Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Modern living is complex due to competing desires and obligations: family, career, community and personal needs. Learning how to balance these competing claims on our attention and affections often involves making choices based on core values. This course explores answers to a variety of timeless questions so students can come to a better understanding of themselves, their desires and their obligations. Questions that will be explored may include: What does it mean to live a good life? What is the meaning of life? Does life have a meaning? What does it mean to be ethical and how does one know right from wrong? What makes work meaningful? What does it mean to be happy? What does it mean to be successful? What is the relationship between work, success and happiness? To whom in my life am I responsible, and what do I owe them? Drawing on religion, philosophy and literature, students will examine and critique a diversity of responses to these kinds of questions, reflect on the relevance of these responses in their lives and formulate their own responses to these questions. In keeping with Merrimack College’s Catholic and Augustinian mission, special attention is paid to the Christian tradition and the life and thought of Augustine of Hippo.

As part of the Professional Core in the B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences program, this course emphasizes effective communication (oral and written), critical thinking, ethical judgment and decision-making, effective teamwork, the ability to work independently, initiative, proactive planning, and real-world applications. Credits: 4

Examination of the major issues, theories and findings in the psychological study of positive emotions and experience (Positive Psychology). Emphasis is on the scientific investigation of such topics as the nature of happiness and well-being, psychological flow, savoring, love, optimism, resilience, character strengths and virtues and the meaningful life. Credits: 4

Provides a general overview of the wide-ranging field of psychology. Students will explore major concepts and issues in the study of human thinking, feeling, and acting. These include biological foundations of behavior and experience, how people learn and develop, how individuals perceive the world, individual differences in behavior, social influence and social relations, the difference between normative and non-normative behavior, and approaches to therapy. Credits: 4

Analysis of the varied ways psychologists ask and answer questions about the nature of the psychological processes. Focus will be on research philosophy, and qualitative and quantitative methodology, as they pertain to applied, real-world questions. Credits: 4

Cognition (PSY 3100)
Examines the major empirical and theoretical work on human information processing. Focuses on basic processing including sensory storage, pattern recognition, attention and memory. Also addresses complex cognitive processes, including language, problem-solving and decision-making. Prerequisites: PSY 1000 or PSY 2100. Credits: 4

This course is an introduction to the human nervous system, with emphasis on the structure and function of the human brain. Topics include the function of nerve cells, neural communication, sensory systems, attention, motor control, emotion, learning and memory. Credits: 4

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction to abnormal psychology. Students will study psychological dysfunction that is associated with distress or impairment. Topics covered include serious mental illness as well as anxiety, stress, and personality disorders. Content is organized in accordance with the DSM-5 as part of an integrative approach that includes the interaction of biological, developmental, and social factors on the description, etiology, course and treatment of mental disorders. Credits: 4

Explores the development of a typical human being from conception to death. Investigates patterns of change in biology, cognition, personality, social interaction, and relationships that take place throughout the lifespan. Considers several conceptual issues including progression and regression, health and illness, normality and abnormality. Credits: 4

Analyzes current theories and research on culture, race and ethnicity; and explores the ways in which the individual, social relations and culture mutually constitute each other. The course analyzes the rich interconnections between language and culture, and the role of culture in the construction of self and higher-order psychological processes. Students will examine cultural groups within and outside of the United States. Also includes consideration of cultural issues in the interpretation of personal experience and the role of cultural diversity in contemporary society. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4

Emphasizes the centrality of social context in our psychological processes. Explores how people think about, influence and relate to each other. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4

Application of psychological principles to the world of work. Emphasizes the organization as a complex social system. Applied topics include the selection, training, and evaluation of personnel. Theoretical issues include motivation, leadership, group dynamics, and organizational structure. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4

Examines the psychological dynamics of groups, mainly in work settings, including understanding the cohesion and development of groups (e.g., learning, satisfaction, commitment), interpersonal processes and relationships that occur between group members as they work together (e.g., information sharing, competition and conflict, conformity), and motivational factors that influence group performance (e.g., groupthink, social facilitation). Explores past and present empirical research and theory. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4

Explores the psychology of trauma and human resilience. This course explores the range of posttraumatic reactions to a variety of situations as they affect cognitive, emotional, somatic and interpersonal aspects of functioning. Students will be exposed to an overview of the etiology of and prevailing theories about PTSD. Factors contributing to the resilience to trauma as well as societal, cultural, and historical influences on views of trauma will also be discussed. Credits: 4

Explores psychological disorders that affect children. Topics include depression, autism, suicide, hyperactivity, and learning disabilities. Also investigates treatment modalities and theories of etiology. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4

Introduces classical and contemporary thinking on the concept of “personality’” Explores the contributions of several important theoretical frameworks in personality theory including psychoanalysis, phenomenology, trait theory, and learning. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4

