Oakton Community College Introduction to Psychology 101 Spring I. Course Course Course Prefix Number Name Credit: Lecture: Lab:

Transcription

1 Oakton Community College Introduction to Psychology 101 Spring 2012 Dr. Robert Frank, Professor of Psychology Office: 3608 Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 9:30 and 12:15-1:00 Phone: (847) address: Home Page: I. Course Course Course Prefix Number Name Credit: Lecture: Lab: PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology II. Prerequisite: None III. Course Description: Course introduces study of human behavior. Content includes survey of all elements of this behavioral science. Focus is on learning, motivation, emotion, perception, intelligence, human development, mental processes, and contemporary research. IV. Learning Objectives: The student will: A. Characterize the nature of psychology as a discipline including the abilities to: a. Explain why psychology is a science b. Identify and explain the primary objectives of psychology to describe, understand, predict, and control behavior and mental processes. (APA Goal 1, Outcomes 1.1 a, b) B. Explain major perspectives of psychology (e.g., behavioral, biological, cognitive, evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural), compare and contrast the major perspectives, and describe advantages and limitations of major theoretical perspectives. (APA Goal 1, Outcomes 1.4 a, b) C. Describe the basic characteristics of the science of psychology, articulate strengths and limitations of various research designs, and distinguish the nature of designs that permit causal inferences from those that do not. (APA Goal 2, Outcomes 2.1, 2.2 b, c) 1

2 D. Use critical thinking effectively to a. Evaluate the quality of information, including differentiating empirical evidence from speculation and the probable from the improbable b. Challenge claims that arise from myth, stereotype, or untested assumptions c. Make linkages or connections between diverse facts, theories, and observations (APA Goal 3, Outcomes 3.1 a, c, i) d. E. Identify appropriate applications of psychology in solving problems, such as: a. The pursuit and effect of healthy lifestyles b. Origin and treatment of abnormal behavior c. Psychological tests and measurements d. Psychology-based interventions in clinical, counseling, educational, industrial/organizational, community, and other settings e. The resolution of interpersonal and intercultural conflicts (APA Goal 4, Outcomes 4.2 a- e) F. Apply psychological concepts, theories, and research findings as these relate to everyday life. (APA Goal 4 Outcome 4.4) G. Recognize the necessity of ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of psychology (APA GOAL 5 Outcome 5.1) H. Recognize and respect human diversity by a. anticipating that psychological explanations may vary across populations and contexts and b. exhibiting sensitivity to issues of power, privilege, and discrimination (APA Goal 5 Outcomes 5.5 a, b) I. Use information and technology ethically and responsibly by: a. Quoting, paraphrasing, and citing correctly from a variety of media sources b. Defining and avoiding plagiarism c. Honoring commercial and intellectual copyrights (APA Goal 6 Outcomes 6.3 a, b, d) J. Demonstrate effective writing skills in various formats (e.g., essays, correspondence, technical papers, note taking ) and for various purposes (e.g., informing, defending, explaining, persuading, arguing, teaching). (APA Goal 7 Outcome 7.1) K. Demonstrate insightful awareness of their feelings, emotions, motives and attitudes based on psychological principles (APA Goal 9.1 b) 2

3 L. Apply psychological principles to promote personal development by: a. Demonstrating self-regulation in setting and achieving goals b. Self-assessing performance quality accurately c. Incorporating feedback for improved performance d. Purposefully evaluating the quality of their thinking (metacognition) (APA Goal 9 Outcomes 9.2 a-d) V. Academic Integrity : Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits: cheating, plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation), falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth), helping others to cheat, unauthorized changes on official documents, pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you, making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and any other behavior that violates academic integrity. There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years. Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook. 3

4 VI. OUTLINE OF TOPICS: WEEK DATE LECTURE MATERIAL AND READING Week 1 January 18 Introduction The Study of Psychology Week 2 January Chapter 1 Introduction and Research Methods Week 3 January 30- Feb.1 Chapter 2 Brain and Behavior Week 4 February 6-8 Chapter 3 Human Development Week 5 February Chapter 4 Sensation and Reality/Perceiving Test 1 February 15 Chapters 1-4 Week 6 February 22 Chapter 5 States of Consciousness Week 7 February Chapter 6 Conditioning and Learning Week 8 March 5-7 Chapter 7 Memory Week 9 March No Class Spring Break Week 10 March Chapter 8-9 Cognition, Language, and Creativity / Intelligence Test 2 March 21, Chapters Week 11 March Chapter 10 Motivation and Emotion Week 12 April 2-4 Chapter 11 Gender and Sexuality Week 13 April 9-11 Chapter 12 Personality (Research paper due April 11) Week 14 April Chapter 13 Health, Stress and Coping Test 3 April 18 Chapters Week 15 April Chapter 14 Psychological Disorders Week 16 April 30 -May 2 Chapter Therapies/Social Week 17 May 7-9 Test 4 Chapter May 7 May 9 Final Comprehensive

