Introduction to Psychology
Fall 2009 (MW)
Instructor: Dr. Barry Kicklighter
Office Location: Russell 309
Office Phone: 678-359-5036
E-mail address: bkicklighter@gdn.edu
Office Hours:
M-TR 8:30-9:30
M&W; 12:15-12:45
T&W 1:45-3:00
This course is a broad survey of the major topics in psychology, including research methodology, biological and social factors influencing behavior, development, learning, memory, personality, and abnormal psychology. Credit Hours: 3
Ciccarelli, Saundra. (2008) Psychology (2nd Edition). Prentice Hall.
To assist student in acquiring knowledge of the basic concepts, theories, and issues of psychology and in understanding how these may apply in real life situations.
Attendance and class participation. Records of attendance will be kept, and class participation, discussion of relevant topics, and asking questions is always encouraged. Students missing no more than 1 class will have three points added to their final course averages. Students missing only 2 classes will receive 2 points, and students missing only 3 classes will receive 1 point.
There will be no direct effect on course grade for missing 4-8 classes. However, students missing more than eight classes will have one-half point deducted from the final average for each absence starting with the ninth one. Students who can document reasons for absences such as medical treatment or participation in Gordon College activities (This included standardized tests, but not appointments with advisers.) may submit these along with a written request that these absences be excused (form available on professor’s web page). No absences will be excused without a written request from the student. Absences may also result from failure to display classroom courtesy. Students arriving late (after roll call) or leaving early will receive one-half an absence. (It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that he or she is counted present for class and to provide information leading to excused absences in a timely manner. Do not assume that absences were overlooked or excused simply because they were never called to your attention.)
Regular tardiness will also be considered a class disruption and will result in a 3 point reduction from your test grade. If you need to leave early, inform the instructor at the beginning of class. If a student must leave the class prior to dismissal, he or she should notify the instructor before class begins. If you arrive after the role is taken, notify the instructor after class that you did attend. Students will not be allowed to enter after the first 10 minutes. When the door is shut, do not open it and disturb the class.
Cell Phone Disruptions: Cell phones are not allowed during class time. Each occurrence of cell phone usage will result in a 3 point test grade reduction.
Talking Disruptions: You are encouraged to participate in class discussions, but personal talking will result in a warning and then a 3 point test grade reduction.
Preparation for class and completion of assigned work: In order to take the best advantage of classroom lecture and discussion, it is important to prepare for classes ahead of time by reading assigned material. Tests should be taken on the assigned day, and assigned work should be completed by the due date.
Awareness and communication: It is the student’s responsibility: 1) to be aware of test dates and assignment deadlines; 2) to obtain notes or other information missed; 3) to turn in assignments by deadline dates; 4) to communicate any special circumstances, events, or needs that will interfere with his/her course work to the instructor in a timely fashion.
See the Gordon College Academic Catalog 2008-2009 for the official college policy. Evidence of cheating on examinations or plagiarism of written assignments will, at minimum, result in a grade of zero for the test or assignment.
Test: There will be four (4) unit tests. Tests will cover material discussed both in the textbook and in class. Students who take each of the 4 unit tests will be allowed to drop their lowest test grade. If you miss one of the 4 unit tests it will be the test that is dropped. (Exceptions may be made in extreme situations.) If 2 tests are missed the second will result in a zero (0).
Take home assignments: The take home assignments may be completed with other students. All paper assignments are due prior to or at the beginning of class on the due date and must be completed on assigned forms. All assignments can be turned in early and assignments that are available online can be emailed to the instructor prior to class time. NO ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TIME ON THE DUE DATE.
Practice Exams:
There will also be 14 “Practice Exams.” These exams
will cover material in the chapters covered throughout the semester. Each
completed test will be worth 5 points. All practice exams must be completed by
the last class.
Grading ScaleYour final grade will be based on the following: Exams 300 points Practice Exams 70 points Assignments 61 points TOTAL 431 points |
Grading Scale A = 90–100 percent B = 80–89 percent C = 70–79 percent D = 60–69 percent F = 0–59 percent |
|
Labor Day |
|
|
October 8 |
Midterm – withdrawals will
be “WF” after this date |
|
October 12-13 |
Fall Break |
|
November 25-29 |
Thanksgiving Holidays |
|
December 7 |
Last Day of Classes |
|
December 8-11 |
Final Exams |
Instructor: Dr.
Barry Kicklighter |
||
|
Spring 2009 MW |
||
|
DATE |
CHAPTER |
TOPIC |
|
8/17 |
|
Syllabus
review |
|
8/19 |
1 |
Introduction
& History of Psychology |
|
8/24 |
1 |
Psychology:
The Science (1.6-1.8) |
|
8/26 |
1 |
Psychology:
The Science (1.7-1.14) |
|
8/31 |
2 |
Neural
& Hormonal Systems (2.1-2.4 & 2.11) |
|
9/2 |
2 |
The
Brain (2.5-2.10) (Brain Assignment Due) |
|
9/9 |
11 |
Stress
& Health – Review |
|
9/14 |
|
Test 1 |
|
9/16 |
3 |
Sensation
& Perception (3.1, 3.2, 3.7-3.11) |
|
9/21 |
4 |
Consciousness:
sleep (4.1-4.5 & 4.10) |
|
9/23 |
4 |
Consciousness:
hypnosis & meditation (4.6 & pages 460-462) |
|
9/28 |
4 |
Consciousness:
drugs (4.7-4.9) |
|
9/30 |
5 |
Learning:
Operant Conditioning (5.4-5.12) |
|
10/5 |
5 |
Learning:
Classical Conditioning (5.1-5.3) (Operant
Assignment Due) |
|
10/7 |
|
Test 2 |
|
10/12-13 |
|
FALL
BREAK |
|
10/14 |
6 |
Memory |
|
10/19 |
7 |
Cognition |
|
10/21 |
8 |
Lifespan
(8.1-8.7) |
|
10/26 |
8 |
Lifespan
(8.8-8.11) (Erickson Assignment Due) |
|
10/28 |
9 |
Motivation
(MLK Assignment Due) |
|
11/2 |
|
Test 3 |
|
11/4 |
12 |
Social
Psychology |
|
11/9 |
12 |
Social
Psychology |
|
11/11 |
13 |
Theories
of Personality: Psychoanalytic Perspective (13.1-3.4) |
|
11/16 |
13 |
Theories
of Personality: Psychoanalytic Perspective |
|
11/18 |
13 |
Theories
of Personality: Humanistic Perspective |
|
11/23 |
13 |
Theories
of Personality: Trait & Biology |
|
11/30 |
14 |
Psychological
Disorders (14.1-14.4) (Disorders
Assignment Due) |
|
|
14 |
Psychological
Disorders (14.5-14.10) |
|
12/2 |
15 |
Psychological
Therapies |
|
12/7 |
|
|
|
12/8 |
|
Test 4 – during
final exam time from 8:00-10:00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|