Psychiatric Nursing in Addictions and Mental Health

This course will provide psychiatric nursing students with current knowledge related to working with clients with substance use disorders including concurrent disordered clients. Included in this course are the historical and cultural contexts of addiction, the co-occurrence of mental health disorders with substance abuse, theoretical paradigms and principles of substance use disorders. Identification, screening and assessment techniques are explored using the Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework. Common co-occurring physiological disorders associated with substance use disorders will be presented including the role for Harm Reduction, recovery model and the trans-theoretical change model when assessing and planning psychiatric nursing care for individuals with substance use disorders. The roles and responsibilities of the psychiatric nurse in caring with diverse populations experiencing substance abuse will be explored. In addition, treatment models of substance use disorders will be discussed.

Family Health Promotion of Psychiatric Nursing Practice

Using the Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework, students will be introduced to family nursing and the impact of health and illness on all family members, including family structure, function, and process. Students will explore theory and principles of psychiatric nursing care with families and recognize family nursing care models, assessment techniques, and variables that influence families and family nursing. Various family nursing roles are highlighted including promoting health and wellness, preventing illness risk, and managing both episodic and chronic health challenges. Students will apply a holistic approach to recognizing the uniqueness of every family system.

Psychiatric Nursing Concepts III: Living with Episodic Health Challenges I

This course examines a person’s experience with episodic variances in wellness throughout the life cycle and their impact on client system stability and harmony. Health care trends related to primary prevention are built upon from semesters. The Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework is expanded upon and applied to the health assessment of the individual client. Human pathophysiology and pharmacological management related to selected exemplars will be integrated within this course. The course will provide opportunities for the ongoing development of professional relationships and for the understanding of legal and ethical issues of psychiatric nursing practice.

Therapeutic Relations III

This course focuses on the application of communication theory and skills to support clients experiencing episodic mental health challenges. Students will learn how to obtain valid and reliable data while maintaining a professional therapeutic relationship. Emphasis is placed on developing self-awareness and offering constructive feedback to peers.

Clinical Procedures III

This course introduces the theory and principles underlying advanced clinical procedures used in psychiatric nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on the application of advanced clinical skills while continuing to build and integrate foundational clinical skills relevant to the clinical setting.

Pharmacology

Students are introduced to the theory and principles of pharmacology as they relate to psychiatric nursing practice. Students will apply their knowledge of the pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapeutics and pharmacokinetics of medications within the Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework and the nursing process. Students will focus on understanding the classification of medications used in the management of acute (Episodic) and chronic (Ongoing) health variances and will develop a holistic perspective in examining the relationship among medications, the person and the environment. Students will examine health promotion issues related to pharmacology in the context of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention as intervention. Students will develop an understanding of the legal and legislative implications related to pharmacological management as they pertain to psychiatric nursing practice.

Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice II

Students will have opportunities to integrate specialized psychiatric and medical knowledge and skills in caring for persons, families, and groups experiencing episodic health challenges in medical-surgical and acute mental health care settings. The professional psychiatric nursing role will continue to be developed and strengthened. Clinical group discussions will assist with the integration of concepts and issues related to the clinical practice setting.

Psychiatric Nursing Concepts IV (Living with Episodic Health Challenges II)

This course continues an examination of a person’s experience with episodic variances in wellness throughout the life cycle and their impact on client system stability and harmony. The Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework is expanded upon and applied to the health assessment of the individual client. Emphasis is on the integration and application of the concepts related to episodic variances in wellness on previous concepts and patterns to broaden the scope of practice. Human pathophysiology and pharmacological management related to selected exemplars of acute variances in wellness will be presented. Professional relationships, ethical and legal issues and trends in health care will be critically examined.

Psychiatric Nursing Concepts

This course examines an individual's experience with ongoing and episodic mental health variances in wellness throughout the life cycle and the impact on system stability and harmony. The Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework is applied to the health assessment of the individual client. This course integrates human pathophysiology and pharmacological management related to selected exemplars of variances. Professional relationships, ethical and legal issues, and trends in health care will be examined in relation to psychiatric nursing practice. This is a fully online course.

Psychiatric Nursing and the Older Adult

Students will develop an understanding of the complexity, rewards and challenges of working with the older adult in the context of primary and secondary health care delivery systems. Theories of aging and expected developmental paths, along with de-mystification of long-held beliefs about aging will be examined. Students will develop an understanding of the challenges faced by older adults living in the community, as well as those residing in care facilities. In addition, students will acquire knowledge of treatment modalities and psychiatric nursing care related to mental health and physiological challenges facing the older adult with a focus on specific exemplars such as Alzheimer’s disease, delirium, depression, neglect abuse, and pharmacology. The student will understand the significance of the family and loved ones in planning care for the older adult. The role of the psychiatric nurse in providing care for the older adult at all levels of intervention/prevention will be explored within the context of the Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework for Nursing and psychosocial rehabilitation concepts. Ethical and legal implications will be discussed as well as issues of caregiver support and the needs of individuals, families, friends, and nurses working with older adult patients confronting end-of-life concerns.

