INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (Summer 2013)
University of Kentucky
Course: Introduction to Psychology, PSY 100 – 210 (Online)
Session: Summer I (May 7, 2013 – June 6, 2013)
Instructor: Dr. Ray Archer Office: Kastle Hall, Rm 219 Office Mail Box: 111A Kastle Hall
Phone: 257-1941 (leave a message)
Email:
Virtual Office Hours: The fastest way to contact me is through email. I will respond within 24 hours. If you would like to talk face-to-face, email me and we can schedule a time to meet. Additionally, I will be immediately available through Facebook and email from 1:00-2:00 pm on Tuesdays and from 7:00-8:00 pm on Wednesdays.
Required Text: Myers, David G. (2013). Psychology (10th edition) with PsychPortal. New York, NY:
Worth Publishing.
Books may be purchased from the following stores.
• Kennedy Bookstore, 405 S. Limestone, (859) 252-0331
or go to the website: http://www.kennedys.com
• UK Bookstore 106 Student Center Annex, (859) 257-6304
or go to the website: http://www.uk.bkstr.com
• Worth Publishing: http://worthpublishers.com/Catalog/product/psychology-tenthedition- myers/formatsandpackages/studentpurchaseoptions
If you rent the textbook or acquire it in any other way and wish to purchase access ONLY to the online lab, your instructor has arranged a special price of $30 for your access to the PsychPortal.
You can purchase access to the PsychPortal at the reduced price here: http://courses.bfwpub.com/myers10e.php
**You have the option to get the textbook in any format you choose (new, used, ebook, hardback, paperback, looseleaf), but you will need the PsychPortal access codes to complete the course activities.
BULLETIN DESCRIPTION
PSY 100 is an introduction to the study of behavior covering theories, methods and findings of research in major areas of psychology. Topics covered will include the biological foundations of behavior; learning, perception, motivation, personality; developmental, abnormal, and social behavior; and methods of assessment. This course is a prerequisite to a significant number of courses in this and related areas of study.
UK CORE (General Education) LEARNING OBJECTIVES
PSY 100 satisfies the UK Core requirement for Inquiry in the Social Sciences. These courses promote an understanding of the relationships between individuals and society and how scholars have come to understand these relationships using conceptual models and processes of inquiry. Through a discipline-based study of social problems or themes, students will learn to critically evaluate the variety of social situations with which they may be confronted in their everyday lives. Specific learning objectives include:
* Promoting students’ ability to define and distinguish different theoretical approaches associated with
Psychology.
* Promoting students’ understanding of methods and ethics of inquiry which lead to social scientific knowledge.
* Demonstration of students’ ability to identify and use appropriate information resources to substantiate evidence-
based claims.
* Demonstration of students’ application of the knowledge of how psychology influences society.
* Demonstration of students’ ability to identify well-formulated questions pertinent to psychology and to employ
psychology’s conceptual and methodological approaches in identifying reasonable research strategies that could
speak to that question.
LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
1. Understand the breadth and depth of psychology’s subfields.
2. Understand the historical development of the discipline and its paradigm.
3. Think critically about human diversity and its impact on human behavior.
4. Gain an understanding of psychology that can be applied to your own personal lives.
FORMAT
Much of the learning in this course will come from reading the text, watching/listening to videotaped lectures, interacting with the online laboratory demonstrations and simulations and from completing the required written projects that involve applying psychological principles to your own lives. In this online format, you are responsible for completing the activities within the given time frame, reading the text and studying for the exams. The online lecture material will sometimes cover material not in the text. Items on the tests could cover material from the lectures, the text, videos or lab activities.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
As a student, you are responsible, at minimum, for reading the text, watching the online lectures, completing the online laboratory assignments, participating in online discussions, studying the material, taking the required examinations, and completing the assigned projects. Your task of learning psychology, however, will be much easier if you (a) keep up with the readings and lecture content; (b) ask questions about the readings and lecture topics during online discussions or via email; and (c) put in the time necessary to adequately prepare for the examinations.
