A
SYLLABUS
Psychology
2301
42101
Summer
2009
An introductory course dealing with the elementary principals of human
behavior. Designed especially for
those students majoring in the social or biological sciences, pre-medicine or
education.
Students with disabilities who believe that they need
accommodations in this course are encouraged to contact the Disability
Services Office at 936-273-7239; located in Building E, Office
103H as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations
are implemented in a timely fashion.
Psychology
is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This course will offer students a survey of
psychology as a scientific and professional discipline. Students will gain a broad understanding of
the major theories, developments, and controversies in psychology. The course will help students to think
psychologically about human potential and human problems. Students will gain a better understanding of
the many reasons behind behaviors, feelings, and thoughts of themselves and
others. This will help them to
appreciate how psychology can be used to improve themselves
and to improve the human condition.
In
completing this course, you will:
1. Describe the historical development
of the study of human behavior including current theoretical perspectives
prominent in the field of psychology.
2. Introduce terminology unique to the
study of psychology.
3. Encourage critical analysis of
research findings through application of the scientific method and a basic
understanding of research design..
4. Examine, compare and contrast factors
contributing to development and the human experience.
5. Include for study accepted
approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation.
6. Explore the ways in which humans
created their realities including those experiences which deviate from the
mainstream of accepted experience and behavior.
7. Develop a theoretical framework by
which to examine differing views on the origins of problems and related
treatment modalities.
|
·
Bio-psychological Perspective |
·
Behavioral Perspective |
|
·
Cognitive Perspective |
·
Development Perspective |
|
·
Psychological Disorders & Therapy |
·
Psychoanalytic Perspective |
In the case of plagiarism (claiming that words and ideas of
others are your own and/or not indicating the source of ideas), the instructor
reserves the right to give the student a zero for the assignment.
In the case of cheating during the course of a test or unauthorized
collaboration on a test or writing project, the instructor reserves the right
to give the student or students a zero for the quiz or assignment.
TEXTBOOK
Plotniki,Rod. (2005) Introduction to Psychology.
You may go to the publisher’s website to buy your textbook
for less cost and free shipping.
You may order an online
custom textbook. The softbound copy will be mailed to your home with no
shipping charge for a total cost of $82.49 + free shipping. The e book is the
same content as the paper cover.
Click on the following
link to begin your purchase.
http://www.cengagesites.com/ichapters/micro/?cluster_id=3454
INSTRUCTOR:
Irv Lichtman
Voice Mail:
936-273-7301 Extension 65169
For all class
information logon to: faculty.lonestar.edu/ilichtman
Email: irv.lichtman@lonestar.edu
SECTION: 42101
PROPOSED CALENDAR:
IMPORTANT EVALUATION DATES
June
4 – Module 1 or 2 written reaction
due
9 – Module 3 or 4 written reaction
due
11 - EXAM I
MODULES 1, 2, 3 & 4. Bring scantrons and
pencil.
16 – Module 9 or 10 written reaction
due
16 – Module 11 or 12 written reaction
due
18 – Module 17 written reaction due-Infancy and
Childhood
18 – EXAM II MODULES 9, 10, 11, & 12. Bring scantrons and
pencil.
23 – Module 18 written reaction due-
Adolescence or Adulthood
25 – EXAM III MODULES 17 & 18. Bring scantrons and
pencil.
25 – Module 19 or 20 written reaction
due
30 – Module 21 written reaction
due
30 - EXAM IV MODULES
19, 20, & 21 & Stress Handouts.
Bring scantrons and pencil
July
2 – Module 22 or 23 written
reaction due
2 - EXAM V
MODULES 22 & 23. Bring scantrons and
pencil
7 – Module 24 written reaction due
(Note: you will do a reaction paper but will not be tested on this module)
7 -
PROJECT PRESENTATION
7 – COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM – 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
WEEKLY ROAD MAP
Topic : Introduction –
Introduction to psychological perspectives and the scientific method.
Activities: 1. Thinking critically about our notions
of psychology and behavior.
2.
“Preview” The Contents of the course
3.
Common Sense Psychology Quiz
Topic: Modules 1 and 2 – Thinking Critically with
Psychological Science
Activities: 1. Correlation Design
2. Correlation versus Causation
3. Design an Experiment
4. Applying Psychology’s major Perspectives
Topic: Modules 3 and 4 – Are we Electric? Why we do what we do!!
Activities: 1. Brain activity – Chemical Action of
Drugs
2. Video Clip – Split Brain and the Brain’s language centers
Topic: Modules 9 and 10 – How do we Learn?
Activities: 1.
Operant conditioning and TV Ads
2.
