Introductory Psychology
Course Psych 1100 (YNB)
Course webpage: http://flash.lakeheadu.ca/~rklein/Intro%20Psych%201100.html
Instructor: Dr. Rupert Klein
e-mail:
Office Hours: By appointment or,
· Wednesday: 10:00am – 5pm
Room: #SN1013, School of Nursing Building, phone: 343-8535
Teaching Asssistants: Phaedra Downer
e-mail: to be announced
Office Hours: to be announced
Room: SN 1002 G
Kathleen Bailey
e-mail: to be announced
Office Hours: to be announced
Room: SN 1002 G
Class Meetings: Sept. 8th – April 3rd
Wednesday: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Room: UC 2011
General Course Information
Overview: This course is designed as an overview into the historical development of the field of psychology and will provide you with a broad, general introduction to modern psychology—its basic subject matter, its approaches to gathering and evaluating evidence about the causes and correlates of behavior, and also the means by which psychological knowledge is (or can be) applied to improve the quality of individual and communal life.
This course is designed for the undergraduate who desires to learn the various areas of psychology. From this perspective this course will address questions such as: what is psychology? Why do we think the way we do? How do we think? What do various parts of our brain do? How can we investigate the nature of individuals and groups?
Course objectives:
· Develop a thorough understanding of the field of introductory psychology and current theories as well as identify researchers who have shaped the field
· Recognize the key terms and concepts and distinguish between the major perspectives that help describe and explain human thought and behavior (behavioral, psychoanalytic, cognitive, physiological, and sociocultural)
· Appreciate the variety of ways psychological data are gathered and evaluated
· Explore the ways that psychological theories are used to describe, understand, predict, and control or modify behavior.
Required Text:
Weiten, W. & McCann, D. (2007). Psychology: Themes & Variations. Toronto: Nelson.
Evaluation: Note: The exams are NOT cumulative.
· There will be 5 exams and the top 4 exams scores for each student (worth 22% each) will be used for tabulating the final grade
· Up to 5% bonus credit (1% for each experiment/paper) can be added to the final grade
· 2 in class assignments (6% each) will be announced by the professor in class
Midterm 1: 22% (lowest exam grade will be dropped)
Midterm 2: 22%
Midterm 3: 22%
Midterm 4: 22%
Final Exam: 22%
In-Class assignments: 12%
Total Point: 100%
Students with Disabilities: Lakehead University provides, upon request, appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities (i.e., those who have contacted the Learning Assistance center. For more information, please refer to the following website: http://learningassistance.lakeheadu.ca/
Grading Scale: 90 – 100% = A+
80 – 89% = A
70 – 79% = B
60 – 69% = C
50 -- 59% = D
<50% = F
Learning Assistance:
There are several avenues to seek advice and tutoring throughout the course. It is your responsibility to utilize the resources available in helping you get the assistance you need.
(1) The Professor’s office hours
(2) The Teaching Assistant’s office hours
(3) Learning Assistance Center (website: http://learningassistance.lakeheadu.ca/ )
- Advice on managing stress
- Advice on multiple choice test taking, and efficient studying
- Tutoring assistance
(4) Private Tutors (inquire at the Learning Assistance Center)
- Note that the university allots you up to 5hrs of free tutoring
- Chantal Poirier () is a former student who achieved an A+ in my class. She has tutored in the past and had positive feedback. She is available for private tutoring. Please contact her directly to arrange a time/place to meet.
Counseling Services: (website: http://healthservices.lakeheadu.ca/)
· If you’re having troubles with test anxiety, general anxiety or personal difficulties at the University seek the help of professionals who are more than happy to aid you. Do not be embarrassed this is a service that is in place specifically to deal with common issues faced by students entering into university.
Course Schedule
Note: Aside from the exams the topics covered may vary with how quickly/slowly we proceed through the material and therefore may be subject to change.
Date / Topic / ReadingsAssigned from Weiten
Sept. 10 / (1st half) Syllabus / History of Psych
(2nd half) Research Methods / 1, 2
Sept. 17 / Neuroscience and the Brain / 3
Sept. 24 / Neuroscience and the Brain cont’d
Oct. 01 / Sensation and Perception / 4
Oct. 08 / Vision/Hearing/Gustation/Olfaction
Oct. 15 / MIDTERM 1 (chapters 1- 4)
Oct. 22 / Consciousness / 5
Oct. 29 / Consciousness cont’d
Drugs and Behavior
Nov. 05 / Behaviourism and Learning / 6
Nov. 12 / Learning cont’d / 11
Nov. 19 / (1st half) Lifespan (early infancy)
(2nd half) Lifespan (adolescence and adulthood)
Nov. 26 / (1st half) Lifespan topic cont’d
(2nd half) Review
To Be Announced / MIDTERM 2 (chapters 5, 6, 11)
Jan. 07 / Language
Intelligence / 8
Jan. 14 / Intelligence cont’d
Memory / 7, 9
Jan. 21 / Motivation
Emotion / 10
Jan. 28 / Motivation/Emotion cont’d
(2nd half) Review
Feb. 04 / MIDTERM 3 (chapters 7, 8, 9, 10)
Feb. 11 / (1st half) Sexuality and Gender
(2nd half) Stress & Health / 13
STUDY WEEK
Feb. 25 / (1st half) Freudianism
(2nd half) Neo-Freudians and Humanism / 12
Mar. 04 / (1st half) Contemporary Personality
(2nd half) Review
Mar. 11 / MIDTERM 4 (chapters 12, 13)
Mar. 18 / Social Psychology / 16
Mar. 25 / Mental Disorders / 14
April 01 / (1st half) Disorders & Therapies
(2nd half) Therapies and/or Review / 15
To be Announced / Final EXAM (chapters 14, 15, 16)
Specific Course Information
Lectures and Textbook: The lectures will be devoted to some of the topics dealt with in the textbook, and to clarifying and expanding upon difficult areas and providing different perspectives and examples. In preparing for the exams, you are responsible for all material covered in the lectures and all material covered in the assigned readings.
