Introduction to Psychology - PSYC 101 - 05



Introduction to Psychology - PSYC 101

Longwood University - Fall Semester - 2010

Chris Bjornsen, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology

Office: Ruffner 305, 395-2736, email: bjornsenca@longwood.edu

Office Hours: MW 2:30-3:30, TR 3:30-4:30 and walk-ins or appt

Section 06: TR – 11:00 - 12:15 - Ruffner 312/314 

Section 08: TR – 2:00 - 3:15 – Ruffner 312/314

Catalog course description:

A discussion of the relevant contemporary issues in psychology, and how they affect our lives and our society. Basic psychological processes are discussed to explain practical consequences.  Interconnections with other disciplines are emphasized.  3 credits.

Additional course description:

In this class we will explore some of the fundamental theories and research in psychology. We will also learn about psychological disorders and the treatment of these disorders. This class is intended to give you a broad introduction to the areas of psychology that deal with social behavior and interaction, responding to life's challenges and stressors, and those elements that make up one's personality. This class is also intended to give you the opportunity to discover how exciting and thought-provoking it can be to understand yourself and others from the perspective of the discipline of psychology.

Text:  Psychology, An Exploration. Saundra Ciccarelli & Noland White, 2010, Prentice-Hall. This text comes with access to the online textbook, as well as access to the multimedia online resource found at . We will make extensive use of the mypsychlab web site during the course.

Course objectives:  Upon successful completion of this course, students will have:

• a basic understanding of the field of Psychology

• an enhanced ability to interpret contemporary events using the principles of Psychology

• enhanced research & writing skills

• enhanced ability to think critically and creatively

• enhanced computer and information technology skills

• enhanced ability to think and behave ethically

Since this class satisfies Goal 8 of the General Education Requirements, we will also engage in activities that will address the goals listed on the following web page:    (Note: If you are a PSYC major, this course does not satisfy Goal 8. You must take a different Goal 8 class to satisfy that goal. This course counts as a required major course.) 

Course Requirements:

|Three tests |100 points each  |

|Two Brief Papers - 2 full pages each |25 points each |

|Final Exam – Cumulative – Multiple Choice |100 points |

|Research Participation or Paper extensions |Required – no credit or grade |

Students need to be prepared to take excellent notes during class. The professor will not be giving printed lecture outlines, and will not save Power Point slides on Blackboard.

Tests

Tests will be administered in class, and will be completed without the use of notes or the text. Tests will cover textbook readings, article readings, class lecture material, and class discussion information. In other words, anything that is assigned reading and any information presented or discussed in class will be included on the tests. Students should expect that 50% of test items will come from lecture/class information and 50% will come from the text information. The format of the tests (i.e., types of questions) will be decided as tests are written. Students should be prepared to answer all types of questions on exams (essay, short answer, multiple choice).

Papers. The professor will provide short articles and students will write two reaction papers (2 FULL PAGES MINIMUM in length) that reflect (1) an understanding of the concepts and ideas contained in the articles, and (2) how the information in the articles relates to the information in the text and (3) information explained in class. Printed copies of the papers will be due at the beginning of class on the dates provided. Each day (M,T,W,R,F) a paper is late will result in a one letter grade reduction in the grade for the paper. Papers should conform to APA style (i.e., papers should be typed with one inch margins, double-spaced 12-point font), no cover page. No reference page (bibliography) is required. 

Final Exam. The final exam will be cumulative, all multiple choice.

Research Participation/Paper Extension. All Longwood University Intro Psychology students are required to participate in studies conducted by senior psychology majors, or (in Dr. Bjornsen’s classes) extend the length of the two papers by two pages each. More information about this assignment will be provided in class. To sign up for the research projects, to the following web site and click on New Participant:

Extensions on assignments, tests, etc. may be given, at the discretion of the instructor, only for the following reasons: (1) Prior to the exam date or assignment due date, the student has requested an extension because the assignment/exam conflicts with a college-sponsored activity (such as a class field trip or LC sport team event). (2) The student has requested an extension, prior to the exam/assignment due date, due to a serious illness or family emergency. (3) The student was hospitalized and could not request an extension prior to the exam date or due date of the assignment. No other reasons for missing an exam or assignment will be considered. Students will be given a grade of zero for assignments/quizzes/tests missed. The final exam will be given on the date and time assigned by the University, as printed in the official exam schedule.  If a student has more than two exams on one day, he or she may request that he/she be given the exam on a day that is agreeable to the professor and student. 

Grading policy

Final course grades are calculated on a ten-point scale, based on the percentage of total available points earned. 100%-90%=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, 59-0=F. (I round up from .9-.5, and down from .4-.1).  Final grades will not be available until the grades are posted on the University web site, myLongwood. 