Shaping demonstration
3.
Classical conditioning
demonstration
4.
Negative reinforcement quiz
5. Observational Learning
6. EXAM MODULES 1, 2, 3 & 4. JUNE 10th Bring scantrons and pencil.
Topic: Modules 11 and 12 – How can we improve our
memories?
Activities: 1.
Demonstration of Sensory Memory
2.
Demonstration of Short-Term
Memory
3.
Demonstration of Long-Term Memory
– imagery and organization
4.
Demonstration of
Memory-Strategies-Topic:
Topic: Modules 17 & 18 – How do we Develop from Conception to Infancy to Childhood to
Adolescence and Adulthood?
Activities: 1. Parenting Style Demonstration
2.
Demonstration: Assimilation and
Accommodation
3.
Effects of Teratogens
4.
A Morality Tale
5.
EXAM II MODULES 9, 10, 11, &
12. JUNE 17th. Bring scantrons and
pencil.
Activities: 1. EXAM III MODULES 17 & 18. JUNE
24th. Bring scantrons and pencil.
Topic: Modules 19 & 20-Personality: Did your
mother make you who you are today?
Activities: 1. Student skits demonstrating Freud’s
conception of the mind.
2. Student skits using Freudian Defense Mechanisms
3. Demonstration of Projective Tests – TAT & Roschach
______________________________________________________________________
Topic: Personality; Did Past Experiences make you
who you are today or do present experiences and hopes for the future influence
your personality development?
Activities: 1. Big Five Trait Theory and the NEOPI-5 (OCEAN) Personality
Inventory
2. Self-Actualization Inventory
3. Self-Concept Measurement
Topic: Module 21-Stress and Health. How to get stressed out and get really sick. What’s the Best
way to Cope with Stress? What is the worst way?
Activities: 1. Coping with
stress
2. Maladaptive Coping
3. Adaptive Coping
4. Developing Friends and a Social Support System
Topic: Modules 22 & 23-Psychological
Disorders: He is acting really
strange! Why does he do that?
Activities: 1.What is Abnormal?
2. Classifying Psychological Disorders.
3. EXAM IV
MODULES 19-21 & Stress Handouts.
JUNE 29th. Bring scantrons and pencil.
______________________________________________________________________
Topic: Psychological Disorders (continued)
Activities: 1.
Mood Disorders and Suicide
2.
Video – Schizophrenia – The 3
Subtypes of Schizophrenia.
3.
EXAM
V MODULES 22 & 23. JULY 2nd. Bring scantrons and
pencil
4.
Review of Comprehensive Final
Examination
Activities: 1. Presentation of Projects. July 7th
2. FINAL EXAM July 7th 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
· As this course emphasizes the development of discussion
skills, the ability to work responsibly in a group and the use of critical
thinking skills, participation in the class discussions and activities is
crucial.
· You are adults, and so attendance in class is up to you. I keep attendance as part of the college policy, I do count absences as a part of your grade. At the same time, I reserve the option of
dropping a student from any class after the student has been absent the
equivalent of 2 weeks. Learning
involves more than just reading the book, and our class discussions will go
beyond the book, so attendance is a necessity if you hope to achieve a
satisfactory grade. If you should desire
to drop the class for any reason, please let me know. It is your responsibility, not mine, to drop
the course if you so choose. If a student stops attending the course and does
not officially withdraw, she/he may receive a course grade of “F”.
·
2 Late arrivals (5 minutes after class starts) combined with
early departures (5 minutes before class ends) is equivalent to one class
absence. Many times the door will be
closed/locked and
you will politely be told that you have missed class and to be on time for
future classes.
89.5 or above = A
79.5 – 89.4 = B
69.9 – 79.4 = C
59.5 – 69.4 = D
under 59.5 = F
PAPERS (10%)
WRITTEN REACTIONS OF MODULES (10%)
You will write a one page paper on one of each assigned modules (consult the Important Evaluation Dates for module assignment due dates) in which you will answer reflective questions about the chapter. Your task is to think critically about the material. The instructor is interested in how the information in a module relates to your life. You will select one or two aspects of an assigned module that are of interest to you and state clearly why it is interesting to you and/or how you can now apply what you learned to enhance your life. Each written reaction will count 1% of your grade. Dates are posted on the Important Evaluation Date’s page. ***Each paper is to be typed and double spaced and must be one full page for credit. You will receive an “A” for each completed paper and a failing grade for not completing the review or for papers falling short of the minimum one page requirement.
DAILY
ACTIVITIES/CLASS PARTICIPATION (20%)
Daily activities will be individual and group activities that will include verbal presentations or written work to be turned in and evaluated. Grading will be based on demonstration of participation, preparation before class, and critical thinking exercises. If you are not in attendance you will receive a zero for that day.
