AREAS OF INQUIRY
INVESTIGATING THE
NATURAL WORLD
This form must be submitted to the Faculty Council on Liberal Learning and Academic Life as part of the submission
process.
Please attach a proposed syllabus for this course and the Undergraduate Curriculum Course Proposal Form.
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: 17 December 2004
Please answer the following questions:
Check Only One:
 This course is an existing course (in the current curriculum) that we are now proposing for this Area of Inquiry .
 This is a new course that we are now proposing for this Area of Inquiry.
1. Name and contact information for the department chair administrating this course.
Dr. Timothy R. Marshall, Chair, Psychology Department, tmarshal@cnu.edu, 594-7994
2. In any given semester, how many sections of this course is your department willing to offer?
Six to eight each semester. The Psychology Department will adjust number of sections to accommodate university needs.
3. Why is this course being offered/what is it designed to achieve (Course purpose/goal)?
PSYC 201: Investigating the Biological Bases of Behavior and Cognition This lecture course covers basic principles
of scientific psychology, including coverage of history and systems of psychology (the historical development and
progression of scientific theories in psychology), the scientific method, and research methods. Additionally, this course
includes coverage of biological bases of behavior (brain and nervous system structure, function, and effects on individual
behavior and mental processes), sensation and perception (anatomy and function of sensory systems such as the visual
system), learning and memory, intelligence, cognition, motivation, and emotion. Each of these topics will be discussed with
respect to the application of the scientific method to the study of each topic and research findings relevant to contemporary
understanding of human behavior and mental processes.
Note: The Psychology Department is not proposing a co-requisite laboratory at this time.
4. All courses must address every objective listed below.
Lecture
 Understand the process of science and the strengths and weaknesses of this process (see 5a. below)
 Understand that our present knowledge of the natural world is the result of the progression of scientific
ideas over time (see 5b. below)
 Apply scientific knowledge to the definition, understanding, and evaluation of issues of contemporary
society (see 5c. below)
 Gain an understanding of a body of knowledge in at least one natural science discipline (5d. below)
Laboratory
 Engage in asking and answering questions using the scientific process
 Conduct analyses and evaluation of data from scientific experimentation
 Present results and draw conclusions in both written and oral formats
 Apply the scientific process to present-day questions
5. Briefly explain how this class addresses the above objectives.
a.) This courses covers the history and systems of psychology which examine the historical development and progression of
scientific theories in psychology. We examine the strengths and weaknesses of empirically based and non-empirically
theories of human behavior. Additionally, this course focuses on the scientific method and research methods in psychology,
teaching students to understand the process of science and the strengths and weaknesses of this process (Objective 1).
b.) This course covers basic principles of scientific psychology, including coverage of history and systems of psychology (the
historical development and progression of scientific theories in psychology and the falsification of theories that do not stand
up to empirical testing). Thus, this course focuses on understanding that our present knowledge of human behavior and
thought in the natural world is the result of the progression of scientific ideas over time (Objective 2).
c.) This course focuses on applying the scientific method in various subfields in psychology, to inform understanding of
human behavior and mental processes. Thus, this course teaches students to apply scientific knowledge to the definition,
understanding, and evaluation of human behavior and thought in contemporary society (Objective 3).
d.) Finally, this course covers multiple topics, including biological bases of behavior (brain activity, nervous system structure
and function, endocrine activity and the effects on an individual’s behavior and mental processes), sensation and perception
(anatomy and function of sensory systems such as the visual system), learning and memory, intelligence, cognition,
motivation, and emotion. Thus, it enables students to gain an understanding of a body of knowledge in the natural behavior of
humans in the natural world (Objective 4).
6. Course Assessment: Identify how this course will accomplish the above objectives (choose at least one):
 Participating in class discussion and debate
 Engaging in teamwork and other collaborative exercises
 Writing analytical or evaluative papers, perhaps incorporating original research
 Making oral presentations
 Performing laboratory experiments
 Conducting data analysis
 Participating in fieldwork
 Other means – please identify: Demonstrating knowledge of course concepts and applying
course concepts to real-world situations on examinations
7. Attach a proposed syllabus, which includes a statement of purpose, course objectives, and how these
objectives will be accomplished.
See attached
8. Please identify and explain if this course contributes to the Foundations of Liberal Learning expectations for:
 Oral Communication Literacy: class discussion and debate; some sections may require oral presentations, although this is
not a requirement for all sections. Current Introductory Psychology courses are fairly large.
 Information Literacy: when discussing research methods in psychology (a component of all courses in the psychology
curriculum), students will learn to critically evaluate sources of information on human behavior and mental processes (from a
variety of media sources)
 Writing Literacy: Many sections will require written summaries of research articles in psychology or research papers on a
particular course-relevant topic, although this is not a requirement for all sections.
9. Explain how this course connects to Vision 2010 – the CNU Strategic Plan
This course connects to the Vision 2010 Priority I, A Vital Curriculum, specifically with respect to Goal B, Strategies 1 and
2, which focus on the vibrant and changing nature of knowledge and developing analytical and integrative thinking in
students. This course will enable students to understand that knowledge in the discipline of psychology is continually refined
as new research findings emerge. Additionally, students will learn that there are multiple, interactive influences on human
behavior and mental processes, rather than simple, one-factor explanations. In other words, students will learn to be more
critically analytical of influences on human behavior and mental processes and integrate multiple features into explanations
for behavior. This course also connects to the Vision 2010 Priority II, A Culture of Student Learning and Engagement,
specifically with respect to Goal E, Strategy 1, which is to prepare students to succeed in a diverse and global society. By
providing students an understanding of individuals and the multiple influences on them in society, students will be better
prepared to deal with individuals in a variety of contexts once they leave CNU.
Submission Checklist:
By the deadline, submit a packet with the following documents to the Assistant Dean for Liberal Learning. Please
submit in electronic and hard copy form.
___ __ Area of Inquiry Course Proposal Form
__ ___ Syllabus for the Course
__n/a_ Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Course Proposal Form
Investigating the Biological Bases of
Behavior and Cognition PSYC 201-02 (3 hrs)
Fall, 2005
Professor Andrew J. Velkey, II, PhD
COURSE DESCRIPTION (From the catalog)
ABasic principles of behavior covering history and systems of psychology, biological bases of behavior, sensation
and perception, learning and memory, intelligence, cognition, motivation, and emotion.@
RATIONALE
This course is a prerequisite to all other courses in psychology (except PSYC 202). The purpose of this course is
to inform the student of the different ways to consider questions about behavior and mental processes and the
different processes used to arrive at reasonable explanations of those events. The course is designed to enable the
student to better understand the purpose and promise of psychological science.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of the semester, students in PSYC 201 should:
!
Gain Factual Knowledge on the basic Terminology, Classifications, Methods and Trends in modern
psychology.
!
Learn Fundamental Principles, Generalizations, and Theories in many core areas of psychology.
!
Learn to APPLY Course Material (To Improve Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decisions).
!
Acquiring an interest in Learning More about psychology by Asking Questions and Seeking Answers.
STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students at Christopher Newport University are expected to be scrupulously honest. Dishonesty such as cheating
or plagiarism, or furnishing false information, including forgery, alteration or misuse of university documents,
records or identification, will be regarded as a serious offense subject to severe penalty, including, but not limited
to loss of credit and dismissal from the university. See the 2005-2006 CNU Student Handbook for specific
information regarding the academic Honor Code at Christopher Newport University. Copies of the Student
Handbook are available in the Office of Student Life in the Student Center. This information is also available on
the CNU web site
The Honor Code that all members of the CNU community pledge to uphold
AOn my honor, I will maintain the highest possible standards of honesty, integrity, and personal responsibility.
That means I will not lie, cheat, or steal, and as a member of this academic community, I am committed to
creating an environment of respect and mutual trust@
Students are responsible for understanding the meaning of academic integrity and the Honor Code. Failure to
meet this responsibility will in no way lessen any penalties earned by the dishonest student.