A. Keep pace with the material. This is not a self-paced class and the projects, quizzes and tests all have specifically scheduled due dates. You will need to start reading the material and watching the online lectures when the class starts and should plan accordingly for the entire 6 week session. You are expected to spend a MINIMUM of 3-4 hours perday (5 days a week) working with the course material (including reading, writing, interacting with other students in the course, etc).
B. Abide by the Academic Honest Policy. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism or any other behavior that violates University standards will not be tolerated. Violation of these policies is regarded as an act of fraud and will be reported, which could lead to punishments including a zero on the exam or assignment, class failure or expulsion from the University.
EVALUATION
A. Tests: You will have three tests and a final exam. Each of the first 3 tests will cover 3-4 chapters as well as lecture material and film content. Each test will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions worth 2 points each. Your final exam will cover 3 new chapters and accompanying material as well as some cumulative material. The final exam will consist of 75 multiple-choice questions worth 2 points each (50 questions covering the 3 new chapters and 25 questions from cumulative material). The tests are closed-book, will be administered through Blackboard and will be timed. You will have 40 minutes to complete each of the first 3 tests and you will have 55 minutes for the final exam.
B. Quizzes: You will also be taking 4 quizzes over the session. Each quiz will consist of 10 multiple-choice questions covering one chapter, with each question worth 2 points. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped. The quizzes are closed-book, will be administered through Blackboard and will be timed. You will have 5 minutes to complete each of the quizzes.
C. Written Assignments (Projects): You will also complete five written assignments during the semester. Each assignment will require you to think critically about an issue, identify the problem, make inferences and identify assumptions and discuss the implications. They will vary in type and demands, but none should exceed 3-4 pages in length. Each project will be graded on a 20 point scale, with a total combined point value for all of the projects at 100 points.
D. Course Participation/Discussion: You will be expected to participate in online discussions during the session. I or my TA will periodically post discussion questions and we will record the number and quality of the responses. You will be expected to participate in at least 5 discussion forums, either questions posted by instructors or student led discussions. Participation/discussion will be worth 40 points.
E. Lab: Lab activities and demonstrations will be interwoven throughout the session. Each lab will consist of a set of activities, simulations, and/or demonstrations along with a lab quiz. The lab portion of the class is worth 100 points and those points will be comprised of participation in the activities combined with scores on the lab quizzes.
Summary of Point System
Activity Points
Tests 300
Final Exam 150
Quizzes 60
Projects 100
Participation/Discussion 40
Lab 100
Total 750
GRADING
The distribution of grades will be based on a standard criterion-referenced grading system. If you earn a certain number of points needed for a grade, you will receive that grade. Cut-offs for grades are etched in stone, and listed below.
Grade Percent Points
A 89.5% - 100% 671 - 750
B 79.5% - 89.4% 596 - 670
C 69.5% - 79.4% 521 - 595
D 59.5% - 69.4% 446 - 520
E Below 59.5% below 446
CLASS POLICIES
Excused Absence/ Make-up opportunities
Students need to notify the professor of absences prior to class when possible. S.R. 5.2.4.2 defines the following as acceptable reasons for excused absences: (a) serious illness, (b) illness or death of family member, (c) University-related trips, (d) major religious holidays, and (e) other circumstances found to fit “reasonable cause for nonattendance” by the professor.
Students anticipating an absence for a major religious holiday are responsible for notifying the instructor in writing of anticipated absences due to their observance of such holidays no later than the last day in the semester to add a class. Information regarding dates of major religious holidays may be obtained through the religious liaison, Mr. Jake Karnes (859-257-2754).
Students are expected to withdraw from the class if more than 20% of the classes scheduled for the semester are missed (excused or unexcused) per university policy.
Problems associated with your computer, procrastination, or forgetfulness are not acceptable excuses for late submission of assignments or missed quizzes/exams. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure that you access and submit assignments on time and take the quizzes/exams during the open windows.
Note: Once the deadline for submission has passed, these assignments will no longer be accessible on Blackboard.
