COURSE SYLLABUS
General Psychology (PSYC 1000)
Fall Semester, 2012 Section M03
Mondays and Fridays, 1:00 – 2:50 PM
4 Semester Credits, No Laboratory Requirement
Instructor Information:
Matt Miller, MA, MEd, LAMFT
(651) 690-7748
(General Adjunct Number – I am Extension #5.)
(612) 508-1626
(Cell Number – Only for emergencies)
mcmiller@stkate.edu
(Best means of communication!)
Office Hours:
Mondays, 12 PM – 12:55 PM, and by appointment
Office hours will be held in Room M438 (Adjunct Faculty Office)
NOTE – Please feel free to contact the instructor at any time with questions regarding
this syllabus or the course. The instructor is the only reliable source of information
regarding this section of General Psychology.
Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are
encouraged to contact the Coordinator of Student Disability Services as soon as possible
to ensure accommodations are implemented. The Coordinator of Student Disability
Services is located on the third floor of the Education Building, Room 369, and can be
reached by telephone at 651-690-8160.
This instructor is committed to providing reasonable classroom accommodations to best
serve the diverse needs of students enrolled in the course.
Course Description:
This course is an orientation to contemporary scientific psychology, including the study
of learning and memory, sensation and perception, motivation and emotion, biology and
behavior, personality, individual differences, abnormal psychology, psychotherapy, and
developmental and social psychology.
This course will reflect the University’s mission to promote social justice, personal
service, and appreciation of human diversity. Course content will be planned and
presented with this mission in mind.
Required Text: Myers, D. (2009). Exploring Psychology (8th ed.). New York: Worth.
Optional Text: The bookstore carries a study guide (written by Richard Straub, 2009)
designed to accompany the Myers text. This workbook is not required, but it may help
students to better understand concepts and prepare for exams.
Course Goals: Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Describe the background, scientific methods, and investigative tools of
psychology.
Explain the important physiological mechanisms of human behavior.
Describe the theoretical views of cognitive, physical, and psychosocial
development throughout the course of the human lifespan.
Distinguish between sensation and perception and give examples of the major
findings for each of these processes.
Define the major concepts and principles associated with learning theories and
state practical applications of these theories.
Explain how psychologists currently believe human memory functions.
Describe the major theories regarding language development, cognition, and
human intelligence.
State the various theories and categories of human motivation and give examples
of each.
Explain the major theories of human personality and psychological functioning.
Describe definitions and treatment approaches for a variety of psychological
disorders.
Distinguish between different approaches and techniques used in modern
psychotherapy.
Learner Responsibilities:
1. It is important that students attend class, since information will be presented in lecture
that will not appear in the textbook. If you do need to miss class for a valid reason, you
are expected to obtain notes from another student and make up any quizzes or exams
taken in your absence. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor
within 24 hours of a missed quiz or exam in order to schedule a make-up. Failure to do
so will result in a grading penalty to be determined by the instructor.
Repeated absences may result in a grade reduction. Please contact the instructor if there
are special circumstances regarding a long term absence. Absence of more than six
classes requires a meeting with the instructor to discuss dropping the class. Please note
that missing part of a class will be considered an absence. If you have difficult
circumstances, see me about a possible deadline extension or other option.
2. In order to encourage students to keep up in the reading, eight quizzes will be
administered during the course of the semester. These quizzes are worth ten points each
and will be given at the beginning of the class period, as indicated on the course outline
below. Quizzes will consist of ten multiple-choice and/or true/false questions and will
only cover material from the reading assignment due that day in class. Lecture
material will not appear on quizzes.
3. In addition to quizzes, six exams will be administered during the semester. Exams are
worth forty-five points each, and questions will be taken from lecture material AND
textbook readings. Exams will contain multiple-choice, true/false, and/or short answer
questions.
4. Two take-home writing assignments will be assigned during the semester. These
assignments will be worth 25 points each, and will be explained in more detail as the
semester progresses. Grades for late assignments will be penalized.