COURSE TOPICS
This first introduction to psychology course covers a wide range of topics including, but not limited to:
The history of psychology with special emphasis on the physiological origin of psychology.
The importance of research in psychology and how to critique research by others.
The functions of the brain and its importance in human behavior and mental processes.
How genes and the environment interact in their effect upon behavior
How each of our senses work and how they affect behavior.
Perception and the organization of sensory information.
Waking, sleeping, and altered states of consciousness
Methods of learning; how they influence behavior; behavior modification.
The role of motivation in explaining behavior
The physiological, expressive, and cognitive components of emotion.
Memory---The encoding, storage, and retrieval of information
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
Instruction for this course will consist of lectures, class discussions, small-group activities
MATERIALS FOR LEARNING: A/V materials, required text, and handouts.
TEXT (required): Davis, S. F. & Palladino, J. J. (2005). Psychology. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice
Hall Publishers.
The accompanying Study Guide, while OPTIONAL, is RECOMMENDED.
EVALUATION
Your course grade will be determined by your performance on two written reviews of scientific articles, three regular tests
and a comprehensive final examination. The tests will cover the information presented in the section of the course
immediately preceding the test (tests are non-cumulative). All tests will consist of 42 multiple-choice items (worth 1 point
each). Each test is worth 40 points, but 42 possible points are available on each test.
[tests total: 120 points]
The written reviews will be three to four page in length and summarize of two scientific articles selected by your instructor.
The goal will be to summarize the main issues addressed by the articles, the methods used in the research, the results and the
inferences from the research. Students will critically evaluate the articles and their conclusions. The instructor may require
students to rewrite the papers after editing by the instructor.
[Two article reviews 40 Points]
The final exam on December 6 is comprehensive and will consist of an evaluation of students= learning of the material over
the entire sequence of the course.
[final exam: 60 points]
MAKE-UP TESTS:
If you know that you will be unable to take a test on the scheduled day, please make arrangements with me beforehand.
Unfortunately, life is not always accommodating of instructors= and students= plans. If you have a documentable
emergency (illness, etc.), please contact me as soon as possible. Make-up tests will be available on an Aas-needed@ basis
and will consist of 4 essay questions worth 10 points each.
COURSE GRADE SCALE:
A 204 - 220 points
(92.5% - 100%)
197 - 203 points
(89.5% - 92.4%)
B+ 190 - 196 points
B 182 - 189 points
(86.5% - 89.4%)
(82.5% - 86.4%)
175 - 181 points
(79.5% - 82.4%)
C+ 168 - 174 points
(76.5% - 79.3%)
C
CD+
D
160 - 167 points
153 - 159 points
146 - 152 points
138 - 145 points
(72.5% - 76.4%)
(69.5% - 72.4%)
(66.5% - 69.3%)
(62.5% - 66.4%)
4- 131 - 137 points (59.5% - 62.3%)
F
0
- 130 points
(0.00% - 59.4%)
OTHER COURSE INFORMATION
A) CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR:
Students wishing to contact me in regards to this course or any other matter may do so in a variety of ways:
 Office:
206 Wingfield Hall, office hours MWF 08:00 - 09:00 & 11:00 - 12:00 (other times are available
by appointment).
 Phone:
594-7927, or a message may be left with the Psychology Office at 594-7094. In case of an
academic emergency, please call my home line at 591-2401.
 e-mail:
avelkey@cnu.edu. Please include APSYC 201" in your subject line.
B) NOTE ON ACCOMMODATIONS:
ANY STUDENT WHO NEEDS AN ACCOMMODATION BASED ON A DISABILITY SHOULD MAKE AN
APPOINTMENT TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC NEEDS. IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ACCOMMODATION, YOUR
DISABILITY MUST BE ON RECORD IN THE OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ADVISING (Room 125 in the
Administration Building, phone number: 594-8763)
C) SPECIAL NOTES:
! The last day to add this course is August 26. The last day to drop this course is October 26.
! If you have any questions or needs about anything, not just this course, please do not hesitate to call on me.
Students are often unaware of the vast multitude of services that Christopher Newport University provides, many
of them free or at reduced cost to students.
WE WANT YOU TO SUCCEED AT CNU; THEREFORE, I MAY NOTIFY THE ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER IF YOU SEEM TO BE
HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS COURSE. SOMEONE MAY CONTACT YOU TO HELP YOU DETERMINE WHAT HELP YOU NEED TO
SUCCEED. YOU WILL BE SENT A COPY OF THE REFERRAL FORM. I INVITE YOU TO SEE ME AT ANY TIME THAT I CAN BE OF
ASSISTANCE IN HELPING YOU WITH THE COURSE MATERIAL..
EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES
If you choose to obtain extra credit in this course, you have two options:
1)
You may receive extra credit points added to your point total at the end of the semester by volunteering to participate in
research projects. Throughout the semester, faculty will be recruiting students to participate in various research projects.
There is a blue bin of file folders on the first floor of Wingfield Hall. Each file describes a research project. Follow the
instructions in the folder, and the professor in charge of the study will submit verification of your participation at the
end of the semester. For every research credit completed, you will receive 5 points to add to your course total, up to a
maximum of 15 points total.
NOTE: Participation in any research activity is on a strictly volunteer basis and participants are always free to
withdraw from any research activity at any point in time without any penalty whatsoever. If you have any
questions about any research project (regardless of whether it originates in psychology), please feel free to
contact me at any time.
2)
Because you may not be able or wish to participate in research, you may select an alternate extra credit activity.
Students electing this option should contact me early in the semester---alternate extra credit work will not be
accepted after the Thanksgiving break. Students electing to complete the alternate activity will work with me to
select a research article in a psychology journal. After reading the article, the student will write an APA-style summary
(1 or 2 paragraphs) of the article. Alternate extra credit work will be worth 15 points added to your points total.
D) CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:
Class is on TUESDAY and THURSDAY mornings from 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM. I expect that all students wishing to
attend lecture will be here on time. I would much rather engage in a dialogue with the class than deliver hours of stuffy
lecture. The only stupid question is one that does not get asked and answered. I encourage and welcome discussion on any
point that comes up during lecture. To that end, students should familiarize themselves with the material at hand before
lecture.
DUE TO THE DYNAMIC NATURE OF THIS CLASS AND THE TOPICS ADDRESSED (AS WELL AS OTHER UNFORSEEN EVENTS),
THE SCHEDULE AND PROCEDURES OF THIS COURSE AS OUTLINED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN THE
EVENT OF EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES. IF POSSIBLE, STUDENTS WILL BE INFORMED OF CHANGES IN WRITING PRIOR
TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY SUCH CHANGES.
DATES
TOPIC
NOTES
8/23 & 8/25
Preface: To the Student (p.
xxxviii - xliii)
8/30 & 9/1
Ch. 1 (p. 2 -39)
Psychology, Research, and You
9/6 & 9/8
Ch. 2 (p. 40 – 85)
Behavioral Neuroscience
9/13 & 9/15
Test 1 on 9/13; Special Topic
in Ψ on 9/15
9/20 & 9/22
Ch. 3 (p. 86 - 131)
Sensation and Perception
9/27 & 9/29
Ch. 4 (p. 132 - 179)
States of Consciousness
10/4 & 10/6
Test 2 on 10/4; Special Topic
in Ψ on 10/6; Review 1 due
10/11
Fall Break
10/13
Ch. 5 (p. 180 - 219)
Learning
10/18 & 10/20
Ch. 5 (continued)
Learning
10/25 & 10/27
Ch. 6 (p. 220 - 269 )
Motivation and Emotion
11/1 & 11/3
Special Topic in Ψ on 11/1;
Test 3 on 11/3
11/8 & 11/10
Ch. 7 (p. 270 - 305)
Memory
11/15 & 11/17
Ch. 8 (p. 306 - 357)
Thinking, Language, and Intelligence
11/22
11/23 Review 2 Due
Thanksgiving break
11/29 & 12/1
Feltovich Article
Expertise and Expert Systems
12/6
Final Meeting
8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Final Exam