Psychology 1301: Introduction to Psychology Course Syllabus for Fall 2008 11 TTh Marshall Hall-107 General Description An introductory course in psychology: the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Catalog Description This course offers a study of the basic principles of psychology and their bearing on the nervous system, growth, learning, thinking, drives, emotions, intelligence, and individual differences. Course Objectives To apply the concepts of intellectual inquiry, social consciousness, wellness, skills for a contemporary society, global awareness, and Christian character to the field of psychology. Major topics 1. Psychology--The search for understanding 2. Research Methods and Critical Thinking 3. The Brain, Biology, and Behavior 4. Human Development 5. Sensation and Perception 6. States of Consciousness 7. Conditioning and Learning 8. Memory 9. Cognition, Language, and Creativity 10. Intelligence 11. Motivation and Emotion 12. Personality 13. Health, Stress, and Coping 14. Psychological Disorders 15. Therapies 16. Social Behavior Method of Evaluation Five unit exams covering the chapters denoted below. All exams will be multiple choice in format. All Unit Exams will be 100 points. The Unit Five Exam will be the Final Exam Grading scale (expressed as percentage): 90-100=A 80-89=B 70-79=C 60-69=D below 60=F
Class Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory. Excused absences include sickness, death in the family, and absence due to ETBU activity. Written documentation is required for an excused absence. You must attend 75% of the classes to pass the course. Instructor: Robert L. Benefield, PhD Professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice Department of Behavioral Science Office: Marshall 103-E Phone: 903 923-2089 rbenefield@etbu.edu Office Hours Monday Wednesday Friday 8:00-10:00 and 1:00-2:00 (MW only) Tuesday Thursday 9:30-11:00 Tuesday Evening 5:00-5:30 and 8:30-9:00 {Other times by appointment} Text: Coon and Mitterer (2008) Psychology: A Journey 3rd edition. Make-up Exams: If you miss an exam due to an excused absence, you should contact the instructor as soon as possible about a make-up exam. All make-up exams must be completed within two weeks of your return to class Appropriate Classroom behavior All students are expected to engage in behavior that is consistent with the ETBU Student Code of Conduct. Receiving or making cell phone calls, disruptive side conversations and sleeping in class are not acceptable behaviors. Overview and Schedule of Assignments: August 26 Introduction and Chapter 1: Introducing Psychology and Research Methods August 28 Complete Chapter 1 and begin Chapter 2: Brain and Behavior September 2 Complete Chapter 2 September 4 Chapter 3: Human Development September 9 Complete Chapter 3 and Review for Exam One September 11 UNIT ONE EXAM (Chapters 1-3) September 16 Chapter 4: Sensation and Perception September 18 Chapter 4 completed and begin Chapter 5
September 23 Chapter 5: States of Consciousness September 25 complete Chapter 5 and begin Chapter 6 September 30 Chapter 6: Conditioning and Learning and review for exam October 2 Complete Unit 2 and review for Exam October 9 UNIT TWO EXAM (Chapters 4-6) October 14 Chapter 7: Memory October 16 Chapter 7 completed and begin Chapter 8 October 21 Chapter 8: Cognition and Creativity October 23 Chapter 9: Motivation and Emotion October 28 Chapter 9 completed and Exam Review October 30 UNIT THREE EXAM (Chapters 7-9) November 4 Chapter 10 : Personality November 6 Chapter 10 completed and begin Chapter 11 November 11 Chapter 11: Health, Stress, and Coping November 13 Chapter 12: Psychological Disorders (thru slide #10) November 18 UNIT FOUR EXAM Chapters 10--first section of 12 only November 20 Chapter 12: Psychological Disorders December 2 Chapter 13: Therapies December 4 Chapter 14: Social Behavior December 9 at 11:00===FINAL EXAM (Chapters 12-14) Expected Classroom Behavior Guidelines: Attend all classes and participate in all activities (see ETBU absence Policy) Affirm your own and others strengths and good points Refrain from putdowns of self and others Listen to what each person has to say Do not interrupt when a person is speaking Do not speak too long or too often Please observe confidentiality Support your postulates with research literature and/or personal experience Final Exam Policy: All students must take the Final Exam at the time scheduled by the University. Exceptions are granted by the Dean only in the case of: Four exams on the same day Serious personal illness Death of an immediate family member
Disclaimer •Note: This schedule is subject to change.
If you miss class, it is your responsibility to check with the instructor to determine if changes have occurred.
Disability Accommodation Statement
Students with a disability may request appropriate accommodations for this course by contacting the Advising Office in SCAR 104 and providing the required documentation. If accommodations are approved by the Disability Accommodations Committee, the Advising Office will notify you and your professor of the approved accommodations. You must then discuss these accommodations with your professor. What if….??? What if it were proven scientifically that all human experience can be explained as chemical/electrical brain activity. That is, all thoughts, dreams, hopes, fears, behaviors, and the like could be demonstrated to be changes in brain activity. Thus, any experience could be produced by brain stimulation. How would that impact your belief in God?