Psychology 100
EXPLORATIONS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Spring 2007
MWF11am-12:25pm; DDH 102G
Instructor: Melissa S. DulcichT.A.: Jordan Rude
Office: DDH D113Office: DDH F102
Email: mail:
Phone: 654-2372Phone:
Web Address: hour: Mondays, 12:30-1:30pm
Office Hrs: MW 9:30-11am; T/Th 9:30-
10:30am;(also by appointment)
Course Description:
Psychology 100 will introduce students to the broad field of psychology, including research methods within psychology. Other areas that will be explored include the biological roots of behavior, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, emotions, motivation, social aspects of behavior, and psychological disorders. This class is also designed to enhance your critical thinking skills.
Course Goals:
The following goals of the Department of Psychology will be addressed at an introductory level in this course:
1a. Describes and explains a variety of significant elements of content and/or facts in the areas of learning, sensation and perception, biological psychology, or cognitive psychology.
1b. Describes and explains a variety of significant elements of content and/or facts in the areas of child psychology, social psychology, abnormal psychology, or personality.
2a.Explains behavior using theory-based concepts from a specific psychodynamic, biological, humanistic,cognitive, behaviorist, or other equally-broad theoretical system.
2c.Explains how specific behavior would be understood differently by two theories/models that are both ableto offer sensible explanations for it.
3e.Conducts appropriate library and electronic searches in order to identify and acquire information that isrelevant to a target topic.
3f.Reads and understands psychological research articles at the level of an educated consumer.
4b.Explains how psychological science can be used to understand social issues, inform public policy, andimprove individuals’ lives.
5a. Explains the benefits and acknowledges the limitations of a scientific perspective on human behavior.
Required Text:
Myers, D.G. (2005). Exploring psychology (6th ed.).New York: Worth Publishers.
Grade Weighting:
In class participation05%
Quizzes08%
Research Project09%
Research Journals15%
Midterms (2)20% (each)
Final Exam23%
Course Grades:
93-100.= A80-82.5= B-67-69.5= D+
90-92.5= A-77-79.5= C+63-66.5= D
87-89.5= B+73-76.5= C60-62.5= D-
83-86.5= B70-72.5= C-00-59.5= F
CSUB Policies: All campus rules for plagiarism, cheating, and incomplete grades will be strictly enforced. Definitions and consequences may be found in the 2005-2007 CSUB catalog (plagiarism and cheating, pp. 80-81; incomplete grades and withdrawals, pp. 71-72). Please familiarize yourself with these policies as you will be expected to abide by them.
The last day to withdraw from class without a "W" being recorded is April 16, 2007.
The last day to withdraw from class for a serious and compelling reason is May 14, 2007. ("Serious and compelling" is not your call. The catalog explains that you must receive approval from the instructor and department chairman or school dean).
*NOTE: You are responsible for dropping this course; the instructor will not drop you if you stop coming to classes.
Students with disabilities should work with Disability Services (654-3360) and the instructor to arrange appropriate support.
In-class Participation: During class, there will occasionally be group discussions and participation activities that will count toward your final grade. It would benefit you to have prompt and consistent attendance so as not to miss any of these points. No make-up opportunities will be available.
Quizzes: There will be 7 quizzes during the course of the quarter. They will cover the chapter being discussed in class that day. For example, you will note that on 5/2, the topic “Memory” will be discussed. Should there be a quiz on 5/2, it will cover Chapter 8: Memory**. Most chapters are covered across two class periods (see course schedule);in these cases, the quiz will cover the half of the chapter that is being covered that day. So for example, on 5/2, the quiz would be over the 1st half of chapter 8, but on 5/4 it would be over the last half of chapter 8.
These quizzes will not be announced, but will take place at the beginning of the class period. If you are late, you will miss the quiz. There are no make-up quizzes. You may, however, drop your lowest quiz score.
**Note: The schedule is tentative and may not follow the printed schedule; in this case, the instructor will announce in class what chapter the next possible quiz will cover.
Research Project: You may choose to do either #1 OR #2 to complete the Research Project. Do not do both!
#1. Periodically throughout the quarter, you will have opportunities to participate in experiments here on campus. ONLY research projects that have been cleared through our HS/IRB will be eligible for this assignment. The projects tend to take between ½ and 2 hours, depending on the study. You must complete at least 8 units of research for full credit. To complete this option, download the log form from the CSUB Psychology web page and record the information on the log when you sign up for the study.
Then in a few paragraphs (per study) tell me about:
(1) what you did in the experiment
(2) what you think they were trying to discover
(3) what chapter of your text you think the research was associated with & how or why you think it is associated with that chapter.
Research Project (con): For instructions on downloading the participation log go to click on the “Psy 100 Sub. Pool” link. Next click on the “Participation Log” link. Print out the log. You only need one log! You will receive a certificate of participation from the researcher. This certificate should be stapled at the bottom of the log sheet as indicated on the sheet. The completed log sheet should be stapled to the front of your paper and turned in on 6/1 at the beginning of class. All papers turned in after that time will be counted late and will be docked 10% each day.
NOTE: If a research study you would like to participate in is scheduled to take place after 6/1, you may ask the instructor for an extension. However, this request must be made PRIOR to the date the project is due.
