INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY - PSYC 1310
Instructor: Aubrey Shoemaker, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Head of Psychology, Sociology, and Human Services Department
Phone: (423) 585-2636
FAX: (423)585-2640
Office: Library, Room 114
E-Mail: http://cp.wscc.cc.tn.us
E-Mail: aubrey.shoemaker@wscc.cc.tn.us
Virtual Office Hours: Monday- 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Class Web Address: http://vc.wscc.cc.tn.us/psyc1310
Required Texts: Introduction to Psychology, 9th Edition, Coon; PsychNow! Interactive Experience in Psychology CD-ROM
Course Description: Introduction to principles and primary approaches of the study of human behavior and experience, including biological foundations, sensations, perception, learning, and thought processes. This course is writing and technologically intensive.
Prerequisites: None.
Competencies: It is expected that after completing this course the student should be able to describe, discuss, explain, and/or identify the following major topics:
Instruction/Evaluation Methods: Instruction over class web pages, textbook, assigned videos, Internet resources, and material handed out by instructor; participation in sending and receiving e-mail messages, class chat room conversations, and postings to online discussion board; homework assignments, take-home and in-class exams; expository writing
Methodology:
Attendance: Students are expected to attend orientation meeting and all three on-campus class meetings. These meetings are mandatory. Exceptions can be made when circumstances warrant. Contact the instructor to make alternative arrangements. Students will receive a maximum of 25 points (5 points/class) for class attendance to be added to the total points.
Exams: There will be 3 exams during the term each worth a maximum of 10 points per exam. These will be taken during the class meeting nights. Exams will be a combination of objective and subjective content. Total points = 30
Expository Papers: You are expected to read every chapter as scheduled with additional writing assignments (expository papers) required. You are to write one paper per major division in the following manner:
Each expository paper can receive a maximum of 10 points each for a total of 70 Points. These papers are to be turned in electronically on or prior to scheduled dates. Late papers are subject to not receiving the maximum allowable points. See Attached page for instructions on expository paper writing.
Birth Story: You are required to complete the birth story assignment. Specific details are attached to the syllabus below. Successful completion of this assignment is worth 20 points.
PsychNow!CD-ROM: Your CD-ROM contains modules that are pertinent to all the chapters. It really is an excellent study tool designed to be used to help you to prepare for your exams. From the eight (8) modules choose 20 sections/exercises/activities to examine. Although there may be some exercises as part of the course, your computer log is only for recording those activities done outside my request. First, record your information on notebook paper then transfer it to the format below and e-mail me the information on the day as scheduled. Use the following format:
PSYCHNOW! FEEDBACK INFORMATION
Module Section Feedback
Example:
"Accessing Psychology Study Skills I enjoyed this because I did not realize that I was an auditory learner. The planning sheet helped also."
The total points for the log sheet is 20 points.
Online Discussions: There will be several questions/issues/topics that you will be asked to address during the term. You will receive from 1-3 points for each time you respond within a timely manner, either as part of chat or a singular e-mail online response. Total points = 10.
Final Grade Computation:
Students will receive a final grade based on this scoring below:
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS, EXAMS AND ASSIGNMENTS:
January 14- Class meeting for further review of WEB-CT and question/answer session
February 11- EXAM #1- Includes chapters from "Foundations" and "Physiology". Expository papers 1 and 2 due before this date.
March 18- EXAM #2- Includes chapters from "Conditioning and Learning" and "Developmental." Expository papers 3 and 4 are due before this date.
April 22- EXAM #3- Includes chapters from "Sociology" and "Psychopathology." Expository papers 5,6 and 7 due.
April 29- No meeting, however Birth Story and PsychNow! Feedback due.
Important Dates to Remember:
Final Words: Hang in there with me for a great semester. We are all learning together. I promise you that we will have a lot of fun and do a lot of learning and thinking in the process. My door is always open to you to express your concerns or any problems you may be experiencing. My e-mail line is always open also. I am always in your corner...... Aubrey
BIRTH STORY ASSIGNMENT
Purpose:
To assist the student in answering the question: "When and Where I Did I Enter?"
