PSYC 487 Capstone Perspectives: History & Systems

Transcription

1 Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs Boise State University PSYC 487 Capstone Perspectives: History & Systems COURSE SYLLABUS, Fall 2012 Section 001: Tuesday & Thursday, 10:30am-11:45am, Education 109 Instructor: Dr. Eric Landrum Contact Information and Office Hours: Office: Education 616 (E616). Office hours: Wednesday 8:30am-11:30am. Other times by appointment please me to make an appointment. Course Description: PSYC 487 CAPSTONE PERSPECTIVES: HISTORY AND SYSTEMS (3-0- 3)(F/S)(FF). A detailed account of the history of psychology encompassing the philosophical antecedents of modern psychology as well as the influential pioneers. Topics include history of psychology as a field of scientific inquiry, overview of development of schools of thought, prominent figures and key theories. PREREQ: PSYC 321, senior standing Student Learning Objectives and Instructor Assessment Methods Student Learning Objectives By the end of this course, each student should be able to Write accurately using APA format and style. Create a resume or curriculum vitae to assist in the pursuit of post-baccalaureate career plans. Use oral communication skills to speak persuasively about a psychological topic. Articulate the complexity of both sides of a psychological concept using an evidence-based approach. Reflect upon the influences that have lead to this stage in one s academic career. Analyze and evaluate the key concepts in the history of psychology and summarize in an efficient fashion. Contribute to a group presentation in which factual material about a topic is presented to an audience in an interesting fashion to communicate meaning. Appreciate the various historical ideas and systems that have contributed to psychological science as it stands today. Instructor Assessment Methods: Evidence of Student Learning Students complete multiple assignments (including a specific formatting assignment) prepared in APA format throughout the semester to practice attention-to-detail skills. Each student completes an assignment to prepare either a resume or CV; each is evaluated using a rubric. Each student creates a 3-4 minute persuasive podcast (and APAformatted script) about a psychological topic (student s choice) utilizing an evidence-based approach. Group presentations (with rubrics) also allow the opportunity to practice oral communication skills. Each student writes a position paper that presents multiple points of view on a psychological topic, presenting evidence-based research with contrasting, evaluative points of view. Students end the paper by stating their own point of view with a justification. Each Friday, students reply to a self-reflection prompt provided on Blackboard (Bb). Students summarize and integrate various informational sources to collectively create a history of psychology summary guide. Students work in groups to generate a summary of a key area in the history of psychology. Self-, peer-, and instructor assessments of performance are all provided following instructor-provided rubrics. A history of psychology survey is given at the beginning and end of the course as an indirect assessment of student knowledge. Clicker questions are frequently asked in class in order to assess student comprehension of historical ideas and systems in psychology.

2 PSYC 487 Sec 001 Capstone: History and Systems (Spring 2012) Page 2 Course Materials American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6 th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. -or- Schwartz, B. M., Landrum, R. E., & Gurung, R. A. R. (2011). An EasyGuide to APA style. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ResponseCard XR Student Response System (clicker) by Turning Technologies. Class Requirements ATTENDANCE: You are cordially invited to all class sessions. Missing a single class session may mean you miss out on practicing and applying concepts from your readings and lectures to relevant topics. If you have a mobile technology available to you (laptop, Smartphone, ipad, tablet, etc.), bring it with you to class. Although assignments are uploaded via Blackboard (Bb), on occasion you will want to bring paper drafts of work to class for review. No notes are available concerning class sessions; you cannot make up missed clicker points. You are responsible for the timely completion of all work, regardless of your attendance. If you add this course late, you are still responsible for all work, even work assigned prior to your enrollment. As a courtesy to your classmates and to your instructor, please turn the ringer off on your cell phone or any other device that makes noise. Please use technology wisely, and minimize your distraction of others when you do utilize technology. No animals are allowed in the classroom without prior instructor consent. Assignments Note. For the podcast and the position paper assignments, you must select different topics. APA FORMAT EXERCISE: Multiple assignments in this course require proper and accurate APA formatting. This assignment is completed early in the semester so that students can recognize early if they need to revisit their APA skills. Students are provided the complete text of a research paper, and the task is to format it properly, save as a MS Word document, and upload the file to Bb. [50 POINTS] SELF-REFLECTIONS: Part of your capstone experience is to think about the overarching connections (i.e., thematic influences) that you can make as you reflect upon your undergraduate career prior to graduation. Every Friday I will post a self-reflection prompt on Bb, and you answer via Bb your answers to each should be about 2-4 sentences in length. Graded pass/fail. [15 10 points ea. = 150 POINTS] HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY PRE-SURVEY AND POST-SURVEY: At the beginning of the course students complete a brief Qualtrics survey about the history of psychology. At the end of the course you will complete the survey again. Just do your best to complete the survey honestly. If you complete both surveys by the stated deadlines, you receive full credit (this is a pass/fail assignment). The link to the Qualtrics survey is provided on Bb. [Two 25 points each = 50 POINTS]

