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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 307"
COURSE NAME: "Cognitive Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Paola Castelli
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PS 210
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will examine the structure and function of mental processes, which account for human behavior. Topics include attention, perception, memory, problem solving, decision making, cognitive development, language, and human intelligence. Individual, situational, gender, and cultural differences in cognition will also be explored. An individual research project or research paper is required.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Central topics will include how perceptual information enters the mind, how attention is used to select from the array of available sensory information, how knowledge is organized in memory. How new information is added and how it is retrieved from memory. How we convey information to others through language, and how knowledge is transformed by reasoning. Discussion will focus on theoretical ideas, empirical findings and their relationship to everyday life.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn about current topics and theories in cognitive psychology as well as the experimental methodologies adopted in this field. Students will also be able to critically think about everyday cognitive problems.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Cognitve PsychologyGoldstein, E Bcengage978111118588-6     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ExamThere will be three midterms during the course of the semester, plus a final exam. The midterms will be non-cumulative exams (each covering approximately 1/3 of the course material). The final will be cumulative, that is, it will cover anything that has been discussed throughout the course. Each exam will be worth 50 points. Of the 4 exams, only your THREE highest scores will count towards your final grade. Your lowest (out of four) exam score will be dropped. You have to take at least 3 exams. Failure to do so will result in an F. The extra exam allows those who have to miss a test (i.e., excused absence) during the semester to be able to make-up for it. This means THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP TESTS. If you miss any of the three test, that will be your dropped score. No other arrangement will be made. For ANY reason. 100%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly encouraged. If you miss a lecture, you miss about 25% of the material that will be covered on the next quiz (so you can expect to get at least one grade lower than if you had come to class!). Some material - such as videos, in-depth description of studies, and examples – will only be presented in class.

Please do not arrive late and/or plan to leave early as it will be disruptive to everyone. In addition, you’ll be missing important information that is usually given in the first and last minutes of lecture.

The use of laptops in class will only be allowed for note-taking purposes. If you are found to use your computer for purposes not related to class, you will lose that privilege.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

 

Topic Readings
week 1 Intro-methods Ch 1
     
week 2 Brain: principles Ch 2
     
week 3 Perception Ch 3
     
week 4 Attention  Ch4
 

week 5 EXAM 1
Ch 1-4
 

week 6  STM-WM
 Ch 5
 

week 7 LTM
 Ch 6-7
 
 
week 8 Everyday memory  Ch 8
     
Week 9 EXAM 2
Ch 5-8
     
Week 10 Knowledge Ch 9
   
week 11 Imagery Ch 10
     
week 12 Language Ch 11
     
week 13 Thinking Ch 12
 
 
week 14 Review  
  EXAM 3  
Cumulative final exam during finals' week