Therapeutic Relations IV

This course focuses on developing advanced therapeutic communication skills for working with clients experiencing episodic mental health challenges. Students will practice empathy, assertiveness, limit setting, conflict resolution, de-escalation, and points of disengagement when working with confused, distressed, aggressive, agitated, or resistant clients. Emphasis is placed on self-awareness, critical reflection, constructive feedback, professional documentation, and sharing information with clients as an individual or as a family.

Clinical Procedures IV

Students will continue to integrate all previously learned skills and will develop abilities to carry out procedures related to caring for clients with complex health challenges. In addition, students will practice advanced assessment skills within a laboratory setting.

Group Theory and Process

This course will introduce students to group theory and group process. Students explore their beliefs and values pertaining to groups and discover the relevance of this to their own learning and practice. Students will explore professional and ethical issues in the context of group work. Students examine groups in relation to types, roles, aims, barriers and opportunities as they work in groups, both in the classroom and in clinical settings. Students expand their knowledge of the history and development of groups. Students further enhance their knowledge and skill related to group structure and functioning. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate therapeutic relationship skills in group work. Students learn to establish goals and objectives for groups, and apply the underpinnings of specific group theories. Planning and implementing a psycho educational group will be the focus of this course.

Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice III

Students will have opportunities to integrate specialized knowledge and skills in caring for persons, families, and groups experiencing episodic and complex ongoing health challenges in medical-surgical and older adult care settings. The professional psychiatric nursing role will continue to be developed and strengthened. Clinical group discussions will assist with the integration of concepts and issues related to the clinical practice setting.

Professional Psychiatric Nursing Concepts

This course facilitates the exploration of the professional self-concept of the student as a psychiatric nurse. It explores the role and practice of psychiatric nursing within historical, developmental, and contemporary mental healthcare contexts. Students will analyze similarities and differences in nursing models and concepts and apply them to psychiatric nursing practice. The Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework and Philosophy are applied to psychiatric nursing practice.

Psychiatric Nursing Leadership and Management

This course introduces leadership and management concepts within the Canadian health care system as they relate to psychiatric nursing practice. Students integrate leadership theories and research into clinical and organizational contexts, with an emphasis on collaboration, ethical and culturally safe practice, and quality care.

Therapeutic Relations V

This course focuses on developing advanced communication skills for working with clients experiencing complex mental health challenges. Students will consolidate previously learned therapeutic communication skills with a focus on group process, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration. Students will apply various therapeutic modalities and conduct mental status exams, risk assessments, and holistic assessments. Emphasis is placed on further developing the psychiatric nursing role as a health care team member.

Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice IV

Students will have the opportunity to integrate specialized psychiatric and medical knowledge and skills in caring for persons, families, groups, and communities across the lifespan experiencing both episodic and complex ongoing health challenges in acute mental health and community settings. The professional psychiatric nursing role will continue to be developed and strengthened within the context of the health care team. Clinical group discussions assist to integrate concepts and issues related to the practice settings.

Psychiatric Nursing Community Concepts

This course introduces concepts related to community mental health nursing practice. The continuum of care is explored, including its historical development, influencing factors, and theoretical foundations for population-based nursing within a health promotion framework. Emphasis is placed on best practices, assessment approaches, and the application of the Community as Partner Model to guide care for individuals and populations. Students build on prior psychiatric nursing knowledge to examine the roles and responsibilities of the psychiatric nurse in supporting individuals with persistent mental health disorders in community settings.

Psychiatric Nursing of Children and Adolescents

In this course, students will explore mental health disorders specific to children and adolescents, differentiating them from those seen in adults and examining them through a holistic, systems-based lens. Students will examine the etiology, pharmacological treatments, and psychosocial interventions associated with common child and adolescent mental health disorders. The course also explores current evidence-informed practices for prevention, assessment, child/adolescent interview skills, and family-centered interventions to support youth and their families experiencing mental health disorders.

Emergency Mental Health Nursing

This course examines psychiatric nursing in relation to mental health emergencies. Students will explore relevant legislation, legal and ethical issues, triage processes, and strategies that support the psychiatric nurse in the provision of care to those experiencing a mental health crisis. Students will develop skills in performing mental status exams and risk assessments, managing crisis calls, and implementing urgent psychiatric nursing interventions to respond to episodic mental health challenges. Assessment criteria, tools, interventions, and emergency mental health dispositions are addressed in the context of variances in wellness. Throughout the course, there is a focus on developing advanced interviewing skills to effectively assess and respond to mental health emergencies.

