Syllabus
PSYC 110.2 - Introduction to Psychology
Spring 2004
Dr. David Robbins
Office: Phillips 52B
Phone: 3800-1
Required Text: Psychology 7th Edition (2003) by David Myers
Optional Textbook Website: http://www.worthpublishers.com/myers
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Chapter
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Reading Assignment
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Exam Date
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Chapter 1
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Thinking Critically with Psychological
Science
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January 14
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Chapter 2
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Neuroscience
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January 16
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Chapter
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The Nature and Nuture Issue
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January 26
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Quiz #1
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Chapter 1 -3
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January 30
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Chapter 5
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Sensation
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February 2
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Chapter 6
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Perception
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February 6
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Exam #1
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Chapter 1-3, 5, 6,
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February 11
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Chapter 4
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The Developing Person
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February 13
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Chapter 7
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States of Consciousness
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February 18
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Quiz #2
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Chapters 5, 7, 8
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October 11
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Chapter 8
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Learning
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February 25
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Chapter 9
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Memory
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March 1 |
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Chapter 10
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Thinking and Language
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March 5 |
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Chapter 11
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Intelligence
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March 15 |
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Exam #2
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Chapter 4, 7 - 11
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March 19
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Chapter 12
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Motivation and Work
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March 22
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Chapter 13
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Emotion
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March 31
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| Quiz #2 | |||
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Chapter 14
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Stress and Health
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April 7
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Chapter 15
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Personality
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April 12
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| Chapter 16 | Psychological Disorders |
April 16
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Chapter 17
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Therapy
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April 21
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Chapter 18
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Social Psychology
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April 23
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Exam #3 Comprehensive
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May 1 |
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CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Class: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY - Phillips Rm. 09. Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis. Unexcused absences will be viewed as a sign of little interest and involvement in the course and could adversely affect grade decisions. Optional help sessions will be announced in class and all students experiencing difficulties are strongly encouraged to attend.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. EXAMINATIONS
All examinations and quizzes must be taken on the date and time scheduled. Students who do miss a scheduled examination because of illness or other unavoidable reason must be prepared to take either a written or oral make- up examination the NEXT scheduled class period. Later make-up exams will be given ONLY in cases of prolonged illness. In all cases approval for an alternative examination date MUST be acquired BEFORE the regularly scheduled examination or quiz date. Another examination on the same date or lack of adequate preparation does NOT constitute a defensible reason for postponing an exam. Failure to take an examination will result in a zero grade for that examination.
Questions on previous examinations are available for perusal by students for two weeks after the examination has been returned and discussed in class. Students may request at their convenience a copy of the exam from the secretary of the Psychology Department between the hours of 8:00 and 4:30 p.m. Students are encouraged to make an appointment with the instructor to discuss their performance.
2. EMPIRICAL REQUIREMENT
All students who take a general psychology course at OWU must
satisfy a departmental requirement for participation in an empirical experiment
as either a subject or experimenter. Details of the specific requirement are
provided in a separate handout or at the following website: 
All PSYC 110 students must complete at least 7 credits which is equivalent to approximately two hours of your time (15-20 min per credit). Sign-up sheets will appear on the bulletin board outside PH 09.
3. SPECIAL PROJECT - due November 15th
All students are required to complete at least one special project
during the academic year. Several different options are available and are
listed below. Your performance on any one of these special projects will count
as 5% of your final grade. This special project must be completed no later
than November 15th – one percentage point off of your grade will be deducted
for each day late. Additional instructions for use of the computer programs
and requirements for the write-up will be provided upon request.
OPTIONS – (one required)
1. DESIGN YOUR OWN EXPERIMENT
Given the information that you have learned about the science of psychology in the methods section of the course as well as the specific information about issues within the field generate a research proposal to conduct an experiment. This 4-5-page proposal should include an introduction (using reference sources), a detailed methods section, and an anticipated results section. The methods section should include a research participation section (identifying species, number, source, housing, if appropriate), apparatus / equipment section, a procedure section, and a data analysis section indicating how you intend to analyze the collected data. The results section should include statements of expected results and a brief discussion of their implications to the body of existing literature.
2. CASE HISTORY
It has been reported that many key figures in our history (politicians, artists, and even scientists) have suffered from serious psychological and neurological disorders. Select one such person and research the illness and its impact on the historical figure. Please reference all of your sources including the citations regarding the historical figure and the illness itself
2. CRITIQUE A RECENT ARTICLE PERTAINING TO PSYCHOLOGY
3. CRITIQUE A RECENT ARTICLE PERTAINING TO PSYCHOLOGY
Our world is full of examples of the advances being made in
the field of psychology and neuroscience. Stories describing marvelous advances
can be found in almost any publication - special supplements to daily newspapers,
professional journals, and weekly magazines. Newspapers like the New York
Times, for example, often devote space on a weekly basis to these types of
medical and psychological advances. Select one recently released article review
its contents using the form provided in this syllabus or that you can download
from this coure's ERes site. Your summary should be complete and include your
analysis of the merits of the research.
COMPUTATION OF FINAL GRADE IN COURSE:
The final grade for this course will be determined from the mathematical average of performances on examinations and the laboratory paper according to the formula given below:
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Components
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Weight
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3 - 40 minute Quizzes
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@ 9%
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27 %
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2 - 50 minute Examinations
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@ 16 %
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32 %
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Final Exam (2 parts)(third exam and comprehensive) |
@ 16 %
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32 %
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Special Project
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8 %
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Empirical Requirement
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1 %
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Total
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100 %
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OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT - HONORS IN COURSE
1. COMPUTER QUIZZES:
The web site for your textbook (http://www.worthpublishers.com/gray) includes an online study guide that includes among other options on-line, multiple choice quizzes for each of the textbook chapters. To receive credit for these quizzes, one per assigned chapter, you must complete the student profile portion of the web site and electronically forwarded to me (at dorobbin@owu.edu) your results. These online exercises can be a significant study aid as you prepare for in class exams and must be completed prior to the quiz or exam on these topics in order to receive bonus points on the inclass exam.
2. HONORS IN COURSE:
A grade with honors designation in this course is available to ANY student completing an additional approved project beyond the normal course requirements provided you have earned a grade of B or better in the course. A term paper or completion of an additional empirical project will make a student eligible for this distinction. See instructor for additional details prior to November 16th.