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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PS 307"
COURSE NAME: "Cognitive Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2020
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Paola Castelli
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 4:40-6:00 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:
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.
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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.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Cognitive Psychology | Goldstein, Van Hoof | Cengage | 978-1-4737-3452-4 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Exam | These will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the main concepts, methods and theories in cognitive psychology, as well as the empirical studies covered (goal 1, 3, and 4). Exam will mostly consist of short answer questions and they will be administered approximately every four weeks. A Final exam will also be available to improve on a previous exam. Exams will be mostly non-cumulative although questions from earlier sections may occasionally be included. | |
| Brief reflections | These weekly homework assignments (max 300 words) will allow you to further engage with the material by applying the concepts and theories covered in class to everyday experience. | |
| Final Project | This assignment will ask you to summarize and critically evaluate psychological research as it relates to one topic of your choice (goal you to demonstrate your understanding of the methods and questions addressed in cognitive psychology (all goals). Further details on the assignment are available in the dedicated section on moodle | |
-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
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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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Cumulative final exam during finals' week
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