Psychology 111.1: Introduction to Psychology (5840)Spring Semester, 2013Mon, Weds, Fri: 10:00 – 10:50Gate City AuditoriumInstructor: Dr Martin ColemanEmail: [email protected] Office: Minard 316 H Office Hours: Mon + Weds 2:00-3:00pmPhone: (701) 231-5397Assistant: Darren CarterEmail: [email protected]: Minard 232 C12Office Hours: Monday 1:00-3:00pmTEXT“Psychology and Life”. Richard Gerrig and Philip Zimbardo. (19th edition)COURSE DESCRIPTIONA survey of the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. (3 credits).COURSE OBJECTIVESThe primary objectives in this class are for students to:1) Engage with the class material consistently throughout the semester. (In accordance with NDSU policy 333, attendance in classes is expected. In addition, it is recommended that students study for at least 3 hours a weekevery week during this course).2) Acquire a basic knowledge of important subject matter central to psychology. (For example, sensation, conditioning, memory, the neuron, intelligence, development, traits, stress, and therapy).3) Become familiar with the vocabulary and concepts used within Psychology. 4) Gain insight into the research process upon which our understanding of human thought and behavior is based.5) To meet the General Education Requirements (see below)In addition to these objectives, a goal of this class is to emphasize development of critical thinking skills, and prepare individuals to be cautious consumers of information which is often proclaimed to be “scientific” or “research based”.It is also hoped that individuals will derive personal benefits from this classsuch as an increase in understanding of the self and others, an increase in acceptance of the self and others, and an acquisition of knowledge with which to inform future life choices.GENERAL EDUCATION APPROVALThis course has been approved for the Social and Behavioral Sciences category in general education because it uses, “scientific methods to analyze the behaviors, structures, and processes of individuals and groups”. The readings and lectures for this course will help students meet General Education Outcomes:4. Comprehend intra personal and interpersonal dynamics, and5. Comprehend concepts and methods of inquiry in science and technology, and their applications for societyGRADING1) There will be five sectional tests during the semester each worth 45 points. These tests will consist of multiple choice questions. You may replaceyour lowest score in a sectional test with your score from the optional final exam. Students must bring their student ID (Bison card) and an Opscan (bubble sheet) to all exams.2) There will be one comprehensive final exam that also consists of multiple choice items. The final exam will be worth 45 points. The final exam is optional, but you may use it to replace one of your sectional test scores.3) There will be 10 online “mastery quizzes” during the semester each worth 2.5 points. There is no limit on the number of times that students can take these quizzes. Quizzes will be available between the dates below:1 and 2: January 9 - January 283 and 4: February 1 - February 155 and 6: February 22 - March 67 and 8: March 11 - April 59 and 10: April 10 - April 24(All quizzes close at 11:59pm on the deadline day).Please see the “Taking Quizzes on Blackboard” guidance notes posted in course information for more detail.4) There is a requirement that all students must earn a minimum of 16 SONAunits (that is, they must participate in at least 4 hours of research, or complete equivalent, alternative non-research assignments) in order to pass this class. See “SONA-Systems Sign-up Details” below, for instructions on how to sign up for research participation. (Note: It is the student’s responsibility to keep a full record of all research taken part in).As an alternative to research participation, students may write 2-3 page (600 words) summaries of psychology journal articles. Journal articles can be found by going to: http://www.library.ndsu.edu and selecting the “Journals” link.(See: http://library.ndsu.edu/find-your-article for more details). Each summary is equivalent to 1 hour of research participation (4 SONA units). Hardcopies of these summaries must be handed in before the deadline of: 10am May 3. (Electronic submissions will NOT be accepted). Summaries should include:i. Name of the journal used. (Popular titles include: Psychological Bulletin, Psychological Review, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Perception, Developmental Psychology and many others) ii. Title of the article read, and names of the authors.iii. The theoretical background to the study.iv. The research methods used in the studyv. The main findings of the researchers, and the implications of these findings. 5) There are opportunities to earn extra credit. Extra credit may be used to increase your course grade by a maximum of one letter (F to D, D to C, C to B, orB to A). Thus, the maximum extra credit that can be added to your overall point total is 25. You may earn extra credit in 2 ways:1. By taking part in extra SONA-System’s experiments. Once you have completed the compulsory 4 hours of research participation (16 SONA units), each additional 15 minutes of participation is worth 1 extra credit point.2. By writing extra research summary articles. Once you have earned the compulsory 16 SONA units, each additional research summary article is worth 4 extra credit points.Note: The first 16 SONA units that students earn are compulsory. They do not getadded to your point total. Anything above 16 (up to a maximum of 41) counts as extra credit, and does get added to your point total.FINAL GRADEYou may earn up to a total of 250 points from the sectional tests, final exam, and quizzes. (Note: It is your best 5 exam scores that count). Extra credit will then be added to this total. Final grades will be based on the following point totals:A = 225 points B = 200 points C = 175 points D = 150 points F = Less than 150 points or less than 16 SONA units (the compulsory research component).Borderline Scores: Students who are 1 point (or less) away from the next letter grade will only be considered for a letter upgrade if they have done everything that they can to help themselves throughout the semester. That is, if they have earned the maximum 25 points from the quizzes, taken all six exams, and earnedthe maximum 25 points of extra credit.MAKE UP