PSYCHOLOGY 121: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Spring Semester, 2016 Professor: Kelli A. Gardner, PhD Email: kgardner@peru.edu Phone: (402) 872-2387 office, (641) 494-6059--cell Office: TJ Majors 236, Peru State College Office hours: Meeting with students individually is an important part of my job. Please feel free to schedule an appointment to meet with me if you need to discuss class performance, advising issues, etc. I am committed to being in my office and available for student visits on Mondays from 3:30-4:30 PM, Wednesdays from 8:00-9:00 AM, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM-12:00 noon. If those times don t work for you, we can always arrange to meet/speak at a different time. Course Meets: Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30 AM in TJ Majors 114N Required Textbook: Essentials of Understanding Psychology (11 th Edition) by Robert Feldman (ISBN 978-0-07-786188-9) Course Description: This course is an introduction to contemporary psychology focusing on basic concepts, principles, terminology, trends in psychological research, and the application of this knowledge. Psychology 121 is a survey course, which means you will learn a little bit about a lot of topics over the course of the term. These topics will include the brain, psychological problems and their treatment, memory, gender, emotions, stress management, and career options and goals in psychology. An emphasis will be placed on research methods, critical thinking, and application of psychological principles to real-life situations. Course Objectives: After completing Psychology 121, you will have explored: -famous psychologists and experiments in psychology s history. -the diversity of fields of study within psychology. -how psychologists conduct research. -how to think critically about psychological information presented in the mass media. -a psychological topic of your choosing in more depth.
At the beginning of the course, we will discuss how these objectives fit into the College s and School s mission and goals. The instructor reserves the right to modify any aspect of the course syllabus or content. Any modifications will be communicated to students in advance. Expectations: I have the following expectations for you: -Attend class regularly. -Read your textbook (after material has been covered in class is fine ) -Be prepared and attentive each class day. -Ask questions when you don t understand. -Accept responsibility for your own learning. Students can have the following expectations for me: -Be prepared, attentive, and enthusiastic each class day. -Vary presentation style to match the preferences of a variety of learners. -Grade and return assignments and tests in a timely manner. -Respect students and promote their learning and success. -Guide the learning process while continuing to learn myself. Course Overview and Grading: The major requirements of this course will include quizzes, written assignments, and exams, including a comphrehensive final exam. Quizzes: Over the course of the semester, there will be a series of 15 unannounced ( pop ) quizzes. The quizzes will be comprised of questions that should be easy to answer if you have been keeping up with the textbook readings. Quiz points may also be awarded for participation in class activities. Each quiz will be worth 5 points. There will be NO make-ups for quizzes unless you are missing class due to a schoolsponsored event. However, a student s lowest 3 quiz scores will be dropped when their final grades are computed. If you attend class regularly and read your textbook, you will be very successful on the quizzes. Journals: Four times over the course of the semester, you will write a reflective essay over a topic of your choosing. Essays will need to be at least two pages long and feature your reflection and application of material covered in class. Due dates for the journals are listed on the course schedule; guidelines for journals will be provided in class. Exams: Four course exams will be administered when indicated on the course calendar. All exams will be multiple choice, short-answer, and short essay format and are worth. My office hours are an ideal time to ask questions about course material. Please don t be shy about stopping by for some discussion and clarification in preparation for the exams! Research paper: Because Introduction to Psychology is a survey course, you will be learning a little bit about a lot of topics. You will have the opportunity to choose one
topic you d like to learn about in more depth and write a 5-7 page research paper about it. This research paper is due on Wednesday, April 20; more detailed guidelines will be provided in class. The total point distribution is as follows Quizzes Journals Exam 1 Exam 2 Exam 3 Final Exam Research paper Total 60 points (12 @ 5 points each) 60 points (4 @ 15 points each) 620 points Final course grades will be assigned as follows: Course grade Percentage of points earned Number of points earned A 100-90% 620-556 B+ 89-86% 555-531 B 85-80% 530-494 C+ 79-76% 493-469 C 75-70% 468-432 D+ 69-66% 431-407 D 65-60% 406-370 F Below 60% 369 or fewer Final grades are assigned based on the point cut-offs above. I do not round up in cases where a student is within one or two points of the next highest grade. Unless some severe extenuating circumstances caused a student to be unable to finish a course and to temporarily take an incomplete, all course grades are final. Course policies: Attendance: Class attendance is critical to academic success. Please plan on attending class unless serious life circumstances prevent it. If you are going to miss on a given day, please let me know via email or telephone before the start of class. Late work: It is very important that students turn in their work in a timely fashion. Assignments that are submitted after the deadline will not be scored unless a student has made arrangements with me. I also reserve the right to impose a late penalty of as much as 50% of the total possible points. Deducting points from well-done work is painful for both of us. Please make it a priority to submit your work in on time. Make-up exams: If you know you are going to miss an exam (FOR WHATEVER REASON), it is imperative that you notify me in advance. At my discretion, I will allow a make-up exam, which consists of entirely essay questions and is more difficult than the exam administered in class. When I have not been notified in advance, I only allow make-up exams under EXTREME circumstances.
