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GENERAL
PSYCHOLOGY Psychology
1 - Fall 2008 Bill Wilson OFFICE HRS: M/W 11:15am -12:45pm Office: Cedar 11 T/TH
11:15am - 12:15pm Phone ((209) 588-5228
Additional Hours by Appt. DESCRIPTION
AND OBJECTIVES: The goal of an introductory psychology course
is to show you the shape of the field.
We cannot spend much time on any topic, regardless of how interesting
or important. However, if the course
is successful, the foundation will be in place for you to continue your
questioning and understanding of psychological topics, either in other
courses, or in your own reading and research
This course is designed to provide a basic
introduction to the theories, research, issues and applications in the field
of psychology. Toward this goal, course objectives are listed below: To promote intellectual curiosity and
appreciation for the field of psychology To think critically about issues and theories
in psychology To understand and effectively use the
terminology To encourage students to begin to think like
scientific psychologists through an understanding of the scientific method To increase understanding of the thoughts and
behaviors of oneself and others To begin applying the knowledge and methods
acquired to real life issues TEXT
Myers, David, Psychology, 8th Edition, Worth Publishers, New
York, 2007 The text is probably most easily understood
when read in smaller quantities over the course of the term. Reading assignments represent the best
match of the text to lecture, discussion, and activities. Completing the reading when assigned will
assist in understanding. Failure to
read/study the text is likely to have negative consequences of a fairly
obvious kind. Psychology Reader, Scientific American, Worth Publishers, New
York, 2004 The reader is packaged with the text. Straub, Richard, Study Guide For
Psychology, 7th Edition, Worth Publishers, 2003 The study guide is not required, but
is strongly recommended.
Reports from students in past classes indicate that the study guide is
quite helpful. LECTURES
& CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES Lecture/activity and text are intended to
complement one another. In some cases,
text material will be presented in the lecture/activity. Frequently the information from the text
will not be covered during class. If
after your reading you have questions about the material, ask at the
beginning of class, after class, or see me during my office hour. During lecture, questions and discussion are
strongly encouraged. It is a mistake to go to class and expect to have
knowledge shoveled into your brain. In this course, discussion, debate and
interaction with other students and the instructor are critical for
understanding. REQUIREMENTS
The course grade will be based on the
specific requirements listed below Attendance: You
are expected to be In Attendance and On time for all class
sessions. If you are absent you are responsible for
anything you missed as well as the on-time completion of assignments and
activities. Tests: There
will be five (5) tests. Tests may
include material from reading assignments, lectures, videos, class activities
and outside assignments. Generally
tests are not comprehensive. Each test
will focus on a particular body of information covered since the previous
test. However, from time to time there
may be exceptions, so be prepared. The
test with the lowest score will be dropped and will not be included in
determining the final course grade.
Absent prior consultation and instructor approval, there are no make up tests.
(50 points each = 67% of course grade) Homework:
Homework assignments will require both writing and critical thinking
skills. Homework assignments
are not listed in the course calendar.
Each assignment will be announced in class. If you miss class when homework is assigned
you are still responsible for submitting it on time. Late homework assignments are generally not
accepted. (30 points = 10% of course grade) Application
Papers: Students will submit three
written application papers of assigned topics/concepts related to
psychology. Topics and specific
criteria will be discussed in class. Application
papers are not listed in the course calendar. (70 points = 23% of course
grade) GRADING
STANDARD: The final course grade is based on the total
number of points accumulated from the course requirements listed in the
previous section. Grading
Scale (points) A
270 - 300 (90-100%) B 240
- 269 (80-89%) C 210
- 239 (70-79%) D 180 - 209 (60-69%) F 0 - 161 (59% or below) Extra-Credit: There are no extra-credit opportunities Tape
Recorders: Recording lecture/class discussion/class
activities is not permitted. If you
have special needs regarding this issue, please see me after class. WITHDRAWING
FROM THE COURSE: If
necessary, it is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from
class. Failure to do so may result in
a course grade of F. CLASS
CANCELLATION: If class is cancelled you are still
responsible for that week’s reading and assignments. COURSE
CALENDAR: The course calendar provides a brief outline
of topics, tests and selected assignments and is not exhaustive. Dates
are approximations and are subject to change, which will be announced in
class. Reading assignments are
organized so that reading will be completed prior to class lecture/discussion
on a particular topic. Please complete
the reading on time. It will assist in
your understanding of the material and enable you to contribute during class
discussions. The
instructor reserves the right to revise any portion of this course calendar
during the course. Changes will be announced in class. Estimated preparation time for each class
session is three (3) hours. Week 1: Prologue Research
in Psychology (chapter 1 by 2nd class session) Week 2: Psychological
Science Neuroscience
& Behavior (chapter 2) “Rethinking
the Lesser Brain” Psych Reader Week 3: Neuroscience
& Behavior Nature/Nurture
(chapter 3) Week
4: Test #1 Memory
(chapter 9) “Creating
False Memories” (handout) Week 5:
Memory Consciousness (chapter 7) “Television
Addiction is No Mere Metaphor” Psych reader Week 6: Consciousness “The
Meaning of Dreams (handout) Learning (chapter 8) Week 7: Test
#2 Learning Week 8: Thinking
& Language (chapter 10 pages 395-410) Week 9: Intelligence
(chapter 11) “Islands
of Genius” Psych Reader “A Multiplicity of
Intelligences” (handout) “The
General Intelligence Factor: (handout) Motivation (chapter 12 pages
469-498) Week 10:
Test #3 Emotion (chapter 13) “Emotion, Memory and the
Brain” Psych Reader Week 11:
Personality (chapter 15) Week 12:
Personality “Freud
Returns” Psych Reader Psychological Disorders
(chapter 16) “Decoding Schizophrenia” Psych Reader Week 13:
Test #4 Psychological Disorders Week 14:
Therapy (chapter 17) Week 15:
Social Psychology (chapter 18) Week 16: Test
#5 (check finals schedule for exact
date and time) *Reminder: Homework, assignments, application papers
and additional reading are not listed in the course calendar and will
be assigned in class. |
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