PSYC 1102
Introduction to Psychological Science
Section C1 CRN 8575
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What's this course about?
What's this course about?
PSYC 1102 is an introduction to basic scientific psychology with an emphasis on the scientific method applied to the study of behavior and cognitive processes, ethics, APA style, and careers in psychological science. Although the class is targeted to psychology majors, it is a good choice for anyone who wants to learn how to think critically and scientifically.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101 with a grade of C or higher.
Meet Your Instructor
Meet Your Instructor
Hello! My name is Lori Furbush, and I'm happy to be your PSYC 1101 instructor! I'm a graduate of what was then known as North Georgia College (now UNG) in Dahlonega. I got my B.S. in Psychology with a minor in English and then went to UGA for a Ph.D. in Social Psychology. I started my career as a research scientist and statistician, but when my first son was born, I stayed home with him for a couple of years. Then I started teaching at UNG in Dahlonega in 2001, and I've been here ever since. I moved to the Cumming campus in 2017, where I teach all of the Area F classes in Psychology and serve as the Psychology advisor.
I live in Cumming with my husband Jeff and four dogs. My older son Drew, who graduated from UNG with a Psych degree in 2021, currently works as a neurotherapist. My younger son Zach goes to school at UNG in Dahlonega and is majoring in International Affairs.
My hobbies are reading, watching historical shows on TV, baking stuff (I'm addicted to my new Ninja Foodi), and going down genealogical rabbit holes. And, as a lifelong Dawg fan, I love watching Georgia football. GO DAWGS!
Class and Textbook Information
Class and Textbook Information
Meeting times: MWF 9-9:50 AM
Classroom: 208
Class website: e-learning (D2L) at D2l login. If you need help with D2L, please contact Information Technology at helpdesk@ung.edu or 706-864-1922. They are here to help you!
Recommended textbooks:
Dunn, D.S. & Halonen, J.S. (2020). The psychology major’s companion: Everything you need to know to get where you want to go (2nd ed.). Worth. ISBN: 978-1-379-19147-4
Foster, G.C., et al. (2018). An introduction to psychological statistics. Open Educational Resources Collection. Click on "Stats Textbook" button.
Kuther, T.L. (2016). The Psychology Major's Handbook (4th ed). Sage: Thousand Oaks. ISBN: 9781305118430 *There is a more recent edition of this book available if you want it.
Price, P.C.et al. (2017). Research methods in psychology (3rd American ed.). Open Educational Resources Collection. Click on "Research Methods Text" button.
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) ISBN: 978-1-4338-3216-1
Stanovich, K.E. (2021). How to think straight about psychology (11th ed.). Pearson. ISBN: 978-0-1344-78623.
When and How I'm Available to You
When and How I'm Available to You
Phone: 770-380-2970 (you can call or text me)
Office: 240, Cumming (in the Student Resource Center upstairs, first office on the right)
Office hours: MWF 8-9 a.m., 2-3 p.m.; TuTh 9:30-10:45 a.m. (by appt); virtual appointments by Zoom or Teams are available upon request
Email: lori.furbush@ung.edu
You can also email or IM me within d2l, although I can't see the messages unless I am in d2l, so response time will be slower
I am accessible should you have a question or concern. You should always feel free to get in touch with me. UNG email is the preferred choice. I will respond to your email as soon as possible but usually within 48 hours (barring emergency) from the time you sent it. If you have not heard back from me within 48 hours, please contact me again because I may not have gotten the email. When you contact me by text or email, please identify yourself and what class section you are in. If you text me after 9 p.m., it will be the following day before I get back to you. I do not consider any questions to be stupid or trivial, so please do not be afraid to contact me. I genuinely want you to succeed in the course and am here to help you.
Learning Outcomes: Why are you here?
Learning Outcomes: Why are you here?
With completion of this course, you will be able to
Identify and explain foundational ethical guidelines in psychology.
Describe psychological research methodologies and identify the appropriate statistical analyses for each (e.g., descriptive, correlational, experimental).
Apply the components of APA formatting and writing style.
Use library databases and technology to locate psychological research.
Apply critical thinking and literacy skills to interpret psychological research.
Identify and explore different career options for psychology majors and the academic skills and experiences that will facilitate entry into the workforce or admission to graduate programs.
