Y

Syllabus

Introduction to Psychology

Course: Psy 1113                 ZAP: 1496             SEC: 001                BLDG-RM: PH 315                                        

 

Instructor: Abe F. Marrero, Ph.D.                                                                    Class Times: MWF 11:00 - 11:50

 

Office: PH 313A                                                                                                   Phone: 343-7667

 

E-mail: amarrero@rsu.edu                                                                               Web: http://www.rsu.edu/faculty/amarrero/

Office Hours: I am looking forward to meeting and talking with you this semester. My office hours will be posted on or near my office door. Please feel free to call and make an appointment.

 

Required Text: Kosslyn & Rosenberg (2004), The Brain, The Person, The World, 2/e.

 

Optional: Study Guide.

 

Course Overview: PSY 1113 provides a brief survey of the discipline of psychology. The major course objectives is to provide students with a basic understanding of human behavior and the major fields of psychology.

 

Course Goals: After taking this course, students should have mastered the following general course competencies:

 

1.       Understand how psychology utilizes the scientific method and empirical research in exploring human behavior.

2.       To be familiar with the many diverse fields within the discipline of psychology.

3.       Have a general knowledge of the biological basis of human behavior.

4.       To become acquainted with the major theoretical perspectives that underlies the discipline.

5.       To develop and apply critical thinking skills in trying to understand behavioral phenomenon.

6.       To become responsible and discerning consumers of knowledge.

7.       To develop a lifelong enthusiasm and appreciation for learning.

 

CORE COMPETENCIES                   TOPICS INCLUDED                                                          COGNITIVE LEVEL*

1. History & Systems                          Historical basis, different perspectives.           Knowledge

2. Scientific Method & Research       Philosophy of Science, Research methods      Application

3. Biological Basis of Behavior          Brain & nervous system, neurotransmitters    Knowledge

4. States of Consciousness                                Sleep, drugs, dreams, & hypnosis                    Knowledge

5. Learning                                            Operant & Classical conditioning,                    Analysis

social learning

6. Development                                    Biological, psychosocial                                     Knowledge

7. Cognition                                          Memory, intelligence, language                        Knowledge

8. Social Psychology                           Prosocial behavior, conformity, aggression    Analysis

 

*= Cognitive domains per Blooms taxonomy.

 

Relation Between Course Goals and General Education Goals

 

COURSE GOALS

GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS SUPPORTED

HOW EVALUATED

1.  Scientific method and empirical research.

Demonstrate knowledge of and application of scientific principles and recognize the role of science in our society.

Exam and class exercises.

2.  Biological basis of human behavior.

Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship among people and their physical and social environments.

Exam & dissection.

4.  Major theoretical perspectives.

Demonstrate knowledge of diverse human values, beliefs, and behaviors.

Discussion & exam.

5.  Responsible and discerning consumers of knowledge.

Demonstrate knowledge of the history and functions of social institutions.

Case studies.

 

 

Course Format: Since the time of Aristotle, teachers have communicated information primarily through the lecture. In spite of this rich tradition, however, new technologies are providing us with improved ways to communicate information. So I will use lecture to introduce new material, for expanding on the textbook, and for motivating students by sharing my passion for studying and learning about human behavior. I will use demonstrations, videos, experiments, and in- and outside- classroom activities to get each student involved. I believe that learning is enhanced when the student takes an active role in the process. Because each of you is a unique individual with diverse experiences and backgrounds, I strongly solicit and expect active participation in classroom discussions. Accordingly, you can expect to be involved in group work and other participatory classroom activities.

 

Course Requirements and Organization

 

                Readings: My expectation is that you will come prepared for class by having read the assigned chapter(s).  It is important to note that exam questions will be derived from assigned readings.

 

                Class Attendance: There is a positive correlation between class attendance and passing grades. Attendance will be recorded for each class session.

 

                Exams: Formats for exams will be a combination of multiple guess, fill-in-the-blanks, true and false, matching, short essays, and/or oral discourse in front of the psychology faculty. Failure to take an exam on the scheduled date will result in a 10% reduction of that exam score. However, I fully appreciate that there may be extenuating circumstances (e.g., natural disasters such as tornadoes) and therefore reserve the right to judge each case on it’s own merit. Be advised that make-up exams will necessarily be limited in number and more difficult than the original.

 

                Extra Credit Opportunities: Extra-credit should not be considered a substitute for established academic standards. That is, that completing extra-credit will not cause a change in grade from a D to an A, or even a B. However, if you are on the borderline, say between a D and a C (approximately 67%), doing extra-credit may help you achieve a C. Likewise, I feel that the fruits of your labor should benefit the entire class. See attached.

 

Evaluation and Grading System. Your final grade will be determined by the mean of exam scores and other classroom activities.

