Courses Taught
- Psy 150 - Principles of Human Behavior
- Psy 310 - Behavior Disorders
- Psy 312 - Psychological Aspects of Parenting
- Psy 361 - Adolescence
- Psy 460 - Counseling and Interviewing
- Psy 496RL - Object Relations, Romantic Love, and Attachment Theories
- Psy 610A - Advanced Child Psychopthology
Psychology 150: Principles of Human Behavior
This course presents a basic introduction to the scientific study of human behavior, thought and action; with due regard for the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual determinants. Accordingly, the class will include study of the brain and behavior; human development; sensation and perception; states of consciousness; conditioning and learning; memory; cognition, intelligence and creativity; motivation and emotion; personality; health, stress, and coping; psychological disorders; therapies; and social behavior.
Psychology 310: Behavior Disorders
This course presents an overview of the psychiatric disorders that are described in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) with due regard for changes that have been suggested for the upcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association. Accordingly, the course provides an introduction to the biological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual determinants of mental disorders as well as to the symptoms, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Psychology 312: Psychological Aspects of Parenting
This course presents an introduction to parenting with emphasis on the physiological, developmental, psychological, ethical, and socio-cultural aspects that influence parenting styles and parent-child relations. Class studies will include: a historical view of parenthood and the changes in parenting styles, the motivations and skills necessary for parenthood, the effect of various parental attitudes and practices on child development, current information on the results of deviations in parental care, cross-cultural views of parental practices, alternate family lifestyles, single parenting, communal living arrangements, and reconstituted families.
Psychology 361: Adolescence
This course presents an introduction to the biological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual determinants of adolescent development and behavior. The fundamental changes that occur in this transitional stage of development are discussed with due regard for the contextual environments where these changes take place, as well as the major theoretical points of view in regard to adolescent development, behavior, and discipline.
Psychology 460: Counseling and Interviewing
This course presents an overview of the practice of psychotherapy from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Accordingly, the course material includes the role of the clinician in assessment, treatment, and diagnosis as well as a review of the most current theories and techniques used in the therapeutic environment.
PSY 496RL: Object Relations, Romantic Love, and Attachment Theories
The CSUN Educational Policies Committee (EPC) recently approved this experimental course authored by Dr. Hamer. Available for undergraduate and graduate credit, this advanced psychology elective investigates: (1) object relations theory, a major theoretical orientation that evolved from the school of psychoanalysis. (2) theories of attachment and (3) theories of romantic love. The course provides for a comprehensive exploration of the aforementioned theories of interpersonal relationships, with due regard for the biological, psychological, socio-cultural and spiritual determinants.
Psychology 610A: Advanced Child Psychopathology
This graduate level course involves the advanced study of childhood and adolescent psychopathology. It is designed to enhance clinical understanding and diagnostic acumen in the identification and description of childhood and adolescent mental disorders. The psychiatric disorders of childhood and adolescence categorized in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) are reviewed with due regard for changes that have been suggested for the upcoming edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Accordingly, the course includes a comprehensive study of the biological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual determinants of child and adolescent behaviors as well as the process of differential diagnosis and treatment planning in clinical practice.