FUNDAMENTALS Of PSYCHOLOGY

Psych 110 – Fall 2004

 

G. L. Baril, 203AMH, 941-4270, Office Hours: MW 1:00 TuTh 2:30

 

TEXT:  Bernstein, D.A., & Nash, P.W. (2005).  Essentials of Psychology (3nd ed.).  N.Y.:  Houghton Mifflin.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  The primary goal of this course is to provide a broad introduction to the knowledge & theory of the major areas of the scientific study of behavior & mental processes.  The course should also increase the student's understanding of how psychologists find out about psychological processes & how these findings are often incongruent with popular views & even common sense.

 

QUIZZES:  There will be a 12 item multiple choice quiz during the 1st class of every week except Aug 31, Sept 28, Nov 2, & Nov 30:  a total of 11.  They will be based on the previous week's text & lecture material (text study guides will be provided).  There will be 3 quiz grades (each based on 3 or 4 quizzes).  The quizzes will count 22% (6, 8, & 8%) of the course grade.

 

EXAMS:  There will be 3 multiple choice examinations:  2 on the dates below & 1 during the final exam period.  The 3rd exam is not comprehensive.  The 3 exams count a total of 78% (22, 28, & 28%) of the course grade, & will be based on lecture & text material.

 

GRADING:  Each quiz & exam grade is based on the highest score in the class (or 90% of the maximum possible score, whichever is higher) which receives a grade point score of 4.66.  Half of the top score receives a 1.00.  Every other score between these two values and below 1.00 is calculated by interpolation.  The University's grade point system is:  A (4.00), A- (3.67-3.99), B+ (3.33-3.66), B (3.00-3.32), B- (2.67-2.99), C+ (2.33-2.66), C (2.00-2.32), D+ (1.50-1.99), D (1.00-1.49), F (0-.99).

 

RESEARCH PARTICIPATION:  To contribute to the advancement of psychology & as part of your educational experience, you will be participating in a psychological study (to be announced).  As an alternative, you can write a one page summary (handwritten with the full reference at the top) of the research methods used in a published study you find in the library based on a reference in the back of the text.  If you choose this alternative, it is due the last day of class.

 

CUT POLICY:  Unless excused, each time part of a class is missed, the overall grade will be reduced by .1.

 

HONESTY: "Integrity in intellectual activity is an indispensable prerequisite for membership in any academic community."

 

ONLINE COURSE EVALUATIONS:  This is one of a handful of classes that will be testing a new online course evaluation system for the University.  Since it is critical to identify any problems with this new process, every student in this class is expected to complete these end-of-semester course evaluations.  Further information will be provided in class and via e-mails from the University.

WEEKLY TOPICS & ASSIGNMENTS

 

Aug      31                    Introduction to the Science of Psychology                     Ch   1

Sept       7                    Biology & Behavior                                                      Ch   2

            14                    Sensation & Perception                                                Ch   3

            21                    Consciousness;  EXAM (Th)                                        Ch   4

            28                    Learning                                                                       Ch   5

Oct        5                    Memory                                                                       Ch   6

            12                    Thought, Language & Intelligence                                  Ch   7

            19(-Tu)            Motivation & Emotion                                                  Ch   8

            26                    Human Development;                                                   Ch   9

Nov       2                    EXAM (Tu);  Health, Stress & Coping                         Ch 10

              9                    Personality                                                                    Ch 11

            16                    Social Psychology                                                         Ch 14

            23(-Th)            Psychological Disorders                                                Ch 12

            30                    Psychological Disorders (continued)

Dec        7                    Therapies                                                                     Ch 13