Ways to Facilitate Your Learning
Critically think about what
you are learning by connecting new knowledge, skills and attributes to what you
already know. Identify ways that the new
information can be utilized to solve real-life problems that are important to
you. My goal
in this course is for you to excel and learn something useful, and this is best
accomplished with your active participation in the learning process.
Course Goals (What
the instructor will do)
1.
Provide
students with information, discussions, assignments, quizzes and exams that
will help students to develop a better understanding of the field of
psychology.
2.
Provide
opportunities for students to develop a better understanding of their own
lives and goals by applying psychological principles (e.g., understanding the
connection between thoughts and responses to stress).
3. Help students to understand the common terminology
used by psychologists.
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Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
(What the students will
be able to do by the end of the semester)
Through written and verbal
forms of communication, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
and understanding of . . .
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Goals of the Psychology Department that are connected to each SLO
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1.
The basic
characteristics of the science of psychology as a discipline and as a
practice.
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Knowledge
base
History of
psychology
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2.
The necessity
for ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of
psychology.
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Ethics and
values
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3.
The various
perspectives of psychology such as the behavioral, cognitive, evolutionary,
humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural perspectives.
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Knowledge
base
History of
psychology
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4.
How sociocultural
and international contexts influence individual differences.
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Interpersonal
skills
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5.
Applying
psychological concepts, theories, and/or research findings to their personal
lives.
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Interpersonal
skills
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6.
Demonstrate a beginner’s
level of skepticism and intellectual curiosity by asking questions about
causes of behavior.
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Thinking
skills
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7.
Recognize and
respect human diversity and understand that psychological explanations may vary
across cultures, populations, and contexts.
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Thinking
skills
Interpersonal
skills
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8.
Demonstrate
effective writing skills in various formats such as essays, correspondences,
technical papers, note taking, and written assignments.
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Language
skills
Thinking
skills
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Department goals can be
accessed at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/psychology/aims.php
Grade Philosophy
Your grade will reflect your mastery
of the material rather than your relative position in the class, therefore
curving of exam and final grades will not be a regular occurrence (i.e.,
student grades will not be forced into a bell/normal curve). I do reserve the right to shift the grade
on an assignment, quiz, or exam, if a significant issue arises (e.g., there
are two correct answers on the test in which one is from the textbook and one
is from the lecture). Everyone in this
course has the opportunity to earn an “A.”
Having the opportunity does not guarantee that everyone will earn an
“A,” therefore it is important for you to regularly attend class, keep up with
the readings, participate in class/group discussions, ask questions, form a
study group, etc.
Course grades
will be assigned by the number of possible points (not by percentage)
accumulated in the class.
A = 450 – 500+ C = 350 – 399
B = 400 – 449 D
= 300 – 349 F < 300
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Assignment
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Description
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Point Value
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Your Scores
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Participation
(12%)
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There
will be several activities throughout the semester, which will be used for
formative (feedback) and summative (end of unit) assessments of your
learning.
- Question You Want
Answered (pre/post)
- Pre & Post
Knowledge Test
- Diversity Surveys
- Self-assessment of
Progress on each SLO
- Four group activities
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5
5
5
5
4 * 10
[60 pts]
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Quizzes
(12%)
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Throughout the course there will be four
quizzes. Quizzes cannot be taken after
they have been given in-class (i.e., there
are no makeup quizzes).
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4 * 15
[60 pts]
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___ ___
___ ___
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Exams
(70%)
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Each exam is a combination of the following
possible question formats: multiple choice,
short answer, short essay, fill-in-the-blank, T/F, and/or matching.
I reserve the right to keep the exams.
There are no
makeup exams; however, you will have the opportunity to take an optional cumulative
make-up exam to replace an exam that you missed. This comprehensive exam can be taken after
you complete the final exam.
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#1 (75)
#2 (100)
#3 (100)
Final (75)
[350 pts]
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Paper
(6%)
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Field trip to Glore Museum
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30 pts
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Extra Credit
(up to 5%)
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You will have the opportunity to participate in at
least one research study, for which you will earn extra credit. For those who want to earn the extra credit
without participating in a research study, you can write a reaction paper from
an assigned article.
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Up to
25 points
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Total Points
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500
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Course Outline
The following is a listing of
the chapters and topics that will be discussed.
I reserve the right to keep this outline flexible and to make adjustments if needed.
