Introductory Psychology, Fall, 2008 Syllabus, page 1 Meredith Russell-Fay, M.S., Instructor COURSE SYLLABUS – Fall Semester, 2008Psychology 140-02: Introductory Psychology: Aug 19 – Dec 9 T/R; 9 AM-10:52 AM, Room 219 McDivitt HallInstructor: Meredith Russell-Fay, M.S.Office Hours: M/W; 11-11:55 am - Room 150, McDivitt Hall, Main Campus Contact Info : McDivitt Hall Secretary: 517-787-0800 ext. 5152 Email: [email protected] Required Text: Psychology, 8th Ed., David G. Myers; additional handouts and readings as assigned.Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the scientific study and interpretation of human behavior, surveying topics such as psychological development, learning, thinking, motivation, emotion, perception, intelligence, aptitudes and personality. Basic principles and their practical implications are discussed.Objectives: Upon completing the course, successful students will be able to:1. Comprehend, analyze, apply and evaluate the use of relevant psychological terminology relating to psychological methodology, learning theory, physiological psychology and neuroscience, human development, personality and psychopathology.2. Critically evaluate the results of psychological research as evidence by identification of relevant casual variables and alternative extraneous variables.3. Distinguish between popular misconceptions regarding human behavior and the current empirical data concerning human behavior.4. Understand the historical evolution of psychology and of the relationship between psychology and the other social sciences, physical sciences and other non-scientific disciplines.5. Differentiate between the major theoretical orientations in psychology by identifying data/arguments representative of: behavioral, cognitive, biological/ethological/evolutionary, cross-cultural and psychodynamic perspectives. PAIntroductory Psychology, Fall, 2008 Syllabus, page 2 Meredith Russell-Fay, M.S., Instructor Course Expectations and Policies:1. How you earn your grade: a. Attendance is essential for your success in this class. You receive points for discussion participation during each class period. You must be prepared to discuss the material to earn these points. It is expected that you will study each chapter of the book and other assigned readings prior to the in-class lectures and presentations on the material. A variety of brief in-class activities for additional points are offered from time to time. The only way you can earn thesepoints is to be in class and participate in the activity. Please evaluate your other commitments and be sure you can devote the time necessary for successful completion of the requirements for this class.b. A Take Home Quiz (15 points each) for each chapter of the book will be completed prior to the lecture on each topic. These quizzes will be turned in at the beginning of each class period when the Chapter is addressed. Late quizzes will not be graded. Four In-classTests (100 points each) will be offered from time to time to cover all materials. You must be in attendance to earn these points. These Tests cannot be made up. A Comprehensive Final (200 points) is required of all students on the last day of class. In calculating your final grade, the lowest grade earned on the In class Tests will be dropped.c. A series of 5 Applied Psychology Projects (50 points each) will be completed for credit. You do each project as assigned and turn in a formal written report for each of these projects. Reports turned in 1 day early earn 5 bonus points. Late reports will not be graded, regardless of their merit. One assigned project requires an in-class presentation of your findings. 2. Class-room Conduct: a. Respect everyone’s time and attention by being in the class room, prepared and ready to work, at the designated time for this class. If I have already handed out a quiz or some in-class assignment,you will miss earning points for that assignment. b. Plan on staying for the entire class. Take home assignments and papers for the next session are often handed out at the end of class, so leaving class early will impair your ability to maximize your grade and be successful. It will also inspire extra-credit opportunitiesfor those people who remain. PAIntroductory Psychology, Fall, 2008 Syllabus, page 3 Meredith Russell-Fay, M.S., Instructor c. Don’t get attached to the seat you sit in the first day of class. A variety of exercises will require you split up into groups or sit in various parts of the classroom, so please move around the room without hesitation when asked to do so.d. There are many opportunities to express yourself to the class. Please respect other students and keep private conversations to a minimum. Chronic talkers will be separated or excused from the class. I cannot be the class-room monitor. If someone is interfering with your ability to hear, it is perfectly sensible to ask them politely to be quiet so that you can hear.e. Taking notes is essential for your mastery of the material. During the first class period, we will review successful note taking strategies. Recording lectures to augment in-class note-taking is fine – just let meknow you are doing so. If you use a laptop to take notes, please sit in the front row. If I see you surfing the web, I will excuse you from class. f. During class, turn off all electronica. Please inform me ahead of time if you are waiting for an emergency call, and sit in the front row closest to the door so you can take the call with minimal disruption to the rest of the class. Avoid multiple emergencies. If your phone rings anyway, I will be interested to talk to whoever is calling you.g. Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, moderate amounts of unobtrusive food and drink will be tolerated. If the food gets distracting in any way, tolerance will decrease. It is, of course, better to eat breakfast at home, or to get here early and finish eating before class starts.h. Accommodations for special cases: Students who utilize accommodations for optimal learning, please let me know during the first class, and then work through Learning Support Services for verification of disability and setting up accommodations. Please don’t be shy about this – let me know if this is a consideration for you. If you do not have documentation for accommodations you know you