In-Class Assignments: One of my goals in this course is to help you critically apply the material and concepts from psychology presented in class to your own experiences and to those around you. Throughout the course you are required to complete 2 assignments that will be mentioned in class. The assignments should be between 2 – 3 pages, double spaced, typed papers to be handed in at the requested time of the instructor. They should be completed in APA (American Psychological Association 5th ed) format. Late papers will receive a zero. Note that this applies whether it is 5mins or 5 days late unless there is a medically documented reason or a tragedy in the family.
Exams: All exams take place during the regular class time. The midterms will last the entirety of the class time (3 hours) and will include approximately 50 to 100 multiple-choice questions. Students who miss the final exam and have a valid excuse (e.g., illness or a family tragedy) with documentation may ask in writing (e.g., e-mail) within five days to take a makeup of the final exam. The makeup exam will take place about one week after the final exam. Other than that, there will be no opportunity for makeup or additional work for midterms given that students are allowed to drop the lowest grade.
NOTE: If you are tardy to an exam in excess of 15minutes you will not be able to enter the exam room and will receive a zero on the exam.
Final Exam: The final exam lasts 3 hours and includes between 50-100 multiple-choice and possibly a short answer question.
Re-Evaluation Rules: If you feel unfairly treated on the mid-term exam please make a written request for a re-evaluation and give it to me within 5 days of the grades being posted or received. Upon re-evaluation, your mark may go up, down, or stay the same. Your exams will involve multiple-choice questions. If you feel that another answer than the "right" one should be counted, then write a convincing rationale and give it to me within 5 days of the grades being posted. If your rationale convinces me, your grade and where appropriate the grade of other students will be adjusted accordingly.
Research Requirement: To give you first hand experience for psychology research and assist in the exciting ongoing research in the psychology department all students over 18 are eligible to …
(1) participate as experimental participants in 5 hours of research,
OR
(2) do 5 reaction papers to articles posted in the Lakehead Library reserve desk
OR
(3) Any combination of the above (e.g., 3 hours of experiments and 2 papers).
*Note: If you sign up for a research credit study and fail to arrive at the agreed upon time on two occasions you will no longer be eligible for experimental research bonus credits.
**Please see Dr. Klein about this requirement if you are under 18 years old.
***There is a system by which you can check your accumulated bonus marks online. I strongly suggest keeping a log of your research participation...note the study topic, name, and researcher.
Academic Integrity
Lakehead University values academic integrity. As a Lakehead student, you are responsible for knowing the rules and regulations concerning academic honesty, and understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Lakehead policy and the disciplinary procedures. For further information visit the following website: http://calendar.lakeheadu.ca/current/contents/regulations/univregsIXacdishon.html
Students caught plagiarizing, cheating or attaining the exams prior to the examination date will be dealt the severest manner possible. No second chances will be given. You will be removed from the class.
Anonymous Feedback: Suggestions...? Comments...? Anger...? You can anonymously give me feedback by going to: www.getfast.ca and clicking on “Find a class/instructor” in the “For Students” menu on the left and searching for the course by entering my last name (klein) or the course name (general psychology). Password to use: klein. Your feedback will improve the course – I will try to incorporate your suggestions and will make adjustments throughout the term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do you curve class grades on exams?
No, but I do review each exam question to ensure that an appropriate number of students answered a question correctly to ensure that it was fair.
Q. Even if the class does really bad on the exam will you curve?
No
Q. What if I get a 79% on my final grade will you bump me up to an 80%?
Because I allow students to drop an exam grade and have up to 5 additional bonus points for the class I do not bump students up to a higher grade as they have plenty of opportunities to do so themselves.
Q. I missed an exam or paper deadline because [insert excuse here] and do not have a note from a doctor or a copy of a death certificate … can I re-write the exam or hand in a paper late?
If you miss an assignment you will receive a zero unless you have a medical note or death certificate. For exams, see note above.
Q. I left my paper at home or the printer didn’t work or [insert excuse here] can I hand in my paper the next day?
No. It is not the fault of the printer if you are not prepared to hand in a paper. Insure your paper is printed and stapled the day before the deadline to prevent any last minute problems.
Q. I missed a class for whatever reason will the professor e-mail me the lecture notes?
No. However, I would be happy to review with you what happened in the class during my office hours. The teaching assistants also have copies of my slides that they will let you copy during their office hours. They will not e-mail you the slides.
Q. Why don’t you just post lecture notes? Don’t I pay for the information you provide?
You pay to be instructed and in the early years of university I believe it is important, in fact essential, to learn how to effectively copy notes from a lecturer. The Professors main point are very similar, but not exactly aligned, to what is on the slides and students need to learn how to quickly take notes and then elaborate on the notes from what is being said. If this is a problem or you feel you do not like this system please seek instruction from a different professor. Additionally, I also prefer to not have my lectures distributed freely since they are considered a part of intellectual property. Posting them online allows my notes to be taken from anywhere in the world.