CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CHANNEL ISLANDS
Department of Psychology
PSYCHOLOGY 100-03 (Class Number: 1707) SPRING 2011
INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY
Instructor: Steven C. Fleisher, Ph.D. Office Location: Sage Hall 1127
E-Mail: Office Phone: (805) 437-3130 (No Voicemail)
Office Hours: M 10:30-11:30 AM, T 2:00-3:00 PM, W 10:30-11:30AM; and by appointment.
CLASSROOM: Bell Tower 1684 CLASS HOURS: MWF 9:00-9:50 AM Units: 3
Required Text
Griggs, R. A. (2009). Psychology: A Concise Introduction. 2nd Edition. Worth Publishers.
Course Description
An introduction to the theories, research and applications that constitute the field of psychology. Emerging issues in the field of psychology, what different types of psychologists do, and how to critically evaluate psychological literature will be covered. May be applied towards General Education: D&E.
Learning Outcomes
This is a required course for Psychology majors. This course provides a focused introduction to contemporary psychology, which is explored as a science, a profession, and a means of promoting human welfare. Students are exposed to psychology as a natural and social science through reading assignments, lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. Writing assignments reflecting critical thinking are required. Through completing this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain why psychology is a science in a manner that would convince both an average person and a physics major.
2. Identify the definitions of psychological terms.
3. Recognize examples of psychological principles, concepts, and methods.
4. Detect the correct sequence of the stages or components of psychological theories, methods, and processes.
5. Match psychological theories with their theorists, assumptions, and concepts.
6. Compare and contrast psychological principles, theories, and methods.
7. Know the purposes, components, advantages, disadvantages, and explanatory powers of psychological methods.
8. Identify statements that are in harmony with psychological principles, theories, and perspectives.
9. Predict behaviors and mental processes from the perspective of particular psychological principles or theories.
10. Evaluate the validity of statements dealing with behavior and mental processes.
11. Analyze complex behaviors and mental processes into their constituent parts.
12. Comprehend the skills of a critical thinker.
13. Think critically about psychological principles, concepts, theories, and methods.
14. Identify ways that psychologists demonstrate ethical principles.
15. Demonstrate an increased understanding and greater acceptance of characteristics and life-styles that differ from your own.
16. Demonstrate methods of intellectual inquiry (i.e., locating, comprehending, and synthesizing information from multiple sources into a single, coherent scholarly product).
COURSE DESIGN
This course was designed to support your learning on two levels: (1) core foundational knowledge, which includes vocabulary and key issues in psychology, and (2) deep learning, which supports you in applying your understanding of psychology in your life.There are two themes carried throughout this course as we look at a wide variety of topics contained within psychology: (1) developing critical thinking skills, and (2) learning how to be a self-regulated learner. Both of these skill-developing themes will be helpful to your success in all of your courses throughout your college experience.Written homework and papers will provide the opportunity to apply psychological concepts to real-life situations through personal reflection, providing for meaningful and relevant learning.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE
GRADING
a) Grading is based upon a point system. An overall total of all points will be calculated at the end of the semester and a percentage will be obtained (90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, 0-59% = F).
b) Points are based upon a total of Homework, Exams, Group participation, Papers, and Presentations.
c) All grades count and there are no dropped grades.
d) Completion of the Knowledge Survey (at the beginning and end of the course) is a requirement.
HOMEWORK
Homework may include multiple-choice, true-false, short answer, and reading reflections. Reading reflections will be graded using a rubric. All homework and assignments must be typed.
EXAMS
Exams may include, but are not limited to, the following:
a) Vocabulary
b) Multiple-choice, True-False
c) Short answer
PAPERS
Papers are structured to help students progress toward deeper learning as course material is described, reflected upon, and applied to real life circumstances. To receive full points, papers must be: 1) typed and completed fully, and 2) brought to class on time to be reviewed in a formative peer- and self-assessment process using rubrics. Final papers will be evaluated by your instructor using rubrics.
PRESENTATIONS
The format for presentations and the rubrics for evaluation will be discussed and created in class.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORTS
Always include course name, number and section (PSY 100-03) in email correspondence with your instructor.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students with disabilities needing accommodation, please make requests to the Educational Access Center (EAC). Please discuss the approved accommodations with your instructor, as I am more than willing to work with you to arrange and support optimal learning conditions.
BACKUP TEAM
It is every student’s responsibility to know what happened in class, including notes and assignments. Your instructor is not able to respond to inquiries about what occurred in a missed class, and further, not all assignments are listed in the syllabus or posted on Blackboard. I strongly recommend that each student build a personal Backup Team, consisting of 4-5 students with whom contact information is exchanged. Note: Lecture notes and PowerPoint slides will not be posted.
Writing Center: All students are encouraged to make use of the writing support offered by the CI Writing Center.
