Historical Background

• 1960: The last high school class of St. Mary's Female Seminary graduates. St. Mary's Junior College (2-year institution) remains.
• 1962: Liz Barber becomes the first African American to attend the St. Mary's Junior College, but only because her race was not indicated on her application in any way. She graduated in 1964.
• 1964: The college changes its name to St. Mary's College of Maryland (but remains as a 2-year institution). The Civil Rights Act becomes law.
• 1967: St. Mary's College of Maryland becomes a 4-year institution which can give out Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees. Four major academic divisions are created.
• 1968: The last junior college class graduates. No graduations occur in 1969 and 1970 since students are working on obtaining their Bachelor degrees.

Changes in the Curriculum

1960

The psychology courses of this decade were still listed under the Social Studies Department alongside History, Sociology, Economics and Government. Three psychology courses were offered: Psychology 10 - General Psychology, Psychology 50 - Psychology of the Exceptional Child, and Psychology 51: Child Growth and Development. Each course was worth 3 credits and were taught 3 hours/week.

It is not clear who exactly taught each course, but Lewis C. Miles and Kemp P. Yarborough were listed as the two Social Studies teachers, and may have shared the responsibility for these courses.

1962

The only thing to note for this year is that professors Mrs. Lois C. Donhiser and L. Beatrice Simms were added as members of the Social Sciences department. This is unusual since Mrs. Donhiser served as the Registrar and Simms served as the Dean of Students during these years. They may have taught a few courses in the department, or, but it is not clear from the course catalog.

1964

In 1964 one course became available:

Psychology 52: Education Psychology

Description: Considered here are the fundamental psychological problems encountered in education. It includes a study of individual differences; learning, motivation, and transfer of training; and the educational implications of theories of intelligence. Liberal arts students may register for the course as Psychology 52 or Education 52. Prerequisite Psychology 10.

1966

The year 1966 saw the expansion of the Social Sciences department to include Education, Geography, and Social Science alongside History, Sociology, Economics and Government. To reflect this change another course was added:

Psychology 53: Social Psychology

Description: A study of social and psychological implications towards an understanding of man and his place in society. Prerequisites: Sociology 14 (Sociology) and Psychology 10.

Six instructors were listed as members of the Social Sciences Department, with Allison W. Saville serving as chairman. The other instructors were Mrs. Donhiser, Miles, Simms (Dean of Women), Ida Swearingen, and William H. Yancey (Dean of Men). Ida Swearingen received her B.S. and M.A. degrees from the University of Missouri. William H. Yancey received a B. S. from Jacksonville State College and a B.S. and M.A. degree from Auburn University.

1967

This years saw major changes in the curriculum. This year saw the creation of the Department of Behavioral Sciences under Division II: Social Science. The Department of Behavioral Sciences included courses in Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Psychology, Social Science and Sociology. The department's purpose was to "assist the student to gain knowledge of the behavioral sciences; to enhance his social awareness and social adjustment through and understanding of human relationships; to familiarize him with the nature and causes of social problems and thus to prepare him for intelligent citizenship; to give him background preparation for professions which deal with individual and group behavior".

In addition to the department change, the psychology courses themselves were listed under a different numbering system. Psychology 10 became 201, Psychology 50 became 301, Psychology 51 became 302, Psychology 52 became 311 and Education 202, and Psychology 53 became 351. The course descriptions themselves did not change.

Under the new Department of Behavioral Sciences, Professor Griffin was listed as chairman, Mrs. Donhiser as Assistant Professor of Social Sciences, Mr. Edgar G. Smith as Assistant Professor of Economics, and M. Andrew B. Chovanes as Instructor of Sociology. Only Mrs. Donhiser and Chovanes would have been likely to teach the psychology courses offered.

1968

The only change in this year from the previous year is that Psychology 311 (Educational Psychology) was listed as Psychology 210, and Education 210.

1969

This year saw Psychology 302 (Child Growth and Development) change course codes to Psychology 204. We also saw the addition of one course:

Psychology 304: Adolescent Psychology.

Description: Physical, emotional, intellectual development during adolescence; social development and heterosexuality; adolescent personality; problems of adjustment; juvenile delinquency. Prerequisite: Psychology 201.

� Source: Haugaard, Wilkinson, and King (2007); Sauders, n.d.; St. Mary's Seminary Junior College (1953-1964); St. Mary's College of Maryland (1964-1974)