Syllabus

Class Information

• • What: Sensation and PerceptionCRN: 19422 Section: 002

  • When: Fall 2021, Tu/Th 04:25 PM - 05:40 PM

• • Where: USC Columbia Campus | Carolina Coliseum | COL 3001

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Chris Rorden

  • • Office Hours: MW 10-11am Discovery 138 or by Appointment. Due to pandemic, Skype may be most convenient. See email or blackboard for details

• Teaching Assistant: Christopher Catalani

  • Virtual office hours: (via Blackboard) MF from 10-11am and by appointment.

Overview

Students in this course will learn how humans use the sensory systems of sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing to perceive and interpret their environment. We will draw upon information from a variety of fields, including art, biology, physics, and psychology to address these issues. In addition to covering the material in the text, we will discuss current issues in perceptual research. The course is heavily weighted in topics related to visual and auditory perception. This course may be taken to fulfill a major requirement in Psychology, or a minor requirement in Neuroscience. Students from all disciplines are welcome in this course. Lectures are designed to provide an important foundation of information and to improve your ability to process and synthesize facts and concepts. Because exams will be primarily based on content covered in lecture, lecture attendance is crucial to your success in this course

Required Text

You can choose one of the three following texts:

1. Wolfe et al (2008). Sensation & Perception. 2nd Edition. ISBN-10:0878939539

2. Wolfe et al (2011). Sensation & Perception. 3rd Edition. ISBN-10: 087836572X

3. Wolfe et al (2014). Sensation & Perception. 4th Edition. ISBN-10: 160535211X

4. Wolfe et al (2017). Sensation & Perception. 5th Edition. ISBN-10: 1605356417

Optional Texts

These are excellent books that I used in developing the lecture series.

• Wandell (1995) Foundations of Vision. ISBN-10: 0878938532

• Snowden et al. (2012) Basic Vision. ISBN-10: 019957202X

• Schnupp et al. (2010) Auditory Neuroscience: Making Sense of Sound. ISBN-10: 026211318X

• Foley and Matlin (2009) Sensation and Perception. ISBN-10: 0205579809

Alternative Resources

Each person has a different style of learning. The assignments expect each student to demonstrate command of the material not by reciting jargon, but by clearly describing issues related to the topic. YouTube and the web have many outstanding resources. I strongly recommend YouTube videos of the late Richard Greegory, patron saint for Sensation and Perception instructors.

Assignments and Grade distribution

Due to the pandemic, all assignments will be open book and completed at home. Students are encouraged to use all material at their fingertips to respond appropriately. However, students are encouraged to think independently from each other, and generate independent work. Therefore, while students are encouraged to meet and discuss study guides together prior to assignments, after the assignments are provided each student will work on their responses independently.The assignments during the term account for 75% of the grade, the final exam counts for 25%.

• • A = 90-100%

  • B = 80-90%

  • C = 70-80%

  • D = 60-70%

  • F = <60%

Goals

By the end of the term, successful students should be able to do the following

1. Recognize the features and limitations of the five major sensory systems and the vestibular system.

2. Explain the properties of the sensory receptors.

3. Describe how this often-ambiguous sensory information is integrated into a unified percept.

4. Solve novel problems regarding perception using scientific experiments.

5. Translate this knowledge to other domains.

6. Assess how politicians, advertisers, psychic and mentalists exploit our perceptual biases.

7. Relate this knowledge to everyday human experience, and to the student’s own interests.

Attendance

Due to the ongoing pandemic, attendance is purely optional. All material will be provided online. All course work can be completed at home. Each student has their own style of learning. If you feel you can learn the material through a virtual environment, you should feel free to do so.

During typical years, attendance throughout class is required. By registering for this class you are confirming your availability during class. If you must miss a class, you should talk to the instructor ahead of time. For unforeseen situations (flu, car trouble) you will send an email Keiko Bridwell (the teaching assistant prior) to start of the class. For emergencies where this is not possible you will be required to provide documentation. Missed quizzes will be forfeited. Failure to meet the “10 percent rule” [http://bulletin.sc.edu/content.php?catoid=36&navoid=3738] will have homework assignment scores diminished by the proportion of the absences across the term (e.g. missing 15% of classes will mean your final score reflects 85% of your homework score). Students who arrive to class late or leave early without sending an email or text message may forfeit extra credit or exam points. See also the Carolina Creed (http://www.sa.sc.edu/creed/).

Plagiarism

University policy regarding plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty is followed explicitly [See Carolina Community: Student Handbook and Policy Guide, Academic Responsibility]. Any case will be reported to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. A "0" score will be given on a plagiarized assignment, and may result in an "F" for the course in extreme cases.

Disabilities

Students who have disabilities must have certification from the Office of Disability Services and must make clear during the first week of class what accommodations they expect. Students with disabilities must complete the same exams and assignments as other students in order to get course credit.

Expectations & Evaluation

Sensation and Perception is designed to give insight into the basic processes of sensory and perceptual processes using novel, hands on activities. There were three approaches to this goal: (1) observation, (2) critical thinking (3) integration.

• • There will be an emphasis on OBSERVATIONS, in which students reflect on what they sensed or perceived.

  • The class requires students to read Sensation and Perception by Wolfe et al. As in most other textbooks about sensation and perception, vision and audition will be covered most extensively compared to other sensory systems. Because the book is dense in material, all lectures are be posted online to guide students on the important concepts. The information from the text as well as the lecture is to help students CRITICALLY THINK about their observations.

  • Formal evaluations will consist of quizzes and a Final Exam. There will also be a group project in which students are to present on a topic that INTEGRATES information from observations and formal neural/perceptual mechanisms.

Additional Information

• • Please be punctual for class.

  • If you wish to use a device with a screen during class (laptop, tablet, etc) you must sit in the front rows and are required to view class related content only.

  • Do not engage in conversations with others during class.

  • Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices during class.

  • Please show respect and courtesy to your classmates during class discussion.

  • Please follow guidelines of the University of South Carolina Student Handbook and Policy Guide

Schedule

• Classes Begin Aug. 19, Thursday

• Thanksgiving Recess (no classes) Nov. 24 – 28, Wednesday – Sunday

• Last Day of Classes Dec. 3, Friday