PSY 101- HONORS GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY, I
INSTRUCTOR: Carol Topping, PhD
Please feel free to call me at home (277-0639), leave a message on my voice mail (452-8600, ext 2421), or e-mail me at: carol.topping@volstate.edu If I am not available when you call, please leave a message, and I will do my best to return your call within 24 hours.
REQUIRED TEXTS: Psychology: In Search of the Human Mind, Robert J. Sternberg, 3rd ed.
Writing Papers in Psychology, Ralph and Mimi Rosnow, 5th Ed.
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS: This course is an advanced general psychology course which is designed to provide the student with an enhanced program of study in the field of psychology and human behavior. In addition to the required text reading assignments, the student will be encouraged to examine the relevance of psychology from historical and contemporary perspectives; challenge the theoretical concepts upon which the study of psychology is based; critically analyze the appropriateness of psychological principles and treatment; understand scientific methodology used in psychological and behavioral investigation; and develop skills for applying these concepts to daily living and human experience.
OTHER GOALS: In addition, this course will provide opportunities for assessment of personal values, interpersonal and social relationships and the impact of these values on mental and physical well-being. This course will also encourage the exploration of issues regarding problem-solving, effective communication skills, information processing, and personal goals development.
GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES: As a result of successful completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate the ability to comprehend and articulate knowledge relevant to the specific chapter objectives. Mastery of this course will indicate an above average level of preparation for the student pursuing further course work in the field of psychology.
SPECIAL NOTICE: In compliance with the Americans Disability Act, students are encouraged to register with the Office Student Disability Services for assistance with accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially disclose information regarding the nature or extent of a disability. The College does not assume responsibility for providing for providing accommodations or services to students who have not identified themselves as having a qualifying disability. Disability Services is located in the Campus center, Suite C206B.
Volunteer State Community College is an equal opportunity Affirmative Action Education Institution. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied of, or subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the College because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or physical appearance. The College also complies with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1957, as amended and with the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974. The commitment to equal opportunity applies to all aspects of recruitment, employment and education of individuals at all levels throughout the college.
ASSIGNMENTS:
CLASS PRESENTATIONS (2): Each student is required to make TWO (2) classroom presentations on selected topics during the semester. The student can receive up to ten (10) points on each (organization: 1pt; presentation: 1pt; knowledge presented: 4pts; interest and examples: 3pts; reference list: 1pt).
a. The subject must relate to the study of psychology and human behavior.
b. ONE presentation must focus on an ethnic, cultural, social, or global concern.
c. The student may use videotapes, guest speakers, etc.
d. The student is encouraged to use his/her own creativity to develop a presentation using other methods to convey the information (audio/video, music, pictures, graphs, dance, drama, etc) as long as it is relevant to the study of psychology.
e. The student must provide a WRITTEN SUMMARY of the presentation to the instructor for grading purposes. No summary, NO GRADE.
f. The student must include a reference list of works cited.
Dates: Presentation #1:
Presentation #2:
CHAPTER REVIEW (1): Each student will be given ONE (1) chapter from the book to review with the class. The student will lead the class discussion on that particular chapter. Students who are not leading the discussion MUST come to class PREPARED to ask questions and CONTRIBUTE to the discussion. Student reviewers should be prepared with notes from the chapter prior to the start of the class session. The student must provide an OUTLINE of the chapter for classmates on the day of the presentation (the instructor can make a copy of the outline for the class IF it is submitted at least one class day before the class meets). NO outline for class, NO GRADE. The student must also provide the instructor with FIVE (5) multiple-choice questions from their chapter review for the quiz. Constructive feedback will be given to the reviewer via student evaluation forms, and the comments will be factored into this grade. Students may work independently on the chapter review or in pairs. Each student can make up to 10 pts on this chapter review (effort/preparation: 3pts; adequately leads class discussion: 2pts; class evals: 5pts).
RESEARCH REVIEW PAPERS (4): Each student must review and critique FOUR (4) research articles during the semester. The articles must be research based and related to issues in psychology. Students will discuss one of the research articles with the class on: . The critique should include the following:
a. Title, author, date the article was written, name of the journal/text
b. Brief statement about what the article entails
c. Description of the type of research involved
d. Explanation of how the article is relevant to the study of psychology
e. Your opinion of the article and how it was written
NOTE: Articles that are NOT based on research will be considered unacceptable and not be given a grade. All four research articles are due by:
NO research article will be accepted after this date – NO EXCEPTIONS; please do not even ask me. Each paper is worth 5 points (1pt each for answering a-e; incomplete answer, no point).
GROUP RESEARCH DESIGNS (1): Students will divide into pairs/groups and design a research project on a subject of interest. Each group will present their research for the final during the week of: . NOTE: This should be a fun and interesting learning experience. It is a process of understanding some of the pitfalls and difficulties of scientific research. You are NOT being graded on perfection; you are being graded on comprehension of the research process, critical thinking, and participation. Students will present their designs to the class for evaluation; see research design guideline handout. The research design is worth 45 points.
