Courses for Fall 2023

Title Instructor Location Time All taxonomy terms Description Section Description Cross Listings Fulfills Registration Notes Syllabus Syllabus URL Course Syllabus URL
PSYC 0001-001 Introduction to Experimental Psychology Lauren M Depolo
Adrianna C Jenkins 		MEYH B1 TR 1:45 PM-3:14 PM This course provides an introduction to the basic topics of psychology including our three major areas of distribution: the biological basis of behavior, the cognitive basis of behavior, and individual and group bases of behavior. Topics include, but are not limited to, neuropsychology, learning, cognition, development, disorder, personality, and social psychology. Living World Sector (all classes) https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC0001001
PSYC 0405-401 Grit Lab: Fostering Passion and Perseverance in Ourselves and Others (SNF Paideia Program Course) Maya N Brown-Hunt
Angela L Duckworth
Paolo Terni 		SHDH 350 T 3:30 PM-6:29 PM At the heart of this course are cutting-edge scientific discoveries about passion and perseverance for long-term goals. As in any other undergraduate course, you will learn things you didn't know before. But unlike most courses, Grit Lab requires you to apply what you've learned in your daily life, to reflect, and then to teach what you've learned to younger students. The ultimate aim of Grit Lab is to empower you to achieve your personal, long-term goals--so that you can help other people achieve the goals that are meaningful to them. LEARN -> EXPERIMENT -> REFLECT -> TEACH. The first half of this course is about passion. During this eight-week period, you'll identify a project that piques your interest and resonates with your values. This can be a new project or, just as likely, a sport, hobby, musical instrument, or academic field you're already pursuing. The second half of this course is about perseverance. During this eight-week period, your aim is to develop resilience, a challenge-seeking orientation, and the habits of practice that improve skill in any domain. By the end of Grit Lab, you will understand and apply, both for your benefit and the benefit of younger students, key findings in the emerging science on grit. OIDD2000401 https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC0405401
PSYC 1210-401 Introduction to Brain and Behavior Nicole C Rust LEVN AUD MW 12:00 PM-1:29 PM Introduction to the structure and function of the vertebrate nervous system. We begin with the cellular basis of neuronal activities, then discuss the physiological bases of motor control, sensory systems, motivated behaviors, and higher mental processes. This course is intended for students interested in the neurobiology of behavior, ranging from animal behaviors to clinical disorders. BIOL1110401, NRSC1110401 Living World Sector (all classes) https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC1210401
PSYC 1210-402 Introduction to Brain and Behavior Mariela Lopez Valencia LLAB 104 T 10:15 AM-11:44 AM Introduction to the structure and function of the vertebrate nervous system. We begin with the cellular basis of neuronal activities, then discuss the physiological bases of motor control, sensory systems, motivated behaviors, and higher mental processes. This course is intended for students interested in the neurobiology of behavior, ranging from animal behaviors to clinical disorders. BIOL1110402, NRSC1110402 Living World Sector (all classes)
PSYC 1230-401 Cognitive Neuroscience Catherine Apgar
Allyson P Mackey
Yufan Ye 		ANNS 110 MW 10:15 AM-11:44 AM The study of the neural systems that underlie human perception, memory and language; and of the pathological syndromes that result from damage to these systems. NRSC2249401 Nat Sci & Math Sector (new curriculum only) https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC1230401
PSYC 1310-401 Language and Thought Victor Gomes
John C Trueswell 		ANNS 110 MW 1:45 PM-3:14 PM This course describes current theorizing on how the human mind achieves high-level cognitive processes such as using language, thinking, and reasoning. The course discusses issues such as whether the language ability is unique to humans, whether there is a critical period to the acquisition of a language, the nature of conceptual knowledge, how people perform deductive reasoning and induction, and how linguistic and conceptual knowledge interact. LING0750401
PSYC 1333-401 Introduction to Cognitive Science Russell Richie DRLB A1 TR 1:45 PM-3:14 PM How do minds work? This course surveys a wide range of answers to this question from disciplines ranging from philosophy to neuroscience. The course devotes special attention to the use of simple computational and mathematical models. Topics include perception, learning, memory, decision making, emotion and consciousness. The course shows how the different views from the parent disciplines interact and identifies some common themes among the theories that have been proposed. The course pays particular attention to the distinctive role of computation in such theories and provides an introduction to some of the main directions of current research in the field. It is a requirement for the BA in Cognitive Science, the BAS in Computer and Cognitive Science, and the minor in Cognitive Science, and it is recommended for students taking the dual degree in Computer and Cognitive Science. CIS1400401, COGS1001401, LING1005401, PHIL1840401 Nat Sci & Math Sector (new curriculum only) https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC1333401
