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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 101-4"
COURSE NAME: "General Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Carola Salvi
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Introduces the study of psychology, the study of the human mind, in some of its many facets: epistemological issues, the brain, perception, learning, language, intelligence, motivation, development, personality, emotion, social influences, pathology and therapy, and prevention. These will be seen from the scientific and scholarly point of view, but with emphasis on their relevance to everyday life. An important focus of the course will be the significance of theories and how they influence the gathering of data, as well as the difficulty of objectivity when the object of study is also its primary tool: the human mind. One of the goals of the course will also be to prepare the student to read psychological literature with a critical eye, keeping in mind the difficulties involved in attempting to study human subjectivity in an objective way.

Minimum passing grade for students enrolled for the BA in Psychological science: C-
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course will cover the scientific foundation of the discipline as well as address a number of topics pertaining to the 5 pillars (i.e., main domain of knowledge) identified in the American Psychological Association’ (APA) guidelines for Introduction to Psychology courses, such as Research methods, biological bases of human behavior, perception, developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, thinking and reasoning and psychology of Personality. Discussion will focus on theoretical ideas, empirical findings, and application to everyday life. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

-   Identify key characteristics of major domains in Psychology, the methods used, and the questions addressed in such domains. 

-   Understand key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in Psychology. Begin using basic psychological terminology to explain mental processes. 

-   Describe examples of relevant and practical applications of psychological principles to everyday life. 

-   Understand common fallacies in thinking (e.g., confirmation bias, limited data problem, implying causation from correlation).  

-   Demonstrate information literacy in Psychology.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
NOBANAonline freeNA  Ebook  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ExamsDuring the semester, 3 exams will be administered roughly every 4 weeks, plus a final exam. The midterms will review the assigned textbook readings, lectures, and additional material covered in the preceding classes. Each midterm is non-cumulative and covers approximately 1/3 of the course material. Exams will include a variety of questions (e.g., multiple-choice, short answers, essay). The final will be cumulative, that is, it will cover anything discussed throughout the course. Each exam will be worth 30 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. 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 tests, that will be your dropped score. No other arrangement will be made.90
AssignmentPresentation. Students will make a group presentation on a relevant topic of the course. For example: 1. Analyse micro expression on videos 2. Describe examples of relevant and practical applications of psychological principles to everyday life. 3. Common fallacies on thinking (e.g., confirmation bias, framing effect etc.). 10

-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 AND 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. 
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

Tokens (Max 1 per exam): Tokens will be given to those students who show commitments to the class by doing extra work (e.g., research on a topic of interest during class, answering correctly at the exam prep classes). Tokens can be used to gain points at the quiz (1 token = 1 point).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES: 

The National Institutes of Health Library of Medicine (PubMed) provides an excellent tool for searching the scientific literature. Students can access this search engine at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed.

You can also find the databases here (psyching should appear after July 1st)

https://johncabot.libguides.com/az.php)

 

APA Style 

Most papers in psychology must be written in APA (American Psychological Association) format. Students are responsible for following APA style and citation format in all of their writing assignments for this course, when applicable. The most complete resource for APA style is the Publication Manual of the APA, but Purdue’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) is an excellent, concise, and free online reference documenting APA style: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10

There is a copy of the APA manual in the library for students to access as well. 

(https://jculibrary.on.worldcat.org/search?queryString=APA%20manual&clusterResults=true&stickyFacetsChecked=true&groupVariantRecords=false

 

WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT FROM ME 

I am committed to making this course not only an educational experience, but a fun and positive experience as well. I am deeply committed to students learning here. In addition to the time that we will spend together in class, I will do my best to make myself available to students for help and consultation outside of class time. 

It is not just a cliché to say that, as a professor, I will also be learning from each of them throughout the course.  

 

This Syllabus represents my best estimate of the topics and requirements of this course. There is always the possibility that some assignments, deadlines, or topics may change. Any change will be announced in class and posted on Moodle. It is your responsibility to be updated about the course schedule and requirements.

 

 

YOU CAN FIND PROF SALVI'S TEXTBOOK HERE 

 http://noba.to/gfhudvp5

 

PS101 COURSE SCHEDULE Spring 2024

(Subject to change with advance notice.)

WEEK

TOPIC

READINGS

1

Welcome and Overview

Intro to Psychology as a science

2

Research methods

3

Biological bases of Human Behavior

4

Perception

EXAM 1 (Ch.1-4)

5

Emotions

6

Learning

  

7

Memory

8

False memories

9

EXAM 2 (Ch. 5-8)

 

10

Reasoning and Decision Making 

11

Social Psychology

12

Psychology of personality

  

13

 Developmental psychology 

14

EXAM 3 (Ch. 10-13)

  

FINAL EXAM

 

 Additional Information and Resources

Laptops and Other Devices. Multitasking is a myth. Therefore, you should not use a laptop or tablet computer in this course during lectures or discussion, including for note-taking or reading purposes, unless you can demonstrate a compelling need for it. Likewise, you may not use a music player or headphones, unless they are attached to a hearing-assistive device approved by the professor (i.e., me). If you are given such an exception, it will be immediately and permanently revoked if you abuse the technology for off-topic purposes. The use of such devices can be a distraction to your classmates and instructor and a detriment to your learning. Readings should be brought to class in the print version or printed out. Notes should be taken on paper and scanned or transcribed after class (transcribing handwritten notes is an effective study method). For certain activities in-class, the instructor may request you to bring a laptop or to take it out and use it for that specific purpose.

 

Classroom expectations 

You are expected to have read the assignments before class, and it would be to your benefit to also read them again after class. You are expected to bring a copy of assigned readings for each day’s class and have them available to refer to. You are expected to listen respectfully to the professor and your fellow students and participate in class discussions and activities. Clear failure to abide by these expectations will result in you being asked to leave the classroom and being counted absent for the day. 

 

Some Pro Tips 

·  Read the syllabus carefully and refer to it often. 

·  Come to class with questions, sections of texts you want to discuss already flagged, and comments to make. Write in your books and/or take notes while you read! Pose questions and make observations as you read and write them down. Reflect upon our previous class discussions and jot down notes and page numbers that you think are relevant. 

·  Come to every class prepared. Read carefully and take time to skim through readings before class to refresh details that you may have forgotten or details that you may have overlooked during the first read-through. 

·  Listen and contribute actively to the conversation. 

·  Visit me during Office Hours, especially if you have a question or observation that you did not get to make in class. Visit me during Office Hours even if you don’t have questions. 

·  Complete every assignment on time. 

·  If you have concerns or questions about your work or performance (at any stage in the process), come see me. I am happy to work with you. 

·  Get the email addresses or phone numbers of a couple of students in case you need to find out what you missed. Consider discussing your presentation or the readings with each other before they are due. 

·  Come to class on time and do not pack up early. If something comes up and you have to be absent or leave early, please talk to me about it. Life happens.

·  If you are having difficulties (in life, class, etc.) talk to me before you get too far in a hole. Everyone has a tough semester.