3 PSYC 487 Sec 001 Capstone: History and Systems (Spring 2012) Page 3 PODCAST & PODCAST SCRIPT: Each student creates an original podcast and records the podcast in their own voice. The podcast should be a persuasive message about a topic in psychology selected by the student. The statements made in the podcast are backed by psychological research (evidencebased) and cited by the student in the written script accompanying the podcast. The actual podcast must be at least 3 minutes long but not longer than 4 minutes. Students upload both the audio podcast file (MP3 only) and the MS Word podcast script directly to Bb (use the separate links provided to upload both components of this assignment). Prepare your podcast script following APA style and include APA-formatted references; use a title page (but no abstract). Students are introduced to podcasting best practices during the course and free podcast software. [Audio podcast = 75 points; APA-formatted script = 25 points; TOTAL = 100 POINTS] POSITION PAPER: Students select a topic in psychology and write an evidence-based position paper about that topic. Present at least two points of view on the complex, controversial, or important issue in psychology that you select, and back your claims using an evidence-based approach. Use APA formatted subheadings properly to signpost the different sections of your paper. After presenting (at least) two sides to the issue, conclude your paper with your personal position on the topic, with justification. Include a title page and references adhering to APA format; minimum 5 pages long, maximum 7 pages in length. [100 POINTS] RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITAE: Typically, entering the workforce with your bachelor s degree requires a resume, whereas entry into a graduate program requires a curriculum vitae (CV). For this assignment, you select which document is more valuable to your future, and prepare that document. Keeping this document up-to-date will facilitate future transitions. [50 POINTS] GROUP PROJECT: CREATING A TOPICAL SUMMARY: Working in groups assigned by the instructor, students are assigned one of the major areas in the study of the history of psychology (see table on last page of this document). The ability to analyze, summarize, evaluate, and create are higher-level skills that psychology graduates should possess. Your sources will include lecture materials as well as a comprehensive review from various sources (some made available from your instructor). Each student completes a one-page summary of a key person or key concept following a pre-determined format, and then each group collaborates to write a one-page (maximum) topical summary. After collaborating on these items (topical summary + individual student summaries), each group presents their findings to the class; creativity is rewarded. Self- and peer-assessment components are also included. [Group Report = 100 points; Group Presentation = 50 points; TOTAL = 150 POINTS]. CLICKER QUESTIONS: I ask clicker questions during the semester, and students respond using a ResponseCard XR (clicker). These questions are worth course points. If I ask an opinion question, you will receive the point for any answer. If I ask a factual question, you ll need to answer correctly to earn the point. If you do not bring your clicker to class, you cannot earn clicker points that day. Some of your clicker questions will be (a) directly related to the reading and lecture assignments and (b) exploratory in nature to stimulate critical thinking and class discussion. Over the course of the semester, I will ask at least 180 points worth of questions. A maximum of 150 clicker points may be applied to your final course grade. [150 POINTS]