PSYC 1340-401 Perception Johannes Burge
Long Ni 		FAGN 116 MW 10:15 AM-11:44 AM How the individual acquires and is guided by knowledge about objects and events in their environment. VLST2110401
PSYC 1440-001 Social Psychology Geoffrey Goodwin
Frank Jackson
Shelby Weathers 		STIT 261 TR 10:15 AM-11:44 AM An overview of theories and research across the range of social behavior from intra-individual to the group level including the effects of culture, social environment, and groups on social interaction. Society sector (all classes) https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC1440001
PSYC 1777-001 Introduction to Developmental Psychology Alyssa Marie Hernandez
Samiha Islam
Hannah-Lise Schofield 		ANNS 110 TR 5:15 PM-6:44 PM The goal of this course is to introduce both Psychology majors and non-majors majors to the field of Developmental Psychology. Developmental Psychology is a diverse field that studies the changes that occur with age and experience and how we can explain these changes. The field encompasses changes in physicalgrowth, perceptual systems, cognitive systems, social interactions and and much more. We will study the development of perception, cognition, language,academic achievement, emotion regulation, personality, moral reasoning,and attachment. We will review theories of development and ask how these theories explain experimental findings. While the focus is on human development, when relevant, research with animals will be used as a basis for comparison. https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC1777001
PSYC 2220-401 Evolution of Behavior: Animal Behavior Yun Ding
Marc F Schmidt 		LEVN AUD TR 1:45 PM-3:14 PM The evolution of behavior in animals will be explored using basic genetic and evolutionary principles. Lectures will highlight behavioral principles using a wide range of animal species, both vertebrate and invertebrate. Examples of behavior include the complex economic decisions related to foraging, migratory birds using geomagnetic fields to find breeding grounds, and the decision individuals make to live in groups. Group living has led to the evolution of social behavior and much of the course will focus on group formation, cooperation among kin, mating systems, territoriality and communication. BIOL2140401, NRSC2140401
PSYC 2250-401 Drugs, Brain and Mind Michael Kane LEVN AUD TR 10:15 AM-11:44 AM The course will begin with a review of basic concepts in pharmacology including: routes of drug administration, drug metabolism, the dose response curve, tolerance and sensitization. Following a brief overview of cellular foundations of neuropharmacology (neuronal biology, synaptic and receptor function), the course will focus on several neurotransmitter systems and the molecular and behavioral mechanisms mediating the mind-altering, additive and neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, schizophrenia and anxiety with an emphasis on their underlying neurobiological causes, as well as the pharmacological approaches for treatment. NRSC2270401 Nat Sci & Math Sector (new curriculum only) https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC2250401
PSYC 2288-001 Neuroscience and Society Kristin Murtha
Sharon L Thompson-Schill 		LEVN 111 TR 10:15 AM-11:44 AM Cognitive, social,and affective neuroscience have made tremendous progress in in the last two decades. As this progress continues, neuroscience is becoming increasingly relevant to all of the real-world endeavors that require understanding, predicting and changing human behavior. In this course we will examine the ways in which neuroscience is being applied in law, criminal justice, national defense, education, economics, business,and other sectors of society. For each application area we will briefly review those aspects of neuroscience that are most relevant, and then study the application in more detail. Living World Sector (all classes) https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC2288001
PSYC 2300-001 Human Memory Michael J Kahana LEVN 111 TF 8:30 AM-10:00 AM An introduction to the scientific study of humn memory, with a particular emphasis on the interplay between theory and experiment. Topics will include dual store models and the debate over short-term meory, recognition memory for items and associations, the role of time and context in memory formation and retrieval, theories of association, memory for sequences, the influence of prior knowledge on new learning, spatial and navigational memory, perceptual learning, classification and function learning, memory diorders, and developmental changes in memory function.
