Psychology 110: Principles of Psychology Course Syllabus

Transcription

1 Instructors: Psychology 110: Principles of Psychology Course Syllabus MW 11:10-12:20, F 12:00-1:00, Boliou 104 Mija Van Der Wege Gretchen Hanson Gotthard Office: Olin 135 Olin mvanderw ggotthar Phone: x4375 x7246 Office Hours: MW 10:00-11:00 MWF 1:00-3:00 About the course: Welcome to Principles of Psychology! This is a survey course intended to give you exposure to the rich and diverse field of Psychology. Although we obviously cannot cover every topic in this field, we ll try to catch most of the major areas of this discipline and give you some exposure to some of the methods we psychologists use. The format of this course, like the content, is varied. We ll have lectures, discussions, guest speakers, films, and other class activities. You should know that this course often fools people. A lot of psychology seems like common sense. Consequently, many don t take it seriously, and find themselves surprised when examination time arrives. There is a great deal of reading in this course, some of it quite detailed. You should have the reading completed by class time for the day on which it is assigned. In addition to your text readings, there will be a number of articles placed on reserve in the main library. At least one copy of each reserve reading will also be available in the Psychology Department Office (Olin main floor). Required Text: Gleitman, H., Fridlund, A. J., & Reisberg, D. (1999). Psychology (5 th Ed.). New York: Norton. Assessment: First Exam 20% Second Exam 20% Final Exam 20% Short Papers (4) 30% Class Participation 10% Exams. Exams will consist of multiple-choice, short answer and essay questions. The final will NOT be comprehensive; it will cover only the last one-third of the course.

2 Short Papers. You have the opportunity each week to investigate how to apply your newfound knowledge of psychology to current issues in psychology or in popular culture. Each Friday, you may submit a short paper of 2-3 pages in length (typed and double-spaced). These papers should be reflections of what you have learned about a topic and how it relates to a topic or popular portrayal. Topics are either a popular view of psychology in a film or a relevant research article. For example, when we discuss memory, you will have the option of watching the film Memento and critiquing the movie s portrayal of amnesia. Alternatively, when we talk about mental illness, you can read a research article on misdiagnosis of psychological disorders and present your opinions on the issue. In both cases, you should summarize the issues either the film s portrayal of psychology or the article s basic methods and findings in about half a page. The rest of the paper should either critique the film s notions of psychology or present your opinions on the article s findings and implications. Over the course of the term, you must submit at least four (4) of these papers. Everyone must do the first paper on Observation. You can, of course, submit more than four, if you like. Check the course calendar for a list of the short paper topics. You will be graded both on the justification of your argument and on the clarity of your writing. Class Participation. We will frequently have small group discussions or short assignments completed in class. If you attend class, actively participate in class discussions, and complete all of the in-class assignments, you will get full credit for class participation. Extensions and make-ups: Extensions and make-up exams will be given on a case-by-case basis. Situations such as illness and family crises are grounds for a make-up exam or an extension. Having another assignment or exam due on the same day would not constitute a legitimate excuse. The exception is having another final on the same day as ours. If you have a legitimate reason for not taking the exam on the assigned day, you need to contact us before the scheduled exam. For individuals involved in extracurricular activities that may take them off-campus on the day an exam is scheduled, please consult with us at least a week before a scheduled exam, so that we can make arrangements for you to take the exam early. Students with special needs: Those with special needs should see one of us as soon as possible in the term, concerning either classroom and/or exam accommodations. Final thoughts: We firmly believe that it s possible to work hard, learn a lot, and have some fun, too. We want this course to be a positive experience for you. As the term progresses, let us know if there are ways in which we can make that possible. Also we invite you to see us during our regular office hours. If these hours are not convenient, please arrange an appointment with one of us. Have a good term!

3 Course Calendar: Date Day Topic and Assignment Mar. 31 Mon. Overview and Course Introduction Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 1 Apr. 2 Wed. Methods of Scientific Research (M) Assignment: Gleitman, Appendix 1 Apr. 4 Fri. Biological Bases of Behavior (G) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 2, pp Short Paper due: Observation Apr. 7 Mon. Biological Bases of Behavior (G) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 2, pp Apr. 9 Wed. Motivation (G) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 3, pp , Apr. 11 Fri. Sensory Processes (G) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 5, pp Short Paper due: Sleep & Dreaming (Aserinsky & Kleitman, 1953; Dement, 1960) Apr. 14 Mon. Perception (M) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 6, pp Apr. 16 Wed. Attention (M) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 6, pp Short Paper due: Sensation & Perception (At First Sight; Sacks, 1995) Apr.18 Fri. Exam 1 (Appendix 1, Chapters 1-3, 5-6) Apr. 21 Mon. Language (M) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 9, pp Apr. 23 Wed. Language (M) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 9, pp Apr. 25 Fri. Learning (G) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 4, pp Short Paper due: Language (Wilson, 2001) Apr. 28 Mon. Learning (G) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 4, pp

4 Apr. 30 Wed. Memory (G) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 7, pp May 2 Fri. Memory (G) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 7, pp Short Paper due: Memory (Memento; Ogden, 1996) May 5 Mon. Mid-term Break (no classes) May 7 Wed. Thought and Knowledge (M) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 8, pp , May 9 Fri. Cognitive Development Guest Lecture: Kathie Galotti Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 13, pp Short Paper due: Decision-making (Gilovich, 1991) May 12 Mon. Exam 2 (Chapters 4, 7-9, 13) May 14 Wed. Social Cognition and Emotion Guest Lecture: Sharon Akimoto Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 11, pp May 16 Fri. Social Interaction (M) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 12, pp Short Paper due: Bystander Intervention (Darley & Latane, 1968) May 19 Mon. Social Interaction (M) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 12, pp , May 21 Wed. Personality Guest Lecture: Neil Lutsky Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 16, pp May 23 Fri. Psychoanalysis Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 17, pp Short Paper due: Obedience (Milgram, 1963) May 26 Mon. Psychopathology (M) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 18, pp May 28 Wed. Psychopathology (M) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 18, pp May 30 Fri. Psychopathology (G) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 18, pp Short Paper due: Psychopathology (A Beautiful Mind; Schizophrenia)

5 Short Paper due: Psychopathology (A Beautiful Mind; Schizophrenia) Jun. 2 Mon. Treatment of Psychopathology (G) Assignment: Gleitman, Chapter 19 Jun. 4 Wed. Treatment of Psychopathology Guest Lecture: Steve Kozberg Short Paper due: Treatment (Rosenhan, 1973) Jun. 9 Mon. Final Exam: 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (Chapter 11-12, 16-19) *You may elect to self-schedule your final exam. You must let us know by the last day of classes if you intend to do so.