SYLLABUS
For
PSYC 2301
GENERAL
PSYCHOLOGY
Fall
2008
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
Myers,
David g., Exploring Psychology, 7thed.,
In Modules, Worth Publishers (2007)
INSTRUCTOR:
Irv Lichtman
Voice Mail:
936-273-7301 Extension 65169
For all class
information log on to: faculty.nhmccd.edu/ilichtman
Email: irv.lichtman@nhmccd.edu
SECTION: 41016
PROPOSED CALENDAR:
IMPORTANT EVALUATION DATES
September
9 – Module 1 or 2 written reaction
due
16 – Module 3 or 4 written reaction
due
25 - EXAM I
MODULES 1, 2, 3 & 4. Bring two scantrons
and pencil.
30 – Module 18, 19, or 20 written
reaction due
October
7 – Module 21 or 22 written
reaction due
14 – Module 7 or 8 written reaction
due-Infancy and Childhood
14 – EXAM II MODULES 18, 19, 20, 21,
& 22. Bring two scantrons
and pencil.
21 - Module 9 or 10 written reaction due-
Adolescence or Adulthood
23 – EXAM III MODULES 7, 8, 9 & 10. Bring two scantrons
and pencil.
28 – Module 33, 34, or 35 written reaction
due
November
11 –
Module 31 or 32 written reaction due
18 - EXAM IV MODULES
31, 32, 33, 34, 35 & Stress Handouts. Bring two
scantrons and pencil
25 – Module 36, 37, 38, 39 written
reaction due
25 - EXAM V
MODULES 36, 37, 38, & 39. Bring two scantrons
and pencil
December
2 – Module 40, 41, or 42 written
reaction due
2 -
PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
4 – FINAL EXAM REVIEW
11 – COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM – 7:30 a.m. to 9:20 a.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
Weeks Two and Three
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: Module 18, 19, and 20 – 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. SEPT. 25th Bring scantron and pencil.
Topic: Modules 21 and 22 – 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: Modules 7 and 8 – How do we Develop from Conception to Infancy to Childhood to
Adolescence and Adulthood?
Topic: Modules 9 and 10 – How do we develop from Adolesence to Adulthood?
Activities: 1. EXAM III MODULES 7, 8,
9,& 10 . OCT. 23rd. Bring scantron
and pencil.
Topic: Modules 33 – 35-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, Stress & Health; 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
Personality Inventory
2.
Self-Actualization Inventory
3.
Self-Concept Measurement
Week Twelve
Topic: Modules 31 and 32-Stress and Health, &
Abnormal Psychology. 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
Topic: Modules 36-39-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 31 – 35 & Stress Handouts.
Nov. 18th. Bring scantron and pencil
Topic: Psychological Disorders (continued)
Activities: 1. Mood Disorders and Suicide
2.
Video – Schizophrenia – The 3
Subtypes of Schizophrenia.
3.
EXAM
V MODULES 36-39. NOV. 25TH Bring scantron
and pencil
Topic: Project Presentations and Final Review
Activities: 1. Project presentations Dec. 4th
2.
Final Exam Review Dec. 2nd
Week Sixteen
FINAL
EXAM December 11th 7:30 to
9:20 a.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 (60%)
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 September 25 10%
Exam 2 Modules 17, 18 & 19 October 14 10%
Exam 3 Modules 7, 8, & 9,10 October 23 10%
Exam 4 Modules 31-32 & 33-35 November 18 10%
Exam 5 Modules 36-39 November 25 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 December 11th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:20 a.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 10% 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. Personal Growth. 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. Reading a book or listening to an audio-book that deals with psychology or personal growth and has been approved by your instructor. Summarize what you learned from the book in less than 3 pages.
2. Surfing the net for a minimum of three hours, viewing various links on the internet.
Summarize what you learned from the net by organizing your findings in a folder or binder.
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.
PROJECT GRADING CRITERIA
Demonstration of Learning:
(25 points)
There is a clear demonstration that you learned something from doing your
project; something you didn’t already know.
Demonstration of Benefit:
(25 points)
There is a clear psychological/behavioral benefit to you and others from doing
your project. This is a project on psychology and not physiology.
Your project must pertain to behavior.
Visualization: (15 points)
You present something that is visual such as a powerpoint, poster, pamphlet, leaflet, storybook,
etc. to accompany your project if your project does not contain something
visual.
Clear Presentation: (10
points)
You present your project stating why you did what you did, how it benefits you,
how it benefits the public at large and your presentation to the class is no
less than 3 minutes and no more than 5 minutes and you do not read from note
cards but talk to us.
References: (25 Points)
You must cite your sources of reference unless your project is original
research in which you will cite yourself. Your reference must be placed
somewhere visible such as the last page of a storybook, the last slide of a powerpoint, the back page of a
pamphlet, etc.
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 half 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.
EVALUATION
4 EXAMS 40%
FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 15%
WRITTEN REACTIONS 10%
PROJECT 15%
PARTICIPATION/ATTENDENCE 20%
TOTAL
100%