PSYC 2314-401 Data Science for Studying Language and the Mind Kathryn Schuler COHN 402 TR 10:15 AM-11:14 AM Data Science for studying Language and the Mind is an entry-level course designed to teach basic principles of data science to students with little or no background in statistics or computer science. Students will learn to identify patterns in data using visualizations and descriptive statistics; make predictions from data using machine learning and optimization; and quantify the certainty of their predictions using statistical models. This course aims to help students build a foundation of critical thinking and computational skills that will allow them to work with data in all fields related to the study of the mind (e.g. linguistics, psychology, philosophy, cognitive science). LING0700401 Nat Sci & Math Sector (new curriculum only) https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC2314401
PSYC 2314-402 Data Science for Studying Language and the Mind June Choe WILL 4 R 1:45 PM-2:44 PM Data Science for studying Language and the Mind is an entry-level course designed to teach basic principles of data science to students with little or no background in statistics or computer science. Students will learn to identify patterns in data using visualizations and descriptive statistics; make predictions from data using machine learning and optimization; and quantify the certainty of their predictions using statistical models. This course aims to help students build a foundation of critical thinking and computational skills that will allow them to work with data in all fields related to the study of the mind (e.g. linguistics, psychology, philosophy, cognitive science). LING0700402 Nat Sci & Math Sector (new curriculum only)
PSYC 2400-001 Introduction to Positive Psychology (SNF Paideia Program Course) Caroline Jane Connolly
James E Di Dio
Frank Jackson 		LLAB 10 TR 1:45 PM-3:14 PM An introduction to the study of positive emotions, positive character traits, and positive institutions. The positive emotions consist of emotions about the past (e.g., serenity, satisfaction, pride), about the future (e.g., hope, optimism, faith), and emotions about the present (pleasure and gratification). The distinction among the pleasant life, the good life, and the meaningful life is drawn. The positive traits include wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and spirituality, and the classification of these virtues is explored. The positive institutions are exemplified by extended families, free press, humane leadership, and representative government. https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC2400001
PSYC 2750-401 Behavioral Economics and Psychology Sudeep Bhatia COLL 200 TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM Our understanding of markets, governments, and societies rests on our understanding of choice behavior, and the psychological forces that govern it. This course will introduce you to the study of choice, and will examine in detail what we know about how people make choices, and how we can influence these choices. It will utilize insights from psychology and economics, and will apply these insights to domains including risky decision making, intertemporal decision making, and social decision making. PPE3003401 https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC2750401
PSYC 3230-302 Seminar in Neuroscience: How Doctors Think Diego Fernandez-Duque PSYL C16 T 12:00 PM-2:59 PM Topics vary each semester. https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC3230302
PSYC 3233-401 Seminar in Cognitive Neuroscience: Brain Development Michael Arcaro DRLB 3N6 R 1:45 PM-4:44 PM This discussion-based seminar will focus on the neural bases of cognitive development. Each week the class will discuss a selection of papers that consider the roles of genes and environment on topics including the development of perceptual abilities, language, and cognition. The course will cover several aspects of pre- and postnatal brain and behavioral development with particular emphasis on animal models. This course is intended for students interested in neurobiology, cognitive psychology, evolutionary psychology and development. NRSC4233402 https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC3233401
PSYC 3301-401 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory Mary Ellen Kelly VAGL 2000 TR 1:45 PM-3:14 PM This course focuses on the current state of our knowledge about the neurobiological basis of learning and memory. A combination of lectures and student seminars will explore the molecular and cellular basis of learning in invertebrates and vertebrates from a behavioral and neural perspective. BIOL4142401, NRSC4442401 https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC3301401
PSYC 3310-401 Psycholinguistics Seminar Delphine Dahan CANCELED This course examines how people use language. We will focus on Herb H. Clark’s book “Using Language” (1996). In this book, Clark proposes that language use is a form of joint action, and extensively develop what this claim entails and how it accounts for people’s linguistic behavior. The course will consist of a detailed examination of Clark’s thesis. LING3750401
PSYC 3444-301 Evolutionary Perspectives in Social Psychology Paul Okami BENN 24 TR 10:15 AM-11:44 AM This discussion-based seminar uses evolutionary (Darwinian) perspectives to examine selected topics central to social psychology. Topics will include: Fundamental theories of evolutionary psychology; the self; prosocial behavior and altruism; aggression and violence; love, attraction, and mating; human sex differences in social behavior; religion and morality; and group behavior. https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC3444301
PSYC 3464-001 Seminar in Clinical Psychology: Theories of Psychotherapy Elizabeth D Krause JAFF B17 R 12:00 PM-2:59 PM This seminar provides an introduction to several major theoretical approaches to psychotherapy, such as psychodynamic/psychoanalytic, behavioral and cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and interpersonal/group therapy models. Students will learn how these theoretical frameworks differentially influence assessment, case conceptualization, treatment planning, style of the therapeutic relationship, intervention techniques, and methods of evaluating therapy process and outcomes. Using case vignettes, film demonstrations, classroom role playing, and other experiential exercises, students will learn how these models are applied in real world settings and begin to develop an awareness of their own therapeutic philosophy. Critical analysis of the models will be advanced through ethical considerations and the application of multicultural and feminist perspectives. https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC3464001
PSYC 3730-301 Seminar in Judgment and Decision Making Barbara Ann Mellers CANCELED This course is designed to help you become a better decision maker. By the end of the semester, you should have the skills to approach decision making from a broader perspective with new tools and a new awareness of many common errors and biases. You will learn about normative decisions (how people should make choices if they want to use principles of rationality, logic and probability), descriptive decisions (how people really do make decisions) and prescriptive decisions (how people can make better decisions given normative principles and what we know about human behavior). We’ll discuss the theoretical foundations of the field, some of the key empirical insights. We’ll discuss what it means to have good judgment and how experts and novices differ. We look at decision making in such as public policy, medicine, the law, business, and intelligence analysis. Decision making is something we do every day, many times a day. It is so natural that some people don’t even realize they are doing it. Many of the insights from this field have real-world implications.
