University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Curriculum Proposal Form #3
New Course
Effective Term:
Subject Area - Course Number:PSYCH 101Cross-listing:
(See Note #1 below)
Course Title:(Limited to 65 characters)Introduction to the Psychology Major
25-Character Abbreviation: Intro to Psychology Major
Sponsor(s): Elizabeth Olson
Department(s):Psychology
College(s):
Consultation took place:NA Yes (list departments and attach consultation sheet)
Departments:
Programs Affected:Psychology
Is paperwork complete for those programs? (Use "Form 2" for Catalog & Academic Report updates)
NA Yeswill be at future meeting
Prerequisites:None
Grade Basis:Conventional LetterS/NC or Pass/Fail
Course will be offered:Part of Load Above Load
On CampusOff Campus - Location
College:Dept/Area(s):Psychology
Instructor:
Note: If the course is dual-listed, instructor must be a member of Grad Faculty.
Check if the Course is to Meet Any of the Following:
Technological Literacy Requirement Writing Requirement
Diversity General Education Option:
Note: For the Gen Ed option, the proposal should address how this course relates to specific core courses, meets the goals of General Education in providing breadth, and incorporates scholarship in the appropriate field relating to women and gender.
Credit/Contact Hours: (per semester)
Total lab hours:0Total lecture hours:16
Number of credits:1Total contact hours:16
Can course be taken more than once for credit? (Repeatability)
No Yes If "Yes", answer the following questions:
No of times in major:1No of credits in major:1
No of times in degree:1No of credits in degree:1
Revised 10/021 of 9
Proposal Information:(Procedures for form #3)
Course justification:
The College of Letters and Sciences has encouraged departments to develop courses that introduce students to their major. This course is modeled on the very successful courses in the Geography and Political Science Departments. Discussions with alumni, exit surveys of graduating students, and discussions with current students indicate a need within the Psychology Department to better prepare majors with career and graduate school information early in their major experience.
Relationship to program assessment objectives:
This course addresses key assessment objectives for the Psychology Department:
Subject Matter Objectives: This course is linked to the subject matter objective that majors will have basic factual knowledge of psychology and an understanding of the breadth of the discipline. The substantive courses in the major provide depth of knowledge, while this course will introduce students to the breadth of careers and fields of study in the discipline.
Skill Objectives: This course is linked to the skill objectives of searching for printed and electronic information and writing in APA style. The early introduction to graduate school and career information will better equip students to plan their course of study, and the introduction to APA style will better prepare them for courses throughout their major.
Budgetary impact:
The course will be taught as part of load (Faculty may be able to ‘bank’ credits toward course release, if taught as overload?)
Course description:(50 word limit)
Introduction to the Psychology Major outlines academic emphases and requirements within the major and introduces students to a breadth of psychological careers. Students will learn basics of APA style, become familiar with paths to graduate school and psychology-related careers, and plot their own course of study in the major.
If dual listed, list graduate level requirements for the following:
1. Content (e.g., What are additional presentation/project requirements?)
2. Intensity (e.g., How are the processes and standards of evaluation different for graduates and undergraduates? )
3. Self-Directed (e.g., How are research expectations differ for graduates and undergraduates?)
Course objectives and tentative course syllabus:
Psychology 101: Introduction to the Psychology Major
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Prerequisites: None
Description:Introduction to the Psychology Major outlines academic emphases and requirements within the major and introduces students to a breadth of psychological careers. Students will learn basics of APA style, become familiar with paths to graduate school and psychology-related careers, and plot their own course of study in the major. Required of all majors at earliest opportunity. The course meets for 1.5 hours per week for 8 weeks and is worth 1 credit.
Attendance:Attendance is expected and will be necessary for successful completion of the course. Missed opportunities cannot be made up; late work will not be accepted.
Grading:Your final grade will be determined by the points you accumulate from class assignments and exercises, divided by the total number of points available in the class. Letter grades will be assigned according to the scale below:
Revised 10/021 of 9
A = 90 – 100%
B = 80 – 89.9%
C = 70 – 79.9%
D = 60 – 69.9%
F = 59.9% and below
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Course Objectives:1) Students will meet all psychology faculty and learn about their research and teaching areas of expertise.
2) Students will learn about the psychology major, including academic emphases, as well as opportunities such as honors, advising, scholarships, and undergraduate research
3) Students will learn about specialties in psychology (e.g., school psychology, counseling and clinical psychology, experimental psychology)
4) Students will develop an initial program plan for their degree, including discussion of complementary minors
5) Students will meet other psychology majors
Bibliography: (Key or essential references only. Normally the bibliography should be no more than one or two pages in length.)
American Psychological Association. (2013, 46th Ed.). Graduate Study in Psychology 2013. APA.
American Psychological Association. (2009, 6th Ed.). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. APA.
Landrum, R. L. (2009). Finding Jobs With a Psychology Bachelor's Degree: Expert Advice for Launching Your Career. APA.