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Day
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Date
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Chapter
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Topic(s)
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Notes
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M
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8/29
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Introductions; review of syllabus
Learning styles
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Prior Knowledge Assessment
VARK assignment
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W
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8/31
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No Class: University
Convocation at the M.O. Looney Complex
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F
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9/2
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1
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Introduction & Research
Methods
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M
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9/5
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No class – University holiday
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Labor
Day
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W
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9/7
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1
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Introduction & Research
Methods
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Group
Exercise #1
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F
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9/9
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2
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Neuroscience and Behavior
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M
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9/12
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2
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Neuroscience and Behavior
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W
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9/14
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3
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Sensation and Perception
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Group
Exercise #2
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F
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9/16
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On-line assignments (TBA)
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M
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9/19
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3
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Sensation and Perception
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W
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9/21
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4
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Consciousness and Its
Variations
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F
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9/23
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4
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Consciousness and Its
Variations
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M
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9/26
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1 – 4
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Review
& Exam 1
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W
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9/28
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5
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Learning
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F
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9/30
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5
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Learning
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M
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10/3
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5
6
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Learning
Memory
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W
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10/5
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6
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Memory
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Group
Exercise #3
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F
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10/7
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6
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Memory
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M
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10/10
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7
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Thinking, Language, and
Intelligence
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W
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10/12
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7
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Thinking, Language, and
Intelligence
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F
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10/14
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No class
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Mid-term
break
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M
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10/17
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8
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Motivation & Emotion
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W
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10/19
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8
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Motivation & Emotion
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Mid-term
grades are due
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F
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10/21
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“Built-in flexibility
and/or catch-up”
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M
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10/24
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5 – 8
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Review
& Exam #2
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W
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10/26
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9
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Lifespan Development
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F
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10/28
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9
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Lifespan Development
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M
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10/31
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Special
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Culture
& Halloween & Psychology
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W
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11/2
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Special
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Gender – Test material will be derived from
lecture and class discussion
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Pre-registration
advisement begins
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F
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11/4
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10
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Personality
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Last day to drop class & complete withdrawal
(“W” recorded)
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M
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11/7
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10
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Personality
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Pre-registration begins;
Group
Exercise #4
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W
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11/9
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11
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Social Psychology
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F
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11/11
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11
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Social Psychology
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M
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11/14
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12
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Stress, Health, and Coping
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W
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11/16
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12
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Stress, Health, and Coping
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F
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11/18
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9 – 12
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Review
& Exam #3
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M
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11/21
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Field trip to Glore Museum
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W
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11/23
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No class: University Holiday
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Thanksgiving
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F
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11/25
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No class: University Holiday
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Thanksgiving
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M
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11/28
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13
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Psychological Disorders
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W
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11/30
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13
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Psychological Disorders
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F
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12/2
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13
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Psychological Disorders
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M
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12/5
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14
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Therapies
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Due: Field trip
assignment
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W
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12/7
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14
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Therapies
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F
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12/9
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Last day of class
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Post Knowledge Assessment
Evaluations
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F
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12/16
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11am
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Class
Final: 11:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m.
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The Teaching &
Learning Process
My vision of the teaching and learning process incorporates techniques to
help students learn on their own, with each other, and through lectures and
“events” that are implemented throughout the semester. I believe the learning environment should be
built upon trust, encouragement, and respect.
As I practice these values, I have the expectation that students will
adopt these values (to some degree) and will commit themselves to the learning
process. One of the best ways to learn
new or modified information is to be actively engaged in the learning
process by participating in class discussions, exercises, and group
assignments.
Here are two behaviors that can increase your level of engagement:
(1) Reviewing and understanding the
materials covered in the text and
(2) Taking notes during class lectures,
discussions, and exercises.
Recommendations for achieving (1) and (2) are listed below:
·
Read the chapter summary before reading the
chapter. This approach will provide you
with an outline of what will be covered in the chapter.
·
For yourself, ask and answer the following: “What questions are psychologists trying to
answer in this chapter?,” “How are they
gathering data or information to address these questions?,” and “How can the
results, ideas, theories, or concepts be applied to today’s issues?”.
Instructor & Course
Policies
1.
Class
Discussions (both inside
and outside of the actual classroom): I
would like you to know upfront that you will encounter new ideas, topics, images
and discussions in this course, which may
challenge your worldview. Some students may find this information
personally offensive, uncomfortable, distasteful, or may cause anger. Because the field of psychology addresses
positive, neutral and negative aspects of human behavior, we will discuss a
broad range of topics that may not be pleasant for everyone. Please be respectful to your classmates and
your instructor. Debates on relevant
issues are encouraged, however no one should engage in personal attacks inside
or outside of the classroom.
2.
Take-home
Assignments: Are to be
typed, word-processed, double-spaced, with 1" for all margins, and in 12
point font. Proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling are expected on all
assignments (i.e., points will be deducted if not followed). Use APA Style for all citations and references.
3.
