cognitive disorders and analyze their impact on older adults.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the common disorders of childhood including developmental disorders, and evaluate the role of church and community in assisting people with disabilities and their families.

Textbooks
Learning Documentation

This course consists of 14 assignments and no exams.

Learning Evaluation

Each assignment is worth 100 points, for a total of 1,400 points possible.

Faculty
Profile image of Terry Portis

Terry Portis

  • EdD, Argosy University (2003)
  • MS, North Carolina A&T State University (1996)
  • BS, Covenant College (1989)

PSY 400 Theories of Personality (3 credits)

Course Description

A study of the major current systematic psychological theories of personality. Consideration is given to their underlying assumptions and usefulness for research and therapeutic process.

Learning Results

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Define personality as the underlying cause within the person of individual behavior and experience.
  • Address three areas by personality theory: description, dynamics, and development.
  • Describe personality in terms of broad types or more numerous, and narrower, traits.
  • Gain an understanding of the importance of personal responsibility for self-development (including spiritual development) and community participation.
  • Consider the role that spirituality plays in the development of the healthy personality.
  • Evaluate and analyze prominent theoretical approaches to personality development utilizing psychological concepts, personal experience and understanding, and a Biblical worldview.
  • Develop an appreciation for cultural diversity by considering personality psychology principles across gender, ethnicity, and culture.

Textbooks
Learning Documentation

This course consists of 12 assignments and one final project.

Learning Evaluation

Each assignment is worth 70 points with the final project worth 160 points, for a total of 1,000 points for the course.

Faculty
Profile image of Terry Portis

Terry Portis

  • EdD, Argosy University (2003)
  • MS, North Carolina A&T State University (1996)
  • BS, Covenant College (1989)

Social Work

SWK 200 Explorations in Social Work (3 credits)

Course Description

This class is an initial exposure to the field of social work by exploring what social workers are, what social workers do, and the settings in which they work. Examination of the knowledge, value and skill base, practice settings, education and career opportunities, and the interrelationships between social work and social welfare in the United States. Opportunity is given for the student to explore his/her own interest in and potential for a career in social work. Service learning component provides interaction with a variety of community based agencies. 

Learning Results

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate and articulate an introductory knowledge of basic social work settings, systems, fields, levels of social work practice, the planned change process, and social work career opportunities.
  • Integrate their personal values with their professional values and ethics within various settings, programs and classrooms at a beginning generalist level.
  • Understand social justice issues.
  • Demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills to expand and actualize their vision of wholeness to self, others, community, and society.
  • Use effective written and oral professional communication skills.

Textbooks
Learning Documentation

This course includes a Service Learning project (15 hours of service learning volunteer experience), a Service Learning journal, a Faith and Integration paper, module assignments, and a Final Course Application project.

Learning Evaluation

The final grade is figured by:

Service Learning project: 20%
Service Learning journal:  10%
Faith Integration paper:  20%
Module assignments:  30%
Final Application project:  20%

Faculty
Profile image of Cheryl Thompson

Cheryl Thompson

  • LCSW, Illinois, Indiana
  • MSW, University of Illinois
  • BA, University of Illinois