COURSE OBJECTIVES

• learn about what psychology is, and how it is applicable to the world around us.
• understand how we learn, think and remember.
• gain a basic knowledge of human behavior
• learn about human characteristics such as perception, sensation, motivation and thinking
• investigate other areas of psychology (social and industrial/organizational).

Above and beyond this, we will approach the field of psychology critically as "a way of approaching and analyzing the world (Wade & Tavris, 1990, p. xvii)." This means that we will explore how to think critically about psychological phenomena and be skeptical about what we read.

As such, class discussions and projects will be designed to encourage your own exploration of psychology.  Through the study of this field, you are likely to find that much of what we know in psychology directly relates to, and has the capacity to enrich, our experience of everyday life.

EVALUATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF GRADES

Quizzes:  The quizzes will help us to stay on track in the course and provide you with a study guide for the exams.  Quiz scores will be totaled at the end of the semester and constitute 12% of your grade.  The quizzes are multiple-choice.

Examinations: There are three major exams.  Each of the exams will cover 3 chapters.  Each of these exams is worth 20% of your grade.  They are multiple-choice and each will consist of 60 questions.  The final exam is comprehensive and will contain 50 multiple-choice questions.

Theme Papers: Fifteen percent of your grade (15%) will be determined based on your completion of three Theme Papers.  These papers will be no less than 500 words each and will need to be submitted electronically via D2L.  The total number of points you can earn from these papers is 150, or 50 points per paper.  The papers will consist of your application of concepts discussed in class, covered in your text, current events, or personal experiences.  For example, you might decide to do one of your Papers on the impact of the Internet on how students learn, or the impact of teenage violence on psychological health later in life, or the impact of memory deficits on academic achievement, or the use of principles of learning to help at-risk youth acquire positive social skills.

RESEARCH REQUIREMENT

It is important that students of scientific psychology learn firsthand something about the scientific nature of the discipline. Therefore, all students in PSYC 1103 and 2203 are required to participate in one of the following research-related exercises. No extra credit is given for research participation, but failure to complete the research requirement will result in a one letter grade reduction for the course. The deadline for completing the research requirement is 11/27

(1) participate in 60 minutes of research  (that’s a reduction from the previous 90 minute requirement), OR

(2) write an essay on the topic of ethics in psychological research (they can review the attached article or any other source of information of their instructor’s choosing) OR Essays must be submitted no later than 11/27. or

or

(4)  lose one letter grade from their final course grade at the end of the semester

Grading: Each regular exam will represent 20% of your final grade and the final 13%. The quizzes constitute 12% of your grade and fifteen percent of your grade will come from your submission of the Theme Assignments.

Then use the following scale (there is no rounding or extra credit):

III.       RELEVANT CLASS, PROGRAM AND SCHOOL POLICIES

Late submission of theme papers.   No late assignments accepted

Late submission of theme papers.   No late assignments accepted

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.