Midterm
Grade Reports: The University’s policy requires the
reporting of midterm grades to students so that they can make informed
decisions for staying or withdrawing from the class. However, these midpoint grades do not represent the final
course grade since a significant portion of points remain to be completed. You should visit with me if you want to
improve upon your midterm grade or if you received a grade of “D” or lower.
4.
Office
Hours: Tuesdays 10-11:30 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.,
Wednesdays 3-4:30 p.m., and Thursdays 10-11:30 a.m. Individual appointments are
available upon request. Please take advantage of appointments. These times are
set aside so that questions or concerns can be addressed, assistance and
resources discussed, or for meetings about your professional development (e.g.,
academic and career). My goal in this
course is for you to excel and learn something useful, but this cannot be
accomplished without your active participation in the learning process.
5.
Policy
on Cheating/Plagiarism: Students who are caught cheating, and/or
knowingly provide false information may be reprimanded with failure of
assignments, exams, the course, and the burden of other disciplinary actions as
specified in the MWSU Student Handbook.
6.
Drop
Policy: I will not drop students from the class. It
is the student’s responsibility to drop from the course if s/he chooses. Simply
not attending class or not taking tests is not sufficient. Any student on the
roster at the end of the semester will receive a grade regardless of attendance
or test performance; incompletes are issued at the discretion of your
instructor.
7. Flexibility:
The class schedule listed in this syllabus is tentative, and while I do
not plan to make changes, I reserve the right to adjust to the syllabus as
necessary. If you miss a lecture, you should contact someone in the class to
find out what you missed and whether any announcements/changes were made.
8. Attendance Policy:
Class attendance is a serious and vital responsibility for all
students. Attendance is expected and
allows you the opportunity to maximize your learning potential, thus missing
class puts you at a significant disadvantage. Obtaining lecture notes for missed
classes is your responsibility. If you know in advance that you will miss class
on major due date or for long periods of time, please notify me immediately!
Ensure that any missed work is completed in advance of the due date. Attendance
does NOT mean that you show
up to class and read a newspaper or talk with your friends about non-topic
related issues. Individuals who exhibit behaviors that the instructor considers
disrespectful or a hindrance to the learning process will be asked to leave the
classroom.
9. Snow Days: If we miss a class because of a snow/ice day,
the exam schedule will remain as planned in the syllabus. The only exception is if a snow day occurs on
an exam day. In that case, the exam will
take place on the next day we return to class.
10. Phone/Pagers: These items are to be placed in the silent,
vibrate, or off mode during class. This
policy will also be applied to your instructor.
More stern steps may be taken for repeat offenders.
11. Food/Drink: We are in a technology classroom, which does not
allow food or beverages. The only
exception is water in a sealable container.
Services Available to
Students
12.
Academic
Assistance: Students wishing to seek out additional help
with their coursework (e.g., reading, math, study skills, etc.) are encouraged
to contact the Center for Academic Support at (816) 271-4524, visit their office located in the Hearnes Center room
213, or on the web at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/cas/
13.
Adult
Student Services: Non-traditional students wishing to seek out
additional assistance are encouraged to contact the Non-Traditional Student
Services at (816) 271-4280, visit their office at Eder Hall room
202, or on the web at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/nontrad/
14.
Service
for Disabled Students: Students with known learning or other
disabilities are encouraged to speak with Michael
Ritter (mritter@missouriwestern.edu), Special Needs/Disability Services
Office, Eder Hall Suite 202B, (816) 271-4330, to assist you in the provision of services within the
classroom. Web site: http://www.missouriwestern.edu/ds/
15.
Counseling:
Students wishing to talk with a trained professional regarding
relationship issues, mental health, academic stress, etc. are encouraged to
contact the Counseling Center at (816) 271-4327; located in Eder Hall room 209. Open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday –
Friday. http://www.missouriwestern.edu/counseling/
16. Student Health
and Well-being: Students wishing to address
their health and well-being should visit the Esry Student Health Center located in the Blum Union room 203 or call (816) 271-4495. For
information on services provided, please visit their web site at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/healthserv/
17. Career
Development: Student interested in career
related issues should contact the office of Career Development at (816) 271-4205 or visit their office located in Eder
Hall room 202. Additional information is
available on their web site at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/careerdevelopment/
Additional Resources:
The university’s Library: http://www.missouriwestern.edu/library/
Academic Calendar: http://www.missouriwestern.edu/academic%5Fcalendar/
Copyright © 2005 Dr. Patricia A. Marsh as to this syllabus and all
lectures. Students are prohibited from selling (or being paid for taking) notes
during this course to or by any person or commercial firm without the express
written permission of the instructor teaching this course.
