Dr.

Sheila Black

sblack@ua.edu

PY 491-001

W 12:30-3:00

This course will focus on adult development from an interdisciplinary perspective and will cover issues
such as caregiving, age-related changes in cognitive processes, and institutionalization. Because this
class is a seminar, there will be considerable class discussion of major issues related to adult
development. Because this course has a "W" designation, students must demonstrate proficiency in
writing in order to receive a passing grade in this course.

Dr. James Hamilton

jchamilt@ua.edu

PY 491-002

TR 12:30-1:45

Rethinking Death

A student-run exploration of how we think about death in western societies, the consequences of our
views, and the possibilities that our views of death can be changed in agreeable ways. This class may
be difficult for students who have recently experienced the death of a beloved person in their lives, or
are facing such a death in the near future.

Dr. Allison Scrivner

Althomas2@ua.edu

PY 491-003

TR 2:00-3:15

Unconscious Processing

We will go through various topics of unconscious processing. Topics like implicit bias (racial, gender,
weight bias, etc.), unconscious priming of behavior and attitudes, unconscious decision-making and
goal conflict, unconscious sight, unconscious influences of emotions, classical conditioning,
unconscious landmark learning, artificial grammar, implicit egotism, etc.! We will explore the power
of the unconscious and examine how often it overrides conscious, logical thought.
Dr. Laura Stoppelbein

lastoppelbein@ua.edu

PY 491-004

T 5:00-7:30

Child Psychopathology and Treatment

The seminar will include an in depth study into the research and clinical application of the research
regarding various types of childhood psychopathology with a larger emphasis on Autism and Autism
spectrum Disorders. We will address the assessment, diagnosis, etiology, and treatment of childhood
disorders, their overlap with other mental health conditions, the long-term outcomes associated with
the mental health issue as well as educational and treatment needs. Students will learn about
empirically supported treatments for these childhood disorders.

Dr. Karen Salekin

ksalekin@ua.edu

PY 491-005

W 9:00-11:30

Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the topics relevant to the interplay between
mental health issues and the criminal justice system. The course will focus on the issues related to
criminal justice, but will also cover two topics that are outside of this realm: (1) civil commitment and
(2) physician assisted suicide. Psychologists who work within the legal system can assume a number
of roles that include, but are not limited to, social scientists, consultants, and expert witnesses. The
information in the class pertains mostly to clinical forensic psychology, but other topics are included.
Information provided via lecture and reading will provide the student with a broad understanding of
the interplay between mental health issues and the legal system, as well as an understanding of the
evolving nature of laws that result from this interplay.

Prerequisites: Psychology Major, Senior Status. Undergraduate level PY 355 minimum grad of D- and
Undergraduate level PY 356 minimum grade of D-.
Dr. Andrew Oakland

PY 491-006

R 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Substance Abuse and Addiction

Substance abuse and addiction have the potential to become extremely problematic, with some
people losing careers, families, or even their lives as a result. In this course we will survey this topic
from a biological, psychological, and social perspective, especially focused on the area of treatment.
Areas of discussion will include types of treatments and how they relate to basic psychological
principles, addiction outside of substance abuse, and how morality affects treatment decisions.

Dr. Jeffrey Parker

Jgparker1@ua.edu

PY 491-007

MW 10:00-11:15

Children’s and Adolescents’ Experiences with Peers

This seminar for advanced undergraduates considers how friendships and other forms of peer
experience contribute to children’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth, and ability to cope with
stress. Among the most important skills that children must acquire are those that allow them to
participate effectively and responsibly in personal relationships with age mates. In this course, we
also explore these skills and what social scientists understand about how these develop. We explore
what it means to be well adjusted with peers and the social tasks children and adolescents face.
Finally, we explore bullying in school as an important contemporary issue that has been receiving
greater attention. This is a 3-credit course that can be used as credits toward the psychology major
and fulfills the Departmental senior seminar requirement and the College writing requirement.
Dr. Allison Scrivner

Althomas2@ua.edu

PY 491-008

TR 11:00-12:15

Unconscious Processing

We will go through various topics of unconscious processing. Topics like implicit bias (racial, gender,
weight bias, etc.), unconscious priming of behavior and attitudes, unconscious decision-making and
goal conflict, unconscious sight, unconscious influences of emotions, classical conditioning,
unconscious landmark learning, artificial grammar, implicit egotism, etc.! We will explore the power
of the unconscious and examine how often it overrides conscious, logical thought.