SYLLABUS Psychology 140.72 T/R 12:30-2:26 Introduction to Psychology 4 Credit Hours Professor Cleveland [email protected] 1-517-796-8570 “It is a good thing for us, people do not think” - Adolf Hitler, German Dictator “The scientist must be free to ask any question, doubt any assertion, seek for any evidence and to correct any errors …” - J. Robert Oppenheimer, Physicist Course Description: This course is designed to introduce you to the major principles, concepts and ideas that are found within the discipline of study known as psychology. It is introductory in nature. Essentially, that means we are going to cover a lot of material in a short period of time. Unfortunately, we do not have the liberty of time to deeply explore all the exciting topics researched and debated by psychologists across the planet. However, I will endeavor to expose you to a wide variety of important psychological theories via multiple streams of information. If you peruse through the table of contents of the required textbook, you will get an idea of the subjects we will attempt to cover this semester. Course Goals: Modern psychology is defined by some as a science devoted to the study of human behavior and mental processes. By the end of the semester, I hope you understand what that sentence implies regarding the nature of psychological science. I think you will find this class intellectually stimulating and perhaps, somewhat challenging. I also hope your active participation in this class helps you in your own personal journey of self discovery … an important developmental task for all humans. I have discovered in the years I have been teaching here at JCC that successful students in this class tend to demonstrate certain behavioral/personality characteristics. Allow me to list a few of them; • Class attendance … OTIF • Prior preparation … read the assigned chapters prior to class • Questions, questions, questions … • Interaction with professor and fellow students … my office hours are posted and student study groups work well Textbook: Introduction to Psychology, 9th Edition, Dr. James W. Kalat, Wadsworth Publishing Dr. Kalat is Professor of Psychology at North Carolina State University where he teaches Introduction to Psychology and Biological Psychology. He received an AB degree summa cum laude from Duke University and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to textbooks he has authored, he has written journal articles on taste-aversion learning, the teaching of psychology and other topics. As you will soon discover, Kalat’s textbook challenges you to view psychology as a multi-disciplinary science with historical roots in biology and philosophy. He also encourages you to sharpen your critical thinking skills via questioning all assertions while constantly examining and clarifying what you consider to be the truth regarding human nature.Grading: Student Attendance (10%) … OTIF Policy … “On-Time In-Full” Student Questions (10%) End of Chapter Quizzes – average grade (20%) Section Exams (Each of the two exams will be worth 30% of your final grade …60% in total) Please note: There will be no make-up quizzes. For the quizzes, I will drop the two lowest grades when computing the semester average. This means, you may miss two quizzes without an adverse impact upon your average quiz grade. Grading Scale: The grade you earn in the course will be based on the average grade you receive on all graded work. The following scale will apply; Final Percentage Grade 94-100 4.0 89-93 3.5 84-88 3.0 78-83 2.5 72-77 2.0 66-71 1.5 60-65 1.0 55-59 0.5 0-54 0.0 Additional Information Regarding Grades: • The I grade will be considered when the student’s work is sufficient in quality but not quantity. It is based upon 75% attendance, quality work as determined by the instructor, and a sufficient reason not to complete the course. An I grade may be removed by completing the course requirements prior to the end of the next semester. If the necessary work is not completed on time, the I grade will remain on the student’s transcript as a permanent grade. • The W grade is awarded to students who decide to withdraw from the course prior to the end of the semester. You, the student, must officially withdraw by completing a withdrawal form on or before the official withdrawal date.Academic Honesty Policy: Academic honesty is expected of all students. Each student will produce their own work and not represent the work of others as their own via plagiarism or cheating nor will a student aid others in the violation of the ethical principle of academic honesty. Plagiarism is the failure to give credit for the use of material from outside sources. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to: • Using data, quotations, or paraphrases from other sources without adequate documentation • Submitting others’ work as your own Cheating means obtaining answers/material from an outside source without authorization. Cheating includes but is not limited to: • Plagiary in all forms • Using notes/books without authorization • Copying • Submitting others’ work as your own or submitting work for others • Altering graded work • Falsifying data Classroom Environment: I will work hard to make this experience a positive one for you. However, I need your help to accomplish this goal. I am requesting that you work with me and your classmates to create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. In simple terms, I am asking you to be on time, attentive, and respectful. Please minimize any and all distractions that might negatively impact your ability or your classmate’s ability to learn. I trust you to use your good judgment regarding the use of cell phones, laptops, etc… Also, please refrain from sidebar conversations while someone in class is speaking in the public forum. You never know, they may have something powerfully impactful to offer you. As an educator and as a psychologist, I know that research strongly supports the idea that learning begins with attention and, we humans, being what we are, can be easily distracted. Once again, I respectfully ask your cooperation in this matter and thank you in advance for your agreement to this principle and to your participation in this class. I think you are going to enjoy it.TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Section I … Dates: Topic: