Introduction to Psychology
Psychology 1315, Section 003, Fall 2014
Life Science Building - Room 124
MW (7:00 – 8:20 P.M.)
Instructor: Kellen C. Gandy
Office hours: Monday & Wednesday 11:00am -12:00pm., Room 505, Life Science Building
Phone: (817) 272 - 2281
Email: Kellen.gandy@mavs.uta.edu
Department Web Page: www.uta.edu/psychology
Course Description
This introductory course will provide students with an overview of the current body of
knowledge of the science of psychology and human behavior. Course topics will cover the
fundamental methods and content of scientific psychology and will concentrate on the
understanding of basic principles which include but are not limited to materials on human
development, biological bases of behavior, cognition, various mental disorders, psychotherapy
and personality types.
Required Textbook
The Science of Psychology: An Appreciative View, 3rd edition by Laura A. King. ISBN:
0078035406. This is the required edition for this course. Students should use their own discretion
if purchasing an older edition.
Course Communication
All student email communication will be through the university approved email address provided
above. Please do not email me through blackboard. Before you send an email, please be sure and
read the syllabus. Also, please include PSYC 1315 in the subject heading.
Blackboard
Student will submit assignments and discussion questions to Blackboard for this course. Please
contact the blackboard technical support team at helpdesk@uta.edu if you experience any
technical difficulties.
Attendance
Attendance is not required for this course. However, exams will be derived from in-class
discussion and activities, as well as the textbook. In previous semesters, students that did not
attend class consistently perform poorly in this course.
Drop Policy
There will be no grade given if a student appropriately drops a course before 5:00 p.m. on the
Census Date, September 8th, 2014. Additionally, the student may drop the course by the date
specified by the University of Texas at Arlington, October 29th, 2014. Please refer to the online
University academic calendar for these dates and more information
(http://www.uta.edu/uta/acadcal.php).
Classroom Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves within the realms of student policies at the
University of Texas at Arlington. Students should respect the learning opportunities of others and
themselves and not disrupt the classroom by using cell phones, social networking, cheating and
/or engaging in disruptive conversation with others. Students who fail to act in accordance with
university guidelines may be asked to leave the classroom and possibly face disciplinary action
from the university administration.
Academic Dishonesty
“Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the
submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another
person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a
student or the attempt to commit such acts.” (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter
VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2., Subdivision 3.22). Academic dishonesty is an unacceptable
conduct for this course and will not be tolerated. All students involved in academic dishonesty
will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures and may be
suspended or expelled from the University. Please refer to
http://www.uta.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/ for more student affair information.
Students with Disabilities Policy
Students with disabilities that attend the University of Texas at Arlington will be accommodated
in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act and students will not be discriminated
against concerning the disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with
disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be
guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their
disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation please notify the
instructor at the beginning of the semester and so the appropriate measures can be taken to
ensure the best learning environment for each student.
Student Support Services
Students who require assistance should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817272-6107 for further information. Student support services include but are not limited to
admission and transition, learning assistance, advising and mentoring , developmental education,
and federally funded programs.
Required Research Participation
All students taking this course are required to complete 6-credit hours of research at the
University of Texas at Arlington, as approved and required by the Department of Psychology.
This is not considered extra credit and is required for completion of the course. As an alternative,
students may choose to write reviews of current psychology research articles. Students who do
not complete these research requirements will receive an incomplete grade for the semester
regardless of exam performance. If an incomplete grade is given to a student, that student will
then have the following semester to complete the required research credits before the course
grade becomes an “F”. Additional information about this policy and procedures may be found
under the participant pool information handbook on the psychology department website at
http://www.uta.edu/psychology/.
Grading Policy and Final Grades
Your final grade in this course will be determined by your performance on three exams (100
possible points each) and a final exam (100 possible points). All material reviewed from class
PowerPoints, lecture, textbook, videos, and in-class activities may appear on the exams.
90-100%= A
80-89.9 = B
70-79.9 = C
60-69.9 = D
0-59.9 = F
Grade Inquiries
Students’ grades will be communicated via blackboard. Under no circumstances will information
about grades be sent through email. If you have any concerns about your grade or progress in the
course, please visit my office hours immediately after a concern arises. Grades will only be
calculated using the predefined grading policies mentioned above. Additionally, inquiries about
grades or other confidential classroom information will not be provided to non-students
regardless if the individual is related to you or financing your tuition.
Make-up Policy
Makeup exams will be given only if documentation is provided that indicates that circumstances
beyond a student’s control prevented them from taking a scheduled exam. A note from a friend
or family member is not acceptable documentation. A request for a makeup exam must be made
before or no later than the next class period following the missed exam.
Class Schedule - Fall 2014
Date
Aug. 25 - 27
Sept. 1 - 3
Sept. 8 - 10
Sept. 15 - 17
Sept. 22 - 24
Sept 29 – Oct. 1
Oct. 6 - 8
Oct. 13 - 15
Oct. 20 - 22
Oct. 27 - 29
Nov. 3 - 5
Course Material
Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
Chapter 2: Psychology’s Scientific Method
Chapter 3: Biological Foundations of Behavior
Chapter 4: Sensation & Perception
Chapter 5: States of Consciousness
Chapter 6: Learning
Chapter 7: Memory
Chapter 8: Thinking & Intelligence
Chapter 9: Human Development
Chapter 10: Emotion & Motivation
Chapter 11: Gender & Sex
Important Dates
Labor Day Holiday – Sept. 1st
Census Date – Sept. 8th
Exam 1 (Ch 1-4) – Sept 17th
Exam 2 (Ch 5-8) – Oct. 20th
Last Day to Drop – Oct 29th
Nov. 10 - 12
Nov. 17 - 19
Nov. 24 - 26
Dec. 1 - 3
Dec. 10th (Wednesday)
Chapter 12: Personality
Chapter 13/14: Social & I/O Psychology
Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders
Chapter 16/17: Therapy & Health Psychology
Final (8:15– 10:45pm) (Ch 13 – 17)
Exam 3 (Ch 9 - 12) – Nov. 17th
Last Day of Class – Dec. 3rd
Final (8:15– 10:45pm) (Ch 13–17)