Psychiatric Nursing Research

In this course, students will explore the role and responsibilities of the psychiatric nurse within psychiatric nursing research and begin to develop an understanding of the relationships among theory, research, and evidence-informed practice. Students will focus on identifying and critically reading and evaluating relevant literature to inform psychiatric nursing practice. Students will develop an understanding of the underlying paradigms within the various research methodologies and research processes.

Trauma Informed Practices

This course examines trauma and trauma-related disorders. Using the Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework, students will gain an understand and evaluate trauma responses that patients and nurses may exhibit, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Secondary Trauma Stress, and Vicarious Trauma. Students will explore and analyze Post-Traumatic growth, resilience, and self-care.

Psychiatric Nursing in Substance Use and Addictions

This course will provide students with knowledge related to working with clients with substance use disorders including concurrent disordered clients. Students will explore the historical and cultural contexts of addiction, the co-occurrence of mental health disorders with substance use, and the theoretical paradigms and principles of substance use disorders. Identification, screening, and assessment techniques are explored using the Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework. Common co-occurring physiological disorders associated with substance use disorders will be presented. The role of Harm Reduction, the Recovery Model, Motivational Interviewing, and the Transtheoretical Change Model when assessing and planning psychiatric nursing care for individuals will be reviewed. The use of treatment models and the role and responsibilities of the psychiatric nurse when caring for diverse populations will be explored.

Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice V: Preceptorship Experience

This practicum course is a preceptorship experience where students demonstrate integration, synthesis, and application of program theoretical concepts to clinical practice in a selected clinical focus area/agency. Students will demonstrate integration of psychiatric and medical knowledge and skills in caring for persons, families, groups, and communities across the lifespan experiencing acute and complex health challenges within a variety of health settings. The professional psychiatric nursing role will be developed and strengthened within the context of the health care team including assuming aspects of psychiatric nursing leadership role. Entry to practice competencies will be demonstrated within the preceptorship experience to attain course mastery.

Trauma-Informed Practices II

This course is a hybrid course. The students will explore trauma-informed care (TIC) and TIC clinical practices. A trauma-informed approach to screening and assessment will be emphasized. Trauma-specific services (TSS), principles of trauma recovery, and the role of relational therapies are explored. An awareness of TIC principles, focusing on clients and practitioners, is pivotal. This course will define and differentiate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), vicarious trauma (VT), secondary traumatic stress (STS) and compassion fatigue (CF) from similar constructs. Risk and prevention factors for VT and STS are highlighted. Integration of VT and STS concepts, as well as, the concept of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and compassion fatigue resilience (CFR) will be emphasized.

Introduction to Political Science

This course provides an introductory overview of the nature of politics and government, how to create good governments, and how best to structure political institutions (and limit their powers). The course examines basic political concepts, theories and ideologies, institutions of government, and the structures and processes of politics and policy-making. The course also prepares students for further study in political science by providing conceptual and analytical tools appropriate to the field.

Introduction to Canadian Government

This course explores the structure and functions of the main institutions of Canadian government. Students examine Canada’s Constitution and governmental institutions including: the federal system, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Crown, prime minister, Cabinet, bureaucracy, Parliament, and judiciary. Students will also examine the electoral system, elections, political participation, party system, advocacy groups, social movements, and lobbyist activities. Throughout the course, students critically assess the relationship between the Canadian State and Indigenous Peoples. The course provides the basis for understanding Canada’s parliamentary system and more advanced study of Canadian governments. Students are encouraged to enroll in both POLI 1102 (Introduction to Canadian Government) and POLI 2202 (Introduction to Canadian Politics) to enhance their university transfer if majoring in political science.

Introduction to World Politics

This course focuses on the interactions of nation-states, international organizations, civil society, economic actors, and individuals in global politics. While the nation-state is traditionally viewed as the fundamental unit of world politics, since the end of the Cold War that predominance has been challenged by increased globalization, as well as radical localization and rebellion. These factors together have reduced the remaining power of many nation-states and undermined the capacity of all nation-states to regulate their own affairs.

To study these developments, this course will introduce students to mainstream and critical theories of world politics and apply concepts from those theories to current and historical case studies.

Politics and Ethics

This course will examine political controversies that raise fundamental ethical issues in contemporary public life and the political choices of public officials. The course will analyse the ethical dimensions of public policy and examine basic questions such as the proper place of ethics in politics, the difference in ethical behaviour in the public and private spheres, and whether the state should be neutral with respect to moral beliefs. Specific topics and issues will include, for example, the limits of political power, the rule of law, conflict of interest, minority cultural rights, health care, and debate over the welfare state.

Introduction to Political Theory

This course introduces students to selected great thinkers of Western political theory who inspired others to critically assess their political thinking and understanding of citizenship. Their ideas will serve as the starting point for appraising the relationship between politics and philosophy and the search for justice and the good life. What makes authority legitimate? What freedoms can citizens claim? What are rights? What does justice require? This course does not presume prior academic study in political theory or philosophy beyond foundational political science coursework.

