PSY2012 General Psychology Course Number 14426, Section 2919, Fall 2018 MWF, Period 8 (3:00pm-3:50pm) Psychology Building, Room 151 Contact Instructor: Lisa Curry-Pochy, MS Email: lisa.curry@ufl.edu Office: Psychology Building, Room 236 Office Hours: T 9-10am, W 1:30-2:30pm, by appointment Quick questions can be asked in class or via email (lisa.curry@ufl.edu). If you have larger questions or concerns, it is best to come to office hours or set up an appointment. Before contacting me, please check to see if the answer to your question has been posted to Canvas or is in any course material (e.g., this syllabus). Include PSY2012 in the subject line of your emails. Any emails without PSY2012 in the subject line will not be caught by my email filter, and this may delay or prevent prompt reply. Do not use Canvas to contact me. I will not check this account, so use standard email only. I expect you to check your email daily, and I will do the same. Please allow 24 hours during the work week for your instructor to respond (i.e., avoid last minute emails about time-sensitive issues). Please be advised that questions sent less than two days before an assignment deadline may not receive a response until after the deadline has passed. Course Outline Social and Behavioral Sciences General Education Subject Area Objectives Social and behavioral science courses provide instruction in the history, key themes, principles, terminology, and underlying theory or methodologies used in the social and behavioral sciences. Students will learn to identify, describe and explain social institutions, structures or processes. These courses emphasize the effective application of accepted problem-solving techniques. Students will apply formal and informal qualitative or quantitative analysis to examine the processes and means by which individuals make personal and group decisions, as well as the evaluation of opinions, outcomes or human behavior. Students are expected to assess and analyze ethical perspectives in individual and societal decisions. Overview: PSY 2012 This course is an overview of major topics in modern psychology, the scientific study of behavior, and mental processes. As a first course in the discipline of psychology, it introduces some of the fundamental concepts, principles, and theories with a consideration for the complexity of human behavior. Course Goals 1. To teach you the science behind psychology and how it differs from the media s interpretation. 2. To provide you with an introduction to the different areas within the field of psychology. 3. To teach you the concepts in the field and how to apply them. Curry-Pochy, PSY2012 Page 1
Required Materials Text: Psychology: From Inquiry to Understanding, Lilienfeld, 4 th Edition, ISBN: 9781323785669 Note: this is the ISBN for the online REVEL digital e-book, which is my recommendation for your use in this class. If you prefer to use a hard copy book and want that ISBN, please ask me for it. Course Expectations and Attendance Come to class prepared by reading the textbook and/or preparing for any class activities. Check your email at least once a day, and visit Canvas on a regular basis. Students typically find that for each hour in class, at least two additional hours are required for preparation. Always be present in class, both physically and mentally. Sitting idly by in class will not be helpful for either of us, nor is playing on your phone/laptop. Be an active participant in the course. This means asking and answering questions in class and sending emails when questions arise outside of class time. Be respectful to both your classmates and me. Psychology is a discipline where we discuss differing viewpoints, and being respectful of others and their views is a must. Students who are disrespectful to their classmates or to me will be asked to leave. Do your own work. There is no wiggle room here plagiarism/cheating will not be tolerated. Lecture slides will be posted online. Note that the lecture slides do not replace note taking and only serve as an outline of what was covered in class. These slides will not cover all class material that the instructor verbally lectures about. Attendance is not mandatory, but it is expected. There will be 10 inclass participation assignments through the semester. Assignments may be given on any day, so you are encouraged to attend every class. These will be brief discussion responses based on content from that day s lecture. Students will hand in responses, on paper, to the instructor before leaving class. Students with Special Needs If you are a student with a disability and would like to request disability-related accommodations, you are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center as early in the semester as possible. The Disability