This course explores theories of leadership, leadership philosophies and styles, as well as how leaders achieve institutional goals in an increasingly complex and challenging world. It addresses questions such as who can be a leader, society’s biases and norms about what constitutes leadership, the differences between leadership styles (i.e., collaborative, cooperative, problem-solver and hierarchical), concepts such as mentorship and sponsorship and the challenges, opportunities and obstacles faced by marginalized groups who seek leadership positions. Students examine their relationship to leadership and strengthen their capabilities through interactive and engaging assignments and activities, including Harvard’s Implicit Association Test, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Leadership Style Self-Assessment and Optional Thinking Leadership Assessment, among others. Credits: 4

Leaders as change agents necessarily drive change in an ever-evolving ecosystem. Navigation of organizational change requires leadership competencies in change management, new approaches and tools to increase leaders’ understanding of transformation and formal organizational strategies, such as structure, business processes, management systems, technology, products, services, culture and the like. This course explores change in the context of people and processes. “People” refers to the human dynamics that either influence the change or are triggered by it. These dynamics include dealing with people’s emotional reactions, turning resistance into commitment, motivation, engaging people in shaping the change, learning new behaviors or skills, changing mindsets, dealing with politics and relationships and addressing cultural implications of the change. “Process” refers to how the organization will transform and the decisions and action steps it will take along the way.

This course is a study of successful change processes and the leader’s role in creating a culture conducive to change; establishing a vision, buy-in and purpose among the influencers; and implementing sustainable, transformative change within an organization. Through the examination and discussion of change theory, case studies and change agents, this course considers effective approaches to confronting resistance and to leading change both vertically and horizontally

The COVID-19 pandemic made visible on a global scale the importance of leadership in times of crisis. Whether leaders serve in the political, business, nonprofit or social realms, crises pose new and often unanticipated challenges — and sometimes opportunities — for those in positions of leadership. This course explores how leaders proactively or reactively respond to crises, effectively communicate through their actions and behaviors, make decisions and maintain self and organizational engagement. The course also addresses the opportunities for women and people of color who may emerge as leaders during crisis moments and examines the concept of the “glass cliff” that many may face. Through case studies, the course evaluates how leaders respond to crises while simultaneously attempting to maintain trust among employees, investors, consumers, government and other stakeholders. It also considers the role of leadership style in successfully responding to and managing crises, as well as cases where leaders acknowledge their inability to act in times of crisis. Credits: 4

This course focuses on the enactment of leadership through communication. Students explore the relationship between leadership and communication. Traditional and contemporary approaches to leadership within various social contexts are examined. Special emphasis is given to how communication theory can enhance our understanding of leadership. Students engage in course-curriculum activities, including personal interviews, aimed at uncovering leadership as a product of human communication, as well as refining individual leadership potential and skills. Credits: 4

This course explores leadership in relation to principles, power and persuasion. These three elements aid leaders in navigating various leadership challenges, styles and access to positions of power and influence. Defining successful leadership is not done in isolation — it requires an understanding and close examination of what guides a leader’s assumptions, beliefs and actions in concert with their pursuit of power and their ability to persuade others, including those who are different from themselves. Learning how to maintain one’s principles, even while reaching a compromise, is a necessary leadership skill. Holding position, power and influence, and using them ethically and for the greater good, are also ideals and aspects of leadership. Persuading others to embrace workplace change, adapting an organization’s mission in an agile environment and commanding and holding attention are essential skills for leaders. Credits: 4

Evaluating and transferring knowledge in team-based environments with diverse groups of employees can be challenging. Leaders need to adapt their practices for working across multicultural, multi-gendered, multi-racial and multi-abled employees and collaborators, as well as across national borders. This course exposes students to theories of team leadership and helps them develop tools for sharing knowledge in an effective manner. Measuring team effectiveness is difficult for team-based leadership because a majority of team tasks within organizations are not quantifiable. Some of the criteria that can be used to measure team performance include: the team’s output meeting or exceeding expectations; collaboration among members enhancing each other’s capabilities; and the team experience fulfilling the personal needs of its members. Credits: 4

The world has changed immensely since the “Great Man Theory” of leadership first emerged in the late 1800s. This course addresses the theory and its persistence, the changes that have emerged since and alternative models of leadership, such as those that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in recruiting and developing leaders. Understanding the complex social symbiosis and the interdependent relationship between leaders and followers is often overlooked. This course examines various theories, such as Leader-Follower Theory, Leader Member Exchange Theory (LMX) and the Vertical Dyad Linkage Theory, among others. The course uses relevant case studies to inform how leaders effectively embrace, engage and support followers and team members to achieve organizational success. Credits: 4

This course explores ethical dilemmas and contemporary problems that can arise when leaders consider the ways important and proper decision-making intersects with the needs and goals of organizations, society or the wider world. What happens when an individual’s ethics are counter to the organization’s practices or society’s values? The course includes a historical review of various leaders’ actions and the resulting consequences when confronted with an ethical dilemma. Students use case studies, their own experiences and current events to examine ethical tensions within the framework of personal goals and social outcomes. Students study popular ethical theories, strategies and solutions with a refined understanding of various perspectives and reasoning essential to good ethical leadership. From theory evaluation to ethical models, exercises and discussions, students enhance their critical thinking skills and deepen their understanding of the perspectives of others. In addition, students assess their ethical framework in the context of an effective leadership model. Credits: 4