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Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies and Psychology Joint Major
Students are encouraged to consult advisors from both departments. This inter-departmental program explores relationships between psychology and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies. Joint major students (or prospective students) must plan their program in consultation with department advisors.
間眅埶AV Requirements
To be admitted, students must complete
- PSYC 100-3 Introduction to Psychology I
- PSYC 102-3 Introduction to Psychology II
and must obtain a final course grade of C (2.0) or better in each of the following.
- PSYC 201W-4 Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
- PSYC 210-4 Introduction to Data Analysis in Psychology
The above requirement applies to courses transferred from other institutions as well as to courses completed at 間眅埶AV.
Course Selection
Students should complete PSYC 100, 102 and 201 as soon as possible to gain better access to upper division PSYC courses. Students who plan to major in psychology should also complete PSYC 210 as soon as possible.
The department strongly recommends that students do not leave any of these required courses to the end of their degree. If a student is unable to obtain the required grade in these courses, he or she will not be able to graduate with a major in psychology.
To enrol in psychology courses, students are required to meet the prerequisites or special instructions that may be stipulated for each. The listed prerequisites indicate the minimal background expected by instructors. See PSYC courses for details.
The department reserves one hundred percent of all 300 and 400 division PSYC courses for approved psychology major, minor or honours students. Those who are not approved cannot enrol in these upper division courses until the open enrolment date.
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Psychology Requirements
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete all of
Acquaints the student with the major issues in contemporary psychology and considers the historical antecedents. Special attention is given to questions of methodology and research design in psychology. Topics in physiological psychology, perception, learning and motivation are considered. Students with credit for PSYC 101 may not take PSYC 100 for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Acquaints the student with major issues in contemporary psychology and considers their historical antecedents. Topics in learning, cognition, social psychology and abnormal psychology are considered. Recommended: PSYC 100 is recommended but not required. Students with credit for PSYC 101 may not take PSYC 102 for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences. Breadth-Social Sciences.
An introduction to the procedures used in psychological research, and to the logic underlying them. Topics include the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to research, the formulation of testable questions, the control of extraneous influences, the measurement of effects, and the drawing of valid conclusions from empirical evidence. Provides a background for senior psychology courses since it offers a basis for the critical evaluation and conduct of research. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 102 (or PSYC 101). See the Letters of Permission section within the undergraduate Department of Psychology. Students with credit for PSYC 201 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.
Covers basic descriptive and inferential techniques most appropriately applied to the various forms of data from psychological research. Should be completed by majors and honors before the end of term 4. Prerequisite: PSYC 201 and BC high school Math 11 with a minimum grade of B-. See the Letters of Permission section within the undergraduate Department of Psychology. Quantitative.
and two of
Introduction to the study of cognitive and perceptual processes. Topics include memory, perception, attention, language, mental imagery, creativity, judgment and decision-making, and an introduction to cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, dyslexia, aphasia and attention-deficit disorder. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 (or PSYC 101). Students with credit for PSYC 320 may not take PSYC 221 for further credit.
Introduces students to the area of abnormal psychology. Topics include the definition and classification of pathological behavior, factors involved in the development of pathology, and evaluation of therapy outcome. Prerequisite: PSYC 102 (or 101). Students with credit for PSYC 340 may not take PSYC 241 for further credit.
Considers the psychological and physical aspects of human development from conception through middle childhood. Topics include social, emotional, language, cognitive, perceptual and physical development. Prerequisite: PSYC 102 (or 101). Students with credit for PSYC 350 or 351 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines methodology and content in social psychology. Topics include: attitudes and values; social perception and cognition; group behavior; social includence; prejudice, discrimination, and sexism; aggression; altruism, interpersonal attraction and interpersonal relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 102 (or 101). Students with credit for PSYC 360 may not take PSYC 260 for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.
An introduction to the area of law and psychology. The role and influence of psychology in the legal system will be discussed. Topics include: social psychology and law, developmental psychology and law, juvenile justice, experimental psychology and law, mental disability and law. Prerequisite: PSYC 102 (or 101). Students with credit for PSYC 369 may not take this course for further credit.
Surveys the major areas in biological psychology. Topics include the basics of neuroanatomy and nerve cell function, the behavioral and physiological effects of drugs and hormones in the nervous system, evolutionary perspectives on the brain and behavior, and the biopsychology of vision, the chemical senses, hearing, movement, biological rhythms, sex, and cognitive processes. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 (or 101). Recommended: BISC 101. Breadth-Science.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete 21 upper division units in psychology courses, including PSYC 308. No more than three of these units may be in directed studies. At least 11 upper division psychology units must be completed at 間眅埶AV.
* with a final course grade of C (2.0) or better
Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies Requirements
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a total of 15 units, including two of
An introduction to issues in the study of sex, sexual identity, and sexual culture. Focused on contemporary theories of sexuality as well as representations in fiction, film and popular media from diverse cultural contexts. Students who have completed GDST 200 may not complete this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
An interdisciplinary study of the social and cultural construction of gender, and how ideas about masculinity and feminity shape current issues, knowledge, popular culture, and social policy. Students who have completed GSWS 100 or WS 100 may not take GSWS 101 or WS 101 for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.
An historical and comparative survey of feminisms and feminist activism in Western European, North American, and Global communities. Students who have completed WS 100 may not take GSWS 102 (or WS 102) for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
and an additional six lower division GSWS units.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete 20 upper division units in gender, sexuality, and women's studies courses. With the permission of the department, one course of designated gender, sexuality, and women's studies credit offered by another department may be substituted for one course.
Directed Studies Courses
Independent reading or research in topics selected in consultation with the supervising instructor. Prerequisite: PSYC 201, 210, 60 units, a CGPA of 3.0, and permission of the department. See the Directed Studies Courses section within the undergraduate Department of Psychology section.
Independent reading or research in topics selected in consultation with the supervising instructor. Prerequisite: PSYC 201, 210, 60 units, a CGPA of 3.0, and permission of the department. See the Directed Studies Courses section within the undergraduate Department of Psychology section.
Independent reading or research in topics selected in consultation with the supervising instructor. Prerequisite: PSYC 201, 210, 60 units, a CGPA of 3.0, and permission of the department. See the Directed Studies Courses section within the undergraduate Department of Psychology section.
Enrolment enables an individual or small group to work with a faculty member on a reading or research project of mutual interest. Common reasons for a student requesting such a course are
- to continue a reading or research project begun in a 400 division seminar
- to cover material not included in regular courses
The minimum requirement is a B (3.0) average, at least 60 units and department permission. Directed studies students complete an application form (available at ) with the intended instructor.
Letters of Permission
See Courses at Other Institutions/Letters of Permission within for information. The department does not normally approve letters of permission for enrolled 間眅埶AV students to complete PSYC 201, 210 and 301 at a different institution. Such permission may be granted for other courses. Enquire of the psychology undergraduate advisor.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Major Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs (except the honours program), students complete 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at 間眅埶AV
- at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at 間眅埶AV
- at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0, and a program (major, joint major, extended minor, minor) CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to 間眅埶AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
| Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
| W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at 間眅埶AV within the student’s major subject | |
| Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
| B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
|
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) | |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.
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