General Psychology (Fall 2005) Highland Community College Syllabus Course: PSY 101 W0 Day/Time: MW 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Location:  Room 8 at the Industrial Park Semester Hours: 3 academic credits Total Clock Hours: 45 hours Prerequisite(s): None y y y y Instructor: Patricia Marsh Email Web: http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~pmarsh Appointments: Arranged with instructor   Course Description  This course is an introduction to the diverse field of psychology that emphasizes: (1) the scientific foundation of psychology (e.g., biological, methodological, and critical thinking roots); (2) the basic principles of behavior and the factors that influence its expression; and (3) the application of psychological principles to everyday problems.   Course Material Text Coon, D. (1998). Introduction to Psychology: Exploration and Application (8th ed.). California: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. Study Guides Study guides will be provided by the instructor and/or will be available on the web site (http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~pmarsh/ teaching.html). Course Objectives To develop a better understanding of the field of psychology. To better understand our own lives and goals through the application of psychological principles (e.g., understanding the connection between cognition and physiological functioning). To understand the common terminology used by psychologists. To convey thoughts and ideas about psychological principles through writing.   Course grades will be assigned by the number of possible points (not by percentage) accumulated in the class. A = 333 – 370 D = 222 – 258 B = 296 – 332 F = < 222 C = 259 – 295 Because your grade is based on the work you do and not on the performance of your classmates, there is no reason that everyone cannot get an "A" in the course. In addition, because your grade will reflect your mastery of the material rather than your relative position in the class, curving of test grades (and final grades) will not be a regular occurrence. However, because I recognize that a poorly worded test question may pop up here or there, I reserve the right to shift the class’ grades on individual exams upward to a reasonable level.   Course Requirements [top] Assignment Description Point Value Your Scores Quizzes During the semester there will be 10 quizzes. At least one quiz will consist of a mini-paper assignment (see next section below). The top 8 quizzes will go toward your course grade. There are no makeup quizzes. 8 (x 10) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Mini Papers The purpose for this type of assignment is twofold: (1) to improve your writing skills in addition to learning APA format for citations and references, and (2) to apply information learned in the course to events in your daily life. Depending on the task assigned, mini papers will average 2 pages in length. Finer details of the tasks will be discussed in class.     Exams There are five exams and an optional cumulative final in this course. The tests are worth 50 points each. Each test is a combination of the following possible question formats: multiple choice, short answer, short essay, fill-in-the-blank, T/F, and/or matching. Exam results and questions will be discussed in class and/or over email. I reserve the right to keep the exams. There are no makeup tests. 5 (x 50) 1 (x 50) ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Experiment Write-up Paper The objective is to design (propose) a research experiment demonstrating understanding and application of research methodology as used in the Social Sciences (details discussed in class). APA style for citations and references will be used. The heart of psychology is its research and this assignment will help you to understand the importance of research.   1 (x 40)   ____ Total Points     370 Extra Credit The two primary forms of extra credit include but are not limited to: (1) bonus questions on exams and (2) the optional cumulative final. Course Outline [top] Below are listed chapters/readings, exam dates, and due date for the experimental paper. I reserve the freedom to keep this schedule flexible, and to assign daily homework if deemed necessary. Reading assignments are to be completed by the due date. Students who do well tend to keep up in the reading. Discussion of reading material is highly encouraged. Feel free to work ahead. Day Date   Chapter Topic Notes             UNIT 1         W 8/23   xxxvi Classroom skills (taking notes, how to study). Introductions M 8/28   1 The search for understanding   W 8/30   2 Research methods & critical thinking   M 9/4     Labor Day – No class   W 9/6   2 & 10 Research … & Memory   M 9/11   10 Memory & Review   W 9/13   20 Social Behavior   M 9/18   20 Social Behavior   W 9/20   21 Attitudes               UNIT 2     Exam 1, then start chapter 3   M 9/25   3 The Brain, Biology, and Behavior Exam 1 W 9/27   3 The Brain, Biology, and Behavior   M 10/2   6 Sensation and Reality   W 10/4   7 Perceiving the world               UNIT 3     Exam 2, then start chapter 9   M 10/9   9 Learning Exam 2 W 10/11   9 Learning   M 10/16   14 Health, stress and coping   W 10/18   8 States of Consciousness   M 10/23   8 States of Consciousness               UNIT 4     Exam 3, then start chapter 4   W 10/25   4 Child development Exam 3 M 10/30   4 Child development   W 11/1   5 Life-span development   M 11/6   12 Intelligence   W 11/8   15 Gender and sexuality   M 11/13   15 Gender and sexuality               UNIT 5     Exam 4, then start chapter 16   W 11/15   16 Personality Exam 4 M 11/20   16 Personality Experimental Write-up Paper due W 11/22   17 Abnormal Behavior   M 11/27   18 Major mental disorders   W 11/29   18 Major mental disorders   M 12/4   19 Therapies & Course Evaluations   W 12/6     Exam 5, then review for comprehensive optional final Exam 5 M 12/11   Optional Cumulative Final      Instructor Policies [top] Take-home assignments are to be typed, word-processed, or printed VERY NEATLY 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. Please take advantage of appointments. They are set aside so that you can clarify any questions or concerns you have about the class or assist you if you are having difficulty with the class or a particular assignment. My goal in this course is for you to excel and learn something useful, but I cannot do this without some effort on your part. 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. The class schedule listed here is tentative, and while I do not plan too many changes, I reserve the right to adjust it as necessary. Any changes in quiz dates and/or material covered on a particular quiz will be announced at least one week in advance. Thus, if you miss a lecture, you should contact someone in the class to find out if I have made any announcements. Attendance Policy: Attendance allows you the opportunity to maximize your learning potential, and is therefore expected. Class attendance is a serious and vital responsibility for all students. 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 be missing class on major due dates or for long periods of time, please notify me immediately and make sure that any missed work is made up in advance. Attendance does NOT mean that you show up to class and read a newspaper. Individuals, who exhibit behavior that the instructor considers disrespectful or a hindrance to the learning process, will be asked to leave the classroom. Regarding exam days: If you have to miss an exam, then let me know before the exam by phone or email. If I do not hear from you before the exam, you receive a 0.

