Psychology 101(3cr): Introduction to Psychology (Summer 2016) Monday - Thursday 4:00-5:50pm - Gruening 413 Instructor: Dr. Jen Peterson Office: Gruening 706B Phone: 907-474-5214 Email: jen.peterson@alaska.edu Office Hours: By appointment Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this class. Required Text: You have several choices for the format of your required text. 1. Exploring Psychology (10 th Ed) & Launchpad for Myer s Exploring Psychology by David G. Myers & C. Nathan Dewall ISBN 1-319-06148-6. This is the loose leaf version of the required text that includes online access and ebook. OR OR 2. Exploring Psychology (10 th Ed) by David G. Myers & C. Nathan Dewall, ISBN 1-4641-5408-2. This is also a loose leaf version of the required text without online access. 3. If you do not wish to have a physical copy of the book you may purchase the ebook and online access to Launchpad from the publisher s website, MacMillan Publishing (according to the publisher, this option will be available May 1 st for about $70). Strongly Recommended: Online access to Macmillan Learning Launchpad for Exploring Psychology (10 th Ed). Please see options 1 and 3 above. The Launchpad provides excellent supplemental materials and practice quizzes to improve your understanding of the material and help you prepare for quizzes and exams. Blackboard: You will need to access Blackboard in order to submit assignments as well as access other useful tools such as announcements, course documents, and to check your grades. You can access Blackboard at the following link: https://classes.uaf.edu/ Please save your assignments as PSY 101, YOUR LAST NAME, and ASSIGNMENT NAME. Course Description: This class is designed to provide students an overview of the principles of general psychology with emphasis on natural science and social science orientation. This course will cover various topics including motivation and emotion, heredity and psychological basis for integrated behavior; our senses (visual, auditory, and so forth) as well as the basic processes in learning, problem-solving and thinking. We will also examine personality theories and how psychological disorders develop, including prevention and treatment. Students will learn how culture, environment, physiology, heredity, and social context intersect and influence behavior. 1
This course will also encourage critical thinking and will employ a multicultural approach that respects human diversity and individual differences. Because this course serves as a foundation for all advanced psychology courses, it is important that students develop a thorough understanding of concepts covered in this class. Topics in this course are meant to help students achieve a better understanding of themselves and others and a deeper comprehension of life experiences as they apply new knowledge to their daily lives. Course Objectives: Identify and compare the major theoretical perspectives of psychology, understand their historical influences, and recognize how each approach views human thought and behavior. Provide an overview of the theoretical basis for the following topics: personality, human development across the lifespan, motivation, emotion, interpersonal behavior, consciousness, sensation, perception, and basic processes in learning, problem solving, and thinking. Learn psychological concepts, processes, and theories, research methodology and the role of critical thinking as well as skills in using basic psychological terminology. Appreciate the influence of culture, physiology, the nervous system, physical environment, and social situations on our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Gain a solid understanding of psychological disorders, including development, prevention and therapeutic strategies. Develop global and cross-cultural awareness, an appreciation of diversity, and an improved selfknowledge. Students will gain insight into their own personality and personal relationships by thinking critically about psychological theories and principles. Discuss the way that psychological theories are used to assess, predict, or change human behavior and how psychology is applied to influence and improve the lives of human beings. Course Format: This course will include lectures, in-class discussions and activities, quizzes, assignments, exams, and a poster presentation project. Course Policies: Attendance. Please make every effort to attend class. There are no attendance points for this class, however you risk missing many in class points if you are not present. General Absences. If you miss class, you are responsible for contacting me as soon as possible concerning your absence, and to discuss the possibilities for arranging alternative learning opportunities. You may only make up missed quizzes, exams, presentations, and in class assignments if you 1) notify me in advance of the class and make arrangements to make up the work OR 2) have a documented excused absence. Examples of documented excused absences include a doctor s note for illness and any university sanctioned event (see below). UAF-Sanctioned Absences. If you are scheduled to miss class for an academic requirement or to represent UAF in an official capacity (e.g., NCAA athletic competition, music performance), you must notify your instructor in writing. The notification should list all scheduled absences and bear the signature of a UAF school official. 2
