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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 335"
COURSE NAME: "Theories of Personality"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Grant Corser
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 9:00AM 10:45AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PS 101
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Personality is generally defined as an individual’s unique stable pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving, and its study has been an extremely important focus in scientific psychology. This course examines the various theories of personality and, according to each theory, a personality’s structure and development. The scope of theories studied will be from the Freudian tradition through to Trait Theories, Biological Perspectives, Behavioral/Social Learning theories, Humanistic/Existential models and finally to more current Cognitive theories. Students will have opportunities to critically evaluate each theory/perspective, and in each of the theories address a variety of questions.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Course Rational: Psychology, broadly defined, is the scientific study of human and non-human behavior and mental processes. Personality is the study of systematic individuals and individual differences among humans. This course exists to provide you with knowledge (both practical and theoretical) about the field of personality psychology so that you may gain knowledge that will benefit you and others.

Course Format:  Along with lectures, this will be an interactive class. That is, you are expected to ask questions and make comments during discussion periods. There will be occasions when you are asked to gather into small groups during class to discuss material, etc. Activities, demonstrations and lectures are designed to help you achieve your educational goals. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Identify major shifts and themes in personality theory.

Describe the scientific method and its rationale.

Define and use terms associated with personality psychology.

Identify and define basic principles of personality.

Define the parts of personality.

Describe how personality is organized.

Describe the development of personality.

Set personal experience in context.

Think more critically.

Better foresee consequences in complex social circumstances.

Recognize interdependence.

Increase metacognitive skills.

Demonstrate an understanding of different perspectives.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Theories of Personality, International Edition 10eSchultz and SchultzCengage 1111835233     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
The Daily QuizA short answer quiz will be taken at the beginning of each class to assess learning, encourage attendance, and to encourage proper preparation for class. These quizzes must be taken in class on the day they are given and are worth up to 10 points each.34
Written Assignments Various written assignments will be given to help students process the content of the course.33
Take Home/Inclass ExamsThere will be 2 "Take Home" exams and 1 "In Class" Exam. Details will be explained during class. 33

-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:
JCU 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 26 June 2015.

Course Attendance Policy:
You are expected to attend class so you can maximally achieve your educational goals. 
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

Day Date Topic Reading
Monday 25-May Introductions/Class Procedures/Intro Chapter 1
Tuesday 26-May Ways of Knowing and Paradigms of Reality Chapter 1
Wednesday 27-May Psychoanalysis Chapter 2
Thursday 28-May Psychoanalysis Chapter 2
Monday 1-Jun Analytical Psychology Chapter 3
Tuesday 2-Jun Holiday--no class
Wednesday 3-Jun Interpsychic/Individual Theories
Chapter 4
Thursday 4-Jun Psychoanalytic Social Psychology Chapter 5
Monday 8-Jun Self-Analysis/Feminist Psychology Chapter 5
Tuesday 9-Jun Ego/Identity Psychology Chapter 6
Wednesday 10-Jun Experimental Analysis of Behavior Chapter 12
Thursday 11-Jun Experimental Analysis of Behavior Chapter 12
Friday 12-Jun Social Learning Theories Chapter 13
Monday 15-Jun Social Learning Theories Chapter 13
Tuesday 16-Jun Motivation and Personology Chapter 7
Wednesday 17-Jun Factor Analysis, Genes, Evolutionary and Bio Chapter 8
Thursday 18-Jun Factor Analysis, Genes, Evolutionary and Bio Chapter 8
Monday 22-Jun Needs Based Personality Chapter 9
Tuesday 23-Jun Humanistic Approach Chapter 10
Wednesday 24-Jun Existential  Approach Chapter 14
Thursday 25-Jun Existential Approach Chapter 14
Friday 26-Jun Summary/Convergence of Theories
Note: Take home exam 1 will be given on Tuesday June 9th and due on Friday June 12th
          Take home exam 2 will be given on Thursday June 18th and due on Monday June 22
          In class, multiple choice exam (exam 3) will given during class on Friday June 26th.