PSYC 3730-302 Seminar in Judgment and Decision Making Barbara Ann Mellers CANCELED This course is designed to help you become a better decision maker. By the end of the semester, you should have the skills to approach decision making from a broader perspective with new tools and a new awareness of many common errors and biases. You will learn about normative decisions (how people should make choices if they want to use principles of rationality, logic and probability), descriptive decisions (how people really do make decisions) and prescriptive decisions (how people can make better decisions given normative principles and what we know about human behavior). We’ll discuss the theoretical foundations of the field, some of the key empirical insights. We’ll discuss what it means to have good judgment and how experts and novices differ. We look at decision making in such as public policy, medicine, the law, business, and intelligence analysis. Decision making is something we do every day, many times a day. It is so natural that some people don’t even realize they are doing it. Many of the insights from this field have real-world implications.
PSYC 3780-401 Social Psychology Capstone: Obedience Edward Royzman EDUC 120 R 1:45 PM-4:44 PM Though almost half a century old, Milgram’s 1961-1962 studies of “destructive obedience” continue to puzzle, fascinate, and alarm. The main reason for their continued grip on the field’s attention (other than the boldness of the idea and elegance of execution) may be simply that they leave us with a portrait of human character that is radically different from the one that we personally wish to endorse or that the wider culture teaches us to accept. In this seminar, we will take an in-depth look at these famous studies (along with the more recent replications) and explore their various psychological, political and philosophical ramifications. PPE4802401 https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC3780401
PSYC 4290-401 Big Data, Memory and the Human Brain Michael J Kahana LEVN 111 T 12:00 PM-2:59 PM This course fulfills the research experience requirement in the psychology major. Advances in brain recording methods over the last decade have generated vastly more brain data than had been collected by neuroscientists during the previous century. To understand the human brain, scientists must now use computational methods that exploit the power of these huge data sets. This course will introduce you to the use of big data analytics in the study of human memory. Through hands-on Python-based programming projects, we will analyze very large data sets both to replicate existing phenomena and to make new discoveries. Programming experience in python is required for this course. COGS4290401
PSYC 4462-301 Research Experience in Abnormal Psychology Melissa G Hunt This is a two-semester course starting in the Fall. Class size limited to 8-10 students. Perm Needed From Instructor https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC4462301
PSYC 4997-301 Senior Honors Seminar in Psychology Coren L Apicella WILL 3 M 1:45 PM-4:44 PM Open to senior honors candidates in psychology. A two-semester sequence supporting the preparation of an honors thesis in psychology. Students will present their work in progress and develop skills in written and oral communication of scientific ideas. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Honors Program in Psychology. Perm Needed From Department https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC4997301
PSYC 5470-001 Foundations of Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience Martha J Farah GLAB 207 MW 1:45 PM-3:14 PM This course is designed to introduce students to the interdisciplinary field of social, cognitive and affective neuroscience. We begin with the basics of neurons, synapses and neurotransmission and the functional anatomy of the human brain. We then move on to neuroscience methods including cellular recordings, EEG/ERP, lesion methods, structural and functional neuroimaging and brain stimulation. The remainder of the course covers the neural systems involved in emotion, social cognition, executive function, learning and memory, perception and development. We focus on how our understanding of these systems has emerged from the use of the methods studied earlier. Perm Needed From Instructor
PSYC 6000-301 Cognitive Neuroscience Russell A Epstein GLAB 525 TR 1:45 PM-3:44 PM Choice of half or full course units each sem. covering a range of subjects and approaches in academic psychology.