Keith-Speigel, P., & Weiderman, M. W. (2000, 2nd Ed.). The Complete Guide to Graduate School Admission: Psychology, Counseling, and Related Professions. Psychology Press.
Kuther, T. L. (2012). Careers in Psychology: Opportunities in a Changing World.Cengage.
Silvia, P. J., Delaney, P. F., & Marcovitch, S. (2009). What Psychology Majors Could (and Should) Be Doing: An Informal Guide to Research Experience and Professional Skills. APA.
Sternberg, R. L. (2006, 2nd Ed.) Career Paths in Psychology: Where Your Degree Can Take You. APA.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special Accommodations, Academic Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodation, Discrimination and Absence for University Sponsored Events (for details please refer to the Schedule of Classes; the “Rights and Responsibilities” section of the Undergraduate Catalog; the Academic Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and Services sections of the Graduate Catalog; and the “Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures (UWS Chapter 14); and the “Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures" (UWS Chapter 17).
Course Objectives and tentative course syllabus with mandatory information(paste syllabus below):
PSYCH 440 Psychological Tests & Measurement
Fall 2013
______
Instructor: Dr. Shen Zhang
Office: Laurentide Hall 1217
Email: (This is the best way to reach me*)
Phone: 472-5430
Office Hours: M&W 10-11am; T&R 11am -12pm, R 2-3pm, or by appointment
Class Meets: T&R 9:30am-10:45pm in Winther Hall 2013, except notified otherwise.
*All messages must include your full name and course number (PSYCH 440).
______
Required Text: Aiken, L. R., & Groth-Marnat, G. (2006). Psychological testing and assessment. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Available from University Textbook Rental.
Tools & Software: A calculator with square root key; Access to the SPSS software (optional)
Course D2L Website: Syllabus and lecture notes, as well as additional information on course topics will be posted on D2L. You will be alerted to new posts via UW-W e-mail.
Course Description: [From the course catalog: This course demonstrates the principles of psychological measurement; demonstrates contents and uses of specific tests of mental ability, achievement, personality, interests, and special abilities. Prereq Psych 215 and junior standing. ]
The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to the theory, method, and application/practice of psychological measurement and testing. Students will learn the basic principles of psychological testing, the fundamentals of test construction, standardization, and administration, the psychometric background of tests (such as reliability and validity assessment), and skills in understanding and interpreting test results. Students will be exposed to some commonly used tests in the field of psychology, education, and business settings. They will learn about the ethics and societal issues of testing and assessment, and gain experience with test selection and evaluation. Elementary statistics necessary to test evaluation and interpretation will be an important part of the course.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Explain basic concepts and principles associated with psychological measurement and testing.
- Appreciate historical progress of psychological measurement, and describe the importance and applications of psychological measurement in current society.
- Articulate general approaches of psychological testing, the process of test construction, standardization, and administration.
- Perform basic statistics and acquire meaningful information related to test construction and interpretation.
- Interpret psychometric properties of tests, such as reliability and validity, and practical issues of psychological tests.
- Identify tests that measure human characteristics and behavior in different domains covered in class, with knowledge of the content, theoretical foundations and application.
- Gather information and critically evaluate the quality and utility of tests from scientific journal articles, and present written arguments following the APA style.
- Recognize ethical, cultural, and societal issues concerning the use of psychological tests and assessment.
Course Organization:This course is divided into two parts. The first part of this course (before Exam 1) will be devoted to basic issues such as the purposes and history of tests,conceptual and statistical issues related to test construction and interpretation. The second part of the course (after Exam 1) will be examining several major types of tests (and assessment) for different settings in which psychologists practice.
The format of this course will consist of lectures, discussions, statistic exercises, and other activities. Lectures will elaborate and expand on key concepts and ideas from the textbook. Prior to coming to class, you are expected to complete readings or other assignments required and be prepared for discussion. I reserve the right to assign additional readings at my discretion.
Course Participation & Attendance: I do not take attendance but you, the students, are expected to attend all classes and be actively engaged in the classroom activities. In-class exercises and discussion are equivalently important as lectures in this course. You may be called upon to participate during class. You are expected to share your knowledge and experience with others so we can all benefit from our collective insights. Should circumstances result in your missing a class, it is YOUR responsibility to obtain information presented or materials distributed while you were absent.
Performance Assessment: No “incomplete” grades will be given except in extraordinary circumstances. Your grade in this course will be based on the following:
Exams + Quizzes (280 points):
There will be two exams in this semester on your understanding of the course materials. Each exam will be worth 100 points. There will also be nine online quizzes from D2L, with 10 points for each quiz, and your lowest quiz score will be dropped for calculating the final grade.
ANY material that is required or covered in class may be on the exams and quizzes, including readings, lectures, exercises, and discussion. Exam 2 in general will cover what we have done in class since Exam 1, however due to the nature of the course, the material is cumulative, and therefore knowing earlier material will help you do well on Exam2.