Introduction to Canadian Politics

This course introduces students to Canada’s political traditions and culture, political socialization and participation, class and ethnic politics, the Quebec question, the electoral process, and political parties and advocacy groups in the Canadian governing system. Students are encouraged to enroll in both POLI 1102 (Introduction to Canadian Government) and POLI 2202 (Introduction to Canadian Politics) to enhance their university transfer if majoring in political science.

Current International Issues

The media almost daily reports on humanitarian disasters arising someplace in the world. This course examines contemporary issues in world politics including war, genocide, human security, the environment and global economic inequality. The course will assess attempts within the international system to manage conflict and the challenges posed by economic globalization and the environment.

B.C. Politics and Government

British Columbia’s politics is the Wild West of Canadian politics. This course examines the evolution of the province’s politics and government. This examination will be considered from both descriptive and comparative perspectives, with a focus on the structural approach to exploring the ideas, institutions, and
political actors that have played a role in the development of British Columbia. The focus of the course will be on current political issues facing the province, its future development, and on the provincial legislature, First Nations, cities, towns and villages, and regional districts.

U.S. Government and Politics

This course examines American political institutions and processes, including the presidency, congress, the federal court system, political parties, the media, and the electoral system. The course explores how these institutions and processes function within changing American Constitutional principles of the rule of law, federalism, shared/divided powers of government, individual and civil rights, as well as domestic and foreign policy. Different perspectives on how to understand political action, effectiveness, and engagement are considered. The course will also assist students in developing an understanding of role and actions of the United States in various global contexts.

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Why are some countries democratic and others authoritarian? How and in what ways do different political systems affect citizen welfare? How do we assess competing and rival political systems? This course explores key questions, issues, methods, and developments in the study of comparative politics and government. The nature of politics and governance across different political regimes will be compared using analytical methods that will deepen students’ knowledge of governing and policy alternatives.

The Politics of Utopias and Dystopias

Literary utopias and dystopias are critical mirrors of governments and societies. Such writings reflect cultural responses to changing values and beliefs, the desire for a better future, or fear of great dysfunction -- but they are all intrinsically political. This course will examine how utopian and dystopian works are powerful commentaries on political and social relationships. It will show how such works can enhance students' abilities to discuss and assess current political issues and to formulate and reflect on their own ideas of what constitute a good society.

An Introduction to Psychology (I)

Psychology 1100 provides an introduction to selected areas in the field of psychology. Emphasis is placed on psychology as a natural science (theories, methodology and statistics) and the focus is on the investigation of major basic psychological processes such as sensation, perception, learning, memory, consciousness, the biological foundations of behaviour, and life span development.

Psychology of Women

This course will study the experiences, realities, and possibilities of women’s lives. It will explore both the psychological origins and psychological effects of the feminine role. This will be discussed through critical analysis grounded in and sensitive to the everyday life experiences of women within North American and global contexts. It will examine diversity and development, focusing on relationships, knowledge, sexuality, health, work, and aging. Throughout the course, sexism will be analyzed as it intersects with colonialism, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, heterosexism, ableism, and classism.

Lifespan Human Development

This course provides an introduction to human development through an exploration of lifelong changes that occur from conception to death. Each stage of the life-cycle will be examined to assess biological, cognitive, and social influences on human development. The influence of social and cultural context on development will be studied.

An Introduction to Psychology (II)

Psychology 1200 provides an introduction to selected areas in the field of psychology. The focus of the course is on the investigation of major psychological processes such as emotion, motivation, personality, psychological disorders, therapy and social behaviour. Emphasis is placed on psychology as a natural science (theories, methodology, statistics).

Academic and Professional Development in Psychology

This course is recommended for students who plan to complete a BA degree in Psychology. The course addresses four areas of academic and professional skill development. First, students will learn how to write papers and research reports using the writing and referencing style of the American Psychological Association (APA). Second, students will develop the necessary skills to construct interview questions and conduct effective interviews. Third, students will develop the research and critical thinking skills necessary to find, review, and evaluate research on given topics in psychology. Finally, students will learn to apply ethical guidelines and other practical skills to research in psychology.

An Introduction to Educational Psychology

This course provides an introduction to concepts, theories, and research in educational psychology. The topics covered include cognitive, social and physical development during the school years, learning theories, instructional approaches, motivation, assessment, and individual differences. This course is recommended for students who are interested in teaching or coaching school-aged children.

Data Analysis in Psychology

This course introduces students to the concepts and applications of statistics and focuses on the analysis and interpretation of data from experiments and surveys using descriptive and inferential statistics. Computerized data analysis is also introduced.