Instructional Methods
Instructional Methods
This is a fully face-to-face, lecture-and-discussion-based course including lecture, hands-on activities, papers, readings, in-class group assignments & out-of-class homework assignments. Your input into the class is essential in making this course an enjoyable experience for each of us, so your questions and insights are encouraged as valuable contributions.
All homework assignments are submitted through D2L, and it is your responsibility to understand how to use the website and to have adequate technology available to access it. You need to know how to upload assignments into D2L in an accepted form and download study materials from the website. Please ask me for help if you are having any difficulties, and we will find a solution to the problem together.
Attendance Policy
Attendance Policy
This class is fully face-to-face, meaning that you will be expected to come to class each time it meets (on MWF). Attendance is expected and will be taken each day. Attendance is important to your success as a student because there is a positive correlation between coming to class consistently and making better grades. Although attendance doesn't figure into your final grade, it is UNG policy that you could be administratively withdrawn if you miss more than 10% of class time. If you have excessive absences (i.e., more than 10% of the class meetings) before the withdrawal deadline of March 3, you could be dropped from the class and given a W for the semester, which will not impact your GPA but could affect Satisfactory Academic Progress and your financial aid. If you are dropped after the withdrawal deadline has passed, you will get a WF, which will affect your GPA as well as Satisfactory Academic Progress and financial aid. I will email you and give you a chance (typically 7 days) to reply and return to class before you are administratively withdrawn.
Excused Absence Form and information: Excused Absences **If you have an excused absence notification from the Dean of Students, you will be allowed to make up the work you missed without penalty. Keep in mind that this policy regarding excused absences is instructor-dependent and is not standard across the university.
Evaluation Methods
Evaluation Methods
You will have two tests during the semester, which will cover Research Methods and Ethics, Statistics, Careers, and APA style. Each test will consist of multiple choice questions and short answer questions. You will also have classwork and homework assignments throughout the semester that are designed to help you learn to read research articles, develop critical thinking skills, and gain experience with basic statistical analyses. You will write a mini-research proposal with one or two other people (or alone) and have an individual career paper. Details about these assignments are posted on D2l. Finally, you’ll complete CITI ethics training, which will be discussed in class and on D2l.
How will my grade be determined?
How will my grade be determined?
89.5-100: A
79.5-89.4: B
69.5-79.4: C
59.5-69.4: D
Below 59.5: F
Late Work Policy
Late Work Policy
Late work can be submitted within one week of the due date for a 10% penalty. If you don’t turn in work within one week of the due date because of an extenuating circumstance, contact me to explain why you should be allowed to turn it in. If you are allowed to make up the work, you could incur up to a 30% penalty.
Missed Exams
Missed Exams
You can make up one missed exam in case of illness or another extenuating circumstance, but you must make the exam up within 7 days of your return to school, or you will be given a grade of 0 for the test. Simply not feeling prepared to take an exam on the scheduled day is not an excused absence for the test. Make-up tests must be taken in my office.
Extra Credit
Extra Credit
Extra credit typically is not offered in this course. If it is, it's offered to the class as a whole, not to individual students.
Course Calendar
Course Calendar
Please consult the Announcements and Calendar on d2l for up-to-date information concerning due dates.
Title IX and Student Counseling Information
Title IX and Student Counseling Information
Due to the nature of the human psychological subject matter in this class, it is not uncommon that personal issues are shared with the instructor or arise as a result of class assignments or homework assignments. These issues can be shared in a verbal, written, or electronic format. Although an open discourse of these issues is important, students should be aware that, in most cases, Faculty are mandated to report concerns regarding possible sexual assault, danger to self, and/or danger to others to University officials. It is also important that you understand that a faculty member acting in a faculty role has no obligation to maintain your confidentiality regarding other personal issues you may choose to share with them, but they will likely try to do so when possible. It is important that you be aware of this so that you can make an informed decision regarding what you choose to share.
If you would like to discuss personal issues with someone who is not required to report sexual assault, on-campus mental health counselors in Student Counseling, medical staff in Student Health Services, an Ombudsperson, or appropriate off-campus resources such as Rape Response are available. The Office of Student Counseling will maintain strict confidentiality for all subject matter with the exception of imminent danger to self or others. In those cases, Student Counseling may break confidentiality to the extent needed to keep everyone safe.
Supplemental Syllabus
Supplemental Syllabus
Click here Supplemental Syllabus or on the yellow button on the left for information about the following:.
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Academic Success Plan Program
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