5 VII. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Quiz: Each Monday a quiz will be given in class. You may use your notes and your weekly outlines but you may not use the book. No make up on quizzes. You must be in class to take the quiz. The quizzes are worth 15% of your total grade. Exam: Four (4) objective exams will be given during the semester. Items will be multiple-choice and true/false. Make-up exams will not be permitted unless a signed and dated doctor s certification is presented. The exams are worth 40% of your total grade. Final Comprehensive exam: The last day of class there will be a final exam that covers all the material learned throughout the semester. This is 10% of your grade. Research paper: Writing a research paper on an issue of your choice in psychology. This is 10% of your grade. (See home page) Gateway Questions: Each Monday of the semester, the student will hand-in a paper at the beginning of class, answering all the gateway questions on the chapter outline for that week. See learning objective at The paper will be typed and double-spaced. These papers are not to be done during class time. The papers will be handed in at the beginning of class on Mondays and will not be accepted late. 10% of grade. Group project: Each Wednesday a group of students will present a game related to the chapter that was discussed that week. The game will involve all the students to help them learn the concepts of the chapter better. The game is to be presented in a fun and understandable way. If you do not show up for your group project you will receive 0 points. 5% of grade. Class Attendance/Participation: Students need to come prepared to discuss the chapter that is assigned each week. In addition to the chapter discussion, students are encouraged to bring in information relevant to the particular chapter for that day. The purpose is to understand application of what is being learned to what is happening in the real world. Even on days when a group project is presented, students should be prepared to participate. See attached schedule. 10% of grade VIII. COURSE PRACTICES REQUIRED: Writing: Students will be required to write for the class the equivalent of typed pages of material that will be graded. This writing may take the form of a research or term paper, summaries of journal articles, and/or a series of shorter, analytical papers. Students will be responsible for reading the assigned chapters in the text before the week shown on the class schedule. Other readings will be recommended throughout the semester. 5

6 IX. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Text: Dennis Coon Introduction to Psychology Thirteen edition Wadsworth 2012 X. METHODS OF EVALUATING STUDENT PROGRESS: Grading: 4 Exams 40 points (10 points each) Final Exam (Comprehensive) 10 Points Research paper 10 points Quizzes 15 points Gateway Questions 10 points Group Project 5 points Class Attendance 10 points Final Grade 100 Points Special Dispensation: Any student who feels that they need other means of grading and testing must make arrangements with the instructor prior to the first exam. As I hope you will learn in this class, we are all different and methods best for evaluating some people, may not work for others. I am more than happy to work with any individual student to overcome problems. XI. OTHER COURSE INFORMATION: Important dates: February 12 Last day to change to "audit" and Last day to withdraw without penalty February 12 Last day to withdraw with "W" If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in The Learning Center. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program. Tutoring and Academic Support: Free tutoring is provided by The Learning Center in a variety of subjects. Tutors are available on a drop-in basis or by appointment in room 2400 DP or room A135 RHC. For specific times when tutors in your subject are available or to make an appointment for one on one tutoring call DP or RHC. For information about how to improve your study skills or participate in a study group, contact ISS 6

7 either campus to meet with a learning specialist. Psychology 101 Weekly Schedule Monday: Quizzes - worth 15 points: Each Monday read the chapter before you come to class. A quiz will be given. You can use your notes and gateway questions to help answer the questions on the quizzes. If you finish your quiz before the rest of the class, use the time to reread your book. We will go over the quiz in class right after it is taken. Weekly outline due. This will take about 50 minutes of the class. After the quiz we will have lecture and/or discussion, movies, etc. Wednesday: Group presentation - worth 5 points. The first 20 minutes we will finish the lecture and/or discussion from Monday. The last 50 minutes of class each student will be assigned to present a chapter to the class. The grading system for the group presentation is based on the following: 1. How much the class learned. 2. Degree to which the students were involved. 3. Amount of material covered from the chapter. 4. Ability to keep the students attention. 5. How creative the presentation was. Attendance/tardy/leaving class early policy: Worth 10 points. You will be marked absent if you don t come to class, come late to class, leave class early, are talking in class while I m talking, or use your cell phone during class to talk or text. Missed days or tardy Points