 |
Valeri Farmer-Dougan, Ph.D.Associate Professor in the Departments ofPsychology and Biological Sciences Illinois State University |
|
|
|
Required Text: Learning Objectives: Class activities: Term Paper Laboratory exercises and class assignments Exams Academic Dishonesty Final Grades Special needs or problems Lecture and lab schedule Three Controversies reading Review Lectures for Test 1 Review Lectures for Test 2 Study Guide for Test 1 Study Guide for Test 2 Study Guide for Test 3 Notes for Test 1 Notes for Test 2 Notes for Test 3 Notes for Test 4
PSY 111-02-H:Honors GENERAL
PSYCHOLOGY
Fall,
2004 Dr.
Valeri Farmer-Dougan MWF 9-10 AM DeGarmo 18 Syllabus:
This is not a course in how to be a psychologist. You will NOT learn how
to be a therapist, learn how to diagnose people, or even learn counseling
skills. Practicing psychology requires a graduate degree, and not just an
introductory level course. Instead,
this course is about introducing you to major concepts, history and theories
critical to modern psychology.
The course is intended for students planning to major in psychology. It
introduces students to major concepts and vocabulary that form the core from
which the major will build. At times
you might feel you are in a biology course rather than psychology. At times you
might feel you are just learning facts and aren't "doing any
psychology". At still other moments you might feel that we aren't focusing
on you and your specific needs. This is because this course does not teach how
to "do psychology", but what the discipline of psychology is, and how
it fits into ways of knowing.
For those of you hoping to major in psychology- this should provide you
with a framework to develop your studies. For those of you who continue on in
other majors, this course should provide you with a general background to
physiology of the brain, learning, child development, and other areas that may
be of interest to you. Hopefully, it
will help you begin to understand why humans think, act and feel the way they
do.
One final caution: Even though this is a 100-level course, please do not allow yourself to get behind. Topics will build on one another over the course of the semester. Keep
this syllabus; it contains reading assignments, test dates, grade information,
and other items that will be of use throughout the semester.
|
|
CLASS
ACTIVITIES:
We will engage in many activities besides lectures.
These are listed below. 
Laboratory
exercises and class assignmentsWe will spend several class sessions conducting laboratories and having class discussions. In addition to the exams, several short lab and opinion papers will be required. These will be between 1 to 2 pages in length, and should be typed. Often, we will do the majority of each assignment as part of class, with you typing up the results and a discussion at home. These assignments will be tied to the assigned readings and classroom activities. Due dates and specifics about each assignment will be announced in class.
INTERDISCIPLINARY
Term Paper:You will be required to write a review paper on a topic in psychology as part of this course. Since many (most) of you are arts and science majors, you will probably focus on an activity specifically related to your major. You are to choose a specific topic in psychology and review the literature on this area. The paper should review results of research as well as theories critical to your topics. The paper should include a minimum of 5 references from appropriate psychology journals or books. A handout describing appropriate topics, appropriate journals, etc., and format and tips for the paper will be given later. This paper is due FRIDAY DECEMBER 10TH. Late papers will be docked 5 points per day.
A complete description of the paper requirements is detailed here.
EXAMS:
There will be four (4) exams. Each of these exams will be equally
weighted. You will have the entire class period to complete each exam.
No mandatory comprehensive final exam will be given; however, you will find that
each test builds upon the last (that is, if you understood the material
from the previous test, it will make each progressive test much easier).
Each exam will contain short answer, compare and contrast questions, and several
longer essay questions. Tests will cover material from both the text and
lectures.
IF
FOR ANY REASON you miss a test, please see one of us immediately. Makeup exams
will be given for true illness and extenuating
circumstances.
ACADEMIC
DISHONESTY:Any cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating or plagiarism will result in an F in the course and referral to the Student Code Enforcement Review Board (SCERB) for disciplinary action. Cheating INCLUDES (but is not limited to): plagiarism of both published and unpublished written work, having another individual take or assist you with an online exam, taking an exam for or assisting another individual with an online quiz, performing or completing a class assignment or quiz for another individual or having another individual perform or complete a class assignment or quiz for you. Cheating is thus defined generally as representing work that is NOT your own as your work or allowing your work to be represented as another’s' so that individual receives academic credit. Violators of this policy will receive a failing grade on that assignment or quiz, a possible failing grade for the course, and referral to the department chair and the SCERB for disciplinary action.
FINAL GRADES:
A
total of 600 points (400 for exams, 100 points for the term paper, and 100
points for in- class activities) are available in the course. Grades will
be awarded on the following basis:
