HONOURS SEMINARS
FALL 2012 (4), WINTER 2013 (6), and SPRING 2013 (2)
Those in Honours Psychology (or Joint Honours Psychology) must take at least one of the following courses before graduation: Psych 420, 453-463, 485.
See the degree requirement check lists for further details.
The Psychology Department reserves the right to implement priority enrolment in the Honours Seminars.
If you have difficulty enrolling in an Honours Seminar, contact Heather Smith (e.g., regarding the waiting list for enrolment).
Definitions for this Website:
- Antirequisite: When two courses are listed as antirequisites, this means that there is too much overlap between the two courses to allow credit towards the degree for both courses.
- Corequisite: A course that is named as a corequisite for another course must be taken before or at the same time as the course for which it is listed as the corequisite.
- Prerequisite: A course that must be successfully completed before taking the current requested course.
PSYCH 420 (Winter 2013)
HONOURS SEMINAR
TOPIC: AN INTRODUCTION TO METHODS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
Calendar description:
This course gives students with either a limited computational or psychology background a gentle introduction to computational neuroscience. The course involves a series of lectures and computational exercises and concludes with an in-class presentation. Programming exercises can be completed with either Excel or a computer language of the student's choice.
Requirements for enrolment:
Prerequiste: Level at least 3A Honours Psychology students or permission of instructor.
Antirequisite: PSYCH 463 taken Winter 2009 and Winter 2010
Instructor: Britt Anderson
More details about the course:
Computational neuroscience uses mathematical and computational methods to develop, explore, and test theories and models in neuroscience. Students with computational training, but limited knowledge of neuroscience and psychology, or students from psychology with limited computational or mathematical training, are the intended audience. This course is intended to give students from both backgrounds an introduction to the computational material and how they can be used to address psychological and neuroscience topics. The course involves a gentle series of computational and programming exercises. To make the exercises accessible for those with no programming background, spreadsheets are used. Students comfortable with computer programming can use the language of their choice for the exercises. The majority of the course grade comes from a final presentation in an area of psychology or neuroscience, selected by the student, that makes use of a computational method.
If you are interested in taking Psych 420 but want more detail regarding the level of difficulty, please contact Britt Anderson.
A student's perception of this course Winter 2009 (taught as Psych 463 that term):
This course is not as scary as it sounds! I do not know any computer languages nor did I take any math courses in university, but Dr. Anderson was extremely helpful in making sure everyone understood the concepts. I took this course only because Dr. Anderson was teaching it. He is always willing to help and is able to communicate very complicated material in a way that non-math students can understand. The material of the course also gave me a completely different perspective and approach to psychology research not taught in other courses.
- Cynthia
A student's perception of this course Winter 2010 (taught as Psych 463 that term):
This course is great for people of different experience levels, from those with no programming or math background to those who have dabbled in them before. Dr. Anderson tailors the course to individual experience levels and provides an excellent mix of lecture, discussion and hands on experience. He also makes sure to be available to aid students with conceptual or programming questions. The course material is presented in a very straightforward and easy to understand manner. I would highly recommend this course for students who have an interest in the area but are uncertain of exactly what it is or how they can be involved in it.
- Neethan
PSYCH 453 (Fall 2012)
HONOURS SEMINAR IN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
SPECIFIC TOPIC - LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE
What factors impact children’s language development, both positively and negatively, among children growing up in more socially and economically disadvantaged situations? The issue of accounting for differences in early language ability observed among children is extremely complex. Whether the differences noted in research studies are best interpreted as individual differences, differences in styles of talk, differences in parental attitudes and beliefs, and/or differences due to socio-economic deprivation has provoked much debate. But the issue of why some children are far behind other children with respect to language development, particularly upon the age of school entry, is of great importance in many countries around the world who seek to assure that all children receive the best start they can and develop to their full potential, especially with respect to educational attainment. Topics will include seminal and recent work investigating child and parent-child interactions in different socio-economic and cultural groups; examination of variables such as maternal education level and SES; discussion of different theoretical approaches to explain variability observed among children; and possible differences between the language of home and school.
Requirements for enrolment:
Prerequisites: all of Psych 211, 291, 292; enrollment in Honours Psych or Make-up Psych.
Corequisite: Psych 391
Instructor: Daniela O'Neill
Enrolment Limit = 25
PSYCH 453 (Winter 2013)
HONOURS SEMINAR IN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
SPECIFIC TOPIC - BEING BILINGUAL
Learning even a single language is a monumental task. Yet, while most research on how people acquire and use language focuses on monolinguals, the majority of the world's population speaks (or signs) more than one language. In this seminar, we will explore the complexities of multilingualism. Some of the questions we will ask include: In what ways does the developmental course of bilingual acquisition differ from or parallel the acquisition of a single language? How separate or interdependent are a bilingual's two languages? How does the brain process and handle multiple languages? And finally, does learning more than one language have effects outside of the language system itself, affecting other aspects of our cognition?
