Introduction to Psychology
(Spring 2008)
Course:PSYC 1100: Introduction to Psychology (SCI)
Instructor:Dr. Linda M. Woolf |  |
Office Hours:
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Text:
Wade, C., & Tavris, C. (2008). Psychology (9th ed.). Upper Saddle Creek, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Course Description:
Psychology can be defined as the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. Although psychology is most often associated with clinical issues (i.e. abnormal, personality), this makes up only a small portion of the field. Other specialties within the field include, to name a few, physiological, social, organizational, and developmental psychology. We cannot understand ourselves or the individuals around us without looking at how we develop, how we behave in a social context, or the physiological components of our behavior. Thus, this course will serve as an overview of the major fields within psychology with an emphasis on developing an understanding of psychology as the science of human thought and behavior. We will also learn to critically evaluate "common sense" knowledge about how people function.This course is coded for the Scientific Understanding goal in the General Education program. Scientific Understanding is defined as the analysis of the concepts of a scientific discipline and its methods, limitations, and impact in the modern world.
Course Objectives and Outcomes:
- Objective: To gain a better understanding of the field of psychology both historic
and current.
- Objective: To become familiar with the research methodology commonly used by
psychologists. To become familiar with the scientific method, and examine the benefits and
limitations of this method of inquiry as it relates to developmental psychology.
- Objective: To become familiar with the biological bases of behavior.
- Objectives: To develop an understanding of processes involved in learning and cognition.
- Objective:To develop an understanding of the various types of development that an individual experiences across the life-course.
- Objectives: To become familiar with the theories concerning psychological health and
disorders.
- Objective: To become familiar with the theories concerning human behavior in a social
context.
- Objective: To become familiar with the rapidly growing body of literature on psychology.
- Objective: To further develop writing skills in conjunction with the use of APA format.
Incoming Competencies/Prerequisites:
All students should be capable of integrating and evaluating information, critical thinking, and writing at the college level.
Class Meetings:
The class will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 - 11:50. Attendance is strongly recommended as material will be presented that is not in the book and missing class can adversely impact your grade.
Course Requirements:
Six exams and a term paper.All grades will be assigned on a scale of 0 - 10 with:
90 - 100 A-,A Superior Work 80 - 89 B-,B,B+ Good Work 70 - 79 C-,C,C+ Satisfactory Work 60 - 69 D,D+ Passing, but less than Satisfactory Less than 60 F Failing
Percent of Grade:
Examinations 90% Term Paper 10% Examinations: Six exams will be given and the examination format will include multiple choice, short answer, matching, and essay. They will cover material presented in lecture, readings, and discussion. Only the five highest exam grades will be recorded. POLICY STATEMENTS: All exams must be taken on the date scheduled except in case of an emergency. No make-up exams will be made available to make up for a missed exam. The missed exam will be recorded as a zero and this will be the grade that will be dropped. If two exams are missed, both will be recorded as a zero and only one will be dropped.
The class Web site provides a link to the publisher's companion Web page for a previous edition of the text. A study guide for Psychology (9th ed.) is available for purchase on the publisher's Web site). Contact me for additional information (woolflm@webster.edu). Included on the Web page for the previous editions are practice tests. A good way to get a sense of how prepared you are for the test is to take the practice tests. Take the test and then calculate your score as follows: Total number you got correct divided by the total number of questions and then multiply this number by 100. This will give you your percent correct. Compare to the above grading scale. Thus, if you got an 85% correct, your practice test was in the B range. However, if you only score a 64%, you need to go back and restudy the material. Note that this will only give you a ballpark figure as it for a slightly different text and does not include the additional material provided in lecture.
Term Paper: Students are required to research and write a term paper for 10% of their final grade. The specific requirements are given below:
- The purpose of the term paper is to provide you, the student, with an opportunity to explore an area of psychology in greater depth. The paper is to be a 5 - 7 paper review of some topic pertinent to psychology NOTE: THIS IS A COURSE IN PSYCHOLOGY. THUS, YOUR TOPIC NEEDS TO RELATE TO PSYCHOLOGY.
- Paper topics must be approved by the instructor (See additional instructions below). Deadline for final acceptance of projects is April 25. NOTE: This deadline is not a suggestion. Papers accepted following the deadline will experience a drop of one letter grade for every two days late except in cases of emergency discussed in advance with the instructor. It is up to the instructor's discretion whether to accept or not accept a paper following the April 25 deadline.
