PSYCH GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY Fall 2015

Transcription

1 PSYCH GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY Fall 2015 Instructor Information: Instructor: Emilija Georgievska-Nanevska egeorgievska@suffolk.es Phone: Ext. 134 Office: Humanities & Social Sciences top floor Office Hours: 17:30 18:00 (and by appointment) Homepage: Course Information: Meetings: Mondays and Wednesdays, 16:00-17:30 Catalog Description: Surveys the concepts and representative findings in the major sub-fields of psychology: history and systems; physiology; perception; thinking; emotion; learning; motivation; development; personality; psychopathology; psychotherapy; and social behavior. Required for psychology majors. Prerequisites: No prerequisites Credit Hours: 4 This course follows the US Federal Government s Credit Hour definition: An amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutional established equivalence that reasonably approximates no less than: (1) One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2) At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours. Instructor s Additional Course Description: This course is an introductory level course designed to provide you with information regarding the core concepts, debates, questions, theories, and research findings in the field of psychology. Textbook/Course Materials: Required Textbook: Psychology and Life, by Richard Gerrig & Philip Zimbardo, Pearson 20th Edition Excerpts from the following book: The Man who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, by Oliver Sacks, Touchstone

2 Reading on trauma and coping (will be determined) Reading on depression and culture (will be determined) Newspaper articles: What is it about 20-somethings? Following a script to escape a nightmare NYT-NA&WT.mc_ev=click All students are expected to complete assigned readings before class time, as class will typically involve discussion. Course Goals & Learning Objectives: GOALS OBJECTIVES ASSESSMENTS Upon successful completion of this course, students will know/understand Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to How the student will be assessed on these learning objectives: The core principles, concepts and issues in psychology How to "think like psychologists" through evaluating information critically Psychological dynamics in groups The importance of diversity in psychology Continue, without any difficulty, with upperlevel courses in psychology Recognize ways to apply scientific psychological findings and insights to everyday life events and problems Know and appreciate their own thoughts, feelings, and behavior, as well as those of other people Think critically as consumers of psychologybased texts in, both, popular magazines and academic articles. To work and present in groups To appreciate that the group outcome is always something different from the simple sum of individual efforts. To appreciate the various group roles that members take consciously or unconsciously while working on a task (e.g., a role of a leader, a facilitator, a mediator, etc.) To be more comfortable and open with ethnic, cultural, and class diversity, by way of discussing it during various topics Lectures; 3 exams; 3 homework assignments; 3 group presentations; selfevaluations; surveys, discussions. Homework assignments; 3 group presentations; discussions. Group presentations; discussion about the experience of the group dynamics. Lectures; readings; discussions; group presentations. Assignments/Exams/Papers/Projects: This course involves several different types of readings, projects, assessments, and other assignments. You will have 3 exams, 3 group presentations, 3 mandatory homework assignments and attendance/participation (which include few short extra-credit homework). Each of these requirements will be discussed in more detail as due dates near. Readings are extremely important in this course. It is very important that you engage in the readings so that our class discussions and presentations can be as valuable, sophisticated, and as interesting as possible. Exams: The 3 exams will be composed of about 50 multiple-choice questions on material from both the text and lectures. Each exam, including the final, will be on material covered since the previous exam and will correspond to about 4-5 chapters of the textbook.