Research Methods in Psychology

This course introduces students to the scientific approach and the development of knowledge in Psychology. Through class and lab activities, students learn how to design, carry out, analyze and report on their own research projects. Students learn the critical analytic skills to evaluate psychological research properly.

Biological Bases of Behaviour

This course will introduce the student both to the variety of biological approaches to understanding behaviour, and to the research techniques used. After an introduction to basic neuroanatomy and physiology and to the development and evolution of brain structure and function, various topics in biological psychology will be surveyed. These will include the communication and coding functions of nerve cells; the psychobiology of: development and aging, movement, learning and memory, and internal motivational emotional states; the biological approaches to mental illness; and the behavioural effects of drugs, hormones, and brain damage.

Psychological Disorders and Treatment

Students are introduced to basic issues in the study of psychological disorders. Topics include the history of psychopathology, paradigms, classification, assessment, research methods, theories of etiology, and approaches to treatment.

Cognitive Psychology

This course provides an introduction to the psychology of cognition and is concerned with the methods and theories relevant to thinking and related processes. Concept formation, problem solving, reasoning, decision making, and the relation of language to thought will be covered. The influence of individual differences, social factors, artificial intelligence, and biology will be included as well as the practical applications of research in cognition.

Special Topics in Psychology

This course examines a special topic or emerging questions in the field of psychology of direct relevance for students in a wide range of disciplines. Readings and topical content will be approachable to students with no prior coursework in psychology and will include theory, critical debate, and applications relevant to the specific topic.

Gender Relations

The course will examine biological, psychological, and socio-cultural determinants of gender across the lifespan. Research methods and research biases will be examined. Gender differences and similarities will be evaluated in language, cognition, and relationships. Comparisons will be made between social constructionist and essentialist perspectives of gender and sexuality. An interactional approach will highlight how race, class, ethnicity, colonization, and (dis)ability mediate gendered identity and experience.

Applied Intermediate Research Methods & Data Analysis

This course expands on concepts learned in PSYC 2300 and 2301. Students will learn how to choose, apply and analyze appropriate research designs using both data analysis and inferential statistics. Applied projects will allow students to gain experience with computer programs such as SPSS or Microsoft Excel. Topics may include ANOVA (both one- and two-way), correlation, and the general linear model (bivariate and multivariate regression). Focus will be on the application of research designs along with interpretation and effective communication of research results.

Applied Data Analysis in Psychology

The purpose of this course is to teach students how to analyze data using current data analysis computer software. The course covers major analytic methods, as well as methods appropriate to dealing with missing values, and analyzing the psychometric properties of scales. Students will analyze a number of datasets using XLSTAT and/or SPSS. Emphasis will be placed on generating results and interpreting results appropriately, not statistical theories. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to prepare datasets for analysis, and conduct a wide range of descriptive and inferential analyses of data.

Health Psychology

This course provides a critical survey of the basic research findings and theory on the relation between psychological factors (including behaviour, emotion, cognition, personality, and interpersonal relationships) and health. Topics include health-related behaviours such as smoking and drug use, the effect of stressful events on health and performance, methods for coping with stress, exercise psychology, the impact of chronic illness on the family, and social support systems.

Hormones and Behaviour

This course is a survey of the various hormonal/endocrine systems in the body and how they affect a multitude of behaviours and psychological processes. Major topics may include: a history of behavioural endocrinology, the neural control of endocrine systems, the sexual determination and differentiation of the body, sex differences in behaviour, sexual orientation and reproductive behaviour, parental behaviour, social behaviour, physiological homeostasis, biological rhythms, stress, learning & memory, and various psychological disorders.

History and Philosophy of Modern Psychology

This course examines the development of modern psychology from its founding to the present. Attention will be paid to the work of philosophers, physiologists, and physicists of the 17th to 19th centuries who influenced the beginnings of psychology in the late 19th century. The growth of psychology will be traced from its early focus on the study of sensation and human conscious experience, through the proliferation of schools, up to today’s diverse and complex discipline.

Critical Issues in Psychology

This course covers critical historical and philosophical issues in the modern day practice of psychology. The purpose of the course is to help the student understand current critical debates in modern psychology by exploring their origin and the empirical and philosophical foundations upon which they rest. By the end of the course, students will understand why controversy exists in modern psychology about the nature of mental disorders, intelligence, memory and other important psychological phenomena. Students will be encouraged to engage in these critical debates and begin to formulate their own positions.

Psychology & Law

This general survey course provides an introduction to the study of psychology as it relates to the law. It will lead to a better understanding of criminal and civil issues that involve psychological perspectives; including a focus on psychological experts in court, child custody, law enforcement, victimology, violent offenders, risk assessments, and treatment of forensic clinical populations.