1. Late Policy: Missed assignments are the responsibility of the individual student. Written work is due at the beginning of class; points are deducted for late papers. Take home message: turn things in on time. Turning things in late hurts, but it is better than not at all.
2. Academic Misconduct (Highland’s policy): "The college reserves the right to suspend a student for conduct which is detrimental to the best interest of Highland Community College. The following types of acts will be considered violations of the College’s standards for student conduct and can result in serious disciplinary action to include suspension: (1) threatening the life or physical safety of others, (2) conduct which violates the rights of others to an educational atmosphere or interferes with the operations of the College, (3) Vandalism or willful destruction of property, (4) academic dishonesty [e.g., cheating, plagiarism], (5) violation of College policies or regulations, (6) violation of federal, state, or local laws, and (7) insubordination to College authorities.

Accommodation for Disability

If you have a condition (e.g., physical or learning disability) that will require special academic accommodations, please see me within the first two weeks of classes.

Copyright Ó 2000 Patricia 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.

Experimental Paper:  Write a research proposal [top]

Objective

To develop a deeper understanding of the course material and to demonstrate critical thinking, you are required to write an experimental research proposal paper. The purpose of the paper is to investigate a topic that you find interesting and that is relevant to material presented in class or in your textbook. Your topic (research design) must be approved by the instructor (this is to ensure that you are on the right track).

Directions

Answer the following questions in your paper:

1. What is your hypothesis or hypotheses?
2. Operationally define your variables (both IV & DV)
3. What is(are) the independent variable(s)?
4. What is(are) the dependent variable(s)?
5. How will you attempt to control for extraneous variables?
6. How will you select the subjects for your experiment (hint: discuss random assignment)?

   • Be sure to address the issues of placebo effect, the Hawthorne effect, and individual differences among the participants (or subjects if you are using animals).

7. Which is the CONTROL GROUP?
8. Which is the EXPERIMENTAL GROUP(S)?

 You need to use a minimum of three references in your paper. Ideally the references you use should come from academic psychology journals (i.e., American Psychologist, Journal of Developmental Psychology, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, etc.) or from a book or chapter in an edited book. But I will accept references from sources such as Time, Newsweek, Reader’s Digest, etc. You can use more than 3 sources if you wish.

Your paper should contain the following sections/formats:

1. Introduction – describe prior research (approximately 2 pages) and then state your hypotheses.
2. Methods/Procedures – describe the design of your experiment by discussing the answers to the questions above (#1-8).
3. Predictions – what are your predictions about the outcomes of your proposed experiment?
4. Use APA citation and reference formats.
5. Papers should be typed and double-spaced. You can hand print your paper if you do not have access to a word processor or typewriter.
6. Use proper grammar and double check your spelling (hint: I will take off points for spelling and grammatical errors).

 Note: As in all academic and professional situations, plagiarism is a serious offense which will not be tolerated.

 Paper Format

All papers are to be double spaced, 1" margins, and in 12-point font (or hand written very neatly). Proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling are expected. Papers should include a cover page, 4 pages of text, and a resource page. Includ in the title page: (1) title of the assignment, (2) a creative title, (3), your name, (4) course number [PSYCH101], and (5) the date. The resource page includes a citing of all sources used in the paper (i.e., both personal conversations, encyclopedias, magazine articles, academic journals, Internet sites, textbook, lecture material, etc.).

Evaluation Form for Papers [top]

Note: As in all academic and professional situations, plagiarism is a serious offense which won’t be tolerated. As such, you are required to turn in copies of your two primary sources.

The following form will be used in grading your paper. It is strongly encouraged, that your paper meet the objectives/criterion that are depicted below.