Ethel K. Cantu, M.A., L.P.C.
Office: South Hall 265
Phone: 882-8868
E-mail: Ethel.Cantu@utb.edu
Web site: http://blue.utb.edu/ecantu
Course site on Blackboard: My UTB/TSC
If there is no answer, then leave a message on my voice mail at 882-8868 or with the secretary at 882-8225. If ever you need help or want to talk about anything, feel free to see me after class or in my office. You don't need an appointment to see me during the following hours:
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Faculty Office in South 265 |
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If these times are not convenient for you, please call or email me to set up an appointment.
PSYC
2301
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
FALL 2005
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
A survey of the scope and methods of psychology; cultivation of a
scientific attitude toward behavior.
II. COURSE PURPOSE
The purposes of this course are to help students to gain insight into the
phenomena of their everyday lives, to feel a sense of wonder about seemingly
ordinary human processes, and to see how psychology addresses deep intellectual
issues that cross disciplines.
III. OBJECTIVES
Students who successfully complete this course should retain a genuine
understanding of these basic ideas about psychology and behavior:
· Psychology is an empirical discipline that depends on research and a healthy skepticism.
· Psychology's theoretical diversity is a strength in that clashing theories often stimulate new insights.
· Because behavior is determined by multiple causes, many questions do not have simple answers.
· Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior through complex interactions.
IV. INTELLECTUAL
COMPETENCIES
There are four intellectual competencies that are emphasized in the
Introduction to Psychology course. They
are as follows:
·
·
Critical
Thinking - One
of the main objectives of the Introduction to Psychology class is to help
student learn to think critically in psychological terms. Critical thinking skills include: pattern recognition, practical problem
solving, creative problem solving, scientific problem solving, psychological
reasoning and perspective taking.
Students have the opportunity to learn these skills through textbook
exercises on critical thinking, supplemental sources (study guides), classroom
activities and on-line activities. In order to succeed in the course, students
must demonstrate their ability to answer conceptual questions that go beyond
memorization of facts. Examinations
always include items that call for analysis, synthesis and/or application of
course material.
·
Use of
Technology
- Computer literacy at the college level means the ability to use
computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring
information. The Introduction to
Psychology provides the opportunity for students to learn to use computer-based
technology through on line quizzes, web site activities, email and computer
assisted instruction.
· Writing - Competency in writing is
the ability to produce clear, correct, coherent prose adapted to purpose,
occasion, and audience. These abilities
can only be acquired through practice and reflection. While the size of most sections preclude the
use of grading-intensive written assignments, the Introduction to Psychology
course offers students opportunities to use writing as a means of practice,
reflection and communication.
V. TEACHING
& LEARNING STRATEGIES
In class I will help you learn through lectures,
cooperative work in groups, videos, and exams. Outside of class you will help
yourself learn by reading the text assignment prior to class
using the SQ3R method (see Tips for Studying Psychology, pp. 31-32 in your
text) and devoting at least two hours of study for every hour of class.
Mastery of the material can only be accomplished through work you do outside of class. There is no way we can cover all the material in class. You are responsible for reading and learning. Bring your questions and concerns to class for clarification and discussion.
Supplemental Instruction may be available for this class and is a great way to review class material and prepare for exams. Students who regularly attend SI sessions usually earn a higher grade in the class than those who don't attend.
VI. STUDENTS
WITH DISABILITIES
Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to
request academic adjustments in this class should notify the
Disability Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate
accommodations may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student
requesting academic adjustments must provide documentation of his/her
disability to the Disability Services counselor. For more information, call (956)
882-7372 or visit Disability Services at the
VII. TEXTBOOK
& STUDY AIDS
The textbook is titled Exploring Psychology (6th
Edition) by David G. Myers, published by Worth Publishers, 2005. On the Blackboard site accessible through MyUTB/TSC is a wide variety of activities and study aids
organized by Exploring Psychology
chapters. Features include self-tests for each chapter, chapter overviews,
critical thinking exercises, web links, PsychSims, PsychQuest, simulations, demonstrations, and key-term
flashcards.
A Study Guide in book format to help you master the material and prepare for exams is available for purchase at the bookstore.
Use my Blackboard web site at My UTB/TSC
and/or my faculty web page at http://blue.utb.edu/ecantu
for helpful resources and links. The following Web sites contain reputable
information about psychology, including student resources for career
development:
American Psychological Association www.apa.org
American Psychological Society www.psychologicalscience.org
VIII. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Individual and Cooperative Group Work
will include quizzes, homework, and cooperative group assignments. The quizzes
will be over the chapters in the textbook. If you are absent on a day we do a
quiz or a cooperative group assignment, you will get a zero for that work. Some
of the homework and group assignments will be from the textbook's interactive materials
accessible on the Blackboard web site
at My
UTB/TSC.