Human Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between human brain function and behaviour. Students build on their understanding of the nervous system with a focus on the structure and functional organization of the cerebral cortex.
Topics include sensory and motor systems and higher cortical functions such as language and memory. The course also allows students to explore topics such as developmental disorders, acquired brain injury and dysfunction, and neuropsychiatric and degenerative disorders.

Child Behaviour and Development

This course provides an introduction to the process of development from conception to puberty. The major focuses are on developmental theory, descriptive changes in physical growth, cognition, language, social and emotional behaviour of children and applications of the research and theory.

Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

This course is a psychological study of the adolescent and emerging adult stages of life-span development. The major theories and research findings about adolescent development are examined with a view to helping students to better understand themselves and others. Emphasis is placed on the social-cultural and historical context of this developmental period.

Developmental Psychology: Adulthood & Aging

In this course, students will examine theory and research on age-related changes in adult physiology, sensory and perceptual abilities, cognition, memory, social relationships, social cognition, personality, and mental and physical health. Current changing age-related demographics and their implications will be presented. The course will explore methods and findings within the psychology of aging. Stereotypes and attitudes toward older individuals, as well as their effects, will be discussed. This course will include the growths, declines, benefits, challenges, and strengths of aging.

An Introduction to Social Psychology

This course provides an introduction to the study of how people think, feel and behave in social contexts. The focus is on social behaviour and thought from the individual’s perspective, with the importance of social influence and situational factors being emphasized. Topics will include: social perception, attitudes and behaviour, interpersonal attraction and relationships, the social self and social identity, aggression, conformity, obedience, persuasion, prejudice, prosocial behaviour, and applied social psychology. Research methods in social psychology will also be covered.

Introduction to Personality

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to theory and research in personality. Students will examine such topics as the assessment of personality, personality development, biological processes and personality, health and personality, personality disorders, and treatments aimed at modifying personality.

Cultural Competency and Counselling with Canada's Indigenous Peoples

Cultural awareness, cultural competence and cultural safety are important components in understanding the psychological health and wellness of Canada's Indigenous peoples. This course is designed to enhance students' competencies in understanding and working with Indigenous individuals and communities. The course will facilitate development of self-awareness, theoretical knowledge, and Indigenous knowledge of colonization and its impact on Indigenous peoples. It will introduce the social, historical, political, spiritual, and philosophical contexts that inform the psychological experiences of many Indigenous peoples and communities in Canada. The course will review concepts and principles of counselling psychology that enhance our understanding of and effectiveness in addressing client issues and multiple identities. The course also emphasizes counsellor roles and responsibilities for social justice and advocacy and provides learners with a foundation of knowledge and skills required to provide culturally appropriate counselling services to Indigenous families and individuals.

Sociopolitical and Critical Psychology

The objective of this course is to examine the influence of sociopolitical and economic factors on mental health and psychology. Specifically, this course will examine the impact of critical social issues such as racism, class, gender, heterosexism, ageism, disabilities, oppression, psychosocial trauma, and poverty on researching and practicing psychology. In addition to providing students with the ability to identify and critically analyze how sociopolitical issues like oppression, domination, inequality, and injustice contribute to psychological suffering, the course will also enable students to specify the historical, theoretical, and methodological foundations of the field of Sociopolitical and Critical Psychology. Readings and topical content will include pertinent theory, research, critical debate, and applications relevant to the field of sociopolitical and critical psychology.

Cultural Psychology

This course is recommended for students majoring in psychology and for students in professional programs who intend to work in multicultural contexts. Cultural psychology is largely a new discipline which challenges our understanding of human nature. Systematic research continues to show just how deeply cultural influences penetrate our psychology and shape the ways that people think. This course reviews the growing body of cultural research across a wide range of topics including self and personality, motivation, morality, emotions, reasoning, communication, mental health, interpersonal attraction and groups. The research is examined in the context of an analysis of the nature of culture and cultural socialization. Particular attention is paid to the research methods used in this field and to the strength of evidence in support of each claim. Towards the end of the course, students are invited to consider how the research in Cultural Psychology can inform our approach to a variety of practical issues that have emerged in multicultural worlds. Students will be given guidance and detailed feedback on constructing clear essays that evaluate alternative perspectives using carefully reasoned arguments and evidence from high quality research.

Drugs and Behaviour

This is an introductory course in psychopharmacology. Topics include the neurobiology of drug action with a focus on psychotropic drugs. The focus is on the pharmacology, metabolism, interactions, adverse effects and therapeutic uses of major psychoactive drug classes and natural health products. In addition, theories of substance abuse and harm reduction approaches in a modern cultural context are considered.

Developmental Psychopathology

This course will introduce the field of developmental psychopathology, which integrates developmental theory and research in psychology, in order to understand the origins and consequences of psychological problems. Perspectives on disordered behaviour will be followed by an investigation of various child and adolescent disorders. Topics will include anxiety, depression, conduct disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, mental retardation, learning disabilities, autism and childhood schizophrenia, and physical disorders.