Resource Center is located in 001 Building 0020 (Reid Hall). Their phone number is 392-8565. If you have a documented disability you must contact me by August 31 st. General Education Student Learning Outcomes Category Institutional Definition Institutional SLO Assessed Content is knowledge of the concepts, principles, Students demonstrate competence in the Content Communication Critical Thinking terminology and methodologies used within the discipline. Communication is the development and expression of ideas in written and oral forms. Critical thinking is characterized by the comprehensive analysis of issues, ideas, and evidence before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion. terminology, concepts, methodologies and theories used within the discipline. Students communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning clearly and effectively in written or oral forms appropriate to the discipline. Students analyze information carefully and logically from multiple perspectives, using discipline specific methods, and develop reasoned solutions to problems. This will be accomplished by exams and written assignments. Tests, Written Assignments, Research Written Assignments, Participation Tests, Written Assignments Curry-Pochy, PSY2012 Page 2
Assessment You will be tested in five non-cumulative multiple-choice short tests during class hours. All tests are closed book and closed notes, and you will need a #2 pencil for the scantron sheet. One test (your lowest score) will be dropped, resulting in four tests in your final grade. Beyond tests, your grade will consist of: a) two writing assignments, b) 10 participation assignments, and c) research participation. Excuses for missing a test are not accepted. If you miss a test, this will be the grade that is dropped. Late written assignments will only be allowed given an excusable reason (e.g., very sick with a doctor s note, death in the family). Students should contact the instructor and provide documentation before the written assignment is due, if at all possible. Any make-up assessment must be completed within a week of the original date due. For religious observations, please compare your calendars to the course schedule early in the semester. Any student who has a conflict in the exam schedule or feels that missing a class due to religious observance will disadvantage them should contact me as soon as possible so that we can make any necessary arrangements. Examinable Material and Grading Points Grade 203 & Above A 199-202 A- 190-198 B+ 176-189 B 171-175 B- 167-170 C+ 155-166 C 152-154 C- 146-151 D+ 137-145 D 130-136 D- 129& Below E (Fail) Graded Item 5 tests (30 pts each, one dropped) Written assignments (35 pts each) Points 120 70 Participation assignments 10 Research experience 20 Total points available 220 The lectures and the readings from the textbooks listed below define the full syllabus of this course. Certain sections of the textbooks that are not examinable are identified at the bottom of the lecture schedule below. Tests. There will be five in-class tests given throughout the semester. Tests are designed to your understanding of course material to date. Each test contains 30 multiple-choice questions (each question will be worth 1 point). You will be allowed to drop your lowest test grade; thus, only four tests will be included in your final grade. Written Assignments: There will be two written assignments due throughout the semester as indicated on the schedule below (35 points each). More details will be posted to Canvas. Late Work: There will be no make-up tests or make-up participation assessments. Late written assignments will only be unpenalized given an excusable reason (e.g., very sick with a doctor s note, death in the family). Students should contact the instructor and provide documentation before the written assignment is due, if at all possible. Any make-up assessment must be completed within a week of the original date due. Unexcused late writing assignments will be accepted with a penalty of 10 points per day late. Curry-Pochy, PSY2012 Page 3
