PSY M01 – Introduction to Psychology

Spring 2010; Course #30710

MW 8:30 – 9:45 am

Room: HSS 140

Instructor: Prof. Perser

Office: HSS 141

Office Hours: MW 11:20 AM – 12 PM or by appointment

Email:

Website: www.csun.edu/~mp45949/

Text Required: Myers, D.G. (2009). Psychology in Everyday Life, 1st ed., New York, NY: Worth Publishers. ($75.70 + tax from bookstore; e-book from publisher $34.95)

Textbook website: http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/pel1e/

Other Required Materials:

Scantron 882 E (You will need 6)

Pencils (#2)

Good Eraser! (Strongly recommend Staedtler brand white erasers; they seem to be the most effective for changing answers on Scantron forms)

Catalog Course Description

Descriptive Number & Title: Psychology M01: Introduction to Psychology

Credit: 3 semester units (Transferable)

Prerequisites: None

Equivalency: Standard introductory course at all colleges & universities – CSU, UC, CAN: PSY 2

This course introduces the areas of history, research methodology, biological bases of behavior, motivation and emotion, learning and memory, cognition and intelligence, personality, stress and health psychology, behavior disorders (psychopathology) and treatments, life span development, and social psychology. Introduction to Psychology is a required course for psychology majors. For non-psychology majors, the course serves to satisfy General Education requirements. Specifically, it satisfies three of the nine units required in Section B: Social Sciences.

We will be considering a vast range of topics and issues during the semester, all of which are directed at shedding light on at least one aspect of the fundamental question psychologists ask: What makes humans behave the way they do? It is my hope that you will enjoy and benefit from this course, and that you will gain insight into your own behavior as well as the behavior of others.

Course Objectives

1.  Gain an understanding of the terminology, principles, and current research associated with several different areas of psychology

2.  Appreciate the scientific nature of psychological research

3.  Provide a solid understanding of the nervous system as a basis for human behavior

4.  Evaluate personal behaviors and the potential impact of such behaviors on others

5.  Demonstrate the ways psychology can be applied to our understanding of personal and social problems

Assessment and Feedback

During the semester, I will provide several opportunities for you to obtain formal feedback on your understanding of the course material, as well as your writing skills. For example, I have scheduled five (5) exams and a comprehensive Final Exam, which will allow you to demonstrate your grasp of the material. Quizzes will reward regular and conscientious textbook reading. In-class activities and homework will also serve as feedback to assess participation and understanding of course material. Reaction journal (optional) will allow you to apply what you are learning in class to everyday life. Each type of feedback opportunity is explained below.

Exams. You will need to bring a #2 pencil, a good eraser, and a Scantron 882 E to each exam session. You will need a total of six (6) Scantron 882 E.

There will be a total of 5 exams during the semester. Each exam will be worth 50 points, and will cover only the material presented since the last exam. In other words, these exams are not cumulative. Each exam will contain questions comprised of a combination of multiple choice questions, matching items, and fill-in questions. Each exam will cover ALL of the assigned material (readings, lectures, handouts, video clips, etc.). The dates for these exams are listed on the Tentative Course Schedule at the end of this syllabus. Only four of the five exams will count toward your grade (4 exams * 50 points = 200 total points). Your lowest score will be dropped. This means that if for any reason you are unable to take an exam, then that is the one that will be dropped. It is highly recommended that you take all five (5) exams because the Final Exam will include questions from all five of these exams.

Comprehensive Final Exam. The comprehensive Final Exam will be administered on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 7 – 9 am and will consist of multiple choice questions. The final covers all of the material (ALL of the covered chapters) presented during the entire semester. The final cannot be dropped and will be worth 100 total points.

Quizzes. In order to help you keep up with the readings and to provide an objective measure of your active participation in the course, quizzes may be given for every chapter. The quizzes will consist of multiple choice, matching, and/or short essay questions. Quizzes are worth 10 points each. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped. There are NO make-up quizzes. If you miss a quiz, then that will be the one dropped. It is highly recommended that you take all the quizzes because the exams will include questions from these quizzes.

In-class activities. Throughout the semester, there will be opportunities to complete in-class assignments or activities. These activities are designed to help you gain a deeper understanding of specific concepts and, in some cases, gain insight into your own behavior. They will also provide an objective measure of your participation in the course. Most in-class activities will involve group work; however, a few will involve individual work. In-class activities will be worth 10 points each. If, for any reason, you miss an in-class activity, then that will be the one dropped.

Homework. The best way to learn the material and prepare for upcoming tests is to practice it. There will be homework assignments throughout the course which will include short answer questions, short papers (1-2 pages), and activities. These homework assignments will be worth 20 points each. Homework assignments will be distributed in class and will be due in class. If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, you have one chance to still receive credit: bring your completed homework to the following class meeting and turn it in to me at the beginning of class. (A classmate/friend may turn it in for you if you are still unable to attend class.)

Reaction Journal. The reaction journal is a way for students to demonstrate comprehension of material other than by means of a conventional test. This semester, I am making available the following option to students. This is an option: you can ignore this entirely if you want to; it is not a course requirement. But if you complete this assignment and get a higher grade on it than on one of the exams, I will substitute your grade on the assignment for your lowest exam grade. (In other words, you can’t lose.) I will provide a handout (on my website) that further explains how this assignment is to be completed.