Technology: There is no question that the Internet and text messaging have made our lives more convenient. However, like all modern conveniences, it can be inappropriate or impolite to use the Internet or engage in text messaging in certain situations. Learning course content requires you to see, hear, and think about what s happening in class. To the extent that technology distracts you, it harms your ability to learn. Therefore, using technology for any purpose other than taking notes is not permitted. Students who engage in inappropriate technology use via cellphone or laptop may lose points or be asked to leave class. Your continued enrollment in Psychology 121 demonstrates your willingness to learn in a distraction-free environment. If you cannot abide by the technology policy, please be aware that there are online sections of Psychology 121 offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Withdrawing: Until Sunday, January 17, students may add or drop full semester courses to their schedules using mypsc. Before Friday, March 11 (for full-term classes), students who no longer wish to be enrolled in the course can choose to withdraw. When a student withdraws from a class, it still appears on a student s grade report with a grade of W. Withdrawals can be processed through mypsc or through the Student Records Office. College s Incomplete Coursework Policy To designate a student s work in a course as incomplete at the end of a term, the instructor records the incomplete grade (I). Students may receive this grade only when serious illness, hardship, death in the immediate family, or military service during the semester in which they are registered prevents them from completing course requirements. In addition, to receive an incomplete, a student must have completed substantially all of the course s major requirements. Unless extenuating circumstances dictate otherwise, students must initiate requests for an incomplete by filling out an Incomplete Grade Completion Contract, which requires the signature of the student, instructor, and Dean. The Incomplete Grade Completion contract cites the reason(s) for the incomplete and details the specific obligations the student must meet to change the incomplete to a letter grade. The date by which the student agrees to complete required work must appear in the contract. The Dean, the instructor, and the student receive signed copies of the Incomplete Grade Completion Contract. Even if the student does not attend Peru State College, all incomplete course work must be finished by the end of the subsequent semester. Unless the appropriate Dean approves an extension and if the student does not fulfill contract obligations in the allotted time, the incomplete grade automatically becomes an F. College s Academic Integrity Policy The College expects all students to conduct themselves in a manner that supports an honest assessment of student learning outcomes and the assignment of grades that appropriately reflect student performance. It is ultimately the student s responsibility to
understand and comply with instructions regarding the completion of assignments, exams, and other academic activities. At a minimum, students should assume that at each assessment opportunity they are expected to do their own original academic work and/or clearly acknowledge in an appropriate fashion the intellectual work of others, when such contributions are allowed. Students helping others to circumvent honest assessments of learning outcomes, or who fail to report instances of academic dishonesty, are also subject to the sanctions defined in this policy. Instances of academic dishonesty may be discovered in a variety of ways. Faculty members who assign written work ordinarily check citations for accuracy, run data base and online checks, and/or may simply recognize familiar passages that are not cited. They may observe students in the act of cheating or may become aware of instances of cheating from the statements of others. All persons who observe or otherwise know about instances of cheating are expected to report such instances to the proper instructor or Dean. In order to promote academic integrity, the College subscribes to an electronic service to review papers for the appropriate citations and originality. Key elements of submitted papers are stored electronically in a limited access database and thus become a permanent