Attendance

The professor will take attendance at the beginning of each class, although attendance per se will not count toward the final grade. Students are required to be in class when class is scheduled to begin, and to remain focused on class activities until the professor has indicated class is completed. If a student misses a class, the student is responsible for what was discussed or taught in class that day. The professor will not provide students with handouts or notes or lend students videotapes shown in class, unless a student missed a class for a documented emergency or University-sponsored event. It is always best to ask the professor beforehand if your reason for missing class would be excused or not. Information presented via Power Point in class will not be available in Blackboard or on the internet after class. Students therefore should be prepared to take notes each class, or get notes from a classmate. Notes missed due to a University-sponsored event (e.g., athletic team travel) must be obtained from another student. Videos or handouts missed due to a University-sponsored event (e.g., athletic team travel) may be provided by the instructor, with approval given prior to the missed class.

Honor Code and Student Conduct

Students are expected to assume full responsibility for their actions, and refrain from lying, cheating, stealing, and plagiarism. University penalties for infraction of the Honor Code are detailed in the Student Handbook, which students can find on-line within the Longwood University web pages, and are responsible for understanding and following. If the professor believes a student has violated the Honor Code, the student will receive an “F” for the course. The professor may also file Honor Code charges against the student.

During class students are expected to be “on task” and paying attention at all times. Students should be aware that the Student Handbook states that interfering with the duties of a student, faculty, or staff member is a Judicial Code offense, and can result in academic probation. It is the responsibility of your professor to protect and promote a classroom environment that meets high educational standards. The professor will enforce the following policies for classroom conduct. The professor will determine the degree to which such disruptions will affect the student’s assigned work and grades, and possibly result in the filing of Judicial Code charges.

The following are not allowed, and will result in points deducted from the test or exam following the infraction. Each violation will result in 10 points deducted from the next test or final. Repeated and highly disruptive infractions may result in the student receiving an “F” for the class.

• Using one’s cell phone, Blackberry, iPhone, MP3 player, or any other hand-held device for any reason. Devices must be put away by the beginning of class. Students should be aware that looking in one’s lap and having one or both hands in one’s lap is “the sign” that a student is using a cell phone, and will result in the aforementioned grade reductions. In the event that a student is waiting for an emergency call, the student should discuss that with Dr. B prior to the start of class.

• Using a laptop in class

• Making a habit of arriving to class late or leaving class to use the restroom. Any student who arrives late or needs to take an emergency bathroom break must give Dr. Bjornsen a piece of paper with his or her name and the date on it before leaving the room.

• Interrupting the professor or another student while that person is addressing the class

• Falling asleep in class, or putting one's head down on the desk as if asleep

• Making irrelevant, rude, derogatory, or hostile statements during class

• Interfering with the professor's ability to engage students in discussion, direct a class activity, or lecture during class time

• Packing up one's belongings before the professor has indicated class is over

• Reading or doing work during class that is not for this class or the topic of that day’s class (including copying notes missed from another student)

• Eating food or snacks or candy in the classroom (You may drink a beverage, but if it spills you have to clean it up.)

• Putting one's feet up on a chair, desk, or table.

• Students are not permitted to audiotape class lectures or discussions without the consent of the professor. Consent is only granted to students with disability needs verified by the Office of Disability Services.

Other violations of proper student conduct may arise during the semester, and the professor will discuss these with students at appropriate times.

Course Schedule 

|Tuesday |Thursday |

|Aug 24 Intro, Syllabus |Aug 26 Chapter 1 |

|Aug 31 Chapter 1 |Sep 2 Chapter 2 |

|Sep 7 Chapter 2 |Sep 9 Chapter 4 |

|Sep 14 Chapter 4 |Sep 16 Chapter 5 |

|Sep 21 Chapter 5 |Sep 23 Test 1 |

|Sep 28 Chapter 6 |Sep 30 Chapter 6 |

|Oct 5 Chapter 7 |Oct 7 Chapter 7 |

|Oct 12 Fall Break |Oct 14 Chapter 8 |

|Oct 19 Chapter 8 |Oct 21 Chapter 9 |

|Oct 26 Chapter 9 |Oct 28 Test 2 |

|Nov 2 Chapter 10 |Nov 4 Chapter 10 |

|Nov 9 Chapter 11 |Nov 11 Chapter 11 |

|Nov 16 Chapter 12 |Nov 18 Chapter 12 |

|Nov 23 Chapter 13 |Nov 25 Thanksgiving |

|Nov 30 Chapter 13 |Dec 2 Test 3 |

|Exam Section 06: Thurs, Dec. 9, 3:00-5:30 |Exam Section 08: Mon, Dec. 6, 11:30-2:00 |

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the above syllabus during the semester if necessary, with proper notification provided to students either during class or via email (Longwood University email addresses will be used). 

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