Example Syllabus
Psych 120: General Psychology
Course information:
PSYCH 120 (3 credits) Sections: 707 & 710
When: Thurs 9:30 am–10:45 am
Where: 3030 UCOM
Instructor:
Timothy J. Slattery, Ph.D.
E-mail: slattery@southalabama.edu
Office: UCOM 1110
Phone #: 460-7150
Office Hours: Wed, 12:30-2:30 pm
Course Description:
A survey of the basic theories, concepts, principles, and research findings in the field of Psychology. Core Course.
Course Pre-requisites:
There are no pre-requisites or co-requisites for this course.
Course Goals/Objectives and Description:
Psychology 120 is designed to serve as a foundation (core) course for psychology majors, and prepare students for advanced coursework in psychology, as well as being designed as a service course to satisfy general education and elective course requirements for students majoring in other fields. You should leave this class with a good understanding of the various areas of psychology and how they seek to explain behavior. To this end, we will survey the basic theories, concepts, principles, and research within the various subfields of psychology. Additionally, you should learn how to think critically about the science of psychology, and how to extend that critical thinking to your everyday life. Critical Thinking is the formulation, rational scrutinizing, and/or considered assessment of information and diverse reasons for belief or action. Critical thinking is one of the most important things you can learn in college and will serve you for the rest of your life, no matter what your ultimate career goals may be. You will also gain important knowledge of quantitative reasoning. Quantitative reasoning is the ability to systematically analyze quantitative concepts, evidence, processes, and outcomes to reach a rational conclusion. Finally, since Psychologists often focus on issues related to memory and learning, this class should help you learn how to become a better learner.
Course Materials:
Required Text: Wayne Weiten (2014). Psychology Themes & Variations (Briefer Version 9e). With MindTap. Students will also need to have an i-clicker or the i-clicker app for in class quizzes and attendance.
Course Format: This course uses a combination of in-class and on-line assessment (Aplia homework via MindTap). Online assessments are to be completed without assistance from others.
Course Units: Exams: Dates(tentative): Percentage of Grade:
Aplia Homework (see MindTap) 4%
Chapter quizzes (see Sakai calendar) 36%
Three in class exams 45%
Exam 1 (Chapters 1-3) TBD
Exam 2 (Chapters 4-7) TBD
Final Exam (Chapters 8-10, 12) TBD
Research 8 Credits By December 15th 10%
Peer review 5%
Grading: Students will be required to take two exams in class as well as a quiz for every chapter in order to pass the course. The examination and quiz format may include multiple choice, true-false, fill-in-the-blank, matching, or short answer essay questions. Total points will be summed at the end of the term, weighted as noted above, and grades may be assigned as follows: 90-100%, A;80-89%, B;70-79%, C;60-69%, D;59% or below, F.
Class Participation: Students are required to watch lecture videos and complete class readings and homework PRIOR to the class in which those topics will be covered so that they will be prepared to participate in required classroom activities. I incorporate team based learning components in this course. As such, students will be assigned to work in groups. Every class will begin with a quiz. Each quiz will be composed to to parts: an individual assessment, and a group assessment. During the individual assessment students will be required to independently answer quiz questions with their i>clickers. Following the individual assessment, group members may discuss these questions as they work together to complete ONE group assessment. Your quiz grade will be based on both components to an equal degree. Following the quiz, groups will work together to answer challenge questions designed to assess students ability to apply their knowledge. These questions may require some paper and pencil work so bring a notebook and writing utensil to every class.
Incentive points: To encourage proper learning and participation in the course, students will be eligible to earn incentive points. For instance, answer questions in class or responding to email questions may earn the student incentive points which can be used to improve the student final grade. Students can also lose incentive points by posting inappropriate material to class sites, or inappropriate email behavior (see email procedures below). For every 5 incentive points accumulated at the end of the semester, 1 point will be added to the students final grade. Check the Sakai class site regularly for assignments to earn incentive points.
Expectations and Policies: Regular attendance is mandatory. Class participation is expected. Make-up exams will be given only if the student has a University approved excuse (see The Lowdown). All make-up exams will be ESSAY exams and will be given during the final exam period. Academic dishonesty and/or disruptions will not be tolerated, and may result in failure for the course, and/or additional punitive outcomes. Both the Student Academic Conduct Policy, and the Academic Disruption Policy are published annually in The Lowdown.
E-Mail Policy: Many faculty members are teaching multiple sections of PSY 120, and informal e-mail correspondence is frequently deleted or blocked by SPAM filters. To insure proper and timely communication the following protocol has been established:
All course communication MUST be sent via the student’s official e-mail account, and MUST include (1) the student’s full name, and (2) Jag number, (3) course number, and (4) course section number. All e-mails should employ appropriate punctuation and spelling, and MUST adhere to appropriate professional etiquette in compliance with the University Code of Conduct.
Additionally, if students send me an email asking for information that is readily available on the syllabus or class sites, they may lose incentive points (e.g. “When are your office hours?”). Please check these resources before asking me questions related to course administration. However, NO student will EVER LOSE incentive points for asking me questions about course content (e.g. “What are the functions of the sympathetic nervous system?”).
The course assignments, policies and procedures are tentative, and may be subject to revision.
This course is administered in compliance with the University’s stated policy for accommodation of students with disabilities, and student athletes. “If you have a specific disability that qualifies you for academic accommodations, please notify the instructor/professor and provide certification from Special Student Services. OSSS is located in Room 270 of the Student Center (460-7212).