PSY 205 Syllabus FALL 2021 PDF

Preview

Summary

Syllabus about PSY 205 FALL 2020/2021...

Description

PSY 205: FOUNDATIONS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR Dr. Jennifer A. Clarke MW 8:25-9:20 (LEC-M001), MW 9:30-10:25 (LEC-M002), MW 2:15-3:05 (LEC-M003) HB Crouse – Gifford Auditorium FALL 2021

COURSE INFORMATION COURSE DESCRIPTION Welcome to PSY205: The Foundations of Human Behavior! This semester we will investigate the fascinating field of psychology – the study of mental processes and behavior. This course is designed to provide a basic overview of psychology. We will discuss a variety of psychological concepts and phenomena to illustrate how the scientific method has helped us to better understand topics ranging from sleep and dreams, to getting people to buy a product, to the treatment of mental illness, to success and failure in online dating. Understanding basic psychological principles can help you to learn more about yourself, your relationships, and society.

COURSE STRUCTURE: LECTURE AND RECITATION Lecture: There are three lecture sections that meet twice weekly (MW) at 8:25 (M001), 9:30 (M002), or 2:15 (M003). Much of the course material will be disseminated during lecture meetings with Dr. Clarke. This material will follow the topics listed in the course plan section of the syllabus and will loosely follow the assigned readings. The lecture meetings are designed to be engaging, interactive, and dynamic – and are NOT always lectures! The course material will be presented in a variety of ways, including in-class activities and demonstrations, discussions, videos, examples, role-playing, etc. The lecture sections are taught by the course professor, Dr. Clarke. You must attend the lecture section for which you are registered. Please do not attend other lecture sections. Seats are allotted only for students registered into the specific section. Recitation: In addition to the lecture meetings, all students must register for one weekly recitation section. Recitation sections are 55 minutes in length and meet once per week at various times during the week. The purpose of the recitation is to expand upon and discuss the information presented in lecture and to engage in activities and demonstrations that heighten your understanding of the course material. It is a course meeting just like the lecture meetings. New material is presented in recitation; it is NOT merely a review of the lecture. The recitation section will also provide an opportunity for you to discuss psychology in a small group setting and to ask any questions you might have about the course material. The recitation sections are taught by graduate student Teaching Assistants, or TAs. You must attend the recitation section for which you are registered. Please do not attend other recitation sections. Seats are allotted only for students registered into the specific section.

COURSE BASICS 1. This course (lecture + recitation) is worth 3 credits. 2. There are no prerequisites nor corequisites for this course. 3. This course is designed for undergraduate students of any major who are interested in learning more about human behavior.

COURSE OBJECTIVES The learning objectives for this course are aligned with those developed by the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Introductory Psychology Initiative.

After taking this course, students should be able to: 1. Describe basic concepts and research findings in psychology. 2. Generate examples of psychology's five integrative themes (see below). 3. Apply psychological principles to everyday life and to address societal problems. 4. Draw appropriate, logical, and objective conclusions about behavior and mental processes based on empirical evidence. 5. Evaluate misconceptions or erroneous behavioral claims based on evidence from psychological science. Psychology’s Five Integrative Themes: Integrative themes are unifying concepts supported by many or all of the subareas of psychology. These themes reflect some of the core insights from psychology and the take-away messages that I hope you will carry with you long after this course. These are: 1. Psychological science relies on empirical evidence, adapting as new data develop. 2. Psychology explains general principles that govern behavior, while recognizing individual differences. 3. Psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors influence mental processes and behavior. 4. Our perceptions filter experience of the world through an imperfect personal lens. 5. Applying psychological principles can change our lives in positive ways.

