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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 307-1"
COURSE NAME: "Cognitive Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Annie Petrosyan
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 6:00PM 7:15PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PS 210
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will examine the structure and function of mental processes, which account for human behavior. Topics include attention, perception, memory, problem solving, decision making, cognitive development, language, and human intelligence. Individual, situational, gender, and cultural differences in cognition will also be explored. An individual research project or research paper is required.
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:

1. Discuss the history and assumptions underlying the field of cognitive psychology.

2. Demonstrate the ability to discuss critical aspects of human cognition.

3. Provide a thorough discussion of short-term/working memory and those factors that influence it.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of the current issues in cognitive psychology.

5. Provide a thorough understanding of how memory, language, attention, perception, are thought to be organized within human cognition.

6. Provide a thorough understanding of the factors that influence human decision-making, judgments, and reasoning.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Cognitive Psychology 3rd EditionGoldstein, E. B. Cengage978111118588-6     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Review QuizzesReview quizzes (no grade assigned)/
ExamsThere will be 3 graded exams in total. Two non-cumulative midterms and a cumulative final. One out of 3 above mentioned exams, the lowest scored exam, will be dropped. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS. 80%
PresentationOne, 10-minute “PowerPoint Presentation” on one of the topics covered in class or listed in the textbook. 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 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