Participation: There will be 10 in-class participation assignments through the semester (1 point each). Assignments may be given on any day, so you are encouraged to attend every class. These will be brief discussion responses based on content from that day s lecture. Students will hand in responses, on paper, to the instructor before leaving class. Grades are firm there is no curve. Everyone in the class can get an A grade (and I hope you do). However, if you score just one point below the cutoff, then you will get the lower grade. Policy for Disputing a Grade You will have one week (including weekends and holidays) after any course material grade has been posted to dispute your grade. The exception will be the last test because there won t be enough time to complete disputes and turn grades in. Disputes will NOT be accepted after that date. If you want to dispute a grade, you will need to write a paragraph explaining the dispute. For tests, write out the question on the test and a paragraph explaining why your answer is correct. Please include references to the material in the text for each question or writing assignment you are disputing. Send your dispute in a private email with this information to the instructor s e-mail address. Honor Code I am not willing to give a passing grade to those who do not abide by the UF honor code. Any student who cheats or helps another student cheat will receive an E (Fail) in this class. When students enroll at the university, they commit themselves to the standard drafted and enacted by students. Preamble: In adopting this honor code, the students of the University of Florida recognize that academic honesty and integrity are fundamental values of the university community. Students who enroll at the university commit to holding themselves and their peers to the high standard of honor required by the honor code. Any individual who becomes aware of a violation of the honor code is bound by honor to take corrective action. The quality of a University of Florida education is dependent upon community acceptance and enforcement of the honor code. Honor Pledge: We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment." It should be clear that academic dishonesty, such as cheating, is NOT tolerated at the University of Florida. Cheating is defined in the University Handbook, and it is the student s responsibility to be familiar with its many forms (including plagiarism). If there is a suspected academic honesty violation, the Student Honor Code Procedures will be followed. Experimental Participation Requirement There is a Psychology Department requirement that all students enrolled in PSY 2012 participate in a research experience. The deadlines for this requirement will be posted on Canvas. Curry-Pochy, PSY2012 Page 4
Online Evaluation Process Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing online evaluations at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results/. In addition to the end-of-semester feedback, students may also receive opportunities to provide their anonymous feedback at additional points in the semester. Please be honest and courteous with these evaluations, as I really do value your feedback. Note the contents of this syllabus may be changed during the semester. If changes are made to this syllabus they will be announced in class and on Canvas. It is your responsibility to come to class and to check for announcement of any changes online. Curry-Pochy, PSY2012 Page 5
Fall 2018 Schedule Date Lecture Topic Reading W Aug. 22 Introduction to PSY2012 Syllabus F Aug. 24 Psychology and Scientific Thinking Chapter 1 M Aug. 27 Psychology and Scientific Thinking Chapter 1 W Aug. 29 Research Methods Chapter 2 F Aug. 31 Research Methods *Deadline to Request ADA Accommodations* Chapter 2 M Sept. 3 Labor Day: No Class W Sept. 5 Biological Psychology Chapter 3 F Sept. 7 Biological Psychology Chapter 3 M Sept. 10 Test: Chapters 1, 2, 3 W Sept. 12 Sensation and Perception Chapter 4 F Sept. 14 Sensation and Perception Chapter 4 M Sept. 17 Consciousness Chapter 5 W Sept. 19 Consciousness Chapter 5 F Sept. 21 Learning Chapter 6 M Sept. 24 Learning Chapter 6 W Sept. 26 Test: Chapters 4. 5. 6 F Sept. 28 In Class Guest Lecture M Oct. 1 Memory Chapter 7 W Oct. 3 Memory Chapter 7 F Oct. 5 Thinking, Responding, and Language Writing Assignment #1 Due by 11:59PM Chapter 8 M Oct. 8 Thinking, Reasoning, and Language Chapter 8 W Oct. 10 Intelligence Chapter 9 F Oct. 12 Intelligence Chapter 9 Curry-Pochy, PSY2012 Page 6
Date Lecture Topic Reading M Oct. 15 Test: Chapters 7, 8, 9 W Oct. 17 Human Development Chapter 10 F Oct. 19 Human Development Chapter 10 M Oct. 22 Emotion and Motivation Chapter 11 W Oct. 24 Emotion and Motivation Chapter 11 F Oct. 26 Social Psychology Chapter 13 M Oct. 29 Social Psychology Chapter 13 W Oct. 31 Test: Chapters 10, 11, 13 F Nov. 2 Homecoming: No Class M Nov. 5 W Nov. 7 Out of Class Activity In Class Guest Lecture F Nov. 9 Personality Chapter 14 M Nov. 12 Veteran s Day: No Class W Nov. 14 Personality Chapter 14 F Nov. 16 Psychological Disorders Writing Assignment #2 Due by 11:59PM Chapter 15 M Nov. 19 Psychological Disorders Chapter 15 Nov. 21-23 Thanksgiving Break: No Class M Nov. 26 Psychological and Biological Treatments Chapter 16 W Nov. 28 Psychological and Biological Treatments Chapter 16 F Nov. 30 Stress, Coping, and Health Chapter 12 M Dec. 3 Stress, Coping, and Health Chapter 12 W Dec. 5 Test: Chapters 14, 15, 16, 12 Curry-Pochy, PSY2012 Page 7