 

                                Exams (6 x 100 pts)…………………………………………………….600

                                Out of Class Assignments……………………………………………10-50                                   

                                Final Exam………………………………………………….…………..100

 

Grading Scale:     A = 90 - 100%     B = 80 - 89%       C = 70 - 79%       D = 60 - 69%

 

Integrity:  In essence, there is no room for compromise on this one folks! To quote: “Plagiarism is representing someone else’s ideas or work as your own ideas or work. To avoid plagiarism when using someone else’s data, arguments, designs, words, ideas, projects, etc., you must make it clear that the work originated with someone else by citing the source.” Faculty Information Book, August, 1999.

 

Academic Misconduct

 

Students are expected to follow university policies as put forth in the institution's Student Code of Responsibilities and Conduct.  In accordance with Title 12 of The Student Code (page 11), instances of alleged academic misconduct will follow the policies and procedures as described in Title 12.  As a general rule, Faculty at Rogers State University have the responsibility of enforcing the academic code.  Therefore, if academic misconduct is suspected I will submit a letter of alleged academic misconduct to the Office of Student Affairs. 

 

Non-academic misconduct

 

In order to maintain an effective learning environment, students are expected to fully comply with The Student Code. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. It is the responsibility of each student to read and become familiar with the policies of The Student Code.

 

Special Needs: "All students with disabilities who are requesting accommodations should give the"...Office of Student Relations, Preparatory Hall, Room 110 - Claremore Campus... "at least two weeks advance notice to ensure accommodations.  Otherwise, we can't guarantee you will receive the accommodations in time".

 

CHANGES: I reserve the right to make changes in schedule, course content, and items in this syllabus. When changes are necessitated you will be informed as soon as reasonably possible.

 

Grievances. I don't anticipate any problems, but if you feel that you have a complaint or unresolved issue, please let me know. As hard as it may be to believe, I do make errors J. Please give me a chance to fix it.

 

Class schedule is subject to change, so be flexible.

 

Class Activities and Schedule

                                Activity                                                                                                                                                  Assignments

 

Week 0                   Introduction                                                                                                                                          Read Chapter 1

 

Week 1                   Psychology: Yesterday & Today                                                                     

Class Activities and Schedule

                                Activity                                                                                                                                                  Assignments

Week 1                   Structuralism, Functionalism, Gestalt, Psychodynamic, Behaviorism, Humanistic & Cognitive                                                                           

                                What do Psychologists do? Clinical, Academic, & Applied                                                        Read Ch. 2

 

Week 2                   Scientific Method                , Research Methods, Validity, Reliability, & Statistics                                 

                                                                                                                                               

EXAM 1 Introduction & Research (Chapters 1 & 2)                                                                                                   Read Ch. 3                                                                                                                                            

Week 3                   Neurons & Neural Communication, Neurotransmitters & Neuromodulators

 

Week 4                   Nervous System & Endocrine System, Brain – Subcortical, Brain - Cerebral Cortex                                                                               

                                Brain Dissection                                                                                  

                               

EXAM 2 - Biological Psychology (Chapter 3)                                                                                                               Read Ch. 5                            

Week 5                   Consciousness & The Rest that Refreshes - Sleep, Circadian Rhythms                                                                   

Week 6                   Drugs & Alcohol

                                                                                                                               

EXAM 3 - Altered States (Chapter 5)                                                                                                                              Read Ch. 6            

Week 7                   Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, & Observational Learning                               Read Ch. 7

 

Week 8                   Sensory, Short & Long Term Memory, Encoding & Retrieving, & Forgetting

 

EXAM 4 – Learning & Memory (Chapters 6 & 7)                                                                                                       Read Ch. 12

 

Week 9                   In the beginning.. Early Development , Cognitive Development (Fall Break)

 

Week 10                 Social & Emotional Development, Parenting

 

EXAM 5 - Childhood (Chapter 12)                                                                                                                   Read Ch. 13

 

Week 11                 Adolescence & Adulthood                                                                                               

 

Week 12                 Stress, Health, & Coping

 

EXAM 6 – Adolescence, Adulthood, & Stress (Chapters 12 & 13)                                                                          Read Ch. 14

 

Week 13                 What’s Abnormal? Mood D/Os, Anxiety D/Os

 

Week 14                 Schizophrenia, Eating D/Os, & Childhood D/Os

 

EXAM 7 – Psychological Disorders (Chapter 14)                                                                                                        Read Ch. 16

 

Week 15                 Social Cognition, (Thanksgiving Holiday)

 

Week 16                 Social Behavior, & Social Psychology                                            

 

Week 17                               Final Examination Week

               

I reserve the right to make changes to the schedule, both in dates and/or content/assignments.

 

End - of - Semester Procedures.  Because there are not many graded requirements for this course, you should have a good idea at the end of the semester of what grade you have earned. Accordingly, please refrain from asking to see me to “discuss my grade”.