part of the material to which future submissions are compared. Submission of an application and continued enrollment signifies your permission for this use of your written work. Should an occurrence of academic misconduct occur, the faculty member may assign a failing grade for the assignment or a failing grade for the course. Each incident of academic misconduct should be reported to the Dean and the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). The VPAA may suspend for two semesters students found to be responsible for multiple instances of academic dishonesty. The reason for the suspension will be noted on the student s transcript. A faculty member need present only basic evidence of academic dishonesty. There is no requirement for proof of intent. Students are responsible for understanding these tenets of academic honesty and integrity. Students may appeal penalties for academic dishonesty using the process established for grades appeals. Title IX Compliance Notice Peru State is an equal opportunity institution. Peru State College does not discriminate against any student, employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, or age in employment and education opportunities, including but not limited to admission decisions. The College has designated an individual to coordinate the College s nondiscrimination efforts to comply with regulations implementing Title VI, VII, IX, and Section 504. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies and practices may be directed to Eulanda Cade, Director of Human Resources, Title VI, VII, IX Compliance Coordinator, Peru State, PO Box 10, Peru, NE 68421-0010, (402) 872-2230. Students requesting reasonable accommodation and tutoring services should
contact the Center for Achievement and Transition Services (CATS).
Tentative Course Schedule The following course schedule includes topics, reading assignments, and the dates of exams. However, I do reserve the right to change this course calendar as needed. You will always be notified if our plan deviates from this schedule. DATE: TOPIC: READ/DUE: Monday, January 11 Course introduction Wednesday, January 13 What is psychology? Chapter 1 (module 2) Monday, January 18 How do psychologists know what they know? Chapter 1 (module 3) Wednesday, January 20 How do psychologists know what they know? (continued) Chapter 1 (module 4) Monday, January 25 What do you know when you know someone? Personality Chapter 10 Wednesday, January 27 What do you know when you know someone? Personality (continued) Chapter 10 Monday, February 1 Your brain: Don t leave home without it! Chapter 2 Wednesday, February 3 Your brain: Don t leave home without it! (continued) Chapter 2 Monday, February 8 Your brain: Don t leave home without it! Chapter 2 Wednesday, February 10 Exam one Journal One due Monday, February 15 Don t forget to read this chapter: Memory Chapter 6 Wednesday, February 17 Don t forget to read this chapter: Memory (continued) Chapter 6 Monday, February 22 Seeing is believing or is it? Sensation & Perception Chapter 3 Wednesday, February 24 Seeing is believing or is it? Sensation & Perception (part 2) Chapter 3 Monday, February 29 Wake up and smell the psychology: States of consciousness Chapter 4 Wednesday, March 2 Exam two Journal Two due Monday, March 7 Wednesday, March 9 No school Spring Break! No school Spring Break! Monday, March 14 Physical health, stress, and coping Chapter 11 Wednesday, March 16 Physical health, stress, and coping (continued) Chapter 11
DATE: TOPIC: READ/DUE: Monday, March 21 Mental health disorders Chapter 12 Wednesday, March 23 Mental health disorders Chapter 12 Monday, March 28 No school Spring Break! Wednesday, March 30 Mental health disorders Chapter 12 Monday, April 4 Treatment of mental health disorders Chapter 13 Wednesday, April 6 Treatment of mental health disorders (continued) Chapter 13 Monday, April 11 Exam three Journal Three due Wednesday, April 13 Motivation and emotion: Let s get going! Chapter 8 Monday, April 18 Motivation and emotion: Let s get going! (continued) Chapter 8 Wednesday, April 20 Motivation and emotion: Let s get going! (continued) Chapter 8 Research Paper Due Monday, April 25 You can get paid for this? Careers in Psychology Chapter 1 (module 1) Wednesday, April 27 Review for Comprehensive Final Exam Journal Four due Wednesday, May 4 10:30 AM COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM