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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 307"
COURSE NAME: "Cognitive Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Laura Sparaci
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PS 210
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to human cognition, focusing both on classic and current issues in the field. As the study of cognition heavily relies on experimental research, emphasis will be placed on the experiments designed to test models and theories of cognitive processes.
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.

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.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Cognitive PsychologyGoldstein, E.B.Cengage978111118588-6     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
QuizzesFour brief multiple-choice quizzes will be administered at equal intervals across the semester. Each quiz will cover approximately 1/4 of the course material and will help you keep the pace with the course reading, as well as help spacing your studying time. Each quiz will be worth 20 points.40%
ExamYou will have to take 2 exams. Failure to do so, will result in an F. Exams will be based on short essay questions which cover the assigned textbook readings, lectures, the films occasionally shown and in-class activities. There will be TWO non-cumulative midterm examinations (each covering approximately 1/2 of the course material), worth 40 points each.40%
writing assignmentsYou will also have to complete two short writing assignments. The assignments could ask you to conduct a simple experiment, write a summary of a recent scientific paper, or interpret some everyday experience in light of the concepts discussed in class. Details about the assignments will be discussed on the first day of class. Each assignment is worth 20 points. Late assignments are deducted 2 points for each day late.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 cours
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, but it is strongly encouraged. If you miss a lecture, you miss about 25% of the material that will be covered on the next quiz (so you can expect to get at least one grade lower than if you had come to class!). Some material - such as videos, in-depth description of studies, and examples – will only be presented in class.

Please do not arrive late and/or plan to leave early as it will be disruptive to everyone. In addition, you’ll be missing important information that is usually given in the first and last minutes of lecture.

The use of laptops in class will only be allowed for note-taking purposes. If you are found to use your computer for purposes not related to class, you will lose that privilege.

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-methods Ch 1
     
week 2 Brain: principles Ch 2
     
week 3 Perception Ch 3
 
 
week 4 Attention  Ch4
  QUIZ 1-Attention

week 5 STM Ch 5
  Working memory
Ch 5
week 6  LTM structure
 Ch 6
  LTM (encoding/retrieval) Ch 7
week 7 QUIZ 2-LTM enc/retriv2  
  EXAM 1  
week 8 Everyday memory  Ch 8
     
Week 9 Knowledge Ch 9
     
Week 10 Imagery Ch 10
  Quiz 3-Imagery2  
week 11 Language Ch 11
     
week 12 Thinking Ch 12-13
     
week 13 Problem solving Ch 12-13
 
 
week 14 Quiz 4-Review  
  EXAM 2