The Science and Practice of Psychology (UCOL 1200)



The Science and Practice of Psychology (UCOL 1200)

FALL 2008

Instructors: Kim Buch Elaine O’Reilly

Office Location: 4023 Colvard 3130 Colvard

Phone: (704)687-4756 (704)687-6599

Email: kkbuch@uncc.edu eoreill2@uncc.edu

Office Hours: TH 9:30-11 and by appt by appt. call 687-4733

TA: Shireka King (former PLC member and Junior Psychology major)

Email: saking1@uncc.edu

Required Texts:

o The Psychology Major’s Handbook, 2nd Edition, 2006, by Tara Kuther.

o Careers in Psychology, 1st or 2nd edition, by Tara Kuther & Robert Morgan.

Welcome PLC Members!

On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Department of Psychology, welcome to our department and our discipline. We are pleased that you have chosen to major in Psychology, and we are looking forward to helping you achieve your academic and career goals. This seminar is designed with that purpose in mind. Besides providing an introduction to the department and discipline of Psychology, the course will help you develop and refine the skills necessary for success in college and beyond.

As you know, this course is the center of the Psychology Learning Community (PLC) of which you are all a part. It is through this course that you will get to know the other members of the PLC and find out how to participate fully in PLC activities and learning experiences. Because the size of the PLC has been expanded from 22 to 44 students, we now have 2 sections of UCOL 1100. Although each section is a separate course with a different instructor and a different primary classroom, many classes will combine the 2 sections and we will have several joint projects and assignments. This way, you have the benefit of a small seminar plus the opportunity to interact with a larger group of faculty and majors.

Besides this course, as a PLC member, you will have additional opportunities to interact with each other through your other block schedule courses. These include General Psychology and Lab and LBST 2102. All PLC students are in the same section of General Psychology, taught by PLC Co-Coordinator, Sue Spaulding. You will also be clustered into the same section of General Psych Lab. The PLC students join students from other learning communities (e.g., History) in their special section of LBST 2102 with Dr. Lansen. Thus, you will see your fellow PLC members frequently outside of UCOL 100. You will also have opportunities to meet past members of the PLC!

The PLC faculty- Kim, Elaine, and Sue- will work together to make the PLC a beneficial and enjoyable experience, and we hope you will join us in this effort. Remember, a learning community means a “community of learners”, and the strength of the community depends on each member’s contributions and commitment. Please see any one of us for suggestions you may have for improving the PLC, or your PLC experiences.

Learning Objectives

UCOL 1100 is designed to ensure a learning environment in which everyone is actively involved. This is not a lecture class in which passive, one-way learning will occur. Instead, we will utilize many techniques of active and collaborative learning which we hope you will find stimulating and engaging. Specific learning goals for the class include:

• To help first year Psychology students adjust to college, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and develop and refine academic success skills

• To expose students to opportunities for “campus connections”, including student support offices and academic and professional organizations and activities

• To engage students in self-assessment and self-discovery activities that help in academic and career planning

• To explore the sub-disciplines within Psychology and link them to career paths

• To engage students in service learning projects in real-world settings

• To foster the creation of a learning community and lasting friendships among students with common academic interests

Academic Integrity Policy. Students have the responsibility to know and observe the regulations of the "The UNC Charlotte Code of Academic Integrity". The Code forbids cheating, fabrication, or falsification of information. Multiple submissions of academic work, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials, and complicity in academic dishonesty. All instances of academic dishonesty will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Penalties for academic dishonesty may range from a grade of F in an assignment or course to expulsion from the university. Students are expected to report cases of academic dishonesty to the course instructors. For full policy, see

PLC Diversity Statement. The PLC is committed to social justice and respect for all individuals, and it seeks to create a culture of inclusiveness, an inclusiveness of individuals who are diverse in ability/disability, age, economic status, ethnicity, gender, language, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation. Attaining justice and respect involves all members of our community in recognizing that multi-dimensional diversity contributes to our learning environment, thereby enriching the community and improving opportunities for human understanding.  An essential feature of our community is an environment that supports exploration, learning, and work free from bias and harassment, thereby improving the growth and development of each member of the community.

University Disabilities Statement. “If you have a disability that qualifies you for academic accommodations, please provide a letter of accommodation from Disability Services in the beginning of the semester.”  Please see me if you have any questions about Disabilities Services, or how you can take advantage of them.

Attendance and Participation

Regular attendance is expected and essential to your success in the course (and all of your other courses as well!). You are also expected to arrive to class on time. It is distracting and disrespectful to others to arrive late. Unless you have cleared it in advance with the instructor, leaving class early is also not allowed. See grading policy below for specific attendance requirements.

Course Assignments and Grading

Final course grades will be based on the following:

1. Service Learning Assignment, which includes the following:

• One visit to the Homeless Shelter or Circle School (your choice)

• A minimum of 10 hours of service learning at a location of your choice

• A 2-page paper (see detailed assignment), submitted according to written guidelines, and turned in on time

2. Individual Career Assignment, detailed assignment will be provided

3. Team Project on Sub-disciplines in Psychology, detailed assignment will be provided

• Team presentation will be in place of a Final Exam

4. Completion of assigned readings and daily assignments

5. Participation- You are expected to actively contribute to discussions and participate fully in team/ class activities

6. Attendance

• Extra-credit will be given for PERFECT ATTENDANCE!

PLC Schedule with Activities and Assignments

Day Topic Activities/ Assignments

8/28 Introduction to PLC and Seminar For 9/4: Read chapters 1-2 in Majors Handbook;

Venture Fun & Games! Complete assignment

9/4 The Discipline of Psychology Come prepared to discuss chapters 1-2 in

Guest: Sue Spaulding Major Handbook; Bring Handbook to class

For 9/11: Read chapter 3 in Handbook; complete assignment

9/11 Continue above Student Q & A; Panel of past PLC members

Come prepared to discuss chapter 3 in Handbook

9/18 Service Learning Identify and contact service sites; plan service hours

Guests: Volunteer Coordinator For 10/2: Read chapters 7 & 9 in Handbook; complete

Circle School assignment

Chain Reaction

9/25 Group Service Learning trips to Homeless Shelter or Circle School. NO REGULAR CLASS! Students attending a later trip will use class time to complete individual service.

10/2 Careers in Psychology Discuss chapters 7&9 in Handbook;

Bring Careers in Psychology text to class.

Sub-disciplines in Psychology Teams formed

Part 1 of Service Learning assignment due!

10/9 Careers in Psychology Tour University Career Center

Team meetings

For 10/16: Read chapter 10 in Handbook; Complete assignment

10/16 Careers in Psychology Discuss chapter 10 in Handbook

Team meetings

Guest: Counseling Center Psychologist(s)

For 10/30: Read chapter 4 in Handbook; Complete

assignment

10/23 Group Service Learning trips to Homeless Shelter or Circle School. NO REGULAR CLASS! Students attending a later trip will use class time to complete individual service.

10/30 Study Tips: Tools for Academic Success Come prepared to discuss chapter 4 in

Major Handbook; bring Handbook to class

Tour the Center for Academic Excellence

11/6 Exciting Learning Opportunities! Individual Career Papers due!

Guest speakers to be announced

11/3 Planning and advising for Spring semester and beyond

Everything Psychology majors Need to Know!

Team Meetings

11/20 Group Service Learning trips to Homeless Shelter or Circle School. NO REGULAR CLASS! Students attending a later trip will use class time to complete individual service.

12/4 Course wrap-up and community feedback Final Service Learning papers due!

Team meetings- final preparation for presentations.

12/18 Final Exam Day Team Presentations

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