4 PSYC 487 Sec 001 Capstone: History and Systems (Spring 2012) Page 4 FINAL EXAM: Your attendance is required at the final exam. Failure to attend and participate in the final exam activity results in a grade reduction. NOTE ON HANDING IN ASSIGNMENTS For the assignments in this course, you upload your completed files to Bb as directed on the course site. For most assignments I include a grading rubric that indicates how components of each assignment are weighted. Whenever you send me class-related work as an upload to Bb, please make sure your file name includes the following: (a) PSYC 487, (b) 1-2 word assignment description, and (3) your first and last name. Grading Policy and Grading Scale Grades are based on the total points accumulated. Work handed in late (as defined by the instructor) receives a 25% reduction in the graded score. Assignments are handed in via an upload to Bb; thus, late will be anything turned in after 10:30:00 AM on the due date. All assignments must be turned into within 72 hours of the original due date (weekends, holidays included). Assignments submitted more than 72 hours late are not accepted. Any evidence or suspicion of academic dishonesty is dealt with seriously by the instructor. No work is accepted after the semester (an Incomplete is NOT an option). Note: I rarely use the +/- grading system. Grades are earned as described below: Grading Scale Points Needed Grade Designation Final Grade Distinguished A Superior B Average C Below Average D Failure F Grading Recap Course Item Possible Points APA Format Exercise 50 Self-Reflections (15 10 pts ea.) 150 History of Psychology Pre (25) and Post (25) Survey 50 Podcast (75) and Podcast Script (25) 100 Position Paper 100 Resume or Curriculum Vitae 50 Group Project: Summaries (100) and Presentation (50) 150 Clicker Points 150 TOTAL 800

5 PSYC 487 Sec 001 Capstone: History and Systems (Spring 2012) Page 5 Readings, Lectures, and Assignments Calendar Week Dates Lecture Course Assignment Assignment* 01 Aug 28, Aug 30 History Pre-Survey 02 Sept 4, Sept 6 Antecedents to Psychology 03 3Ps: Physiology, Phrenology, and Sept 11, Sept 13 Psychophysics APA Format Exercise 04 Sept 18, Sept 20 Wundt and the Founding of Psychology 05 Sept 25, Sept 27 Structuralism Resume or Curriculum Vitae 06 Oct 2, Oct 4 Alternatives to Structuralism 07 Oct 9, Oct 11 Antecedents to Functionalism 08 Oct 16, Oct 18 Functionalism Podcast and Podcast Script 09 Oct 23, Oct 25 Antecedents to Behaviorism 10 Oct 30, Nov 1 Behaviorism 11 Nov 6, Nov 8 Neobehaviorism Position Paper 12 Nov 13, Nov 15 Psychoanalysis 13 Nov 27, Nov 29 Humanism Group Project Summaries 14 Dec 4, Dec 6 Cognitive and Applied Psychology 15 DW Dec 11, Dec FW Dec 20 at 9:30am History Post-Survey Notes. Every Friday a self-reflection assignment is due. Clicker questions are asked throughout the semester. Group presentations occur during class time toward the end of the semester. DW = dead week; FW = finals week. *Course assignments are typically due at 10:30:00 AM on Thursdays unless otherwise indicated by your instructor. Academic Dishonesty Where appropriate, students are encouraged to collaborate and work with each other on assignments and other related activities in this class. However, all work handed in by the student is assumed to be the work of that student. However, each student should individually complete all components of the homework. Whereas two people collaborating to better understand the material is appropriate, it is an incident of academic dishonesty for two (or more) individuals to hand in the exact same assignment, rough draft, etc., unless the assignment specifically indicated that context. In that specific case where the instructor has indicated explicit collaboration, then all the names of the collaborators should be listed on the assignment. See the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities web site for more details about academic dishonesty and how it is identified and how sanctions are enforced: Notes Student Responsibilities. Students are responsible for the completion of all assignments, regardless of attendance. Always keep a backup copy of all assignments and materials in this course. You are encouraged to collaborate with fellow students and/or consult with the teaching assistants. If at some point you need special consideration, please discuss this privately with the instructor. Any student who encounters any problem with any aspect of this course should not hesitate to talk with the instructor as soon as possible. If you disagree with the policies described in this syllabus, you should drop the course. To remain in

6 PSYC 487 Sec 001 Capstone: History and Systems (Spring 2012) Page 6 the course is to accept the policies as stated herein and those as stated during the semester by the instructor. Teaching assistants and their office hours are posted as a permanent announcement on Bb. Caveat. Things change as a semester progresses. The instructor reserves the right to change any or all parts of this syllabus at any time during the semester. If a major change is required, students are notified of the change via your official Boise State University account or Bb announcement. Areas for History of Psychology Summary Guide Antecedents to Psychology: Philosophical Antecedents to Psychology: Physiological Wundt and the Founding of Psychology Darwin s Influence and Evolutionary Thinking Structuralism Functionalism Gestalt Psychology Behaviorism Neobehaviorism Psychoanalysis Humanism Cognitive Psychology