INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCHOLOGY 101

Fall 2007

Instructor: Pat Mulick Phone: 698-4215

Office: Derby 109 Email: pmulick@lyon.edu

Office Hours: M, T, R, F 10:00 – 11:00; W 2:30 – 3:30

Required Texts: Gazzaniga, M. S. & Heatherton, T. F. (2006). Psychological Science (2^nd edition). New York, NY: W. W. Norton.

Course Description: This course will provide you with a broad introduction to psychology, including the basic subject matter, the approaches to gathering and evaluating information and the ways that psychological knowledge is applied to the understanding and improvement of individual and community life. This course is a prerequisite of all more advanced courses in the program.

Course Objectives:

Familiarity with the variety of sub-fields and approaches that compose the field of psychology.
Knowledge of basic terminology, concepts, and research findings in psychology.
Practice in using strategies for better thinking and decision-making.
Rudimentary skill in using scientific approach to studying behavior including:
1. gathering empirical data to support arguments,
2. evaluating generalizations on the basis of evidence used to support them,
3. recognizing the limitations and biases operating in all experimentation and observation.
Individual growth in
1. understanding the forces at play in one's own choices,
2. increasing tolerance for differences in others,
3. enhanced curiosity about how the world operates as one's preconceptions are challenged.

Expectations:

I expect you to be present, punctual, prepared, and attentive during class. You can also expect me to be present, punctual, and prepared to teach. I expect you to participate positively and constructively in class and be respectful to others thoughts, opinions, and questions. You can expect me to provide a positive learning environment that encourages active student learning and I will be open to all thoughts, opinions, and questions. Finally, I expect you to understand and abide by the information and procedures described in the syllabus.

Accommodations:

Students with physical, neurological, emotional, or learning disabilities which affect their academic performance may request reasonable accommodations for such disabilities. To do so, a student must inform the Office of Academic Services, in writing, of his/her disability and the nature of its effect on academic performance, and provide additional information as specified in the College’s guidelines. The guidelines are available in the Office of Academic Services.

Course attendance:

While it is expected that students will be present for every class, the college attendance policy will be utilized for this course:

Students are expected to be present at every scheduled meeting of a class or laboratory.

They should confer with individual professors before and after absences incurred due to sickness, personal emergency, or College business. Unexcused failure to attend class for the equivalent of three weeks may result in students’ dismissal from the class with a failing grade. Students who are administratively withdrawn from more than one course will be placed on probation or suspended (see Academic Probation and Academic Suspension).

Professor’s Pet-peeves:

I know, I know…you are no longer in high school…you do not need to be told how to behave in a classroom. I totally agree, but from my past experiences here is a list of things to do or not do while attending my class.

Turn off your cell phones (not just silence…we all know the vibrating sound through the backpack).
No text messaging, reading the newspaper, working on other assignments.
Try to be on-time.
Do not pack up your things until class has ended.

Your attention to these simple behaviors will make me very happy…and since I am the one grading your work…you want me to be very happy.

Course Requirements

Assigned Readings:

Assigned readings must be read prior to the class lecture. We will not cover everything from the readings in class; however, you will be responsible for all material from assigned readings. Many of the test questions will cover material directly from the text and any supplemental readings. The chapters from the books have been assigned to facilitate discussion and debate. Therefore, it is especially important that you read the material before class.

Exams:

There will be four exams during the semester. The exams will be 50 points each. Make-up exams will be given only in EXTREME circumstances. Exams will be made up of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Questions will be based on readings, class discussion, and lecture material.

Article Critiques:

Throughout the course of the semester each students is expected to complete two article critiques (due at the beginning of class on the dates indicated in the syllabus). Each critique will require that the student demonstrate good summarization and critical thinking skills. Your critique should summarize the entire article, as well as provide well thought out and formulated critiques of the article (including overall strengths and weaknesses). Students MUST utilize APA format for the article critiques. Each critique will be worth 15 points. Five points will be designated for overall summary content (i.e., research hypotheses, methods, results, implications, conclusions), five points will be specifically designated for the quality and depth of the student’s critique, and five points will be for APA format and general quality of writing. If a paper is late it is automatically deducted 3 points. An additional 3 points will be deducted for each day following.

