PSYC 001: General Psychology Spring, 2009 Information in this syllabus is subject to change. This is Version 1, publication date 12 January 2009. Revisions, as well as some course information, are only available on Blackboard. Staff Office Hours Dr. Larry Rudiger John Dewey Hall, 205: By appointment (e-mail [email protected]), after visiting the PSYC 001 office. Joanne Kalisz Laura Selkirk Jenn Zangl John Dewey Hall, 208a. Changes to the office-hour schedule will be posted on Blackboard. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1:30 – 2:30 12:30 – 1:30 1:45-2:45 10:30 – 11:30 10:00 – 11:00 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. It is only answered during office hours, and it does not accept voicemail messages. 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. Available in hard-copy and electronic editions. New books are bundled and contain the text in both formats. 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. Web-based resources https://bb.uvm.edu. Your Blackboard ID and password are the same as your e-mail account. Section CRN Time Days Location A/Z1 10407/11351 8:30 – 9:45 Tuesday & Thursday Billings Lecture Hall C/Z3 10409/11365 4:00 – 5:15 Tuesday & Thursday Fleming 101 B/Z2 10408/11363 5:30 – 6:45 Tuesday & Thursday Fleming 101 PSYC 001: The gist The course has several required elements in two broad categories. 1. There are four types of learning opportunities: (1.) pre-class assignments (on textbook readings), most of which are done in small groups; (2.) class attendance; (3.) in-class participation; and (4.) direct experience with research projects. Each of the first three learning opportunities is worth 10% of your grade. 2. There are two types of assessment: online quizzes (10% of grade), and in-class examinations (60% of grade), including a comprehensive final exam. In addition, bonus points are available. Each element of the course is described in detail below. Course Objective PSYC 001 introduces students to the ways psychologists try to understand behavior. 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, evaluated, and conveyed. By the end of the course, students should be able to think and to write like psychologists and be informed analysts of claims about 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 an educated consumer of psychological services. Process. This course involves reading, writing, and conference. Our approach 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 Spring, 2009, 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 carefully read and analyze the section’s introductory chapter. As will be explained more fully in class, in assignments, and on Blackboard, some of the required readings will not be discussed in class. This is intentional. The goal is to provide you with an opportunity to develop and employ your skills of reading to learn, not simply reading to reinforce what you heard in class. Reading-to-learn techniques are part of the curriculum. They will be available in Blackboard and through other opportunities on campus. 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. This material 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. The goal is to help you prepare for class, to develop skills in writing about research, and to develop a foundation for later study (in psychology as well as other sciences). Format and criteria. Details are provided in Blackboard. Most of these assignments are completed by working on a team, although some are largely a matter of individual effort (usually the case when based on material covered during the class meeting after the first three exams, as well as during the first 3 weeks of class). Some assignments have multiple steps with multiple deadlines. 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 .25 (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 21 (of the possible 24) 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 21 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 by the deadline even when your absence from class is excused. Excused