5. As a student of Saint Catherine University, you are responsible for reviewing and
following the University’s Academic Integrity Policy. Examples of behavior that does
not conform to this policy include: misrepresenting others’ work as one’s own, asking for
or giving information about test questions or answers, and falsely reporting class-related
information. All violations of the Academic Integrity Policy will be subject to the
disciplinary consequences stated in the Student Handbook.
Grading Policy:
There are 400 points available in this course. They may be earned in the following ways:
6 Exams
8 Quizzes
2 Assignments
worth a maximum of 45 points each
worth a maximum of 10 points each
worth a maximum of 25 points each
= 270 Points
= 80 Points
= 50 Points
_______________
400 Total Points
Grading Curve:
The grading curve for the class is as follows:
Grading Curve for Entire Course
A =376-400
A-=360-375
B+=348-359
B =332-347
B-=320-331
C+=308-319
C =292-307
C-=280-291
D+=268-279
D =252-267
F = 0-251
Midsemester Curve
A =188-200
A-=180-187
B+=174-179
B =166-173
B-=160-165
C+=154-159
C =146-153
C-=140-145
D+=134-139
D =126-133
F = 0-125
Please contact the instructor at any time during the semester if you would like
information regarding your grade. If you feel as though you are having difficulty in the
class, please arrange an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss options to
improve your grade.
Best wishes to each of you as we begin the semester!
Tentative Course Schedule:
Date
Sep. 7
Topic
Introduction to Class/
The Science of Psychology
Reading Assignment Due
None
Sep. 10
Research Methods and
Experimental Design
Chapter 1 (Quiz in class)
Sep. 14
The Biopsychosocial Model
Chapter 3
Sep. 17
Exam 1 (Chapters 1 and 3)
Introduction to Neuroscience
None
Sep. 21
Neuroscience, continued
Chapter 2
Sep. 24
Sensation and Perception
None (Quiz in Class)
Sep. 28
Emotions, Stress, and Health
Chapter 11
Feb. 22
Exam 2 (Chapters 2, and 11)
None
Introduction to Human Development
Oct. 1
Human Development in Childhood None
Oct. 5
Mental Health Issues
Diagnosed During Childhood
Chapter 5 (Quiz in Class)
Oct. 8
Human Development in
Adolescence and Adulthood
None
Oct. 12
Theories of Human Learning –
Chapter 7 (Quiz in Class)
Classical and Operant Conditioning
Oct. 15
Exam 3 (Chapters 5 and 7) (Students are excused after exam)
None
Oct. 19
Theories of Motivation/
Eating Disorders
Chapter 10
Writing Assignment 1 Due
Oct. 22
Theories of Motivation (Cont.)
None
Oct. 26
No Class (Midterm Break)
None
Oct. 29
Memory and Memory Loss
Chapter 8
Nov. 2
Cognition and Intelligence
Chapter 9 (Quiz in Class)
Nov. 5
Intelligence (Cont.)
None
Nov. 9
Exam 4 (Chapters 8, 9, and 10)
None
Introduction to Theories of Personality
Nov. 12
Theories of Personality The Psychoanalytic Perspective
None
Nov. 16
Theories of Personality –
The Behavioral and
Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective
Chapter 12 (Quiz in Class)
Nov.19
Theories of Personality –
The Humanistic Perspective
Handout Given By Teacher
Nov. 23
No Class (Thanksgiving Break)
None
Nov. 26
Theories of Personality –
The Trait Perspective
None
Nov. 30
Exam 5 (Chapter 12)
Introduction to Psychopathology
None
Dec. 3
Psychopathology –
Anxiety Disorders
Chapter 13
Dec 7
Psychopathology –
Mood and Psychotic Disorders
None (Quiz in Class)
Dec. 10
Psychopathology – Substance
Abuse and Dependence
None
Dec. 14
Approaches to Psychotherapy
Chapter 14 (Quiz in Class)
Writing Assignment 2 Due
Dec. 17
Exam 6 (Chapters 13 and 14)
(Students are excused after exam)
None
Please note that all readings refer to the Myers text. Course schedule may be subject to
change at the discretion of the instructor.