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Requirements
Psychology
Psychology is the science of mind, behavior, and experience. Although psychology is a relatively new science, it already concerns itself with an astonishing variety of phenomena. Some border on biology and chemistry; others touch on anthropology and sociology.
Beloit’s curriculum acquaints students with the major subfields of psychology—developmental, experimental, personality, and social. Faculty involve students in the theories, methods, evidence, and practice of psychology, and they work toward liberal education in the discipline rather than technical preparation in a particular brand of psychology. Consequently, students learn how to pose meaningful questions about human behavior and how to explore those questions using the methods of psychological science.
Majors
Up to 3 units of credit in psychology may be taken at another institution and applied toward psychology requirements with permission of department.
- Ten departmental units (at least 7 of which must be taken at Beloit):
- Core courses (3 units): Psychology 100, 161, and 162.
- Developmental psychology: 1 unit from Psychology 210, 215, or 225.
- Experimental psychology: 1 unit from Psychology 230, 235, or 240.
- Personality and abnormal psychology: 1 unit from Psychology 250 or 252.
- Social and cultural psychology: 1 unit from Psychology 260 or 265.
- Capstone courses and experiences: 2 units from Psychology 300-385.
- One additional elective unit in psychology.
- Supporting courses (2 units): Chosen in consultation with the major advisor, 2 units of coursework outside the department that address concepts, issues, and/or methods relevant to psychologists and the student’s academic and career goals. No more than 1 unit can be completed before the major has been declared.
- Writing/communication requirement: The department of psychology recognizes the importance of oral and written communication and helps its students develop these skills within a disciplinary context. Students in psychology courses learn to read and interpret the results of psychological studies. They also learn to report the results of psychological studies, orally and in written form.
Additional Information
Twelve units consisting of 3 units of required core courses, 5 units of breadth courses in the department, 2 units of departmental capstone credit, and 2 units of supporting coursework in disciplines other than psychology.
The core courses ensure that each student has a thorough understanding of key issues and concepts in the discipline, as well as methods used by research psychologists. A course drawn from each of four clusters l.b.-1.e., ensures that each student will complete a breadth course in each of the primary subfields of psychology.
An additional elective in psychology, chosen from courses offered at Beloit College (1. a-1.j) or elsewhere, gives students more flexibility to achieve breadth.
Capstone courses at the 300-level, including advanced topics seminars, practicum experiences, and senior thesis (for invited students), offer opportunities to explore more focused topics in depth and to apply skills gained throughout the major to experiences outside the classroom.
Supporting courses from outside the department ensure that each student explores other disciplines that investigate questions about mind and behavior.