Dr. Jason McCartney Office:
AW 404
PSYC 101 sec 004 Email:
jsmccartney@salisbury.edu
General Psychology Phone:
(410) 677-5444
Spring 2008 Office
Hours: MW 2-3:30pm,
TuTh TuTh 10:30am-Noon
(or by appointment)
Wade, Carole & Tavris, Carol (2008).
Psychology (9th ed.),
This course is an
introduction to the psychological bases of human behavior and mental
processes. As such, a broad range of
topics will be covered, including but not limited to: scientific research
methods, motivation, learning, memory, development, attention, attitudes,
illusions, persuasion, cultural differences, abnormal behavior, and group
behavior. Overall, this course is
intended to increase students' awareness of the fascinating and diverse field
of psychology. Students will be
responsible for ALL the material covered in class as well as the assigned text
material. This is a reading intensive course, as
such students will be required to read approximately 40 pages of material per
week. It is the student’s responsibility
to keep up on their assigned reading.
CLASS ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED
and will be taken regularly using class quizzes and assignments.
1. Exams - 400
points
There will be four noncomprehensive exams as noted on the schedule (see next
page). Each test will consist of
multiple-choice and true false items and will be worth 100 points. Exams will be based on lecture and text
material. Students who know they will
miss an exam for a legitimate reason must inform the instructor so they can
take the exam in advance if possible. No
make up exams will be allowed without documentation (medical bills,
prescription, etc.).
2. Outside
Assignments - 60 points
There will be two assignments
to complete outside of class and each will be worth 30 points. All late assignments will receive a 5-point deduction for each day
late (this includes weekends). The
assignments and due dates are explained on page four. All assignments must be typed and must be given to the instructor in
class or during office hours (assignments found under my office door will be
given a "zero").
3. Extra Credit
(up to 20 points)
A student can earn up to 20
bonus points for active class participation throughout the semester. (Thus, it benefits you if I know your
name!) Points will be awarded in the
following manner: 0 for
little or no participation & problems with attendance (e.g., repeated
absences and lateness).
5
points for little participation and only a minor issues with
attendance, 10 or 15 points
for moderate participation and no attendance issues, 20 points for regular and relevant participation and no
attendance problems (fewer than 3 absences*).
NO OTHER FORM OF EXTRA CREDIT
IS AVAILABLE.
General Comments
2. Do not come to class more than 5 minutes late
or leave early without giving the
instructor prior notification.
*In general all of these items involve
respect for the instructor and your fellow classmates. When students leave early, receive personal
calls, or sleep during class they are insulting and distracting anyone who is
involved or prepared to participate in class.
Grading
The final grade will be
determined based on a simple formula: the student’s total points divided by the
total possible points. [A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), F
(<60%) ]
Academic Honesty Policy: Please
review pages 22-23 of the Undergraduate Catalogue.
Writing Across the Curriculum
All writing assignments, both
formal and informal, are in support of
Lecture Topic and
Jan. 28th-Week 1 Syllabus and “What is
Psychology” Ch.
1
Feb. 4th-Week 2 Research Methods
Feb. 11th-Week 3 Genes/Environment, & Evolution Ch. 3
Feb. 18th-Week 4 The
Brain Ch.
4
Test #1
February 21st (Chapters 1-4)
Feb. 25th-Week 5 Body
Rhythms & Mental States
March 3rd-Week 6 Sensation & Perception
*1st Outside Assignment Due
March 10th-Week 7 Learning & Conditioning
March
17th-Week 8 Spring
Break**
March 24th-Week 9 Memory Ch. 10
Test
#2 – March 27th (chapters 5-7, 10)
March 31-Week 10 Thinking
& Intelligence
*2nd Outside Assignment Due
April 7th-Week 11 Emotion,
and Motivation Ch.
11, 12
*NCUR: Conference on campus, no class April 10th
April 14th-Week 12 Development
over the Life Span Ch.
14
April 21st-Week 13 Test #3- April 29th
(chapters 9, 11, 12, 14)
April 30th-Week 14 Personality
May 7th-Week 15 Behavior in Social/Cultural
Context Ch.
8
May 14th-Week 16 Psychological Disorders
May 17-23rd Finals (Test #4);
(chapters 8, 13, 16)
**The above schedule is subject to change according to
the discretion of the instructor and potential timing issues.
Outside Assignments - PSY 101 Spring
2008
(All work must be Typed)
Assignment #1 Movie Summary and Review (DUE
on March 4th )
Length: 1-2 pages
There
are many films that relate to the field of psychology. Some tell stories of memory loss,
psychopathology, child and parenting issues, or brain issues, and others apply indirectly via the storyline or
characters involved (e.g., motivation, attitudes, personalities). Every chapter in your text covers
material and terminology that can be applied directly to popular media,
especially movies. Students can use
material from ANY chapter in the text.. For this
assignment, students will view and summarize one movie. This TYPED summary and review should address
the following four points: 1) why did
you choose this film, 2) briefly discuss the main storyline/plot (*one
or two paragraphs max), 3) how does the film relate to psychology (*main
portion of review), and 4) be
sure to highlight 3 or more terms or concepts from the textbook/lecture
(define the terms and relate to film).
Assignment #2 - Evaluate a
Psychology Web site (DUE on April 1st)
Length: 2 pages**
Find
a web site that contains actual psychological content on whatever topic
interests you (e.g., home schooling, alternative therapies, parenting,
sexuality, stereotypes, learning, health, pharmaceuticals, etc.). The site cannot simply be a web page with a
set of hyperlinks to other web sites but must contain some information of its own.
You are to evaluate the validity and reliability of
information available on your chosen site.
**Fist page should have your name &
answers to the questions below.
**Second page should be a copy or
printout of the 1st page of the website (only one page needed*)
Assignments without this
will not be graded.
1. Why
did you choose this site?
2. Is
there any indication that the site is created by a credible source? If so, how can you tell?
3. What is the stated purpose of the
site? Do you feel the site fulfills that
purpose?
4. Does the information appear current? Is it verifiable?
HONOR
PLEDGE:
Psychologists
are bound by the American Psychological Association’s Code of Ethics. This code is an integral part of our
professional life whether that life involves research, therapy, supervision of
others, or teaching. Violation of this
code by a psychologist can result in serious consequences.
As a
student, you are also expected to conduct yourself in an honorable manner. The specific consequences for violating the
academic integrity code are outlined in the student handbook. As part of the requirement for you to remain
enrolled in this course, you are expected to sign the honor pledge. You must sign this code and turn it in to my
by the end of the drop add period.
Failure to do so will result in dismissal from this course. The pledge states that you will complete all
work in this course in an honorable manner.
You will not present work as yours that is not your own nor receive help
on assignments or tests that is not specifically permitted.
I pledge
that I will complete all assignments and tests in this course honorably. I pledge that I will not present work which
is not my own as if it is work that I have done. I also pledge that I will not receive
unauthorized help on assignments and tests.
__________________________ __________
Signature Date