Requirements for enrolment:
Prerequisites: all of Psych 211, 291, 292, 391; enrollment in Honours Psych or Make-up Psych.
Note: Although not officially required for enrolment, Psych 320 or other course on language development/acquisition would be an asset.
Instructor: Katherine White
Enrolment Limit = 25
PSYCH 455 (Fall 2012)
HONOURS SEMINAR IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
SPECIFIC TOPIC: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION
Our aim is to develop a broad-based understanding concerning the origins, development, and consequences of religion from a psychological perspective. We will try to make sense out of both the commonalities and diversity of expression across cultures and faith traditions. We will explore the significance of religion as a group phenomenon, as well as a private, individual experience, with a particular focus on religion’s adaptive and maladaptive consequences in domains such as mental and physical health, and interpersonal and intergroup relations. Although a social psychological perspective will permeate our exploration, we will not be “purist” in our approach: Complementary perspectives, such as those offered by personality and social neuroscience, will be considered as well.
Requirements for enrolment:
Prerequisites: all of Psych 253 (or 220R), 291, 292; enrolment in Honours Psych or Make-up Psych.
Corequisite: Psych 391Note: Psych 231 (Psychology of Religious Experience), although not required, would obviously serve as a valuable introduction to the content area.
Instructor: Chris Burris
Enrolment Limit = 25
PSYCH 455 (Winter 2013 and Spring 2013 )
HONOURS SEMINAR IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
SPECIFIC TOPIC: HUMAN AGGRESSION
(Priority enrolment Spring 2013 for those in the Co-op Stream of Study)
This seminar will explore the causes, consequences, and control of human aggression. Social issues such as sexual aggression, media influences, terrorism, domestic violence, and workplace violence will be examined as well as methods of controlling and deterring aggression. The seminar will include group and individual projects.
Prerequisites for enrolment: all of Psych 253 (or 220R), 291, 292, 391; enrolment in Honours Psych or Make-up Psych.
Instructor: Rich Ennis
PSYCH 458 (Fall 2012)
HONOURS SEMINAR IN COGNITION
SPECIFIC TOPIC - THE MIND AND THE LAW
Many issues in cognitive psychology have important consequences for fair application of the law. Some topics to be discussed here include eyewitness identification and testimony, using children as witnesses, repressed memories, false memories, and memories for highly-charged or emotionally-laden events.
Requirements for enrolment:
Prerequisite: all of Psych 207, 291, 292; enrolment in Honours Psych or Make-up Psych.
Corequisite: Psych 391
Instructor: Jennifer Stolz
PSYCH 458 (Winter 2013)
HONOURS SEMINAR IN COGNITION
SPECIFIC TOPIC - PSYCHOLOGY OF ECONOMIC DECISIONS
Throughout our lives we are faced with difficult economic decisions, both major (selecting a pension plan) and minor (buying a new DVD player). How do people make such decisions, and are there ways in which their decisions could be improved? Psychologists and economists have developed an increasingly sophisticated and influential depiction of the processes by which people make choices under conditions of uncertainty and conflicting objectives. This seminar provides a survey of recent research on the psychology of economic decision making, with an emphasis on the ways in which people's financial decisions systematically deviate from those expected under a “rational,” economic analysis. We will attempt to understand, among other things, why cab drivers quit earlier on profitable than on unprofitable days, why the stocks that investors sell from their portfolio outperform those that they retain, and how seemingly small changes to a pension plan can have big effects on how much employees save for retirement.
Prerequisites for enrolment: all of Psych 207, 291, 292, 391; enrolment in Honours Psych or Make-up Psych.
Instructor: Derek Koehler
Enrolment Limit = 25
PSYCH 461 (Spring 2013)
HONOURS SEMINAR IN COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
SPECIFIC TOPIC: CLASSIC CASES IN HUMAN NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Understanding how the brain controls behaviour has relied on detailed examination of rare and unusual cases of brain damage. In this course we will explore some of the classic cases that have propelled our understanding of the brain forward. From patient H.M., who can no longer form new memories, to the rare and bizarre cases of foreign accent syndrome – patients who present with a foreign accent for a language they do not speak after suffering a stroke! From these cases we developed some of the most important and long-lasting models of human behaviour. We will ask in this course, how far have we come since?
Prerequisites for enrolment : all of Psych 261, 291, 292, 391; enrolment in Honours Psych or Make-up Psych.
Instructor: James Danckert
Enrolment Limit = 25
Quote from a former Psych 461 student:
"This class gave me the opportunity to go beyond the information found in textbooks and explore the research that makes cognitive neuroscience so important to psychology. This is a great class for anyone interested in the brain and its interaction with cognition."