Four Exams will cover the text and class material, including videos, demonstrations, and homework assignments, including the PsychSims and PsychQuests. The format will be multiple choice.
A Comprehensive Final Exam will be given at the end of the semester.
NOTE TO PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS: A portfolio is required for the Senior Seminar
that must be taken by all psychology majors. For each psychology course, keep a
copy of the course syllabus, a one-page summary of what you learned in the
course, a list of all the readings for the course in APA style, and copies of
your research papers and projects.
IX. EVALUATION
|
Individual &
Cooperative Group Work |
20% |
|
Four Exams @ 100 points
each (lowest exam dropped) |
60% |
|
Comprehensive Final Exam |
20% |
|
Total |
100% |
|
A |
90-100% |
D |
60- 69% |
|
B |
80- 89% |
F |
59% & below |
|
C |
70- 79% |
|
|
X. SERIOUSNESS
OF PURPOSE / ATTENDANCE
I expect you to be present, prompt, prepared and focused on the activities
of the class. If you miss more than three hours of class, are habitually late
for class or unprepared, or detract from the goals of the class, your grade
will be lowered and/or disciplinary action taken.
XI. ACADEMIC
INTEGRITY
Cheating and plagiarism will not
be tolerated; disciplinary action will be taken. Copying someone else's work is
cheating, and so is allowing someone else to copy your work. Portraying someone
else's ideas or words as your own is plagiarism. Not giving credit for the
source of the ideas, even if you have reworded the work, is also plagiarism. Go
to http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html.
for a tutorial on what constitutes plagiarism and how
to avoid it.
XII. MAKEUP
AND LATE WORK POLICY
Exams must be taken at the scheduled time. Late work is not accepted.
XIII. SUPPORT SERVICES
Take advantage of the free services UTB/TSC offers to help students
succeed. For health information and services, visit the Student Health Services
in Calvary Hall; for
personal problems, visit the Counseling Center in Tandy 205; for career planning and job hunting, visit
the Career Services and Placement Office in Tandy 205; for assistance in solving conflicts with
others, visit the Conflict Resolution Center in Tandy 205; and for tutoring and study skills, visit the
Learning Assistance Center in North Hall 122.
Get involved in campus life. Participate in intramural athletic events, attend workshops by the Counseling Center, Conflict Resolution Center and Learning Assistance Center, attend a Patron of the Arts fine arts presentation, participate in student organizations, and attend special lectures and presentations associated with Hispanic Heritage, Martin Luther King, Jr. and other campus events. Learning takes many forms besides your classes. Make the most of your college experience.
XIV. IMPORTANT DATES
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Aug 22-24 |
Add/Drop Period |
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Sep 5 |
Labor Day |
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Oct 24 |
Last day to withdraw with a
W |
|
Nov 23-26 |
Thanksgiving |
|
Dec 3 |
Last day of class |
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Dec 5-12 |
Final Exams |
|
Dec 17 |
Commencement |
XV. COURSE OUTLINE
|
DATE |
ASSIGNMENT |
TOPIC |
|
Aug
23 |
Introduction |
Syllabus,
|
|
Aug
25, 30 |
Chapter
1 |
Thinking
Critically with Psychological Science |
|
Sep 1, 6 |
Chapter 2 |
Neuroscience
and Behavior |
|
Sep
8, 13 |
Chapter
3 |
Nature
& Nurture of Behavior |
|
Sep 15 |
Exam I |
Chapters 1, 2, 3 |
|
Sep
20, 22 |
Chapter
4 |
The
Developing Person |
|
Sep
27, 29 |
Chapter
6 |
States
of Consciousness |
|
Oct
4, 6 |
Chapter
7 |
Learning |
|
Oct 11 |
Exam II |
Chapters 4, 6, 7 |
|
Oct
13, 18 |
Chapter
8 |
Memory |
|
Oct
20 |
Chapter
10 |
Motivation |
|
Oct
25, 27 |
Chapter
11 |
Emotions,
Stress, & Health |
|
Nov 1 |
Exam III |
Chapters 8, 10, 11 |
|
Nov
3, 8 |
Chapter
12 |
Personality |
|
Nov
10, 15 |
Chapter
13 |
Psychological
Disorders |
|
Nov
17, 22 |
Chapter
15 |
Social
Psychology |
|
Nov 29 |
Exam IV |
Chapters 12, 13, 15 |
|
Dec
1 |
Review
Quiz |
All
chapters for comprehensive final exam |
XIV. FINAL EXAM
|
PSYC 2301.03 |
THURS DECEMBER 8 |
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