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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PS 101-1"
COURSE NAME: "General Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Merel Keijsers
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 8:30 AM 9:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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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-
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Topics that are addressed in lectures and class discussions include the methods of (psychological) research, biological underpinnings of behaviour, learning and memory, emotions and social relations, personality and decision making. The content addresses principles, theories, and basic concepts from the different fields in psychology. Thus, the scope is wide, leaving the student with a basic understanding of the many aspects to psychology.
Assessment is done through weekly quizzes, fortnightly writing assignments, and exams.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Identify key characteristics of major domains in Psychology, the methods used, and the questions addressed in such domains.
2. Understand key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in Psychology. Begin using basic psychological terminology to explain mental processes.
3. Describe examples of relevant and practical applications of psychological principles to everyday life.
4. Understand common fallacies in thinking (e.g., confirmation bias, limited data problem, implying causation from correlation).
5. Demonstrate information literacy in Psychology.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Exams | The course will offer four exams in total (three during the semester, and a final), but the lowest grade will be dropped.
Exams are graded on a 1-100 scale, and the three highest grades will weigh equally heavy (so 22% each)
The exams are in-person, closed-book, paper-and-pencil tests with open questions.
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| Reflections | Throughout the course, students will be asked to hand in a total of 6 reflections. These are 300-word essays in which students explain & reflect (e.g. relate to a personal example) one of the concepts introduced to them since the last reflection.
These assignments are graded as pass/fail. Each pass adds 1.5 points to the final grade. | 7.5 |
| quizzes | There will be a multiple choice quiz on the book chapter every week; 12 quizzes in total. Students have to complete the quiz in their own time and may use the book to do so. In order to pass a quiz, 8/10 questions have to be answered correctly. Each passed quiz adds 1.5 points to the final grade. | 18 |
| Take-home exercises | A total of 6 Take-home exercises will be handed out for students to complete & bring back to class on the next lecture. Each completed exercise is worth 1.5 points, with a maximum of 7.5 points available through this assessment (i.e. there is one extra exercise, which can be used as a make-up). | 7.5 |
-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. 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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Week
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Topic
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1
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Introduction to PS101
Psychology as a science
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2
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Methodology 1: study designs
Methodology 2: interpreting research
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3
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Biological bases of psychology 1: neurons & the brain
Biological bases of psychology 2: hormones and neurotransmitters
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4
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Sensation and perception 1: the senses
Sensation and perception 2 & review: multimodal perception & exam review
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5
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Exam 1
Developmental psychology 1: cognitive development
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6
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Developmental psychology 2: social development
Learning theories 1: Learning theories
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7
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Learning theories 2: Factors influencing learning
Memory 1: The architecture of the memory
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8
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Memory 2: Attention
Thinking and decision making 1: Logic and heuristics
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9
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Thinking and decision making 2 & Review: Consciousness & exam review
Exam 2
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10
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Emotions 1: Functions of emotions
Emotions 2: Emotions, self-control, and regulation
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11
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Personality psychology 1: Personality scales
Personality psychology 2: Identity and self-concept
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12
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Social psychology 1: Social cognition
Social psychology 2: Group dynamics and stereotyping
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13
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Stress & health 1: Stress and self-efficacy
Stress & health 2 & review: Positive psychology & exam review
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14
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Exam 3
Course review
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15
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Finals
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