TIME:  2-2:50 PM    M W F   AMH 212
INSTRUCTOR:  Carole S. Slotterback, Ph.D.
OFFICE AND OFFICE HOURS:  AMH 218  10-10:50 am MW, 3-3:50pm Mon
     (or by appointment)
PHONE:  941-7895     E-MAIL:  slotterbacc1@uofs.edu
REQUIRED TEXTS: 
 Pervin, L. A., & John, O. P.  (1997).  Personality:  Theory & research (7th edition).  New York:  John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

 Merrens, M. R., & Brannigan, G. G.  (1998).  Experiences in personality: Research, assessment, and change.  New York:  John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:  A survey and critical evaluation of personality and its implications for assessment, psychotherapy, and research.

OBJECTIVES:  Students will:
        (1) Gain factual knowledge of terminology, methods, and trends within this area.
        (2) Learn fundamental theories of personality, and be able to critique them.
        (3) Learn how professionals in this field go about gathering data and altering theories.
        (4) Discover how the course material relates to them by increasing their awareness of how personality is assessed and how course material relates to them.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

 EXAMS: A total of three regular exams will be given.  Each will be worth 100 points.  These exams may include several components: multiple choice, true/false, or matching questions, as well as essay questions.  The chapters each exam covers, as well as tentative exam dates, are on the attached schedule.  Please note that the third exam (given during finals week) will not be comprehensive.  THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UP EXAMS.  If the student is absent, he/she will receive a score of zero for that exam, unless a sufficiently compelling reason for the absence is presented (i.e., a doctor’s note or copy of a police report for an accident).  In such a case, the student will be allowed to take a cumulative exam at the same time as the final. The grade on the cumulative test will be allowed as a replacement for the exam that was missed.  If you do not present a sufficiently compelling reason for your absence from the test, you will NOT be allowed to take the cumulative exam.  If a student does not miss any of the regular exams, but wishes to take the cumulative exam to replace an earlier grade, he/she will be allowed to do so.  If the score on the cumulative exam is higher than a previous exam score, the higher score will be counted toward the final grade.  NOTE:  Anyone caught cheating on a test will receive a score of zero for that test, and other actions may be taken (I will follow the university’s policy on academic dishonesty).

 PROJECTS AND LEARNING EXERCISES:  Throughout the semester, students will get “hands-on” experience with various aspects of personality theories via learning exercises (e.g., examining the Barnum Effect, Q-sort) and projects (e.g., reaction paper on an original writing of Freud’s).  Each project or learning exercise is worth varying amounts of points (all are listed in the attached schedule).  In total, these exercises are worth 70 points.

DISCUSSION: Students can earn up to 10 points for discussion.  The points will be awarded as follows: at the end of the semester, every class member will rate the entire class’s quality and quantity of discussion on a scale of zero to five.  I will average across everyone’s ratings; thus, your rating counts for half of your discussion points.  I will also rate the class’s discussion, on the same scale; thus, my evaluation counts for the other half of your discussion points.  Discussion is a two-way street: we can’t have any if you won’t talk!  I guarantee that I can fill the time with lecture, so if you want discussion, OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND CONTRIBUTE!!  Please be sensitive to others, and respect their opinions (no name-calling or derogatory slang).

ATTENDANCE: You are responsible for finding out about any additions/deletions to the syllabus that are made during class.  If you are absent, you cannot participate in discussion; thus, after three absences, points will be taken away from your total discussion points.

 EXTRA CREDIT:  At various, unannounced times during the semester, opportunities will be given for students to earn up to 10 points of extra credit (using the Merrens & Branigan supplement).

GRADES:  There will be a total of 380 points that can be earned (plus an additional 10 points of extra credit).  Grades will be assigned based on the scale below:

Letter Grade                 Points Needed                 Letter Grade                 Points Needed
A                                     353+                                 C+                             293-303
A-                                 342-352                              C                                277-292
B+                                 331-341                              C-                              266-276
B                                   315-330                              D+                              255-265
B-                                  304-314                              D                                228-254

ADDENDUM: You [the student] should be able to display a professional attitude and behavior, which includes the following: reliability, respect for and cooperation with colleagues, willingness to work calmly and courteously under difficult conditions, determination to achieve first-class work while meeting deadlines, respect for equipment and systems, and constructive response to criticism.   (reference: Kilian (1995).  Design your syllabus as a management tool.  Teaching for Success, 7, 2).
 

Project One:  Read pages 8-12 in M & B; then complete the questions on pages 15-21.  Turn in the Barnum analysis (worth 15 points) on Sept 17.

September 5, 7                             Scientific Study of People                                              2
Sept. 10-14                                   Psychodynamic Theory                                                 3

Project Two:  Read pages 36-39 in M & B; write a 2-page reaction paper due by October 5 (typed, double-spaced, font no larger than 12)(worth 10 points)

Sept 17-21                           Psychodynamic Theory—Applications                                   4

EXAM ONE—CH 1, 2, 3, 4   September 24

Sept 26, 28                                 Phenomenological Theory                                                5
October 1-5                        Phenomenological Theory--Applications                                  6

Project Three:  Complete the Learning Exercise on pgs 179-185 in M & B.  To be turned in by October 15(worth 10 points)

Fall Break October 6-9

October 10, 12                                 Trait Approaches                                                        7

Project Four:  Complete the Learning Exercise on pgs 193-195 in M & B.  To be turned in by November 5(worth 10 points)

Oct 15-19                             Trait Approaches—5 Factor Model                                        8
October 22-26                                         Learning                                                               9

EXAM TWO—CH  5-9  October 29

Oct. 31, Nov. 2                                 Cognitive Theory                                                        10

Project Five:  Complete the Learning Exercise on pgs 157-160 in M & B.  To be turned in by December 3(worth 25 points)

November 5-9                         Cognitive Theory—Applications                                           11
November 12-16, 19                         Social Cognitive                                                          12

Thanksgiving Break November 21-25

November 26-30                       Social Cognitive—Applications                                           13
December 3, 5                                 Information Processing                                                  14

THE THIRD REGULAR EXAM COVERS ONLY CHAPTERS 10-14.  THE OPTIONAL, CUMULATIVE FINAL COVERS MATERIAL FROM THE FIRST TWO EXAMS.  BOTH WILL BE TAKEN DURING THE ASSIGNED TIME IN FINALS WEEK.

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