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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 101"
COURSE NAME: "General Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016
SYLLABUS

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

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.
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 PsychologyDavid G. Myersmacmillan highered978-1464111723     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ExamsThe test category includes 3 midterms administered at approximately equal intervals across the semester, and a final. The exams will cover the assigned textbook readings, lectures, and the films occasionally shown in class. Each midterm will be non-cumulative and will cover approximately 1/3 of the course material. The final will be cumulative. You grade for the category will be based on your best 3 tests, and the lowest test score will be dropped. If you miss any of the tests, that will be your dropped score. Thus, NO MAKE UP will be allowed for any reasons.75%
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.25%

-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
 

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