PSYC 6000-302 Social and Emotional Development Sara R Jaffee GLAB 207 TR 1:45 PM-3:44 PM Choice of half or full course units each sem. covering a range of subjects and approaches in academic psychology.
PSYC 6000-303 Perception Johannes Burge GLAB 427 MW 1:45 PM-3:44 PM Choice of half or full course units each sem. covering a range of subjects and approaches in academic psychology.
PSYC 6110-401 Applied Regression and Analysis of Variance Alexander Vekker JMHH 240 TR 12:00 PM-1:29 PM An applied graduate level course in multiple regression and analysis of variance for students who have completed an undergraduate course in basic statistical methods. Emphasis is on practical methods of data analysis and their interpretation. Covers model building, general linear hypothesis, residual analysis, leverage and influence, one-way anova, two-way anova, factorial anova. Primarily for doctoral students in the managerial, behavioral, social and health sciences. Permission of instructor required to enroll. BSTA5500401, STAT5000401 Perm Needed From Instructor
PSYC 7090-301 Child Assessment Izabela Milaniak GLAB 103 W 8:30 AM-11:29 AM A developmental approach to the study of psychopathology focuses on how psychological processes from normal to abnormal developmental trajectories. In this seminar we will cover theory, methods, and key constructs in the study of developmental psychopathology. Readings will include seminal empirical papers and chapters.
PSYC 7390-301 Probabilistic Models of Perception and Cognition Alan A Stocker GLAB 100 TR 1:45 PM-3:14 PM Probability theory has become an increasingly popular and successful framework for modeling human perceptual and cognitive behavior. This course will provide a careful introduction to probability theory and the various ways it has been applied in psychology and neuroscience. Goal is to make students understand the most important state-of-the-art probabilistic models in perception and cognition, what they reveal about the brain's underlying computations and strategies in dealing with uncertainty, and how such computations can potentially be performed by populations of neurons. Perm Needed From Instructor
PSYC 7470-401 Contemporary Research Issues in Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Martha J Farah CANCELED This course is intended to take you from a textbook-level acquaintance with psychology and neuroscience to critical engagement with the primary literature, through lectures, discussion and short written assignments. You will learn to extract, from the dense and detail-laden pages of a journal article, its contribution to the “big picture” of human neuroscience. You will also learn to recognize problematic research practices when they arise, and to analyze and communicate about the strengths and weaknesses of research articles. BIOE7470401 Perm Needed From Instructor
PSYC 8100-301 Psychodiagnostic Testing Melissa G Hunt This course provides a basic introduction to the theories and tools of psychological assessment. Students learn how to administer and interpret a number of standard cognitive, neuropsychological and personality tests including the WAIS-III, WMS-III, WIAT-II, Wisconsin Card Sort, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Millon Index of Personality Styles. Attention is given to serving as a consultant, differential diagnosis, case conceptualization, and integrating test results into formal but accessible reports. https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC8100301
PSYC 8110-301 Psychodiagnostic Interviewing Melissa G Hunt This course, usually taken simultaneously with Psychology 810, provides a basic introduction to psychodiagnostic interviewing and differential diagnosis. Students learn to take clinical histories and to administer a number of standardized diagnostic interviews, including the mental status exam, the SCID I and II for DSM-IV, the ADIS, and various clinician rating scales such as the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Attention is also given to self-report symptom inventories such as the Beck Depression Inventory and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised as well as to computerized diagnostic tools. https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202330&c=PSYC8110301
PSYC 8150-301 Introductory Practicum Melissa G Hunt Students typically complete 8-10 full assessment batteries on complex patients referred from a number of different sources in the community. This practicum offers intensive supervision, with live (in the room) supervision of every trainee’s first case, and live peer-supervision of their second case. Throughout their time in the practicum they receive close supervision of every case, including checking the scoring of tests and measures, and close reading and editing of every report. Students do a final feedback session with every patient which the supervisor co-leads at the beginning of the year, and observes in the room throughout the rest of the year, thus ensuring direct observation of every trainee throughout the year.