WEEK OF SUBJECT & ASSIGNMENT READING & HOMEWORK
Jan 24 Introduction and Overview
Jan 31 Science of Psychology Chapter 1: HW Due Mon
Learning Styles Paper Due Friday
Feb 7 Neuroscience Chapter 2: HW Due Mon
Feb 14 Sensation and Perception Chapter 3: HW Due Mon
Critical Thinking Paper Due Wed
Feb 21 Learning Chapter 4: HW Due Mon
Feb 28 Learning Chapter 4
Exam Friday (Chapters 1-4)
Mar 7 Memory Chapter 5: HW Due Mon
Learning Paper Due Wed
Mar 14 Thinking and Intelligence Chapter 6: HW Due Mon
Mar 21 Spring Break
Mar 28 Developmental Psychology Chapter 7: HW Due Mon
Apr 4 Developmental Psychology Chapter 7
Developmental Paper Due Wed
Exam Friday (Chapters 5-7)
Apr 11 Personality Theories and Assessment Chapter 8: HW Due Mon
Apr 18 Social Psychology Chapter 9: HW Due Mon
Final Paper (1st submission) Due Friday
Apr 25 Abnormal Psychology Chapter 10: HW Due Mon
May 2 Student Presentations
Final Paper (2nd submission) Due Friday
May 9 Student Presentations
May 18 (Wednesday) Final Exam (8:00 – 10:00 AM) (Chapters 8-10)
Information contained in this syllabus, other than that mandated by the University, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.
APPENDIX
ASSIGNMENTS
LATE WORK
a) Late assignments will receive half credit, and can only be accepted one class period late.
b) Group assignments are unable to be accepted late.
c) Homework cannot be accepted by email. If you are going to be absent, it is best to have a member of your Backup Team turn it in for you. Problems accessing Blackboard are not an excuse for late work, please access early.
d) There is a textbook on reserve in the library, so not having the text is not an excuse for late work.
EXAMS
a) Makeup exams are to be avoided, if at all possible, and arrangements must be made prior to the exam.You may take only ONE exam as a makeup over the course of the semester, and this exam must be taken during office hours by arrangement only. There are NO makeups for the final exam.
b) Cell phones may not be visible at any time during exams.If you need to receive an emergency call, please notify your instructor prior to the exam.
ATTENDANCE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
Attendance is exceptionally important because a large portion of the learning in this course happens in class. Class exercises cannot be made up … not to mention, you’ll miss out on your instructor’s wonderful life experiences and depths of wisdom, imparted to you for only the cost of tuition!
CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT
CI STUDENT CONDUCT POLICY
* “Students are expected to be good citizens and to engage in responsible behaviors that reflect well upon their university, to be civil to one another and to others in the campus community, and contribute positively to student and university life.” (CSU Channel Islands Catalog, 2010-2011, p. 103).
* Students who engage in disruptive behavior will be dismissed from class.
* Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated, including cheating, inventing false information or citations, plagiarism and helping someone else commit an act of academic dishonesty.
* Students will be held to the Standards of Student Conduct from Title 5, California Code of Regulations (see CSUCI Catalog).
Please do not bring children, other students, or guests to class. Our insurance policy does not cover them.
CLASSROOM RULES AND ETIQUITE
Here’s the deal – if your dear teacher gets thrown off or distracted, he’s going to rant, freak out and carry on, and you’ll say in the evaluations you’re not happy and it’s a waste of time, in other words, it’s really not pretty. So please, make it easy on everyone, and see to the following:
Side Conversations belong outside. One person speaks at a time. If you have a question, raise your hand, as others may have a similar question. This foundation provides for respectful and meaningful discussions. Students insisting on side conversations will be dismissed from class.
We are going Topless. Laptops interfere with the flow of cooperative learning we will do in this class. Unless you have a prescription from your doctor or approval from the Educational Access Center, laptops will not be allowed.
Cell Phones, Texting, PDAs, etc. All electronic devices will be turned off and put away. If you must take an emergency call, please sit near the door, receive the call in vibrate mode, leave the classroom without looking at your phone, and return as quickly and quietly as possible. Students doing otherwise will be dismissed from class.
Other Work. Please stay present with the learning tasks happening in class. Do not do other work (for example, balancing checkbooks, personal scheduling, homework for this class or other classes, other reading, etc.).
Feet off furniture. It is simply rude.
Attire. We are not at a party. Not too much showing when you lean forward. Not too much when you lean away.
Late Arrivals. If you must arrive late, please enter the classroom quietly and respectfully. Do all unzipping and zipping outside, and catch up with your Backup Team after class, not with your neighbor when you come in.
If dismissed. Students dismissed for disruptive behaviors will not be able to make up missed assignments.
No Guff. No Whining. No Pouting. With your help, we have a good chance at enjoying learning together.
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