PSYC 001: General Psychology Fall, 2008 Information in this syllabus is subject to change. This is Version 1, publication date 28 Aug 2008. Revisions, as well as some course information, are only available on Blackboard. Instructors Office Hours Dr. Larry Rudiger John Dewey Hall, 205: By appointment (e-mail [email protected]), after visiting the PSYC 001 office. Laura Selkirk Jenn Zangl John Dewey Hall, 208a Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 12:30 – 2:00 12-1 1:30-2:30 11:00 – 12:30 10-11 Web-based resources Course website: https://bb.uvm.edu. Your Blackboard ID and password are the same as your e-mail account. If you are not on the Blackboard student list, send e-mail to [email protected]. If you cannot see this course in Blackboard, go to this website: http://www.uvm.edu/~psych1. How to contact us Email: [email protected] o Use your UVM e-mail account. o In most cases, you will get a reply within 1 business day as e-mail is checked frequently. o Do not e-mail or telephone individual instructors. Phone: 656-3836. Grades and other confidential course-related information cannot be discussed on the telephone. When you have questions about course requirements and policies, please consult the syllabus and Blackboard first. Textbook: Joffe, J.M. & J. Krulewitz (2007) Investigating the mind, brain, and behavior: An introduction to psychology (3rd Ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. ISBN 0-536-32862-5 In addition, there will be required readings available from within Blackboard. You will also need an iClicker in-class response device. The textbook and iClickers are available at the UVM store. Section CRN Time Days Location A 90095 8:00 – 9:15 Tuesday & Thursday 103 Rowell B/Z2 90096/91195 9:30 – 10:45 Tuesday & Thursday 103 Rowell D/Z3 90101/91201 3:30 – 4:45 Tuesday & Thursday Billings Lecture Hall C/Z1 90098/91190 3:35 – 4:50 Monday & Wednesday 103 Rowell PSYC 001: The gist The course has several required elements in two broad categories. 1. There are three types of learning opportunities: (a.) pre-class assignments (on textbook readings), most of which are done in small groups; (b.) class attendance; and (c.) in-class participation. Each is worth 10% of your grade. 2. There are two types of assessment: (a.) online quizzes (10% of grade), and (b.) in-class examinations (60% of grade), including a comprehensive final exam. Each element is described in detail below. Course Objective PSYC 001 introduces students to the ways psychologists try to understand behavior scientifically. It does this through intensive study of representative research, a focused survey of major trends in the field, and by highlighting fast-breaking psychology-related topics in the news. The emphasis is on how questions are framed and evidence is obtained to answer them, and how theories are developed and evaluated. By the end of the course, students should be able to think like psychologists and have the skills to be critical analysts of claims made about what we know and of the efficacy of research-based solutions. These critical-thinking skills should serve you well if you continue to work in the field, and make you a better-informed consumer of psychological services. Process. This course involves reading, writing, and conference. The learning process is summed up in this adapted quote from Francis Bacon (1561-1626): Reading maketh a full person, writing an exact person, and conference a ready person. (Of Studies.)Syllabus, PSYC 001, UVM Fall, 2008, Version 1 Page 2 of 6 Reading Investigating the mind, brain, and behavior. The textbook has six sections. Each has an introductory chapter surveying the content domain, followed by several chapters summarizing specific research studies in that area. As indicated on the Schedule, along with the chapter assigned for class discussion, you should read the introductory chapter for the section. This will increase your understanding of the research chapters and provide information of use in class discussion. Course space in Blackboard. In addition to the textbook, students are expected to monitor the course’s space in Blackboard. It will feature information related to the course content. Some of this material is central to the class and subject to inclusion on exams. These will be clearly marked. Writing An electronic-format writing assignment is due two hours before the beginning of each class, except where noted in Blackboard. Exceptions include the first two days of class, exam days, the day before the second exam, and the last day of class. Format and criteria. Details are provided in Blackboard. Most of these assignments are completed by working on a team, although some are intended to be based on your individual effort (usually those on material covered during the class meeting after the first three exams). Grading. Assignments may be checked for completeness and quality. You will get feedback on some of them. Full credit is awarded if they meet the criteria indicated. Points. The maximum number of points awarded for each writing assignment varies from.5 (early in the semester) to 5 points (at the semester’s end). The more you do, the more each is potentially worth. If at least 17 (of the possible 20) assignments receive full credit, you will get the full 50 points available; that is, you can submit late, or skip entirely, three of the assignments without penalty. However, you can earn up to 15 bonus points by submitting more than 17 assignments. Missed and late writing assignments. These are preparation for class so students cannot “make-up” missed assignments by doing them after the class for which they are due. In all cases, other than unforeseeable events, writing assignments should be submitted even when your absence from class is excused. Excused absences do not excuse you from completing the writing assignment prior to the class. Late submissions receive credit only in exceptional circumstances. Academic misconduct. Use your own words, not the textbook-authors’ words. Using or paraphrasing other people’s words without acknowledgement is plagiarism, as is copying all or parts of work written by other Psyc 001 students, past or present, and submitting it as your own work. Besides robbing you of the benefit of learning through your own writing, plagiarism is a serious offense against academic honesty. We expect you to be familiar with UVM’s policy on Academic Integrity. This can be found at