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HISTORY AND SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY
Instructor:Dr. Linda M. Woolf |  |
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HISTORY AND SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY
Instructor:Dr. Linda M. Woolf | |
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A perusal of the various journals in psychology or an examination of any psychology conference schedule seems to suggest that psychology is a highly disjointed discipline. However, psychology is unified through its historical traditions and systems of thought. In this course, we will explore the roots of modern psychological thought and methodology. We will trace these roots from their origins in philosophy and the natural sciences through the early schools of psychology and on into its current form. In addition to learning about the major schools and systems of psychology (e. g., Functionalism, Structuralism, Gestalt, etc.), we will explore how cultural and political forces shaped the development of various psychological theories. We will also examine the lives and works of the men and women whose work created psychology's foundation. Through these explorations we will discover the common threads and patterns interwoven into the broad tapestry of psychology.
Three exams, a report (written and oral) on an original article, and class participation/discussion of assigned readings.All grades will be assigned on a scale of 0 - 100 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 75% Oral Report 5% Written Report 15% Class Participation and Discussion 5% Examinations: Examination format will include multiple choice, short answer, matching, and essay. They will cover material presented in lecture, readings, and discussion. Three examinations will be given. Each exam will constitute 25% of your final grade.
POLICY STATEMENTS: All exams must be taken on the date scheduled except in case of an emergency. In case of the above, the instructor must be notified in advance that a test is going to be missed. No make-up exams will be provided if you fail to notify and discuss your situation with the instructor. No extra credit work will be made available to make-up for a poor test grade.Reports on Original Writings: Because textbook summaries of early psychologists' theoretical contributions and empirical research programs cannot convey what the author's original writings can, students will be responsible for reading some of these original works. Everyone is responsible for reading the assigned selections from Cornerstones of psychology. However, each student will also be responsible for presenting a selected work from the text to the class on the day we discuss the relevant material. Specifics about both the written and oral reports are presented below.
- Written Report: Students will write a 5-7 page report concerning the work that they have selected. Integrated within this report is relevant material from other sources collected to both augment and critique the reading. You should use additional readings to place the original work into context, to refute the work and/or to extend the work into current thinking. There is a great deal of flexibility and creativity as to how you want to approach this assignment. However, it must be analytic in nature and not a simple statement or summary of the work. A major part of your paper should concern the additional references integrated with the ideas with the original work. Written reports are due on [applicable date].
Grade will be based on the following:
- Clear understanding of the major points discussed in the original work
- Inclusion of additional references directly related to the topic of the original work
- Integration of the various sources as a discussion as opposed to an overview of each reference presented separately
- Critical evaluation, analysis, and critique
- Final summary highlighting overall conclusion based on previous discussion of original work and references
- Oral Report: Students will give a 10 minute presentation concerning the reading reviewed. They should include information from other sources collected to both augment and critique the reading. Students will also provide their classmates with a brief outline and a short list of discussion/review questions. Oral reports will be given on the day that we discuss the relevant material.
Grade will be based on the following:
- Organized presentation of original work highlighting the main points of the article
- Inclusion of information from other sources augmenting and/or critiquing the readings
- Outline of presentation provided to classmates
- Inclusion of discussion and review questions on outline
- Inclusion of bibliography of references cited and discussed
- Attention to presentation style (e.g. use of appropriate grammar, clarity of speech, eye contact with audience)
- All reports must be typed, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, and in APA style format. If you are in doubt of what this means, see me for details.
Class Participation & Discussion: Please realize that your participation in this class is extremely important. As such, class participation will constitute a percentage of your final grade. Be aware that skipping class (unexcused absences) will impact your grade in this area.
Plagiarism (attempting to pass off the work of another as one's own) is not acceptable and 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.
This site 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 CollegeLate 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. No grade of Incomplete will be issued for this course.