COURSE SYLLABUS

Psychology 1A – Introductory Psychology

Jack Newins–Fall 2005

Section 6345–Tues 1900-2100 (IAC 109)

OFFICE HOURS AND COMMUNICATION:

Los Banos: I do not have an assigned office. I am usually available the hour before class in the faculty office area on the 2^nd floor of IAC. Telephone messages may be left with me at 384-6073 or e-mail me at newins.j@mccd.edu.

PREREQUISITES: No college course work is required prior to taking Psych 1A; however, the College advises completion of English A and English 41 prior to taking this course. I strongly advise at least this level of preparation, as you will be expected to read and comprehend a college level text and to express your knowledge and ideas competently in writing.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND G0ALS: This is a transfer level course intended to be equivalent to intro psychology at UC or the State Universities. At the end of the course you will:

1. Understand the major principles, knowledge and concepts in modern psychology;

2. Understand the major theoretical perspectives and be aware of the major contributors to psychological theory and research;

3. Have adequate knowledge to be able to successfully complete more advanced course work in psychology;

4. Develop basic critical thinking skills for understanding and evaluating information and claims about psychology in the popular media;

5. Develop an intellectual curiosity about psychology and be able to recognize and understand basic psychological principles in everyday life.

COURSE FORMAT AND STRUCTURE: The course will cover 12of the 15 chapters in the text, in order, with one exception (see schedule). The three remaining chapters and Appendix A on statistics may be read for extra credit. Staying current with the reading is expected and necessary for success in the class. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of each class session on that week’s reading assignment. Class sessions will consist of quizzes, lectures, discussions, activities, and written work.

There is insufficient class time for me to attempt to cover all of the material in the text in a lecture. Therefore, I expect you to have read the assigned text material, and I will gladly address questions about the reading. I will lecture on material that either highlights or supplements the text, but you are responsible for and will be tested on your understanding of all the material in the text, as well as on any supplemental material I present in class.

PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE: Credit will be earned each week on quizzes and participation in group discussions/activities and written work. The lowest two quiz scores will be dropped as well as one or two scores on in class activities. Thus you may miss two class meetings for any reason without penalty. Quizzes and in-class activities may not be made up for any reason. Post-break activities or written work may not be taken home by those who wish to leave early (DON’T ASK!).

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING:

Chapter quizzes worth 10 points each will be given at the beginning of the first class session in which a new chapter is introduced. These will consist of ten True-False items based on major concepts, terms, and facts. A general reading of the chapter and review of the chapter summaries should be adequate preparation.

Four exams worth 60 points each will cover the 12 assigned chapters in the text. Each test will cover three chapters. Exams are multiple choice; you will need a 4-1/4” x 11” ScanTron (Form 882-ES) and a #2 pencil for each test. Buy these early—I do not supply them.

Written assignments/In-class activities: There is no formal written assignment; however, many of the weekly in-class activities will involve thoughtful and well-written responses similar to essay exam questions (although you will usually be allowed to use notes and/or text). In class writing must be legible, use good spelling and grammar, and show an understanding of the concepts and issues involved. These are worth 10 points each.

An optional comprehensive final exam, worth 60 points, covering the entire text is available at the scheduled final exam time. If you score better than your lowest exam score, this test score will replace your lowest test score. If you missed an exam, except for exam #4, you may either take the comprehensive test make up the exam you missed. If you miss two exams you may make up one of them and use the comprehensive exam to replace the other one.

Extra credit may be earned by taking a 15-point multiple choice quiz on one of the unassigned chapters at each exam, as noted in the class schedule. You must score 8 or better on each quiz to receive any extra credit. These quizzes may not be made up. A maximum of 45 points may be earned, and extra credit points may not raise a final course grade more than one grade level. On an individual basis, I reserve the right to give up to ten additional extra credit points, based on intelligent participation, to students on the boundary between grades. There are no other extra credit options.

Missed Exams/Make ups: As noted above, there is no provision for making up weekly quizzes or in class work. If you miss an exam, it may only be made up during the scheduled final exam time. If you want to take a test prior to its scheduled time, discuss this with me at least one week ahead of time. N.B.: The fourth exam may only be made up by taking the comprehensive final. There are no other make up options.

Plagiarism and Cheating are serious academic offenses that can result in a failing grade on an assignment or a failing grade in the course, depending on the circumstances and seriousness of the incident. All incidents of academic dishonesty must be reported to the Vice President for Student Services and can adversely affect one’s academic status and/or become a part of ones’s academic record. Students are required to do their own work and appropriately cite others’ work and ideas when it is used or referred to. Do not hesitate to ask me if you have questions or concerns about this.

Plagiarism refers to presenting others’ ideas or work as your own and may include quoting or paraphrasing someone else’s work without citation or credit or taking credit for someone else’s work. Most plagiarism can be avoided by carefully citing source material you use in written assignments (which actually adds to the quality of the paper in most cases). If I suspect plagiarism on an assignment, I will review the assignment with a faculty colleague and will request an appointment with you to review the assignment in question.

Cheating refers to using any unauthorized notes or assistance on an exam or assignment. This specifically includes any attempted communication with other students during an exam or attempts to use or copy other students’ answers. You should avoid any appearance of cheating on tests.

Grading Scheme:

Best 10 of 12 scores on chapter quizzes @ 10 points each = 100 points

Best 10 of 12 scores on in class activities @ 10 points each = 100 points

4 exams @ 60 points each = 240 points

TOTAL = 500 points (approx)

Course grades will be determined as follows:

A = 396+ (90%) D = 242+ (55%)

B = 352+ (80%) F = <242

C = 286+ (65%)

ADJUSTMENTS: The tests, quizzes, and assignments above, or their values, may be modified or canceled during the course of the semester, as necessary or appropriate. In determining final grades, I may adjust the total points possible to a value between the actual points possible and the highest student score obtained, using the percentages described above to determine grades.

TIME AND ENERGY:

Psych 1A is hard! You will be learning new vocabulary, new concepts, and, very likely, some new ways of thinking about people and the world we live in. To do well in this course (and most transfer level courses) you will probably need to spend at least two to three hours of study and preparation for each hour of course time. The demands of transfer level classes are very real and compete with other obligations, demands, and interests in your life, as well as with unexpected stressors such as illness or personal and family problems.

It is important to be realistic about the time you have available for this course. Make up policies and deadlines for assignments are firm and will not be changed on the basis of individual need. In the event that personal circumstances should interfere with your completion of the course, I am willing to give credit for work completed, should you wish to re-take the course from me in the future.