Pop-quizzes:

Much of this class will depend on the discussion and participation of the students. To help insure and monitor the level of participation of all students, 4 “pop-quizzes” will be given randomly throughout the semester. Each pop-quiz is worth 5 points. There will be NO make-up pop-quizzes given for any reason.

Extra Credit:

It is very important to me as a professor to get to know students individuals. It is also important to you as students to become more familiar interacting with professors and colleagues. Therefore, students will receive 2 extra credit points after their first office hours visit (before November 2^nd). Students are encouraged to attend office hours whenever they need or want, but the 2 points will only be given for the first visit.

Honor Code Information: I want to encourage you to work with your classmates in discussing ideas we address in class and in preparing for exams. On the other hand, when it comes to turning in an assignment such as the semester paper, what you write should be your own words and your own work. If you are using someone else's ideas to make a point, give them the credit for those ideas. While you certainly should study with others before exams, during the exam itself, you may neither give nor receive aid from anyone else. Unless you have some condition you wish to discuss with me that would warrant other arrangements, all exams will be taken in our classroom and are closed notes and closed book. All graded work in this class is to be pledged in accordance with the Lyon College Honor Code. If you have any questions about what might constitute an honor code violation, please feel free to talk with me.

The Lyon College Honor Pledge states:

"I will abstain from all fraud in academic work. I will neither give nor receive aid on any form of test or assigned work where such aid is prohibited, nor tolerate this conduct in any member of the community. I will deal responsibly with such acts when I observe them. By my conduct and influence, I will endeavor to build a high standard of honesty and truthfulness in all academic work."

*SPECIAL NOTE: For written assignments, only hard copies will be accepted (i.e. no electronic attachments to emails). No exceptions!

Grading:

Requirements Individual Points Total Points

4 Exams 50 Points Each 200

2 Article Critiques 15 Points Each 30

4 Pop-quizzes 5 Points Each 20

TOTAL SCORE 250 POINTS

Grading Scale:

A 90% + 223+

B 80 – 89% 198 – 222

C 70 – 79% 173 – 197

D 60 – 69% 148 – 172

F 0-59% < 147

Tentative Course Schedule

Date	Topics Covered	Readings	Due
W-8/22	Introductions and Syllabus
F-8/24	Introduction	Ch 1
M-8/27	What do Psychologists do?	Assigned reading
W-8/29	Research Methods	Ch 2
F-8/31	Research Methods
M-9/3	Labor Day Holiday	No Class
W-9/5	Learning	Ch 6
F-9/7	Learning
M-9/10	Social	Ch 15
W-9/12	Social
F-9/14	Exam #1	Chs. 1, 2, 6, 15, & reading
M-9/17	Genetic/Bio Foundations	Ch 3
W-9/19	Brain	Ch 4
F-9/21	Brain
M-9/24	Memory	Ch 7
W-9/26	No Class – Service Day
F-9/28	Memory
M-10/1	Sensation, Perception, & Attention	Ch 5
W-10/3	Sensation, Perception, & Attention
F-10/5	Exam #2	Chs. 3, 4, 5, & 7
M-10/8	Motivation	Ch 9
W-10/10	Motivation
F-10/12	Fall Break	No Class
M-10/15	Emotions and Health	Ch 10
W-10/17	Emotions and Health		Article Critique #1 due
F-10/19	Emotions and Health
M-10/22	Thinking & Intelligence	Ch 8
W-10/24	Thinking & Intelligence
F-10/26	Human Development	Ch 11
M-10/29	Human Development
W-10/31	Human Development
F-11/2	Exam # 3	Chs. 8, 9, 10, 11
M-11/5	Personality	Ch 12
W-11/7	Personality
F-11/9	Psychological Disorders	Ch 13
M-11/12	Psychological Disorders
W-11/14	Psychological Disorders
F-11/16	Research Day	No Class
M-11/19	Grad School information day
W-11/21	Thanksgiving	No class
F-11/23	Thanksgiving	No class
M-11/26	Treatment	Ch 14	Article Critique #2 due
W-11/28	Treatment
F-11/30	Treatment
M-12/3	Wrap-up
12/6-12/12	Exam #4 – Finals Week – check schedule	Chs. 12, 13, 14