REQUIRED READINGS All required reading material will be provided to you in PDF form on the lecture Blackboard page. The majority of our course readings come from free, open-source textbooks found in the NOBA project or OPEN STAX collections. These required readings appear on the course Blackboard page in the “Required Readings” folder on Blackboard. NOBA chapters are separated into individual topics (see Blackboard > “Required Readings” > “NOBA Readings.”) OPEN STAX Psychology 2e is a complete text (see Blackboard > “Required Readings” > “OPEN STAX.”). Whenever I assign a reading from STAX, I will note the Chapter and the page numbers within that chapter to read. Please note that the page numbers that are printed on the text pages ARE NOT THE SAME AS THE PDF PAGE NUMBERS. Navigate to the correct chapter and FIND THE PAGE NUMBERS ACTUALLY ON THE TEXT PAGES (as if you were reading a hard copy of the text). There is one assigned article (“A Socioecological Psychology of Racism”), which can also be found under “Required Readings” on Blackboard.

COURSE INSTRUCTION AND ADMINISTRATION LECTURE Professor: Dr. Jennifer A. Clarke Email Address: [email protected] – please use subject line “PSY 205” with your class time (8:25, 9:30, or 2:15) to expedite replies Office: Huntington Hall 407 Office Hours (first come, first served): W 11:00-12:30 in my office (My office door is typically closed, even when I am in the office. PLEASE KNOCK LOUDLY!!!) To schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Clarke outside of office hours: please email me at [email protected] and include in your email a list of blocks of time that you are free during the week. I will then respond with meeting options.

RECITATION These Recitation Sections M019, M033 M023, M046, M048, M050 M024, M025, M030, M044 M014, M027, M031, M047 M007, M013, M040, M042 M005, M015, M016, M037 M008, M009, M022, M028 M006, M026, M036, M051 M029, M041 M011, M012, M043, M045 M10, M49 M004, M038 M017, M020, M021, M039

Are Assigned to This TA Avery Albert, Lead TA Siani Amidon Monique Antoine Yu-Wei Chang Art Marsden Sepideh Namvarrad Jarryd Osborne Emma Schillinger Travis Stewart Enoch Sumakpoyaa Elina Sun Lyric Tully Jenna Walmer

Whose Email Address Is [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] josborne2syr.edu [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

WHO CAN ANSWER WHICH COURSE-RELATED QUESTIONS? 1. Start with your Recitation TA. Your TA will work with you to clarify course requirements, discuss grading, answer content-related questions, and coordinate make-up work for documented absences. If you have an issue with your TA, please contact your TA directly before bringing that issue to Dr. Clarke. 2. If your TA is unable to assist you with a course-related issue, you may contact the Lead TA, Avery Albert, at [email protected]. 3. If your question is related to SONA or you have an issue with a researcher/research study (e.g., the researcher did not show up for a scheduled session), you may contact Jennifer Bragg, the Research Coordinator, at [email protected] or x4187 or HH 524. 4. Dr. Clarke is the person ultimately responsible for the course and for any decisions regarding students. If your question could not be resolved by your TA, or if your issue is with your TA and you have already attempted to work it out directly with your TA, you are welcome to contact me via email ([email protected]). I also encourage you to stop by office hours (W 11:30-1:00, HH 407) or to set up an appointment if you’d like to talk to me.

GRADED ASSIGNMENTS PSY 205 SYLLABUS CONTRACT The syllabus contract states that you understand that it is your responsibility to know what is in the syllabus and to complete all of the assignments therein in the proper way. There is a signature page for the syllabus contract posted to our Blackboard page under “Assignments” and also in the Week 2 content folder under “Course Content.” By September 8 at 8:00am ET, please print, sign, and upload that form to Blackboard to earn 5 points.

EXAMS AND EXAM POLICIES In order to demonstrate your knowledge of basic concepts and research findings in psychology and their application to everyday life (learning objectives #1 and #3), you will have four exams throughout the term including a cumulative final. Your three highest exam scores will count towards your final grade, and your lowest exam score will be dropped. If you are satisfied with your first three exam scores, you are not required to take the cumulative final exam. 1. There will be four exams: 3 during the semester, and the fourth during finals week. See the syllabus course plan for exam dates. 2. All exams will be taken in Blackboard. Exams are available during a 56-hour window (see course plan) and must be taken during that window. 3. Exams are timed; you have 60 minutes to complete each 40-question exam.

