INTRODUTION TO GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
ONLINE SYLLABUS

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Instructor

Instructor E-Mail

Class Goals

Attendance

Class Times

Class web page

Tests & Quizzes

Class Schedule

Instructor Phone

Text

Cheating

A Final Note

Office Hours

Study Material

Grade Scale

Instructor: Francis W. Craig, Ph.D.

Course Number: PSY1101 (section 01)

Class Times: T/Th 8:30-9:45;

Class Location: Allen Hall Auditorium

Relevance to Curriculum.  Successful completion of this course will fulfill three credits of the Social and Behavioral Sciences block of the General Educational Program for Mansfield University student It will also fulfill part of the core requirement for psychology majors at MU. There are no prerequisites. 

Instructors Office: South Hall #204    

Instructor's Office Phone:   662-4774

Office Hours: MWF 11:30-1:15, Th 10-11:30

E-Mail:   fcraig@mansfield.edu

Class Web Page:
on MU Server: faculty.mansfield.edu/fcraig/Teaching/PSY1101/psy1101.html
(Note: I do not use D2L for this class)
 

Text & Materials:
Weiten, W. (2014). Psychology: Themes and Variations, Briefer Version (9th Ed)
ISBN:  1-133-95783-8

  (you may use other versions of this text, but page numbers and chapters numbers may be different).

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Study Materials : Your grade and experience of the class will be greatly improved by using the extensive classroom study material I have prepared and made available on the Class Web Page. You will find a " Concept Sheet" and "Class Slide Notes" for each chapter covered on the class web page on the MU Server. The concept sheets include TERMS and QUESTIONS that will be covered in class. Class slides are series of PowerPoint Presentations that I use during class to supplement my lecture.  

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Course Description (University): Designed to familiarize students with the application of scientific psychology to human life. Emphasis is on "normal" behavior and its antecedents. Includes the study of broad categories of human behavior through various psychological models

Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes: Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes.  Psychology helps you understand why other people do the things they do, as well as helps you better understand yourself and your reactions to other people.  This course will provide you with an overview of the major areas in the field of psychology, and hopefully, with the opportunity to appreciate, identity, and apply the psychological principles and theories to real world issues, problems, and personal experiences. 

The Course Student Learning Outcomes in the table that follows are aligned with the learning goals of that block and are linked to the Psychology Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs). (can see theseby clicking (here)

General Teaching Objectives:

1. To help you recognize the breadth of the scientific field of psychology
2. To help you to explore and find connections between modern psychology and your own life.
3. To help you learn about diagnosable psychological disorders (including treatment approaches) and factors that may create disorder (e.g, stress) and their psychological, social and physical consequences.
4. To help you learn about the important role of social, cognitive and emotional factors in influencing our lives.

I will help you to accomplish these objectives by: (1) providing exercises that provide initial exposure to each chapter's material (concept sheets); (2) completing an optional "collection of writings" (my psych journal) on issues in psychology that include references to both objective content and a connection to personal experience; (3) regular formal testing.

General Education (Social & Behavioral Sciences) Student Learning Outcomes Goal of course is to guide students to: Course Student Learning Outcomes At the completion of this course, students should be able to: Assignments & Activities where students demonstrate these SLOs) 1.  Explain basic theories of human and social behaviors based on the methods of the target disciplines. Explain basic theories of and approaches to individual and societal behaviors in psychology; Identify and describe basic research methods used by psychologists. (PSLO 1. 2, 4) Select Exam items 2. Identify and describe some fundamental social structures. Identify and describe some fundamental psychological concepts and theories.(PSLO1, 2, 4) Select Exam items 3.  Understand how the social sciences approach human societies and behaviors.   Explain, in both oral and written form using the language of the discipline, the roles of psychologists across discipline and history. (PSLO1, 2, 4) Select Exam items   4.  Describe the development or application of key concepts in the target discipline. Describe, in both oral and written form, the development of key concepts in psychology using the appropriate methods, language, and terms and explain how these concepts apply to you and other people. (PSLO1, 2, 4) Select Exam items

The Psychology Department curriculum aims to produce certain learning outcomes with our students (PSLOs).  The following program outcomes are specifically addressed during this class Psychology Program Desired Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) 1 1 Knowledge Base in Psychology Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology; Develop a working knowledge of psychology's content domains; Describe applications of psychology 2 Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena; Demonstrate psychology information literacy; Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving; Interpret, design, and conduct psychological research; Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry 3 Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice; Build and enhance interpersonal relationships; Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels 4 Communication Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes; Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes; Interact effectively with others 5 Professional Development Apply psychological content and skills to career goals; Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation; Refine project-management skills; Enhance teamwork capacity; Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation

Your Point Totals: Tests, Quizzes & Participation:

• There will be 4 tests, each counting for 96% of your grade (384 points).
• Class/Research participation will make up 4% (16 points). 
• Participation is defined by regular attendance and active contribution to classroom environment (asking appropriate questions, adding appropriate comments, contributing during group and individual classroom activities).
• Also part of the participation grade students must participate in at least one study being conducted by psychology department faculty/students this semester (surveys do not count) OR write a 5 page paper on a current topic in psychology agreed upon by the instructor. These points are also gained by contributing during class time.
• "My Psych Journal" is a series of essays that are designed to have student critically examine some of the issues addressed in this class. Students can earn up to 10 points of credit for completion of this exercise.
• Only hard copies in my hand are accepted(DO NOT EMAIL!)
• IT MUST BE TYPED & COMPLETE OR IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
• The due date is listed on the "class schedule" portion of this syllabus. Students should begin working on this right away.  The document is accessible through this link or the link at the top of the class home page..
• Missed Tests: A cumulative final can be used to make up 1 unexcused missed test.  It is essay format.
• Extra Credit: Additional extra credit opportunities may be made available. HOWEVER, you should not bank on improving your grade with extra credit as there may not be any available.
• Extra Credit for Perfect Attendance:   10 test points
• Class Grading Formula:
  Total Points =  (sum of tests 1-4 x .96) + (participation points) + (My Psych Journal points ) +(extra credit)

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Cheating: 

Evidence of cheating will typically result in a test/quiz grade of ZERO , and further disciplinary action may be taken. 

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Point-Grade Conversion Scale

A 372-400 B 336-347 C 296-307 D 264-271 A- 360-371 B- 320-335 C- 280-295 D- 256-263 B+ 348-359 C+ 308-319 D+ 272-279 F 255 & below

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Make Up Test Policy:

• Make-up tests may be afforded to students who have notified me IN WRITING before class (an email message is acceptable) of their reason for absence.  I determine the reasonableness of the excuse.
• Make-Ups will be conducted within 1 week of the missed exam. It is your responsibility to schedule this with me.
• Those who miss without an adequate excuse for absence can make up their grade by taking a cumulative final exam.

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Cell Phone Policy:

• Please be respectful of the class. Turn them off and put them away during class.
• If I find a student will not do this after the first time I address it, we will have a meeting outside of class to discuss the situation.
• On the 3rd violation and thereafter, I reserve the right to mark a student absent and subtract from their participation grade.

 

READ THIS SECTION VERY CAREFULLY
Attendance can directly affect your grades.

Attendance Policy:

1. If you are late for any reason, you will be marked absent. PERIOD.
2. EXCUSED ABSENCE PROCEDURE:  If a student must miss a class due to documented illness or other excusable reason, the student must:
• (A) inform (by email or written note) the faculty member that a written excuse is coming from a physician, coach or other authority prior to the absence if possible, but no later than the first class period after the excused absence;
• (B) Provide the faculty member with a copy of the signed excuse; (The original must be available for faculty review.);
• (C) A student will make-up missed graded assignments or exams within one week of return to class or be assigned an unexcused absence. It is the student's responsibility to schedule this make-up work with me. (NOTE: Assignments due on the missed day may be accepted with penalty. This determination will be made on a student-by-student basis)
• (D), A faculty member may, at her/his discretion, give the make-up work and hold it for grading until after the written excuse is received.  I have talked to the Provost's office about this policy and they support it.
3. A total of 8 absences (Total of excused & unexcused, DOES NOT INCLUDE TEST PERIODS) will result in a FAILING GRADE, regardless of test scores. 
4. Test curves (when applied) will be proportional to your actual attendance during the lectures comprising that test's class material (e.g., There are 4 lecture periods for the 2^nd Test, let's say you attend 2 of 4 lectures. The test curve is 10 points. In this case you would receive 5 of 10 curve point)

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Bad Weather Policy:

• If the university is open I will hold class.  
• In the case of snowy or icy conditions I will not expect that my COMMUTER students will be present on time for class. Local commuters and on-campus students will be expected to be on time for class.

Class Schedule
For Tuesday-Thursday Class

Dates Chapter(s) Topics for Fall 2019 Quiz &Test A27 1 Introduction / History and Evolution   A29, S3 1 History and Evolution   S5, 10 14 Psychological Disorders   S12,17 15 Treatment of Psych Disorders   S19 -- Catch-up & Review   S24 1, 14, 15 TEST 1 S26, O1 13 Stress/Coping   O3, 8 11 Personality     o10   Catch up & Review   O15 13, 11 TEST 2 O17, 22, 24, 29 12 Social Psychology   O31, N5 6 Learning   N7 -- Catch-up & Review   N12 12, 6, TEST 3 N14,19 9 Motivation/Emotion Psych Journal Due Nov 21 at the beginning of class N21, D3 3 Biological Basis of Behavior   D5 -- Catch up and Review       FINAL (Test 4)   For 8 am Class Make Up for Unexcused Test Date:  Tuesday Dec. 10 Time :  8:30am Schedule with Dr. Craig Make an appointment with Dr. Craig during the final exam period if you have an unexcused miss during on an exam date.

Learning Support & Exceptionalities

General Learning Support: The university offers a variety of support services including tutoring, a writing center, resources for improving study and time management skills.  Contact the Learning Center (662-4798) for more information about these resources.
Exceptionalities:  For information about psychological medical or learning disabilities contact Deb Rotella (662-4825)  in the Academic and Human Development Department (1st floor of South Hall). They can help you to provide me with the appropriate letter so that I may serve your particular needs better.  MU also provides FREE counseling for students.  Contact the Counseling Center (662-4798) for more information (www.mansfield.edu/~counseling)

Final Note: Please make a point to come to me with your questions and comments, or to simply introduce yourself.

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