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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PS 307"
COURSE NAME: "Cognitive Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2018
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
John Dennis
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 1:30-2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: PS 210
OFFICE HOURS:
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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.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course includes the following topics: attention, decision making, intelligence, language, learning, and perception. This course is designed to teach you skills necessary to apply the psychological science knowledge you are learning in this class to your life. To do this, this course follows the philosophy that what we know (knowledge) and what we do (skills) are fundamentally connected.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course will engage students in an active learning environment where the development of skills, like written and oral communication, critical thinking, and problem solving, etc., goes hand in hand with the development of psychological science knowledge. The course will prepare students to understand and apply core concepts in cognitive psychology, and will help them develop the skills necessary to critically think about everyday cognitive issues.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Cognitive Psychology | E. Bruce Goldstein | Cengage | 1285763882 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Exams | During the semester, 3 exams will be administered roughly every 4 weeks. The exams will cover everything that was done in class as well as all assigned material. Each midterm is non-cumulative and covers approximately 1/3 of the course material. Exams will include a variety of question types (e.g., multiple choice, identification, short answer, problem solving, etc.) and the number of questions included on each exam will increase from Exam 1 to Exam 3. The final is cumulative and will include about twice as many questions as was included in Exam 1. You grade for the category will be based on your best 3 Exams, as the lowest test score will be dropped. If you miss any Exam, that will be your dropped score. NO MAKE UPs will be allowed for any reason. | 75 |
| Quizzes | Quizzes will be administered in class approximately every two weeks. Each quiz will consist of a variable number of multiple-choice questions that review the material/concepts covered in the preceding classes. There will be a total of 6 pop-quizzes, which sum up to 50 points. Your lowest grade on the quizzes will be dropped. There will be no make-up quizzes. If you miss class on a day when a pop-quiz is administered, that will be your dropped score.Pop quizzes will be administered at the beginning of the class period. It is your responsibility to arrive in class ON TIME. | 25 |
-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 REQUIREMENTS
Attendance is NOT mandatory but is essential to earn a good grade for this course. It is unlikely that you will do well in this course if you don’t attend class, engage in discussion, and keep up with the readings.
CLASSROOM POLICY
Computers and other electronic devices cannot be used during class lectures and discussions.
EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Topic |
Readings |
| week 1 |
Intro |
Ch 1 |
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| week 2 |
Cognitive Neuro |
Ch 2 |
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| week 3 |
Perception |
Ch 3 |
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| week 4 |
Attention |
Ch 4 |
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| week 5 |
EXAM 1
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Ch 1-4 |
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| week 6 |
Memory |
Ch 5-6
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| week 7 |
Memory
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Ch 7-8
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| week 8 |
Knowledge
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Ch 9 |
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| Week 9 |
EXAM 2
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Ch 5-9 |
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| Week 10 |
Imagery |
Ch 10 |
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| week 11 |
Language |
Ch 11 |
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| week 12 |
Problem Solving |
Ch 12 |
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| week 13 |
Decision Sciences |
Ch 13 |
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| week 14 |
Review |
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EXAM 3 |
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