Course Syllabus PSY , General Psychology, Spring 2010 Room MCKB 258, MWF 11:00-11:50 AM

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1 Course Syllabus PSY , General Psychology, Spring 2010 Room MCKB 258, MWF 11:00-11:50 AM INSTRUCTOR: Ms. Patricia Foster, M.A. OFFICE: 215-E Education Bldg. PHONE: OFFICE HOURS: Will be posted Purpose: General psychology is an overview of the various areas of psychology. In this course you will be introduced to the different philosophies and principles of psychology. You will be presented with the history of psychology, explanations of psychological theories, and gain an understanding of psychology as a science. The purpose of this course is to give a general background of the various areas of psychology, to encourage students to critically think about the many concepts, and to be able to apply these ideas to everyday life. As a class we will discuss many of the ideas and theories of psychology, and together develop real-life examples for these ideas to enhance understanding. This course may challenge some of your thoughts, and may give you a different view of human behavior. Program Learning Outcomes: This is a general education core curriculum course and no specific program learning outcomes for this major are addressed in this course. General Education Core Curriculum Objectives/Outcomes: EEO Objective Outcome 1. To employ the appropriate methods, Students should be familiar with and able technologies, and data that social and behavior to recognize different research methods and scientists use to investigate the human condition. their strengths and weaknesses. These methods may include the following: case studies, naturalistic observation, surveys, 3. To use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories. 5. To analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on the area under study. 12. To identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures. correlational research and experiments. Students should be able to discuss how major principles can be applied to real life situations. Students should also be able to describe the application of theory to the major areas of psychological study. Students should be able to identify and appreciate the possible influences of some or all of those factors listed above on the behavior and experience of individuals. Students will develop an appreciation of the differences and similarities in behavior and experience as it relates to culture. 1

2 Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, you should be able to: - Employ the general terminology of psychology. - Apply the scientific method to examine behavior and cognition. - Understand the interactions of biological, cultural and environmental influences on human behavior and cognition. - Demonstrate knowledge of the major psychological approaches to the study of behavior. Required Materials: Psychology: Core Concepts Textbook. Zimbardo, Johnson, & McCann. 7 th edition. Pearson Publishers. Evaluation: Test Schedule: Tests will be multiple-choice, matching, or any form appropriate for evaluating your knowledge of the subject. Students will need to bring their own Scantron forms. Each test will cover 3-4 chapters. All tests will include relevant lecture material that may not be in your textbook, or information from the textbook that was not discussed in class. (Hint: Read the corresponding chapter before each class meeting to be prepared and informed of what will be discussed that day.) Tests will be worth 100 points. The lowest grade of the four (4) tests will be dropped. If you miss an exam, and fail to discuss it with me, you will receive a zero, and it will be the test grade dropped. If you require special arrangements for taking exams, and are registered with Disability Services, please see me as soon as possible before the first exam. Exercises: These are designed to help you understand what is important, what you know, and what you need to know. They are assigned at my discretion- no advanced warning so it is important to attend class to get the details! Chapter Quizzes: Plan on a short quiz on each chapter to assess your learning! Course Grade: Points each Total A= (100 90%) Tests (best 3 out of 4) B= (89 80%) Final Exam 100 C= (79 70%) Exercises 150 D= (69 60%) Chapter Quizzes (14) F = (59% or less) Total Points 700 Viewing Grades: Grades, important information and s will be posted or sent using Blackboard on the McGraw-Hill website. Each student should have a username and password to login to this class to view grades and other important information. I will be communicating with you through Blackboard and , so students are required to login frequently (daily) to check for course information, instructions, or requirements. If you are not familiar with Blackboard, please see me, or call IT services for information on how to access it. Class Disruptions: Class disruptions will not be tolerated. This includes any disrespectful behavior to the instructor and/or other students. Examples of unacceptable classroom behaviors are listed below: Being consistently late to class or leaving early Talking while the instructor or classmates are speaking Monopolizing class discussions 2