Late Work: Quizzes, exams, presentations, and in-class assignments cannot be made up unless you make acceptable arrangements in advance or have a documented excused absence. Late Assignments. Late assignments (out of class assignments only) will be accepted with point reductions. Assignments that are submitted late will be penalized 20% of the possible points for each calendar day (or portion thereof) that it is late. No late assignments will be accepted during the last week of class (June 27-June 30). Incomplete Grades. An incomplete grade (I) for the course will be assigned only if two conditions have been met: The student has completed 50% of course work at the time of the request for an incomplete with a grade of C or better. And documented evidence is submitted to substantiate the fact that course completion was prevented (e.g. medical or family emergency). Failure to complete the course or portions of the course in a timely manner, whether due to negligence or indifference will result in an "F" letter grade for the course. UAF policy automatically changes I to F after one year. Academic Misconduct. Although you may consult with other students about assignments in this class, you must complete all assignments on your own. Handing in work that is based even partially on the work of other students constitutes academic misconduct and will be reported to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. Failing to properly cite sources of information is plagiarism (in other words, representing the ideas of others as your own). This includes information from classmates, books, websites, or any other source. Similarly, providing your work to other students for their use also constitutes academic misconduct and will lead to disciplinary action. Classroom Accommodations. Students with disabilities who need classroom accommodations, access to technology, or information about emergency building/campus evacuation processes should contact Disability Services (www.uaf.edu/disability/). Support services. There are many services available on campus if you are struggling academically or personally. The Writing Center (8th floor, Gruening Building) and the Math Lab (305 Chapman) provide excellent advice, tutoring and assistance. Health and counseling services are available at the Student Health and Counseling Center (www.uaf.edu/chc). Services for Veterans are available from the Veterans Resource center (contact Walter Crary at 474-2475 or wecrary@alaska.edu) Classroom Disruptions. Please do not use your cell phone in class. You are welcome to use computers/tablets to take notes, but please do not engage in activities that will distract those around you (emailing, playing games, checking Facebook, internet shopping, so forth). Please do not talk while others are talking, but please join in class discussion. It is important that everyone has an opportunity to speak and to be able to hear others speak. Readings and Class Time. We will cover (and you will be expected to read) two or three chapters per week along with occasional additional assigned readings. The lectures are designed to complement 3
rather than repeat the readings. I will post the assigned additional readings on Blackboard. We will have in-class group and individual activities. It is important that you come to class prepared so that you can participate effectively in these activities. Although you will not be graded on your class participation directly, many of the concepts we discuss during class will be on quizzes and tests. Evaluation: Assignments. Assignments are designed to reinforce your reading assignments and mastery of theories and concepts. Many assignments will be completed in class and will include writing about a topic of the day. The purpose of this exercise is to promote critical thinking about topics and bolster memory for key themes. Other assignments will be assigned for completion outside of class. Quizzes. We will have in-class quizzes covering material from the readings, lectures, discussions, and class activities. Quizzes may take any format (short answer, multiple choice, and so forth). These quizzes may be unannounced; they may be given on any day of the week and at any time during class. If you are not in class at the time the quiz is given (this includes arriving late or leaving early) you may not make up the quiz unless your absence is preapproved or documented and excused (please see attendance policy above). Poster presentations. This project includes designing and presenting a poster on a topic of your choosing. What topics in psychology do you find especially interesting? There are thousands of possible topics you could present! Some examples include: Types of therapy, addiction, depression, decision making, emotion and culture, stress, all about Freud, aggression in children, and many, many more. Choose a topic and have this topic approved by the instructor (Topics are due no later than June 9 th at 12pm (noon) via email to Dr. Peterson. You will receive a response with feedback and/or approval of your topic within a day or two). Final presentations will be penalized for topics that are not approved by the due date. o Ideally, I would like each student to have a unique topic, therefore, please submit 3 topic ideas numbered in order of your preference from 1 to 3. I will approve topics as I receive them, therefore, if you have a topic in which you are very interested, submit it early. You will receive a grading rubric with detailed instructions for creating your presentation as well as scoring guidelines. Presentations will be given in class on June 28 & 29. Exams. Exams may take any format (short answer, multiple choice, essay, and so forth). Exams will cover information from readings, class discussions, presentations, and lectures. Two exams are scheduled during the semester. Grading: Assignments Quizzes Exam #1 Exam #2 Poster Presentation 300 Points 100 Points Final Grades: A 90-100% 900-1000 Total Points B 80-89% 800-899 Total Points C 70-79% 700-799 Total Points D 60-69% 600-699 Total Points F < 60% < 600 Total Points 4
Course Schedule** Topic Read Due Dates May 23 Course Introduction, Syllabus requirements, Chapter 1 begin chapter 1 May 24 Critical Thinking about Psychology May 25 Biology of Behavior Chapter 2 May 26 Consciousness Chapter 3 May 30 Memorial Day No Class May 31 Development Chapter 4 June 1 Development June 2 Sensation & Perception Chapter 6 June 6 Sensation & Perception June 7 Learning Chapter 7 June 8 Learning June 9 Memory Chapter 8 June 13 Exam 1 June 14 Thinking, Language, & Intelligence Chapters 1-4, 6-8 Chapter 9 June 15 Motivation & Emotion Chapter 10 June 16 Stress & Health Chapter 11 June 20 Social Psychology Chapter 12 June 21 Social Psychology June 22 Personality Chapter 13 June 23 Psychological Disorders Chapter 14 June 27 Psychological Disorders Poster Topics Due by Noon Exam 1 June 28 Poster Presentations Posters Due June 29 Poster Presentations June 30 Final Exam Final Exam, Pick Up Posters **This is a tentative schedule that may be adjusted as needed throughout the semester; advance notice of all changes will be given in class and via Blackboard 5