NO make-up quiz/exam will be given for unexcused absence for the scheduled exam. It is your responsibility to notify me in a timely manner if an emergency causes you to miss an exam. In order to schedule a make-up exam, any absence must get my approval with sufficient documents. I reserve the right to decide the format and the date of the make-up.
Assignments (120 points)
I will collect various assignments from your in-class activities and homework throughout the semester, which will earn you a maximum of 120 points in total. At the end of the semester, I will decide which of these assignments are counted for those points. The purpose of these assignments is for you to gain hands-on experience applying the concepts learned in the course.
Among these assignments, there will be a test development exercise that is worth 40 points. This assignment asks you to develop a questionnaire measure, test its quality, and write a report. Detailed instructions will be available later.
The rest assignments may be in the followingformats: short written responses to questions asked in class, reflective essayson a particular topic, elementary stats/calculation, SPSS work, and online or library database search. They will be graded based on the quality. You may also acquire test-taking experience at the UWW test center or with psychology graduate students.
Homework and due dates will be announced during class and posted on D2L. Points will be docked for late or incomplete assignments.
Test Evaluation Paper (100 points)
This paper aims to help you practice integrating course knowledge with critical thinking skills in evaluating tests, and communicating your findings in a clear, logical written format.
For this purpose, you will individually complete one written evaluation of a psychological test of your choice. The test must be published and still in use. Your paper should incorporate significant discussions of 3-5 scholarly articles related to the test, follow the APA guidelines, and be 8 to 12-pages, excluding cover page, references, etc.
Your paper will describe the psychology construct that you are interested, and may include a brief historical overview of the construct, a critical evaluation of existing instruments used to measure the construct, and a detailed description of the test you choose (item generation, basis for item selection, studies to evaluate reliability and validity, etc.). Your paper shall also discuss any merits, issues, or problems with the test in actual research.
Your paper topic and research articles to be reviewed must get my approval in order to ensure this writing project is both feasible and relevant.
Please see the detailed instruction and grading rubric distributed.
Total: 500 points (Exams + Quizzes 280 pts, Assignments 120 pts, Paper 100 pts)
Final Grades will be determined according to the following grade scale:
A 465-500A- 450-464B+ 435-449B 415-434
B- 400-414C+ 385-399C 365-384C- 350-364
D+ 335-349D 315-334D- 300-314 F 0-299
Classroom Courtesy: You are expected to show courtesy in class by refraining from chatting, sleeping, answering phone calls, texting messages, reading newspapers, studying for other courses, and other distracting behavior.
Special Accommodations: I would like this class to be an optimal learning experience for all students. If you have special needs or concerns related to this course, please let me know (via email or office visit) as soon as you believe you need them. I will respect the confidentiality of the information.
Academic Integrity: As a student in this course you are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty. Cheating on exams, plagiarism, and attempting to claim credit for work not performed or any other form of academic misconduct will be penalized to the fullest extent as permitted in UWS Chapter 14.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special Accommodations, Academic Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodation, Discrimination and Absence for University Sponsored Events (for details please refer to the Schedule of Classes; the “Rights and Responsibilities” section of the Undergraduate Catalog; the Academic Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and Services sections of the Graduate Catalog; and the “Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures (UWS Chapter 14); and the “Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures" (UWS Chapter 17).
Tentative Schedule
Date / Topic / Reading and Due Dates9/3 / T / Introduction, History, & Ethics / Ch1
9/5 / R
9/10 / T / Quiz 1
9/12 / R / Stats Refresher / Appendix A (pp. 439- 453)
Quiz 2
9/17 / T
9/19 / R
9/24 / T / Test Development, Standardization, & Administration / Ch2
9/26 / R / Ch13 (pp.304-308), Ch16 (pp.382-390)
10/1 / T / Ch4Ch3
10/3 / R / Quiz 3
10/8 / T / Item Analysis / Ch4
10/10 / R / Quiz 4 Paper topic & references due
10/15 / T / Reliability / Ch5
Quiz 5
10/17 / R
10/22 / T / Validity / Ch5
Quiz 6
10/24 / R
10/29 / T / Exam 1
10/31 / R / Work Day / Paper 1st draft due
11/5 / T / Intelligence testing / Ch6
11/7 / R
11/12 / T / Ind. & Group Differences / Quiz 7 Ch7
11/14 / R / Neuropsychological Assessment / Ch8
11/19 / T / Achievement Tests / Ch9
11/21 / R / Issues in Ability Testing / Quiz 8 Ch10
11/26 / T / Personality Assessment
Thanks giving Break / Ch14, Ch17, Ch 18
11/28 / R
12/3 / T
12/5 / R / Vocational interests / Ch12
Quiz9
12/10 / T
12/17 / T / 7:45-9:45am Exam 2 / Final version of paper due
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