Social Cognition

This course will provide an overview of the field of social cognition. The focus of the course will be how people interpret, analyze, and remember information about themselves, others, and the social world around them. Topics include concept and schema formation, heuristics and biases, probabilistic reasoning, causal inference, the architecture of memory, automaticity, and trait inference. Such processes are used to understand self-perception, emotions, goal-directed behaviour, impression formation, attitudes and persuasion, stereotyping and prejudice, and cultural differences.

The Psychology of Learning

This course provides an introduction to the psychology of learning and is concerned with the conditions, principles, and theories of learning. Students will learn about research methods, theories, and findings associated with traditional and contemporary learning research. A variety of learning theories behaviouristic approaches (such as Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning) will be emphasized. The degree to which these theories adequately account for observable data will be considered. Additional topics to be explored include complex learning phenomena such as motor skill, expertise, and study. Students will apply their theoretical learning by critically analyzing everyday learning problems (e.g., ‘how should I study’, ‘how can I improve’, etc.) in light of empirical research.

The Psychology of Memory

This course provides an introduction to the psychology of memory. It is concerned with the nature of human memory, how the memory system works, what we remember, and why we forget. Various theoretical formulations regarding memory processes will be examined, relevant empirical evidence will be assessed, and practical applications of this research will be considered.

Theories of Counselling & Psychotherapy

This course surveys the major theories and techniques of foundational and contemporary counselling and psychotherapy, and explores topics such as evidence-based practice, culture and diversity, and common factors important to successful therapy. This course additionally examines the philosophical underpinning of the theories about human nature and change process. It critiques the models from ethical, multicultural, indigenous and social justice perspectives. This course helps to prepare students who are considering advanced study in counselling and psychotherapy.

Evolutionary Psychology

Students are introduced to the study of behaviour and mental processes from an evolutionary perspective. The methods and research of evolutionary psychology will be emphasized. The course begins with a thorough overview of Darwin’s theory of natural selection and the formation of adaptations. From there, various topics will be investigated including cooperation and altruism, competition and aggression, sexual selection and mating strategies, life histories and development, parental care and family relations, and culture.

Applications of Psychological Knowledge (Service Learning & Research)

This seminar-based course will expose students to the various areas in the workforce within which Psychology theory and research is applied. Students will gain experience and competence through service learning opportunities with community agencies or research organizations.

Special Topics in Applied Psychology/Social Sciences

This course examines a special topic or emerging questions in the fields of applied psychology and social sciences. Readings and topical content will include theory, research, critical debate, and applications relevant to the specific topic.

Special Topics in Biological Psychology

This course examines a special topic or emerging questions in the field of biological psychology. Readings and topical content will include theory, research, critical debate, and applications relevant to the specific topic.

Special Topics in Clinical/Counselling Psychology

This course examines a controversial topics or emerging questions in the field of clinical/counselling psychology. Readings and topical content will include theory, research, critical debate, and applications relevant to the specific topic.

Special Topics in Cognitive Psychology

This course examines a special topic or emerging questions in the fields of cognitive psychology. Readings and topical content will include theory, research, critical debate, and applications relevant to the specific topic.

Special Topics in Developmental Psychology

This course examines a special topic or emerging questions in the field of developmental psychology. Readings and topical content will include theory, research, critical debate, and applications relevant to the specific topic.

Special Topics in Social Psychology/Social Sciences

This course examines a special topic or emerging questions in the fields of social psychology and social sciences. Readings and topical content will include theory, research, critical debate, and applications relevant to the specific topic.

Psychological Assessment

This course provides students with an introduction to the fundamental principles guiding the psychological assessment process, across the range of current applications. The historical-cultural context and relevant ethical principles are considered. Psychological assessment is presented as an integrative and multi-method process which includes structured tests. Key issues of reliability, validity and utility are addressed. Applications in education and training, forensic, workplace, health care, clinical and counselling, and rehabilitation contexts are considered, with an overview of current assessment practices.

Counselling Skills Fundamentals

This course provides an introduction to counselling interviewing skills. The topics covered include the helping relationship, the helping process and the communication skills required in the therapeutic dialogue. Students are expected to self-disclose and engage in self-exploration, as the bulk of the course will focus on using counseling skills with fellow classmates. This course is recommended for students who are interested in human service professions such as criminal justice, teaching, coaching, nursing, human resources, social work, and counselling/clinical psychology.

Group counselling: Theory and Practice

This course provides an introduction to group counselling theory and practice. Students learn about different types of groups: personal support (e.g., grief groups, Al-Anon), personal awareness (human potential/growth/self-awareness groups), decision-making (e.g., career decision-making groups), and interpersonal awareness/skill development, as well as group treatment of psychological disorders. They gain a basic understanding of group stages and processes. They learn how to plan a skills group and will facilitate a group exercise. This course is recommended for students who are interested in human service professions such as criminology, teaching, coaching, nursing, human resources, and counselling/clinical psychology.