3 Group presentations: Students will work together on three group presentations. The first group presentation regards psychoactive drugs and their effects on a person s brain, biology, and behavior. In this presentation you will be asked to research the effects of one particular drug and will provide your classmates with information about this in a short presentation. The second group presentation regards neuropsychological clinical cases written by the well-known neurologist Oliver Sacks. Each group will present the case including: description of the symptoms, etiology, the way person acted in-the-world, treatment, google research about similar cases, personal thoughts, reflections and associations. The third group presentation regards psychopathology and psychotherapy. Some of you will choose one psychological disorder (ex. Major depression, Schizophrenia, etc.) and will present the most important information regarding the diagnostic category (including major symptoms, behaviors, treatment). Furthermore, the students should choose a film/tv show/ or book character that illustrates the disordered behavior. (A list of relevant films will be handed in in class and more detail about the assignment will be provided in class.). Others will choose a type of treatment (cognitive-behavior therapy, for example) and present it in a detail. For each presentation you will have up to 15 min. to present (plus 5 min. questions and discussion), and every member will be expected to document and detail their contributions and attach them to the final product that is handed in. Homework: You will have 3 homework assignments throughout the course of the semester, each worth 15 points. The purpose of these assignments is to connect your readings with class material in an innovative and personalized way. Homework # 1 Keeping a Dream Journal (handout in class) Homework #2 A portfolio of magazine articles and newspaper clippings that illustrate psychological concepts. For each clipping you should provide its source and write a brief description or explanation of how it relates to a concept, theory, or research finding presented in class. In preparing your portfolios you should use magazine articles, newspaper feature articles, editorials, advice columns, or even cartoons. Portfolio will be checked mid semester (on Oct. 14) and handed in its final form at the end of the course. Homework #3 You will be asked to work in groups to create a game that deals with material learned in the course. The game will be played before final exam, as a review. As you construct the game you will learn various psychological theories and facts. In addition, you will exercise your creativity. So far, students have had lots of fun with this homework! Grading/Evaluation: Grades will be determined as follows: A B C D A B C D B C D F 359 Grading summary: points: 3 Exams of equal weight 300 (100 each) 3 Group presentations 240 (80 each) 3 Homework assignments 45 (15 each) Participation/attendance 20 Total: 605 Homework assignments for extra credit (5 points)

4 Course and Classroom Policies: Our classroom atmosphere is intended to be fun, interactive, and respectful learning environment. In order to uphold these principles I ask that students refrain from using cell phone during class and turn all ringers to the "off" setting during class. In addition, please, no eating and drinking (except, water) during class time. No use of headphones, ipods, or computer games is allowed. I accept arriving late in class, rather than missing the class; when the student arrives later than 15 minutes, it will be counted as half an absence. Missed exams: If you miss an exam you must notify me within 24 hours of the missed exam via or phone. You should also be prepared to provide appropriate documentation (i.e. doctor's note) supporting the reason for your absence. Make-up exams are scheduled for both mid-term and final exams, at 11:30 on Friday, 23 October and Wednesday, 16 December, respectively. All assignments should be handed in during class! Participation/Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. It is the expectation that you will be present in class. Your being there is important to me, as each of you offers a unique and distinct voice to our class community. It is my hope that you will make coming to class a top priority, so that your voice may be heard and may contribute to everyone's learning experience. The SUMC Student Handbook states the following: Once a student is registered for a course, attendance at every meeting of every class is expected, including those held in the first week of the semester. A maximum of two unjustified absences is permitted. Each additional absence may cause the final course grade to be lowered by one-third of a letter grade, i.e., from A to A-; A- to B+; B+ to B, etc. Excessive absences in a course will have a negative effect on the final grade. When a student is absent, the quality of his or her work in a course will deteriorate since material missed in class sessions can rarely be made up satisfactorily, even though the student remains responsible for that work. Please note that even when a student has a justified reason for missing class, such as illness, the negative academic impact on learning will be the same as if the absence were for spurious reasons. In this course, any absence due to illness should be justified by a note from the student s physician or other health professional confirming the day(s) on which the student was unable to attend class. Students are responsible for all material and assignments for the days missed, regardless of the reason for the absence. In addition, if you miss more than 7 classes FOR ANY REASON you will fail the course. (Religious holidays and field trips required for courses are the only exceptions.) In the event that a class meeting is unexpectedly cancelled, students will be expected to continue with readings or other assignments as originally scheduled. Any assignments due or class activities (e.g., a quiz, exam or presentation) planned for such a cancelled class are due at the next class meeting unless other instructions are communicated. Disability Statement: If you anticipate issues related to the format or requirements of this course, please meet with me. I would like us to discuss ways to ensure your full participation in my classroom. If formal, disability-related accommodations are necessary, it is very important that you be registered with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at the main Campus in Boston so that I am notified of your eligibility for reasonable accommodations. We can then plan how best to coordinate your