Make-up quizzes will only be given for DOCUMENTED excused absences (or inabilities) as defined by the University (Senate Rule V.2.4.2) and are scheduled as needed. A missed quiz will result in a score of zero for that exam/quiz, unless an acceptable written excuse is presented within 36 hours of the missed quiz.
Verification of Absences
Students may be asked to verify their absences in order for them to be considered excused. Senate Rule 5.2.4.2 states that faculty have the right to request “appropriate verification” when students claim an excused absence because of illness or death in the family. Appropriate notification of absences due to university-related trips is required prior to the absence.
Academic Integrity: Per University policy, students shall not plagiarize, cheat, or falsify or misuse academic records. Students are expected to adhere to University policy on cheating and plagiarism in all courses. The minimum penalty for a first offense is a zero on the assignment on which the offense occurred. If the offense is considered severe or the student has other academic offenses on their record, more serious penalties, up to suspension from the university, may be imposed.
Plagiarism and cheating are serious breaches of academic conduct. Each student is advised to become familiar with the various forms of academic dishonesty as explained in the Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities. Complete information can be found at the following website: http://www.uky.edu/Ombud. A plea of ignorance is not acceptable defense against the charge of academic dishonesty. It is important that you review this information as all ideas borrowed from others need to be properly credited.
Students with Disabilities:
It is the policy of the University of Kentucky to accommodate individuals with disabilities pursuant to federal law and the University’s commitment to equal educational opportunities. If you have a documented disability that requires academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible during my scheduled office hours. In order to receive accommodations in this course, you must provide me with a Letter of Accommodation from the Disability Resource Center (Room 2, Alumni gym, 257-2754, ) for coordination of campus disability services available to students with disabilities.
Online Behavior Policies
Students are expected to maintain decorum that includes respect for other students and the instructor, to regularly log in to the course, and to display an attitude that seeks to take full advantage of the educational opportunity. All students are expected to be prepared to work and actively participate in class activities.
Virtual communication and discussion "in cyberspace" occur in a social environment where normal rules of social interaction apply. The remoteness of the recipients is no excuse to behave in an anti-social manner and post unacceptable messages.
Unacceptable messages include those that harass, intimidate, threaten, belittle, ridicule, express hatred for, or are aggressive toward others. Let us be mindful to avoid words that imply that some groups of people are less worthy than others (e.g., avoid racist, sexist, anti-Semitic, age-ist, and homophobic language).
Discussion board and other electronic communication for this course should relate only to the course subject matter, generally respond to the instructor threads, and always seek to further the aims of that particular discussion forum or chat session (e.g., stay on topic).
Contributions to discussion boards and synchronous chat are the intellectual property of the authors. Students who quote another person in class projects, publications or even in remarks made on the discussion board should always acknowledge the source of that quote (e.g., do not plagiarize your classmates).
Personal comments about other users and their views should not be placed in any of our Blackboard course areas that are viewable by other users.
Do not copy private messages to another person without the author's explicit permission.
Consult the UK Student Rights and Responsibilities regarding the steps for addressing unresolved academic issues at http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Code/part2.html
SUGGESTED TIMELINE SCHEDULE AND ACTUAL DUE DATES
Date Day Topic Covered Chapters
May 7 Tues Introduction to Psychology Prologue
May 8 Wed Psychological Research 1
May 9 Thur Psychological Research 1
May 10 Fri The Biology of Mind 2
5/10: Project #1 due by Midnight
May 13 Mon The Biology of Mind 2
May 14 Tue States of Consciousness 3
Quiz #1: Chapter 2 (Biology of Mind)
May 15 Wed States of Consciousness 3
5/16: Project #2 due by Midnight
May 16 Thur TEST #1 (covers Chapters Prologue, 1, 2, & 3)
May 17 Fri Nature, Nurture and Human Diversity 4
May 20 Mon Developing through the Lifespan 5
May 21 Tue Developing through the Lifespan 5
May 22 Wed Sensation and Perception 6
5/22: Project #3 due by Midnight
May 23 Thur Sensation and Perception 6
May 24 Fri Learning 7
Quiz #2: Chapter 6 (Sensation & Perception)