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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 101-2"
COURSE NAME: "General Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Paola Castelli
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to a broad range of areas encompassed in the study of psychology and to the research methods of psychological science.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Central topics will include biological, cognitive, affective, developmental, personality, clinical and social psychology.  Discussion will focus on theoretical ideas, empirical findings and their relationship to everyday life
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn about current scientific theory and research in major areas of psychology. The course will prepare students to understand advanced experimental concepts in psychology, and will help them develop the skills necessary to evaluate and critically think about information, enabling them, at a minimum, to become informed consumer of science.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Exploring Psychology in ModulesDavid G. MyersWorth Publisher1464108412     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ExamsYou have to take 3 exams. Failure to do so, will result in an F. Exams will mostly be based on short-answer questions and will be worth 50 points.Each exam will address approximately 1/3 of the course material, and will cover the assigned textbook readings, lectures, and the films occasionally shown in class.60%
QuizzesReview 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 usually be administered at the beginning of the class period. It is your responsibility to arrive in class ON TIME.20%
HomeworkYour grade for this course will also be based on short writing assignments (tot 50 points). Details about the assignments will be discussed on the first day of class. A handout with specific instructions for each of the assignment will also be available on the course website.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:

Attendance and participation, although not mandatory, are essential to earn a good grade for this course. Thus, you should do your absolute best to attend every class meeting, and to come to class prepared and ready to participate in discussion. It is unlikely that you will do well in this course if you don’t keep up with the readings.

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

  Topic Readings
week 1 Intro  
  Research methods module 2
week 2    
  Biological bases module 3-4
week 3    
  Sensation & Perception modules 11,13 & 14
week 4    
  Learning modules 18-19-20
week 5    
  Exam 1  
week 6  Memory Module 21
     
week 7 Everyday memory Module 22
   
week 8 Thinking (and Intelligence) modules 23-25
     
week 9 Emotion mod 29-30
  Exam 2  
week 10 Development

mod 7-8-9-10
  Development mod 7-8-9-10
week 11  
  Personality mod 33-34-35
week 12  
  Social mod 43-44-45
week 13  
  Abnormal mod 36-37-38
week 14 Conclusions-Review  
  Exam 3