Assignment:
Have family members or family friends tell you the story of your birth. Listen for things that the storyteller thinks are important. Ask questions for your own clarity about the event.
Write the story of your birth contextualizing this event with such variables as heritage, ethnicity, economic status, and family dynamics and personality- or other variables that you think are important. Explore the question-"What made or did not make this a significant event?" Identify who you interviewed to gather information and how you have come to understand this event. What values have you learned from your family? What personality traits do you have that are similar to your family's traits?
Specifications:
Your story may be written in any literary style you desire, however it must be double-spaced, black ink, and using 12-font or higher. Be sure to put your name on your paper. Length is not as important as content. Try to be as detailed about the experience as possible. Do not use any names that would identify yourself or members of your family (except mom, dad, grandma, etc.). You are to e-mail me your paper using either Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, tucked within your e-mail.
Point Value: 20 points
EXPOSITORY PAPER WRITING
The directions below provide you an explanation of how to write your expository papers. My whole premise for implementation of the teaching strategies I use is based on "Critical Thinking." From your Chapter 1, pages 21-22 there is a discussion on critical thinking as uncommon sense. Read those pages for more information. Reminder, you are to select one chapter from each of the major domains in the textbook (refer to syllabus above). Your papers should follow the format below and sent to me by e-mail. You may do this by attachment or by directly typing your expository paper into your e-mail. If you choose to do this by attachment, please do your writing in Microsoft Works or Microsoft Word.
Name _________________________________ Chapter Title and Number _____________________
I. Chapter Summary - Summarize the main points of the chapter using your own words. There was a reason you selected that particular chapter so formulate a thesis statement around the main issue you wish to focus on. In other words, tell me what stood out for you or grabbed your attention. This section is worth two (2) points.
II. Critical Thinking - Comparative- Select one (1) of the options below to provide me with some comparative information. This other source may agree with what Coon said or there may be some disagreement. Site the source or tell me where you got your information. For additional credit, you may choose to select another source of information. Here is where my website may be helpful. The site address is: http://vc.wscc.cc.tn.us/psyc1310/
(1) Internet Sources- You may use my "Favorite Psychology Links" from my website or Infotrac- The Online Library- http://www.infotrac-college.com Another excellent source is http://www.google.com
(2) Other Courses-During the past few years you have been taking classes or you may be currently enrolled in a class that is also discussing your main issue. You may have had another psychology course, sociology, speech, biology, philosophy, or religion course that talked about the issue. Tell me which source you select and continue to give a summary of the information.
(3) Television, Modern Films, Popular Magazines- You might have watched a show like 20/20, Dateline, 60 Minutes II, or any number of television programs or movies that cover your issue. There is no need to tape it, however as you are watching the program simply take a few notes and write about it in your paper. You may also come across a newspaper article or a magazine article in many magazines such as Time, U.S. News and World Report, The Boston Globe, The Knoxville Sentinel, etc. Many of these newspapers have websites. Just record the major highlights that affect your issue.
(4) Books- You may have a personal library in your home. You may have read a book that addresses your issue. Report the title and author and begin to summarize the main points.
(5) Scholarly Journals- Use your Infotrac Online Library as a source for scholarly journals. You might also check out WSCC library and website. That can be found on my home page for this course.
(6) Spiritual/Biblical- You may have read something from a spiritual book, a self-help book, or from the Bible that supports your issue.
III. Critical Thinking - Experiential - The root word here is "experience." Now this is where I want you to get personal. Tell me your personal experience with this issue. Or you might want to tell me the experience of someone close to you-relative or friend- who has had this experience. Please feel free to share your information and it will be kept in confidence and not shared with anyone.
IV. Closing Statement- End your paper with, "In conclusion..." This is where you tie all of the information together and make a statement about what you have learned from completing this paper.
General Writing Style Guidelines- You may use paragraph form or an outline form. Either one is just fine. Your paper needs to be double-spaced, 12 or 14 font size, black ink, and "New Times Roman" font style. At the end of your paper give me a list of the works cited. You may write your paper using the pronoun "I" because this is personal to you. The due dates for these papers are listed in your syllabus. If you have further questions, just send me an e-mail.