QUIZZES: FIVE (5) multiple-choice exams worth forty (40) points each will be given. Quiz dates will be announced in class. It is NOT my policy to give make-up exams. If you miss a scheduled exam or presentation, however, you MUST provide appropriate documentation for an excused absence (doctor’s note, court appearance receipt, etc.) in order to complete the missed portion of the course work. There will be NO extra credit assignments in this course as extra credit is built into the quizzes. NOTE: If a student is caught cheating on a quiz, the action will result in an automatic grade of “F.”
ATTENDANCE: Attendance WILL be taken. Information from student presentations, chapter reviews or my lectures that are not in the textbook may be on the exams. It is YOUR responsibility to get class notes from your classmates as I DO NOT give out my notes. It is also YOUR responsibility to let me know reasons for your absences immediately after they occur so that I can excuse you (if possible) and log it on my attendance cards. You are expected to be present and on time for all classes. NOTE: More than six absences will lower your semester grade. You are also expected to fill out evaluation, participate in classroom discussions and come to class prepared. Students who are frequently late will lose attendance points. (Absences : 0 = 5pts; 1 = 4pts; 2 = 3pts; 3 = 2pts; 4 = 1 pt; 5/+ = 0 pts).
GRADING SCALE:
Class Presentations (2) up to 20 points
Chapter Review (!) up to 10 points
Research Review Papers (4) up to 20 points
Research Design/Presentation (1) up to 45 points
Chapter Quizzes (5) up to 200 points
Attendance/Participation up to 5 points
TOTAL: up to 300 points
The following grade scale is used:
A = 300 – 270; B = 269 – 239; C = 238 – 208; D = 207 – 177; F = 176 and below
INCOMPLETE POLICY: The grade of “I” will ONLY be given under the following circumstances: 1) if the student has experienced an illness or emergency situation which could not be avoided (appropriate documentation MUST be provided); and 2) the student has completed AT LEAST 50% of the coursework and is receiving a passing grade of C or better.
CONFERENCES: If you or I feel the need to schedule a conference, we will need to get together to schedule a time. Please feel free to meet with me before or after class to do so or e-mail me at the above addresses.
CHEATING: Cheating is defined as plagiarism, talking to another student during an exam, looking at another student’s work during an exam, using notes or books during an exam, turning in a paper that isn’t the student’ own work, or copying from another student’s answer sheet. Any student caught engaging in these behaviors will be given an automatic failure for the course, regardless of the grade up to that point.
CLASSROOM DEPORTMENT: All policies and procedures for classroom misconduct are discussed in the Student Handbook. As a point of emphasis, the instructor will NOT tolerate any activity that is disruptive to the classroom setting, which adversely affects others, and which is considered by the instructor to be unethical, immoral, or illegal. Students will be dismissed from the class and the issue of misconduct will be brought before the Associate Deal of Students.
In addition, there is to be NO smoking, drinking, or eating in the classroom. Parents are asked not to bring children to class.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: If Volunteer State Community College is officially open, all classes WILL meet as scheduled. All assignments WILL be due and any scheduled tests or exams WILL be given. Any missed work will be subject to the policies outlined in this syllabus.
The most important rule for this design is to: HAVE SOME FUN WHILE YOU LEARN!
1) Select a topic
2) Develop a proposal
a. What is the purpose of the study?
b. How are you going to study the problem? What type of research design will you use?
c. Who will participate in the study? How will you select the participants?
d. Where will the research take place?
e. Are there any ethical concerns? If so, how will you address them?
3) Do a quasi research study that is small, manageable, and not scientific in nature. This will allow you to experience some of the pitfalls or difficulties involved in doing research (25 pts).
a. What results did you obtain?
b. Identify any problems or difficulties you encountered.
c. How could you better manage these problems now that you know about them?
d. What was the easiest part of doing the research?
e. Any extraneous variables found in the conclusion of your research?
f. How would your research be beneficial or relevant to society or the study of psychology and human behavior?
g. What did you learn about data and collection and interpretation?
4) Present your answers to #2 and #3 to the class (10 pts).
Note: This portion of the course is; your final exam.
Attendance/participation (5 pts):
Name:
Class Presentations (2)-10 pts each:
Topic One: Presentation Date:
!) Organization (1 pt)
2) Presentation (1 pt)
3) Knowledge presented (4 pts)
4) Interest/examples (3 pts)
5) Ethnic, cultural, social, global concerns?
6) Written summary for grading purposes?
7) Reference list (1pt)
Topic Two: Presentation Date:
!) Organization (1 pt)
2) Presentation (1 pt)
3) Knowledge presented (4 pts)
4) Interest/examples (3 pts)
5) Ethnic, cultural, social, global concern?
6) Written summary for grading purposes?
7) Reference list (1 pt)
Chapter to Present: Presentation Date:
Partner:
1) Effort/preparation (3 pts)
2) Lead class discussion (2 pts)
3) Class evaluation average:
4) Outline presented to class?
5) Multiple-choice questions (5) for quiz?
1) Included a-e?
2) Included a-e?
3) Included a-e?
4) Included a-e?
1) Proposal developed (a-h): 10pts
2) Research study results (a-f): 25 pts
3) Presentation to class (answering #2, #3): 10 pts
1) Quiz 1: Chapters 1, 2
2) Quiz 2: Chapters 3, 4
3) Quiz 3: Chapters 12, 13
4) Quiz 4: Chapters 15, 16
5) Quiz 5: Chapter 17