4. Exams can only be opened once, so be prepared to open and finish the exam in one sitting (i.e., you may not close the exam and then reopen it later). 5. Exams are multiple choice. 6. Exams will focus on the listed chapters, but there may be cumulative portions on any exam. 7. I emphasize lecture material on my exams. However, any material covered in lecture or recitation is fair game for tests (including any videos, guest speakers, or activities), as is any material in the assigned reading. 8. You may use your assigned readings and your lecture and recitation notes for the exam. You may not use any other materials (and in fact, other materials may lead you astray!). 9. Exams are individual assignments. You may not work with any other people on exams. You may not take an exam for any other person, and no other person can take an exam for you. 10. There are no “make-up” exams. Exams are available for 56 hours and can be taken at any time during the 56-hour window. If you miss an exam, it will be your lowest score and will be dropped.

QUIZZES AND QUIZ POLICIES Quizzes allow students to demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts in psychology and their application to everyday life (objectives #1 and #3) and help students keep on track with the readings. Quiz questions come strictly from the assigned readings. 1. Quizzes are very short AND ARE TIMED – 10 questions in 15 minutes. 2. Quizzes are administered on Blackboard and are available for ONE WEEK. Quiz due dates can be found in the syllabus Course Plan; quizzes open one week prior to the due date (e.g., Quiz 1 is due 9/8 at 8:00am; it opens on Blackboard on 9/1 at 8:00am). 3. Students may drop their 2 lowest quiz scores. The highest 8 of 10 quiz scores will count. 4. You may use your assigned readings for quizzes. 5. There are no “make-up” quizzes. Quizzes are available for a week and can be taken at any time during that period. If you miss a quiz, it will be one of your 2 lowest scores and will be dropped.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT POLICIES Assignments are intended to support learning objectives #1 - #5 with a focus on applying the material learned each week. Assignments provide an opportunity to think more deeply about key concepts, integrate material across multiple lessons, or practice an essential skill. Assignments will vary in structure and content. Please follow the specific instructions carefully. There are THREE assignments due across the semester. Each assignment is worth 30 points. Detailed instructions and grading rubrics will be available on the Lecture Blackboard page in the “Writing Assignments” folder. 1. In order to receive a grade, assignments must be submitted to Turnitin, in the correct format (Word or pdf document only) and be viewable without error by 8:00am ET on the due date (see syllabus course plan and assignment instructions for due dates). There are no extensions to this deadline unless you meet the criteria outlined in the extension policy and provide documentation. Technological difficulties will not be considered an adequate excuse, so please plan ahead and ensure submission of your assignment well ahead of the deadline. 2. All assignments must be completed independently. Do not share your assignment with any other student and do not ask others for their work. Do not copy/paste anything from the textbook readings, research articles, from the internet, or from another persons’ work. Doing so violates the academic integrity expectations for this course. 3. Assignments submitted via email or in person will NOT be accepted under any circumstances. Turnitin plagiarism detection and prevention system must be used. You will know you have successfully submitted your work when you receive a confirmation email from Turnitin. If you did not receive an email, it was not submitted properly. 4. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure successful submission PRIOR to deadlines. You will have ample time to complete your assignments, so be sure to resolve technology issues or any confusion with the Turnitin system well in advance of the deadlines. Information about how to contact ITS for assistance with Blackboard and/or Turnitin can be found at this webpage. If you have questions or concerns for your TA, you must contact them at least 48 hours before the due date.