TESTING (55%)
There will be 5 exams, each worth 10% of your grade. They will be multiple choice in format. Dates are:
Exam 1 Modules 1, 2,3,&4 June 11 10%
Exam 2 Modules 9, 10,11,& 12 June 18 10%
Exam 3 Modules 17 & 18 June 25 10%
Exam 4 Modules 19, 20, & 21 June 30 10%
Exam 5 Modules 22 & 23 July 2 10%
There will be a FINAL comprehensive exam worth 15% of your grade. It will consist of 100 multiple choice questions which covers the material in the Supplemental Study Guide. The purpose of this exam is for you to demonstrate your understanding of how behavior and mental processes can be explained from several perspectives. You will also be evaluated by your knowledge of psychological research. The final exam will be July 7th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. All students will take their Final at times posted on Final Exam schedule. Exceptions must be approved by the Dean.
EXTRA CREDIT (OPTIONAL 2%)
You can have up to 2 points added to your overall final
grade by writing a 3 page summary of a research article. This is an optional activity. Your research topic must be approved and it
must come from a psychological journal. You
are required to use a form provided by your instructor to guide you. It must be
APA approved.
PROJECTS (15%)
Projects may include
the following choices. At least one is
required which will count 15% of the final course grade. Additional projects can be completed for
extra credit. The goal of a project is to show clearly how some aspect of Psychology
can benefit your life as well as the lives of others. You must clearly
demonstrate that you had a learning experience. Simply presenting
something already known to you prior to this course will not be credited as a
learning experience. If you have any question concerning this please talk with
the instructor. You must quote or reference ALL sources of your scientific
information.
A. Surfing the Net. This assignment involves using resources to develop your personal understanding of psychology that will help you in your personal life or work. Personal growth options include:
1. Surfing the net for a minimum of three hours, viewing various links on the internet.
**Must be a minimum of 2 inches of downloads and must be organized into categories with table of contents.
Summarize what you learned from the net by organizing your findings in a folder or binder including a two-page typed summary of your research.
B. Research Review. Review a research article from a professional psychological journal or internet source. Possible journals include:
1. Journal of Psychology
2. Journal of Abnormal Psychology
3. Journal of social Psychology
4. Journal of Marriage and Family
5. Journal of Psychology of Personality
The review should be 3-4 typed pages, stapled in upper
left corner. The reviews should consist
of a summary, description of the type of research, and a critique of the
quality of the research. Your instructor
has forms that will guide you. You are
required to use a form provided by your instructor to guide you and you must
attach a copy of your journal article. Journals must be APA listed and involve
experimental research.
For an approved
list of journals go to: www.apa.org/journals/by_subjects.html
C.
Creations. Building
upon what you have learned about psychology, develop a creation that in some
respect relates to psychology.
Possibilities could include a board or card game, a problem solving
situation, a psychological art gallery, a diagrammed brain jelly mold, a power
point presentation, a video, a psychological journal, an illustrated storybook,
a brochure or pamphlet, a CD or DVD, original research or a drama/skit acting
out or demonstrating a psychological principle.
Use your imagination and be prepared to explain or exhibit to
students in class. If you would like
to do this assignment please briefly discuss your idea with the instructor
***Your project must pertain to psychology and not
physiology. For example, a project on
anemia, alzheimer’s disease,
or diabetes is not acceptable. If you
have any doubts concerning this, please communicate with your instructor to
avoid receiving a zero.
** Projects using Freudian and Maslow’s theories must show a clear application to your life and must be discussed with your instructor for approval prior to doing this project.
**All projects must
be accompanied by something visual. Your instructor will inform you of the
grading criteria for all projects. A 3-5 minute presentation to the class is
required.
MISSED TEST POLICY
There are no makeup exams. If you miss a test, that test will count as your lowest
score. If you miss more than one test,
you will have to show written documentation of an emergency situation for ALL missed tests to be considered for a
makeup. Any makeup exams will be taken
the week before final exams.
EXAM DAY POLICY
Exams will be given during the second hour of the class period. The student is required to attend class from the beginning of the class period on the day of each exam as well as all class periods. Class starts promptly at the designated class time. Students who do not attend class from the beginning will be counted as not present for that class date and receive a zero for that day. Students leaving after the exam will be counted absent for the entire 4 hours.
EVALUATION
4 EXAMS 40%
FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 15%
WRITTEN REACTIONS 10%
PROJECT 15%
PARTICIPATION/ATTENDENCE 20%
TOTAL
100%