PSY 450: Introduction to Neuropsychology

Course Description

This course will focus on neuropsychological disorders and treatment, including: the history of the science, disorders associated with hemispheric specialization, motor control problems, deficits in attention, language, memory, generalized cognitive disorders, and our current understanding of the relationship between brain plasticity and recovery of function. This course cannot be used toward Science concentrations. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2
  • PSY 320: Cognitive Psychology
  • PSY 101: Psychology (Recommended)

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:

  1. Understand the scientific basis of neuropsychology.
  2. Describe how biology and neuroscience contribute to the field of neuropsychology.
  3. Know the basic anatomy of our central nervous system and be able to apply this knowledge to the notion that the abnormal functioning of this system leads to abnormal behavior.
  4. Know and be able to identify key regions of the brain and be able to apply this knowledge to understanding structure-function and (abnormal function) processing with regard to neuropsychological disorders.
  5. Understand and appreciate the relationship between motor control, executive processing, and behavior.
  6. Understand and describe the relationship between disorders of object recognition, spatial processing, and attention.
  7. Explain the relation between disorders of language and memory and what areas of the brain are involved in such disorders.
  8. Understand how the frontal lobes are involved with memory, emotion and executive functions.
  9. Be able to describe and explain brain plasticity during development and how such changes influence brain/behavior changes.
  10. Describe the developmental time course over a lifetime.
  11. Know brain regions involved in, and be able to differentiate between, progressive cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsPointsWeight

Discussions (20 Pts/discussion, 15 discussions total, Weeks 1-8)

300

20%

Quizzes  (50 pts/quizzes, Week 1-8)

400

27%

Written Assignments (25 pts/assignment, 13 total assignments)

325

22%

Paper Part 1 (Week 4)

75

5%

Midterm (Week 5)

100

6.5%

Paper Part 2 (Week 8)

200

13%

Final Exam (Week 8)

100

6.5%

Total

1500

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore

  • Banich, Marie (2018). Cognitive Neuroscience. 4th ed. New York: NY. Cambridge University Press. ISBN-10: 1-316-50790-4 or ISBN-13: 978-1-316-50790-2

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,2,3

Topic: Introduction to Brain Investigation Methodologies

  • Chapters 1, 2 & 3
  • Read the assigned Chapters
  • Review the Lecture Material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Written Assignments
  • Complete the Quiz

2

4,5

Topics: Sensation, Perception and Motor Control

  • Chapters 4 & 5
  • Read the assigned Chapters
  • Review the Lecture Material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Written Assignments
  • Complete the Quiz

3

4,5

Topics: Object Recognition and Spatial Cognition

  • Chapters 6 & 7
  • Read the assigned Chapters
  • Review the Lecture Material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Written Assignments
  • Complete Quiz

4

4, 7, 8

Topics: Language, Memory and Learning

  • Chapters 8 & 9
  • Read assigned Chapters
  • Review the Lecture Materials
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Submit the Written Assignments
  • Complete Quiz

5

4 & 7

Topic: Exploring Executive Functions, Attention included

  • Chapters 10 & 11
  • Read the assigned Chapters
  • Review the Lecture Material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Written Assignments
  • Complete the Quiz
  • Complete the Midterm Exam (covering units 1-4)

6

4, 8

Topics: Emotional Processing and Social Cognition

  • Chapters 12 & 13
  • Read the assigned Chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Written Assignments
  • Complete the Quiz

7

4, 9, 10

Topics: Brain Plasticity and Psychopathology

  • Chapters 14 & 15
  • Read the assigned Chapters
  • Review the Lecture Material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit the Written Assignments
  • Complete the Quiz

8

 4, 10, 11

Topics: Generalized Cognitive Disorders and Society

  • Chapters 16 & 17
  • Read the assigned Chapters
  • Review the Lecture Material
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Submit the Written Assignment
  • Complete the Quiz
  • Complete the Final Exam (covering units 5-8)

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.