RESEARCH REQUIREMENT AND RESEARCH REQUIREMENT POLICIES To enhance your understanding of and appreciation for the science of psychology and psychological research (learning objectives 2-3), you are required to complete 4 credits of research participation. This participation may be completed in three ways: (Option A) directly through completion of 4 research participation credits, (Option B) indirectly by reading and summarizing 4 research articles, or by a combination of Option A and Option B (e.g., 3 research participation credits and 1 research article summary). Early research completion is important, as research study opportunities are fewer towards the end of the semester. Sign up ASAP! OPTION A: Participation in a Research Study (SONA) You may choose to serve as a participant in research conducted by the Department of Psychology. This option allows you to experience research firsthand. You may sign up for research studies on SONA: http://syr.sona-systems.com or by using the mobile app. You will earn 0.5 research participation credits for each 30 minutes that you participate in an experiment. To receive the full 4 credits for research participation, you need to complete 4 hours of participation in research studies. When you peruse studies on SONA, you will see that each study lists how many credits it is worth. To participate in SONA research (Option A), you must be at least 18 years old. Students younger than age 18 will have the opportunity to complete the research requirement via Option B (see below). The SONA system will open on September 13, 2021 and will close on November 23, 2021. The course research coordinator is Jennifer Bragg. Please direct all SONA-related questions to her at [email protected], x4187, or HH 524. Here are some basic SONA pointers: 1. When you create an account, you’ll be invited to participate in the prescreening survey for 0.5 credits. Participation in prescreening is optional. There are several studies that use prescreening to select students for participation based on their answers to the prescreening survey. You will not be allowed to participate in those studies unless you have participated in prescreening (and met the inclusion criteria for an individual study). 2. To participate in research, you must click on “study sign-up.” At the top of the screen, you can select the date on which you would like to participate in a study. You will then see a list of studies, which will each have a description and participant requirements. If you do not find anything that fits your schedule, check back soon; new time slots are posted frequently. Do not assume that checking once is sufficient to see all available studies. 3. When you sign up for an experiment, be sure to record the pertinent information (when and where to go; the experimenter’s name and contact info). You will get an email confirmation of your appointment. Sign up only for those hours you can attend. 4. If you realize later that you are unable to participate in an experiment you signed up for, most experiments will allow you to cancel the experiment yourself using the SONA website. You must cancel at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. If you cannot cancel using SONA, please contact the researcher immediately. Canceling an appointment 24 hours (or more) in advance is an excused absence, and it will not be considered a missed appointment. 5. Failure to show up for an experiment without canceling at least 24 hours in advance is considered an unexcused absence. If you have more than THREE unexcused absences, the SONA website will lock you out. You will no longer be able to participate in research studies and must complete the research requirement by evaluating research articles. Please note that only you can cancel your research study appointments – neither your TA, nor Dr. Clarke, nor the research coordinator can do it for you. Only contact the research coordinator if there are problems with your account or for problems with credit assigned for participation. 6. You should be aware that if at any time during an experiment you do not wish to continue, it is your right under federal and university guidelines to withdraw without penalty. You will earn

research credit for the time that you were present and participating (e.g., if you leave after 15 minutes, you will receive credit for 0.25 of an hour or ¼ credit). OPTION B: Critically Evaluating Research Articles (Paper) You may choose to write review papers of research articles for research credit. This option requires you to evaluate a scholarly research article and write a 2-page paper about that article. Instructions for the assignment appear on the lecture Blackboard page under “Research Requirement” > “Research Requirement Option B” > “Research Requirement Option B - Instructions.” Which articles should you evaluate? You can find the articles approved for this assignment on the lecture Blackboard page under “Research Requirement” > “Research Requirement Option B” > “Articles for Research Requirement Option B.” Each complete 2-page research paper is worth 1 research credit. To receive the full 4 credits for research participation, you need to read 4 articles total and write a 2-page paper for each article. All Option B papers are due on December 6 at 8:00am on Blackboard in the “research Requirement” > “Research Requirement Option B” > “Research Requirement Option B – Upload Assignments Here” link. Papers are submitted in Blackboard via Turnitin. (There is more information on Turnitin in the “Writing Assignments” section of the syllabus and on Blackboard.) As is the case with all course assignments, you are expected to write your own reflections on the research article(s) you read. Do not copy/paste any portion of your research article. Doing so violates the academic integrity expectations for this course. These research papers are to be done entirely independently.

RECITATION ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION This course is designed to teach you how to apply psychological principles to everyday life and to address societal problems (learning objective #3), to draw on empirical (research) evidence to make conclusions about human behavior and mental processes (learning objective #4), and to evaluate misconceptions or erroneous behavioral claims using evidence from psychological science (learning objective #5). Recitations with your TA designed to support your active learning and ability to apply course constructs to real-life contexts. Rec...