Alex Filipowicz | PhD candidate
Cognitive Neuroscience
Department of Psychology
University of Waterloo
PSYCH 462 (Winter 2013)
HONOURS SEMINARIN INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
SPECIFIC TOPIC: TOPICS IN ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCH
This course considers psychological theories and research that focus on understanding organizational behaviour. Each week we will cover a single topic (e.g., motivation, affect) related to organizational behavior and read articles that have addressed issues related to the topic. The course will take a seminar format, and students will be required to make oral and written presentations.
Prerequisites for enrolment: all of Psych 291, 292, 391, plus one of Psych 338 or M Sci 211; enrolment in Honours Psych or Make-Up Psych
Instructor: Doug Brown
Enrolment Limit = 25
PSYCH 463 (Fall 2012)
HONOURS SEMINAR IN SPECIAL TOPICS
SPECIFIC TOPIC - CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
This honours seminar will address current research in child and adolescent psychopathology. Special emphasis will be placed on the theories and scientific research concerning social-emotional functioning, current diagnostic systems, therapeutic techniques, and the social and cultural contexts in which childhood disorders occur. Activities will include – understanding and interpreting research articles, written projects, oral presentations, and class discussions.
Requirements for enrolment:
Prerequisite: Psych 291 and Psych 292 plus 1 of Psych 317 or Psych 336; enrolment in Honours Psych or Make-Up Psych.
Corequisite: Psych 391
Instructor: Maureen Drysdale
Enrolment Limit = 25
Notes re Psych 463 enrolment:
If interested in enrolling in Psych 463 sec 1 Fall 2012, please preenrol during the preenrolment window for Fall 2012 (Feb 27 - March 4, 2012). After the pre-enrolment window, you cannot self-enrol for Psych 463 on Quest because it is a 'special topics' course. Enrolment requests after March 4, 2012 must be submitted by email to Heather Smith. Please include your full name, ID number, and the course number/section request in the body of the message, and your last name and the course number/section in the subject line of the message.
PSYCH 463 (Winter 2013)
HONOURS SEMINAR IN SPECIAL TOPICS
SPECIFIC TOPIC: COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH
Psych 463 Winter 2013 will be 'heldwith' Psych 363 Winter 2013.
The topic for this course changed from "Knowledge Transfer" to "Community-Based Research" effective July 2012. The theme has not changed and will appeal to a wide audience.
More than ever, community organizations are being asked by those who fund and use social, health, and psychological services to demonstrate that their policies and programs are based on good research evidence. Community organizations need trustworthy reports that demonstrate “what the research says” about best practices for serving the needs of society. In Psych 363/463 students learn the skills of finding, evaluating, and synthesizing relevant research using state-of-the-art systematic methods. With the mentorship of government and community leaders, students learn how to communicate in ways that make research summaries useful beyond academia. They gain skills that can prepare them for successful careers in the new field of knowledge mobilization. Students preparing for academic careers learn to create research proposals that attract the interest and support of faculty, scholarship committees, and community partnerships.
Prerequisite for enrolment in Psych 463 Winter 2013 include all of the following:
Psych 291, 292, 391 and enrolment in Honours Psychology or Make-Up Psychology
For those who do not meet those prerequisites, please refer instead to Psych 363 Winter 2013.
Antirequisites:
- Those who took Psych 463 (Knowledge Transfer) with Kathleen Bloom Winter 2011 cannot enrol in Psych 363 or 463 Winter 2013.
- Those who enrol in Psych 363 or Psych 463 Winter 2013 will not be allowed to enrol in either Psych 363 or Psych 463 in the future if the instructor for the course is Kathleen Bloom and the topic is e.g. Community-Based Research, Knowledge Mobilization, or Knowledge Transfer.
Course requirements: This course requires active learning as well as collaboration among participants. Materials, assignments, and evaluations of students will differ to some degree depending on the course enrolment (Psych 363 versus Psych 463).
Details about the course content for Psych 463 (Knowledge Transfer) from Winter 2011
For further information regarding the course, please contact the instructor Kathleen Bloom
If interested in enrolling in Psych 463 Winter 2013, please preenrol during the preenrolment window for Winter 2013 (June 18-24, 2012). After the pre-enrolment window, you cannot self-enrol for Psych 463 on Quest because it is a 'special topics' course. Enrolment requests after June 24, 2012 must be submitted by email to Heather Smith. Please include your full name, ID number, and the course number request in the body of the message, and your last name and the course number in the subject line of the message.
PSYCH 485 (available Fall 2012/Winter 2013/Spring 2013)
DIRECTED STUDIES: HONOURS SEMINAR
Psych 485 description and application form for enrolment
Last updated May 7, 2013