- Paper topics must be approved by the instructor. NOTE: All paper proposals must be submitted via e-mail to the instructor. Paper topics that have not been approved will not be accepted. Paper topics proposals must be submitted via email (woolflm@webster.edu) for approval by February 8.
- At least five references for your paper must come from refereed journals (not Psychology Today or Newsweek, for example). NOTE: Do not rely heavily on popular literature, for example, a book you happen to see at Borders Books. Often times these books are not empirically based. Also, do not take the bulk of your paper from one source or from secondary sources. I want an integration, analysis, and critique of all of your readings, in particular, the current research in the area you have chosen to study.
Click here for some rules of thumb regarding literature reviews/papers
- All papers must be typed, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, and in APA style format.
If you are in doubt as to what this means, see me for details.
Note that one of the major purposes of the paper is to facilitate your learning of APA format. Thus, you will need to become familiar with this publication format. We will discuss the format in class but you will also need to consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.) (the library has copies). Note that all journal articles for APA journals such as the American Psychologist are written and referenced in APA format. Forty percent of your grade will be related to your use of APA format.
- APA 5th Edition Publication Manual Changes
- APA Style Guide prepared by Mark Plonsky - http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/apa4b.htm
- APA Publication format for electronic references
- Kevin Schoepp's Online APA Interactive Tutorial
The paper should be submitted electronically in Word format to woolflm@webster.edu. Hard copies of the paper will not be accepted.
Policy Statements:
Plagiarism (attempting to pass off the work of another as one's own) is not acceptable. Plagiarism includes copying all or part of another's writings (even a single sentence), inappropriate paraphrasing, using another student's paper as your own, submitting a paper for more than one class. All papers will be submitted to the university's plagiarism database for review. Plagiarism, either intentional or unintentional, will result in a grade of 0 for that assignment and will be turned over to the appropriate university source for disciplinary action. In addition, cheating on exams will also result in the same fate.
Here are some Web sites that will help you avoid the problem of plagiarism particularly plagiarism resulting from paraphrasing too closely to the original source. -
- Establishing Authorship by Paul C. Smith, Alverno College
- How to Avoid Plagiarism Tutorial
- The University of Indiana's Online Plagiarism Tutorial - You can print out a certificate of completion!
It should be noted that, as is common in many university courses, little time will be spent lecturing on topics adequately addressed by the text. Students are expected to arrive at class meetings having already read the material assigned, and to ask questions to clarify any areas that remain unclear. While every attempt will be made to explain or expand upon particularly difficult areas, the primary purpose of classroom lecture is to enhance, rather than to duplicate, the textbook material.
Late withdraws from this class will not be approved by the instructor except in cases of emergency discussed with the instructor. No late withdraws will be approved on the basis of poor class performance.
This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor's discretion. All changes concerning course requirements will be provided in writing. Changes concerning exam dates may be made at the instructor's discretion and communicated verbally to the class.
It is understood that remaining in this course (not dropping or withdrawing from this course) constitutes an agreement to abide by the terms outlined in this syllabus and an acceptance of the requirements outlined in this document.
COURSE OUTLINE | |
Week Ending | Topic and Readings |
| January 18 | Introduction to the Class What is psychology?
Readings: |
| January 25 |
How psychologists do research
Readings: |
| February 1 |
How psychologists do research
Readings:Exam I - February 1
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| February 8 | Neurons, hormones, and the brain
Readings:Paper topic due - February 8 |
| February 15 | Neurons, hormones, and the brain
Readings: |
| February 22 | Consciousness: Body Rhythms and Mental States
Readings:Exam II - February 22
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| February 29 | Thinking and intelligenceReadings: |
| March 7 | Learning Readings:Exam III - March 7
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| March 21 | Behavior in social and cultural context
Readings: |
| March 28 | Behavior in social and cultural context
Readings:Exam IV - March 28
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| April 4 | Development over the life span
Readings: |
| April 11 | Development over the life span Theories of personality Readings: |
| April 18 | Theories of personality Readings:Exam V - April 18 |
| April 25 | Psychological disorders Readings:Paper Due! April 25 |
| May 2 | Approaches to treatment and therapy Readings: |
| Check Final Exam Schedule | Exam VI |