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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PS 101"
COURSE NAME: "General Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Daniele Nardi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
W 3:00 – 4:30, or by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the concepts, theories and research methods used in some of the major areas of psychology. Emphasis will be placed on comparing and critically evaluating competing theories.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Some of the main areas of psychology will be introduced, including: biological basis, perception, memory, language, developmental, social influences, personality, and abnormal psychology. Topics will be discussed emphasizing the link with aspects of everyday life.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The students are expected to:
- Learn the concepts, terminology, theories and current research that are central in psychology.
- Possess the tools to interpret experimental findings and to address a basic research question in psychology.
- Critically evaluate content acquired in class and apply it in other contexts and in everyday life.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Psychology; second edition, 2012 | Daniel Schacter, Daniel Gilbert, Daniel Wegner | Worth | ISBN-13: 9781429237192 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Psychology; second edition, 2012 | Daniel Schacter, Daniel Gilbert, Daniel Wegner | Worth | ISBN-13: 9781429237192 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Exams | 3 exams (one being the cumulative final). Each one will be worth 100 pts (tot = 300 pts). Exam format will vary and may include: fill-in-the-blanks, multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and essay questions. There are no make-up exams UNLESS you are officially excused through the assistant dean for student academic affairs. Make-up exams are ORAL. | 60% |
| Home assignments | 2 take-home assignments will be given during the semester. Each one will be worth 50 pts (tot = 100 pts). Details about the assignments and due dates will be provided during the semester and will also be posted on MyJCU | 20% |
| Pop quizzes | A total of 5 pop-quizzes will be offered during the semester. Only the best 4 will be retained for your final grade, each one being worth 25 pts (tot = 100 pts). NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES WILL BE OFFERED FOR ANY REASON. If you miss class on a day when a pop-quiz is administered, that will be your dropped score. Pop quizzes may be administered at the beginning of the class period, therefore it is your responsibility to arrive in class ON TIME. Quizzes will consist of simple questions (short-answer, multiple-choice, fill-in-the-gaps) that will require only a short time to answer (5-15 minutes). | 20% |
-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:
Final point distribution
Exams 300 (3 exams at 100 pts each) 60%
Writing assignments 100 (2 assignments at 50 pts each) 20%
Pop quizzes 100 (best 4 quizzes at 25 pts each) 20%
TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE 500
Your final grade will be assigned according to the following scale (%):
93 and above = A
92 – 90 = A-
89 – 87 = B+
86 – 83 = B
82 – 80 = B-
79 – 77 = C+
76 – 73 = C
72 – 70 = C-
69 – 67 = D+
66 – 63 = D
62 – 60 = D-
59 and below = F
Attendance is not mandatory. However, because the assessments will cover both the assigned readings AND any material dealt with in class (e.g., discussion, lecture, comments, exercises, handouts and videos), it is in your interest not to miss any class! Also, if you miss a class, you might miss a pop-quiz. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to be updated on course material from your classmates and, if you don’t understand a topic, to ask the instructor. It is also your responsibility to routinely check MyJCU for important announcements; in particular, remember to check MyJCU the morning before each class for possible urgent announcements.
Please behave in class in a respectful way towards your classmates and your instructor. In particular, you must absolutely silence your cellphone and avoid using it. Please do not come in late or leave early, as it disrupts the whole class.
Laptops in class are considered a source of distraction. Therefore, students are strongly discouraged to use their laptops, even if just for taking notes. If you have a condition that requires the use of a laptop, please contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible.
Please refer to the University Catalog for the standards of academic honesty.
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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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Please keep in mind that this is a TENTATIVE schedule. Exam dates are fixed, but depending on the pace of the class, the topics may be covered at different times and some topics may not be covered at all. Note that April 4 is make-up day for Easter Holiday (April 21).
Jan. 13 – 15 Intro
Chapter 1
Jan. 20 – 22 Methods
Chapter 2
Jan. 27 – 29 Neuroscience and behavior
Chapter 3
Feb. 3 – 5 Sensation and Perception
Chapter 4
Feb. 10 – 12 Feb. 12: EXAM 1
Feb. 17 – 19 Memory
Chapter 5
Feb. 24 – 26 Memory
Chapter 5
Mar. 3 – 5 Learning
Chapter 6
Mar. 10 – 12 March 12: EXAM 2
Mar. 17 – 19 SPRING BREAK
Mar. 24 – 26 Language
Chapter 7
Mar. 31 – April 2 – 4 Thought, Decision Making and Problem Solving
Chapter 7
April 7 – 9 Development
Chapter 11
April 14 – 16 Personality
Chapter 13
April 23 Social Psychology
Chapter 14
FINAL EXAM
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