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P111.01 Introductory Psychology

Fall, 2006

Professors: Dr. Valeri Farmer-Dougan

Class Times and Locations:

Section	Days	Time	Location	Professor
01	T	3:35-4:25	SH 138	Dr. McBride

02	MWF	9:00-9:50	SCH 206	Dr. Farmer-Dougan
03	MWF	10:00-10:50	SH108	Dr. Wagman
04	TR	2:00-3:15	DEG 39	Dr. Zimmerman
05	MW	4:00-5:15	DEG 39	Dr. McBride

Syllabus:

What this course is and is not.

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.

This 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. By providing 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 your syllabus; it contains reading assignments, test dates, grade information, and other items that will be of use throughout the semester.

Required Texts:

The books used in this course arel Nairne's Psychology: The Adaptive Mind, 4th Edition and Slife's Taking Sides, 14th Edition. They may be purchased in the various bookstores (e.g. University Bookstore, the Alamo II). Your books should look like this:

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Learning Objectives:

In keeping with the spirit of good learning principles, the Psychology Department has determined that this course meets the following objectives:

	Utilize your critical thinking skills in conjunction with knowledge of the scientific method to analyze theoretical viewpoints and data presented by contemporary psychology.
	Understand and critically analyze ways psychologists and their colleagues in related disciplines use to change human and animal behavior.
	Understand how people learn, think and remember.
	Understand the course and nature of human development and analyze how it applies to one�s own life and to the lives of those around you--peers, family, and other individuals with whom one works in a professional or personal context.
	Recognize the psychological processes involved in the interpretation of sensory input and evaluate the role that one's experiences play in this process.
	Become familiar with and critically discuss the ethics involved in research with human and non-human subjects and the legal and moral responsibilities of those individuals who work with both people and animals.
	Understand and critically analyze the personal dynamics of the individual within a social group and the resulting effect of the group on individual behavior.
	Demonstrate an understanding of critical analysis, the role of theory, and of human behavior by showing an ability to listen to and critically analyze contrasting opinions without ridiculing, taunting or reacting with hostility to contrasting opinions. Rather, an individual with such skills responds with sound argumentation, rational responses and tolerance towards others.

These Objectives are consistent with Educating Illinois document. Please see this document for further details.

Assignments:

Please link to your individual instructor web site for specific assignments:

Section

Days

Time

Location

Professor

02

MWF

9:00-9:50

SCH 206

Dr. Farmer-Dougan

03

MWF

10:00-10:50

SCH 108

Dr. Wagman

04

TR

2:00-3:15

DEG 39

Dr. Zimmerman

05

MW

4:00-5:15

DEG 39

Dr. McBride

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.

Special Problems

If you have a disability, if English is your second language, or need other special considerations, please see me as soon as possible (that's before the first test!) to work out any special arrangements that might be needed. If you fail a test, please see me as soon as possible. I cannot help you if you do not contact me for help!

Please Note: According to University Guidelines: Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TDD). They are there to ensure that you receive the help you need!!

P111-01 Weekly Meeting Schedule

T 3:35-4:25

SH 138

Listed below is the large group meeting schedule. Note that these topics are subject to change.

There will be class assignments based on these lectures/discussions/experiences.

Your attendance is required and expected. If you choose to miss a class, you will be expected to provide official documentation verifying why you were unable to attend. Documentation includes items such as doctor office receipts, court receipts, etc.

Excused absences do not excuse you from the assignment. It is expected that you will complete the assignment on your own time and turn it in within 1 class period after you return from your absence. It is your responsibility to obtain the class assignment.

WEEK 1 - 8/22

What is a Psychologist?
Panel Discussion: Dr's Roc�o Rivadeneyra, Dr. Gary Cates, J. Cooper Cutting, Salvatore J. Catanzaro

WEEK 2 - 8/29

Brain-behavior relations. Dr. Byron A. Heidenreich

WEEK 3 - 9/5

Visual Perception and Brain Injury: Dr. Gordon M. Redding

WEEK 4 - 9/12

Perception and the Mnd: Dr. Jeffrey B. Wagman and Dr. J. Scott Jordan

WEEK 5 - 9/19

Are Animals smart and why does it matter? Dr. Valeri A. Farmer-Dougan

WEEK 6 - 9/26

Applications of Learning Dr. Gary Cates

WEEK 7 - 10/3

False memories. Dr. Dawn M. McBride

WEEK 8 - 10/10

Understanding what we understand. Dr. Corinne Zimmerman

WEEK 9 - 10/17

Why did I write an Introductory Psychology Textbook? Dr. James Nairne

WEEK 10 - 10/24

So YOU want to be a psychologist! Dr.Karen I. Mark

WEEK 11 - 10/31

A window into children's play. Dr. Laura E. Berk

WEEK 12 - 11/7

Understanding adolescents. Dr. Marla J. Reese-Weber

WEEK 13 - 11/14

Work place psychology. Dr. John F. Binning

WEEK 14 - 11/21

THANKSGIVING Break!

WEEK 15 - 11/28

Understanding mental illness: Lessons from the trenches.

WEEK 1 6 - 12/5

So, what is a psychologist? A concluding discussion
Panel Discussion:Dr.'s Eros R. DeSouza, J. Scott Jordan, Matthew S. Hesson-McInnis, and Alycia M. Hund