5 accommodations. Check the ODS web site at for information on accommodations. Student Resources: SUMC provides a range of student services, both academic and personal. To learn more about courserelated tutorials and academic workshops, refer to the SUMC Student Handbook, Section 5 Living in Madrid, contains information on the medical and mental health resources, including an Englishspeaking therapist, available to you. Midterm Review: At midterm, around week 6, you will be given a midterm grade based on your progress to date and performance on one group presentation, homework assignments and midterm exam. Midterm grades of C- or below will be reported to the Madrid Campus Academic Standing Committee, with an explanation of what I believe has contributed to that grade: excessive absences, poor time management or study skills, lack of effort, difficulty with the course material or with writing or language skills, etc. The Academic Standing Committee or I may contact you to suggest strategies for addressing these difficulties. I strongly encourage you to visit me during my office hours so we may discuss how you can be successful in this class. Academic Integrity Policy: Student work may be checked by plagiarism detection software. Cheating on examinations, plagiarism and/or improper acknowledgment of sources in essays or research papers, and the use of a single essay or paper in more than one course without the permission of the instructor constitute unacceptable academic conduct. Academic dishonesty will be reported to the SUMC Academic Standing Committee and to the Suffolk University Office of Student Affairs. Reports will be addressed through the Student Discipline System. An undergraduate student who has been found to have violated this policy is subject to an automatic grade of F in the course and to suspension, enforced withdrawal or dismissal from the University, or appropriate lesser penalties if warranted by the circumstances. Course Schedule: The schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better student learning. Date Topic Readings or other assignments due Sept. 9 Psychology and Life Ch. 1 Sept. 14 Research Methods in Psychology Ch. 2 Sept. 16 Human Development Ch. 10 (pp ; ) Sept. 21 Human Development Ch. 10 (pp ; ) On-line article: What is it about 20 s somethings? Sept. 23 States of Consciousness (Group Presentations - Drugs) Ch 5. ( ) Sept. 28 Mind, Consciousness, Alternate States Ch. 5 ( ) Dream Journal due! On-line article: Following a script to escape a nightmare Sept. 30 Perception Ch. 4 ( ) Oct. 5 Learning Ch. 6 ( ; ) skrati ovoj chapter Oct. 7 Social psych Ch. 16 ( ) Oct. 12 NO CLASS HOLIDAY Oct. 14 Social psych (cont.) Mid-semester portfolio check-up! Oct. 19 MIDTERM EXAM

6 Oct. 21 Memory Ch 7 ( ; ) Oct. 26 The Biological Basis of Behavior Ch. 3 (60-75) Oct. 28 The Biological Basis of Behavior (Group Ch. 3 Presentations - Oliver Sacks) Nov. 2 Eating disorders readings Nov. 4 Eating disorders readings Nov. 9 NO CLASS HOLIDAY Nov. 11 EXAM # 2 Nov. 16 Emotion, Stress & Health Ch. 12 Nov. 18 Emotion, Stress & Health Ch. 12 ( plus reading on trauma) Nov. 23 Psychological Disorders Ch. 14 Nov. 25 Psychological Disorders (Group Ch. 14 presentations) Nov. 30 Approaches to Treatment Group Ch. 15 presentations (cont.) Dec. 2 Approaches to Treatment Ch. 15 (Portfolio due) Dec. 7 Approaches to Treatment Dec. 9 Review and games (homework #3) MONDAY, DECEMBER 14 - Exam #3 FINAL (16:30 18:30)