PSYCHOLOGY 1
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY,
GENERAL
PSYCHOLOGY
FALL, 2008
Instructor: Tina Trolier
Textbook: Myers, David, Psychology; Eighth Edition,
Worth Publishers,
Recommended
Eighth Edition, Worth Publishers,
2007.
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:
This course is designed
to be an overview of the study of psychology.
It will undoubtedly cover a much broader range of topics than most
students realize are included in the field of psychology. It is hoped that students will discover much
about the entire field of psychology, and thus, be able to direct their college
study in an appropriate manner.
Further, it is hoped that
students will learn to think “critically” about the issues and theories of
psychology, learn to understand psychological terminology, begin to have an
understanding of the scientific method, and to apply these methods in their
everyday thinking.
CLASS FORMAT:
This class will consist
of a combination of lecture, discussion, class demonstrations, videos, homework
and (of course) tests. There
"may" be an extra credit essay question on several tests, but this is
up to the instructor’s discretion.
TESTS AND HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:
We will attempt to cover
12 of the 18 chapters in your textbook.
There will 5 tests; one after
every 2 or 3 chapters. I will throw out
your lowest test score before determining final grades. Thus, your final grade will be determined by
your best 4 test scores (and homework assignments).
There will be NO
make up exams. If you must miss an exam,
you should consider this your "thrown-out" test. Please do your best to attend class
regularly, and not miss the test dates.
Tests will consist of 25
multiple choice questions (one point each), and two short answer essay
questions (5 points each). Tests, also,
typically consist of a good number of application-type questions, so be prepared
to take what you have learned and apply it to various situations. Simply memorizing “facts” and “theories” will
not suffice. Once during this term, the
test will be a “TAKE-HOME” project. All
tests will be worth 35 points. Since
there are 4 tests counted for the term, there will be 140 test points possible
for the term.
There will be 2-4
homework assignments during the semester.
Each of these will be worth 5-10 points.
All homework assignments will be counted toward your final grade.
While the Study Guide is
strongly recommended for all students, it may be required for those students
with poor grades. If, after the first
two exams, you have a grade of “D” or lower, I will require you to complete the
study guide and turn it at regular intervals.
GRADING:
Test grades and final
grades will be determined by the number of points accumulated. I will use percentages to determine letter
grades.
TESTS (35
points possible per test)
A 90-100% 31.5
points and
above
B 80-89% 28-31
points
C 70-79% 24.5-27.5 points
D 60-69% 21-24 points
F 59% or less 20.5 points or less
FINAL
GRADES (160 points possible
-- approximately)
A 90-100% 144 points and above
B 80-89% 128 - 143.5 points
C 70-79% 112 - 127.5 points
D 60-69% 96 - 111.5 points
F 59% or less 95.5 points of less
ATTENDANCE AND ENROLLMENT:
You are expected to be In
Attendance and On Time.
Please do not make your attendance and promptness an issue for yourself,
or for me. Your performance in this
class will be determined by your participation in lecture, discussions,
demonstrations, videos, and completing your reading assignments. Additionally, your attendance will be a
factor in determining your final grade.
I will allow four absences for each student. After that event, you will lose two points
for each additional absence.
If you arrive to class
after roll has been taken, you will be marked as absent. Please be on time, for your own benefit, and
for that of your fellow students.
Please be responsible for
your own enrollment. If you wish to
withdraw from this class, you must follow the Columbia College guidelines for
withdraw. Do not assume that I will drop
you from this class for non-attendance.
Failure to withdraw from the class without adequate paperwork may result
in a grade of F.
COMMUNICATION AND OFFICE HOURS:
At this point in time, my
office hours will by appointment. I
should soon be able to post regular office hours. They will most likely be
Tuesday and Thursday at
The best way to contact
me between class meetings is to call my college voice mail at 588-5100, ext.
8434. You may also call my cell phone
(768-5976). The cell phone is best, as I
carry it with me most of the time. I
will retrieve my messages daily and return calls as soon as possible.
Additionally, you may email me at: ttrolier@mlode.com or via the college
web-site. You do not need to call me to inform me that you
will be absent. We can discuss any
absences, if needed, during the next class meeting.
COURSE OUTLINE
DAY/ MATERIAL COVERED ASSIGNMENTS
WEEK AND CLASS ACTIVITIES
_________________________________________________________________
Aug.25 Class Business Read Intro
Course Outline
Discussion Questions
Aug. 27 Introduction Read Chap. 1
The History of Psychology
Perspectives in Psychology
Sept. 1 HOLIDAY
Sept. 3 Chap. 1 Read Chap.1 Psychology and the Scientific Method
Sept. 8 Chap. 1 Read Chap. 1
Ways to test Hypotheses
Sept. 10 Chap. 2 Read Chap. 2
(Neuroscience)
Sept. 15 Chap. 2 Read Chap. 2
(More Neuroscience)
Sept. 17 TEST
ON CHAP. Intro, 1 & 2
(Extra Credit
on Chap. 3)
Sept. 22 Chap. 4 Read Chap. 4
(Developmental Psych)
Sept. 24 Chap. 4 Read Chap. 4
Sept. 29 Chap. 4, Chap. 7 Read Chap. 7
(States of Consciousness)
Oct. 1 Chap. 7 Read Chap. 7
Oct. 6 TEST on CHAP’S 4 & 7
Oct. 8 Chap. 8 Read Chap. 8
(Learning)
Oct. 13 Chap. 8 Read Chap. 8
Oct. 15 Chap. 8 Read Chap. 9
Chap. 9
(Memory)
Oct. 20 Chap. 9 Read Chap. 9
(Memory)
Oct. 22 Chap. 9 Read Chap. 9
Oct. 27 TEST ON CHAP. 8 & 9
Oct. 29 Chap. 10 TAKE HOME TEST
GIVEN
(Thinking and Cognition) Read Chap. 10
Nov. 3 Chap. 10 Read Chap. 12
Nov. 5 Chap. 11 Read Chap. 11
(Intelligence)
Nov. 10 HOLIDAY
Nov. 12 Chap. 11 Read Chap. 11
(Intelligence)
Nov. 17 Chap. 15 Read Chap. 15
(Personality) TAKE HOME TEST DUE
Nov. 19 Chap. 15 Read Chap. 15
Nov. 24 Chap. 16 Chap. 16
(Psychological Disorders)
Nov. 26 Chap. 16 Read Chap. 16
Dec. 1 Chap. 17 Read Chap. 17
(Psychological Therapies)
Dec. 3 Chap. 17 Read Chap. 17
Final
Exam Day
Date and Time:
TEST ON CHAP. 15, 16, & 17
(EXTRA CREDIT ON CHAP.
13 or 12)
***HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
WILL BE GIVEN IN CLASS, AND ARE NOT REFLECTED ON THIS COURSE OUTLINE. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU GET INSTRUCTIONS IN
CLASS FOR THESE ASSIGNMENTS.