Course Expectations

Attendance. Regular attendance is crucial to the successful learning process and to success in this course. Excessive absences will significantly affect your final grade. Remember, the material that is covered in lecture extends beyond what is covered in your textbook. You cannot get what goes on in class from simply reading the textbook or completing the quizzes and homework. If you are absent, please make sure to contact a classmate to find out what you missed. Exchange phone numbers with 3 other students in class so that you have three different classmates to contact in the event of an absence. If you decide that this course is not for you and stop attending, it is YOUR responsibility to drop the class. I will NOT drop students from my roster. This means that if you do not drop the course and you stopped attending, you will receive an F in the course at the end of the semester.

Illness, car problems, work demands, and family situations all lead to difficulty in attending class. If outside demands force you to miss more than 4 days of class over the entire semester, we need to discuss your situation and consider whether it is advisable for you to remain in this course.

On a related note, the class times listed in the Schedule of Classes are not “suggested meeting times.” I will begin class on time and end on time. I expect the same from you. I expect you to arrive prepared for class on time, and to remain for the entire class period. If the times scheduled for this course routinely conflict with your work schedule, transportation, child-care, athletic responsibilities, therapy, or other outside obligations, please drop the class. Take it later when you can commit to the class times listed.

Participation. Active student participation during class is expected. Just being present in the classroom does not satisfy the participation requirement. It is necessary for you to take an active part. I often ask questions during class; I do expect students to answer! In addition, you should feel free to ask questions of your own and to express your opinions during class, and to provide examples of your own. However, keep in mind that I expect each of us to respect the rights, values, and opinions of all others in this class.

Readings. You are expected to read the assigned chapter before coming to class without reminders. You will be responsible for all material covered in the textbook as well as material covered in class.

Class Conduct and Courtesy

·  Please be courteous of others if arriving late or leaving early from class. Students have the right to a course that is relatively free of any unnecessary distractions that could impair their participation in the course. You should plan to sit in an area of the classroom that will lead to the least amount of class disruption when you arrive or leave.

·  Refrain from engaging in disruptive behaviors, such as, reading other non-course-related textbooks, magazines, or newspapers while class is in session, talking with other students while someone else (student or instructor) is trying to speak, taking a nap during class, text-messaging or checking voicemails, packing up early, etc. Your responsibility as a student in this course includes being an open, alert, courteous, and receptive listener, as well as a competent presenter.

·  Please silence all electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, iPods, etc.) before entering class.

Feel free to raise objections about this course, including its content or process, with me. Also, you may take your concerns to the Department Chair, Cynthia Barnett, or the College Dean, Dan Brown, if there are issues pertaining to this course that you don’t feel comfortable discussing with me. They can be contacted by phone at (805) 378-1445 or through the Division Office in HSS 217.

Grading Policy. Throughout the semester, you will be earning points toward your final grade for the class. Grades are not given…they are earned. So, grades will not be changed because (1) “you need a higher grade to get off probation”, or (2) to maintain athletic eligibility or financial aid eligibility, or (3) to help you make the Dean’s List, or (4) to appease a relative, or any other reason. Please do not even ask. I will only change a grade if I have made an error while grading your work.

Academic Honesty. As stated in the Moorpark Course Catalog,

“Moorpark College takes academic honesty very seriously, since ethical behavior and integrity are vital components of ensuring mutual respect across campus. Instructors, accordingly, have the responsibility and authority for dealing with any cheating or plagiarism that may occur in their classes. Such activities could include stealing tests, using ‘cheat sheets,’ copying off another’s test, or turning in someone else’s work as his/her own. It is the policy of Ventura County Community College District and Moorpark College that the instructor may dismiss a student involved in dishonest behavior from class with a grade of “F.” In addition, the faculty member may direct the matter to the Executive Vice President of Student Learning for further disciplinary action.” (p. 23)

Student Services on Campus

ACCESS

Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact ACCESS as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Authorization, based on verification of disability, is required before any accommodation can be made. The phone number for ACCESS is (805) 378-1461 and they are located in the building just to the right of the Campus Center.

Student Health Services

The Student Health Center, located in the Administration Building, is dedicated to helping each student realize and maintain the highest degree of physical, social, and emotional health possible. The student health fee gives students full access to a registered nurse daily and during evening hours as well as to specialized health services. The registered nurse provides health counseling and referral, various health screenings, and immunizations. The Self-Care Center provides over the counter medication and self-care information for immediate needs. Confidential and non-punitive help is available as well for health problems resulting from drug-use and other addictive behaviors. For more information, visit the Moorpark College website at www.moorparkcollege.edu/health or call (805) 378-1413.

The Learning Center

The Learning Center located in the Upper Library, LLR Room 322, provides academic support services for Moorpark College students in several ways: tutoring, college strategies courses, academic materials, and computer software. Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to use the Learning Center and the Writing Center to support their efforts in this class. The Learning Center and Writing Center will provide tutorial services and supplemental instruction based on course goals. When using these services, students need to state their instructor’s name for tracking and reporting purposes. Students will also need to provide their student ID numbers when receiving tutorial services. For more information, visit the website at www.moorparkcollege.edu/tlc/home or call the Learning Center (805) 378-1556 or the Writing Center (815) 378-1400, ext. 1696.

Computer Labs

The Moorpark College Open Access Computer Labs are available for all members of the campus community. All lab computers have internet access, printing capability (10 cents per page), and have Microsoft Office and various other software packages installed. Library/Learning Resources (1st floor) has 140 Dell PC computers and on-site computer lab support. Physical Science Building (PS), room 225 has 10 iMac computers.