3 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic integrity is a responsibility of all university faculty and students. Faculty members promote academic integrity in multiple ways including instruction on the components of academic honesty, as well as abiding by university policy on penalties for cheating and plagiarism. Definition of Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes but is not limited to (1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better grade on a component of the class; (2) the falsification or invention of any information, including citations, on an assigned exercise; and/ or (3) helping or attempting to help another in an act of cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own. Examp les of plagiarism are (1) submitting an assignment as if it were one s own work when, in fact, it is at least partly the work of another; (2) submitting a work that has been purchased or otherwise obtained from an Internet source or another source; and (3) incorporating the words or ideas of an author into one s paper without giving the author due credit. Please read the complete policy at / policies/ academic_integrity.asp. Withheld Grades: Ordinarily, at the discretion of the instructor of record and with the approval of the academic chair/ director, a grade of WH will be assigned only if the student cannot complete the course work because of unavoidable circumstances. Students must complete the work within one calendar year from the end of the semester in which they receive a WH, or the grade automatically becomes an F and will be counted as a repeated course for the purpose of computing the grade point average. Students with Disabilities: To obtain disability related accommodations, alternate formats and/ or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Human Services Building, and Room 325, / (TDD) as early as possible in the semester. Once verified, ODS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/ or auxiliary aids to be provided. Failure to request services in a timely manner may delay your accommodations. For additional information, go to / disabilityservives/. Academic Freedom: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions. 3

4 Additional Information: 1. Please be considerate of your classmates. If you must enter the room after class (or an exam) has started, please get your materials out before entering the room, to help reduce the distraction. 2. Unless you are essential to National security, it should not be necessary for you to be on -call during this class. Therefore all cell phones, pagers, PDA s and laptops WILL be turned off and put away. If there is a special situation, please discuss it with me outside of class and we will try to make some accommodation. 3. This is important. IF you are having problems in this class, or are having other problems, please talk with me as soon as possible. Many things can be managed when they are small, but may become a problem if not dealt with promptly. Do not allow small things to grow into a problem, as together we may be able to find a solution. I am here to support you in becoming a successful student, and mastering the strategies provided for you. But remember, I cannot give you assistance if I am not aware that there is a problem. Comments: If you have questions during class, PLEASE ASK! Other students may have the same question, and your question may help them as well. I want to get the whole class involved, so do not hesitate to raise your hand during class. In any class, learning is reciprocal. I learn from you as you learn from me. Therefore the class is like a journey that we will take together this semester, and it is my hope that at the end of the semester you will have enjoyed the journey. I also hope you will see that all of the hard work that you put forth in the course will provide you with many rewards. 4

5 Tentative Course Schedule: Below is the tentative schedule of chapter reading assignments, exams, and other important dates that will be occurring during class this semester. If the schedule changes for any reason, I will let you know. Tentative Course Schedule * For exam purposes, focus on the topics discussed in class, as well as those covered in the textbook. This is a tentative schedule and may change at any time. Date Topic Assignment (due this day) 1/18 Course Introduction 1/20 & 23 Mind & Behavior Chapter 1 1/25 & 27 Conduction Research in Psychology Chapter 1 1/30 & 2/3 Biology, Neuroscience & Nature Chapter 2 Feb 3 rd EXAM #1 Over Ch 1& 2 2/6, 8, 10 Sensing and Perceiving our World Chapter 3 2/13, 15, 17 Learning & Human Nurture Chapter 4 Feb 20 EXAM #2 Chapters 3 & 4 2/22 & 24 Memory Chapter 5 2/27 & 29 Thinking & Intelligence Chapter 6 3/2, 5 & 7 Development over the Lifespan Chapter 7 March 9 th EXAM #3 Chapters 5, 6, & 7 3/12 3/16 SPRING BREAK NO CLASS 3/19, 21 & 23 Consciousness Chapter 8 3/26,28 & 30 Motivation and Emotion Chapter 9 4/2 & 4 Personality: Individual Uniqueness Ebook Experience* April 6 th EXAM # 4 Chapters 8, 9, & 10 4/ 16, 18 & 20 Social Behavior Chapter 11 4/23, 25 & 27 Psychological Disorders Chapter 12 4/30, 5/2 & 4 Treatment of Psychological Disorders Chapter 13 4/9, 11 & 12 Stress & Health Chapter 14 May 9 th FINAL EXAM 10:30 AM 12:30 PM Chapters 11, 12, 13 & 14 *In this chapter, you will use an ebook provided online free. You will receive instructions prior to needing access to the chapter. 5

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