Vocational Assessment & Counselling

This course is an introduction to vocational counselling, which includes a review of major theories of career choice, development, adjustment and their specific application to career counselling. Also included is a brief review of, and application of, career assessment directed at facilitating career decision-making and counselling process. Relevant ethical guidelines are considered, as are the needs of special populations and settings related to career development.

Clinical Psychology

This course examines both professional issues and selected topics in clinical psychology. Selected topics include, but are not limited to, educational and training requirements, history, professional ethics, research designs and issues, controversies in clinical assessment and therapy, and how to become a clinical psychologist. The focus will be on the practice of clinical psychology in Canada but occasionally comparisons with other countries will be made.

Honours Seminar

This seminar course is designed for students who wish to progress to postgraduate studies. Topics may include: developing research ideas, research ethics, graduate school application, and the peer review process. Students will have the opportunity to present and receive feedback on their Honours Thesis proposal.

Honours Thesis I

The honours thesis provides students with an opportunity to conduct independent research within a specific area of interest in psychology. Under the supervision of a faculty member students will complete a literature review, and analysis of published empirical work on their selected topic. Students will be required to submit a paper outlining a summary of the previous literature, and the design for an original research project, which may include a completed research ethics review form.

Honours Thesis II

In this course, honours students will continue to develop their research skills under the supervision of a faculty member. Students will collect data using the approved methods from their research project in PSYC 4400. Honours students will analyze and interpret their results, and present their thesis both orally and in writing.

Mental Health Services & Systems: History and Trends

This course provides an introduction and overview of the history and current trends in mental health services and programs.

Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery

This course provides an introduction to psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) and how this body of knowledge relates to recovery in mental health and substance use settings. Within this context, the focus is on developing professional skills by understanding and applying current evidence regarding PSR and recovery.

Psychosocial Rehabilitation Practitioner Competencies

This course identifies and develops the basic competencies required by practitioners to provide PSR services.

Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Best & Promising Practices

This course provides an in-depth examination of evidence-based best and promising PSR practices.

Seminar & Practicum in Psychosocial Rehabilitation

This is a supervised practicum and seminar which provides students with direct experience in assessing needs and planning, implementing and evaluating PSR interventions and approaches.

Introduction to Sociology

This course provides a general introduction to the subject matter of sociology and to the various theoretical and methodological approaches sociologists adopt in studying it. In particular, it aims to develop students’ ability to employ a sociological imagination – that is, to look at features of everyday life in the way that a sociologist does. The course investigates the relations of the individual to society, and the processes by which groups and institutions change in response to a dynamic social structure. The areas of stability, change, inequality and power are examined within the context of current social, political and economic conditions. The course attempts to stimulate thought and discussion on contemporary social issues.

Canadian Society

This course examines the developmental processes that have brought Canadian Society and its peoples to the present state. Social, legal, political and economic consideration will be developed to analyze both the background and emergent directions of Canadian society.

Social Issues

This course introduces students to the concepts, methods, and theories of sociology through the examination of social problems. It examines the social conditions and processes related to defining, responding to, and resolving social problems. Social problems to be examined range from personal to institutional issues and include historical as well as contemporary examples.

Social Movements

Understanding the processes of social change in any society requires an examination of the role of social movements. Social movements can be broadly defined as groups in civil society organizing to bring about social change. It is often commented that such movements are distinctly modern phenomena, made possible by social, economic, and political changes occurring in the contemporary era. In the first part of the course, we will undertake a brief survey of the historical roots of the rise of social movements in the Western world, and then undertake an examination of classical and contemporary social movement theory. Following this, drawing on social movement theories, we will examine some social movements that have had an impact in North America and other parts of the world since the 1960s.

Sociology of Globalization

This course introduces the process of globalization and its consequences on the lives of people at the local, national, and international levels. It provides students with a critical sociological understanding of the economic, social, cultural, technological, and political aspects of globalization. It demonstrates how politics, power structures, cultural expectations, and agency influence the manner in which we define and explain globalization.

Race and Ethnicity

This course involves an introductory examination of racial and ethnic relations in Canadian society. Sociological analysis of minority group issues and problems constitutes a main focus of interest. The course will broadly consider such topics as governance models for managing race and ethnic relations, the nature of racial stratification, the social construction of race and ethnicity, various types of racism and ethnic chauvinism, (neo)colonialism, immigration, and multiculturalism. The course also examines relationships between minorities and institutional structures such as government, employment, and justice.

Introduction to Social Theory

This course introduces classical and contemporary social theories by examining their social and historical development. The connection between sociological research and the development of sociological theories is emphasized as well as the relevance of theory to the critical examination of current social issues.