#2. If you choose not to participate in HS/IRB approved research studies, you may fulfill your 8 units by completing alternate assignments. Further information for these assignments is available on my webpage under the link “alternate research project”. Note: You will also need a log sheet for this assignment. This is also available on my webpage.
This must be turned in 6/1 at the beginning of class. All papers turned in after that time will be counted late and will be docked 10% each day.
Research Journals: Three journal entries worth 10 points each will be due over the course of the quarter. Entries must be typed (double spaced); acceptable font includes Times New Roman and Arial with a font size of 10 or 12. Each journal should have a title page, a journal body, and a works cited page. Following are detailed descriptions of each:
I. A title page:On this page you should type: (1)The journal number and the concept applied, (2) Your name, (3) The course (Psych 100), & (4) The date that the entry is due.(This information should be centered on the page).
II. A body:For this section you will choose one concept covered in your textbook and/or lecture from the date of your last journal entry to the date of your present journal entry (a period of approximately two weeks) and will examine the implications of this concept for understanding the individual within society. This section should be 1-2 pages in length.
To begin this section you must utilize the library resources and look up at least one source (book or peer-reviewed journal) that deals with your chosen concept. Next, list at least2 points the authors(this does NOT include Myers!!!)make regarding your chosen concept (be sure to cite within the text), and finally, apply those points to something from your life or life in general.For example, if you choose to write on temperament (chapter 3, “The Nature and Nurture of Behavior”), the following are all options for the journal (you only have to do one):
(a) You might discuss how this concept applies to your life (i.e. how your own temperament has changed or stayed the same over time).
(b) You might discuss why temperament studies are important in understanding the individual.
(c) You mightrelate an interesting point from the news or a family member's or friend's life in which temperament played a part.
(d) You might report a story or a scenariofrom the news that has helped you to understand the concept better.
Note: whichever application course you choose, be sure that it is supported by the authors’ points taken from your library source.
III. A works-cited page: Here you will list the reference obtained from the library. Please use a proper format (MLA and APA are acceptable format styles). If you have room at the end of your journal body, you may cite the source at the end of the body section rather than print out another sheet of paper. (Save those trees!).
An example Journal entry is available on my webpage.
Research Journals (con):Entries will be due on Fridays at the beginning of the class period. Entry due dates are determined by the first letter of your last name and are due on alternating weeks. (Refer to the course schedule to determine the correct due dates for your journal entries). ***NOTE: If you turn in a journal on a Friday on which your journal entry is not due, it will be given a zero, so please be sure to note your due dates.
Entries turned in after the initial collection will be counted late and points will be docked. Entries that are handwritten or sent through email will not be accepted. Entries that are not stapled will not be accepted. There are NO make-up journal entries. You have ample time to complete each entry, therefore missed journal entries are missed points.
Exams: All exams will be in a multiple-choice format. Missed exams are failed exams, unless prior authorization from the instructor was given to take the test at an alternative time; authorization is at the instructor’s discretion and will be granted only under special circumstances. NOTE! There will be NO EXCEPTIONS for the final exam. You must take it as scheduled.
Attendance: Attendance and punctuality are highly recommended for those who wish to do well in the class. If you must miss a class, it is recommended that you make arrangements with another student to get notes for the day.
Class Courtesy: Please turn all cell phones and beepers off or onto a quiet setting during class. If there is a dire reason that you need to be available to someone at all times, please have the courtesy to let the instructor know, and keep the sound down to a minimum.
Course Schedule: (please note this is subject to change)
Tentative
Course Schedule
Class Dates / Monday / Wednesday / Friday3/28-3/30 / Ch 1: Thinking Critically with Psychological Science / Ch 1: Thinking Critically with Psychological Science / Holiday-Cesar Chaves Day: No Class
4/2-4/6 / Ch 2: Neuroscience and Behavior / Ch 2: Neuroscience and Behavior / Ch 3: Nature and Nurture of Behavior
Journal 1 due: A-L
4/9-4/13 / Ch 3: Nature and Nurture of Behavior / Ch 5: Sensation &Perception / Ch 5: Sensation &Perception
Journal 1 due: M-Z
4/16-4/20 / Ch 6: States of Consciousness / Ch 6: States of Consciousness / Exam 1: Chs. 1,2,3,5,&6
4/23-4/27 / Ch 4: The Developing Person / Ch 4: The Developing Person / Ch 7: Learning
Journal 2 due: A-L
4/30-5/4 / Ch 7: Learning / Ch 8: Memory / Ch 8: Memory
Journal 2 due: M-Z Journal
5/7-5/11 / Ch 9: Intelligence / Ch 11: Emotion / Ch 11: Emotion
Journal 3 due: A-L
5/14-5/18 / Exam 2: Chs: 4, 7-9, &11 / Ch 12: Personality
Ch 13: Psych Disorders / Ch 12: Personality
Journal 3 due: M-Z
5/21-5/25 / Ch 13: Psych Disorders / Ch 13: Psych Disorders / Ch 14: Therapy
5/28-6/1 / Holiday-Memorial Day: No Class / Ch 14: Therapy / Ch 15: Social Psychology
Research Projects due
6/4 & 6/6 / Ch 15: Social Psychology / No class / ______
Final Exam: THURSDAY, June 7 at 11am-1:30pm