GEN S 100A UNIVERSITY SEMINAR: TOLTECATL PRE-MARC LEARNING COMMUNITY FOR
PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS - FALL 2014
COURSE SYLLABUS
Section: 14,
1 unit Credit/No Credit
Class Day/Time:
Wed, 3:00 – 3:50 pm
Class Location: Physics 149
Instructor:
Email:
Office:
Office Hours:
Instructor:
Email:
Office:
Office Hours:
Cathie Atkins, Ph.D.
catkins@mail.sdsu.edu
GMCS 602
By Appointment
Carl Bolano, B. A.
carl.bolano@gmail.com
GMCS 322-A
By Appointment
Required Readings:
All required readings are provided by the instructors and will be made available on
blackboard or via email
Suggested Readings
Kuther, Tara L. (2010). The psychology major’s handbook. Belmont, CA: Thomson
Wadsworth.
Kuther, Tara L. & Morgan, Robert D. (2012) Careers in psychology: Opportunities in a
changing world. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth
Course Description: A bachelors in Psychology is one of the most sought after degrees in any given
college. Psychology majors often examine the causes of human behavior during the course of their
academic career. However, many Psychology majors have not established long term career goals
early in their undergraduate training and/or beyond the completion of their baccalaureate degree.
The objective of this course is to explore opportunities available to you to achieve success, identify
the available resources necessary to help you obtain your short term or long-term goals, and to
expose you to factors that will increase your overall competitiveness for graduate school or future
employment. A large emphasis will expose and encourage student engagement in undergraduate
research, internships, and volunteer work, which is critical for future graduate school acceptance or
employment. During the semester you will gain knowledge from various guest speakers (e.g.
faculty/staff, graduate students, undergraduates, or alumni), to aid in your academic planning now
and for your next step after you exit San Diego State University.
We expect each of you to come to class with an open mind and a willingness to reflect and write
down what you have accomplished at this point in your undergraduate training, and what you must
do in order to achieve your future goals. This is a unique seminar that is designed to provide you with
the resources you will need to plan for a successful academic career and beyond. The payoff for
individual success is dependent on your active participation in seminar, at outside activities, and
your initiative and willingness to be proactive in tailoring and following through with your personal
tasks or goals.
We are confident your success will pay off exponentially! The seminar will move at a fast pace, but
we are certain we will enjoy our short time together.
Goals and Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify key interests and personality traits that correspond to success in graduate school or
future careers.
2. Evaluate skills, values, and abilities required for graduate school or employment in the field of
psychology or a related field.
3. Articulate personal traits, skills, values, and abilities gained through course work and
experience that make them a competitive applicant for employment or graduate training.
4. Demonstrate the ability to seek out resources and obtain information leading to opportunities
5.
for undergraduate research placement, employment or graduate training.
Students will emerge from the course with realistic ideas about how to best apply their
psychological knowledge, skills, and values to graduate program preparation or other
occupational pursuits.
Course Format The course will be a lecture and discussion style course. Occasionally, guest speakers
may be invited to share their experience and expert knowledge in their field. Active participation is
heavily required.
ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATION:
The Pre-MARC Psychology Learning Community seminar is only offered as a Pass/No Pass course.
You must receive a C (70%) or better to achieve a grade of Pass (CR).
Grades will be tracked via blackboard on the following scale:
Grading
Your grade for the course will be based on the assignments and percentages listed below:
Points
Class Participation/Attendance
80
(16 wks x 5 pts per day)
Written Assignments (Reflection/Journal)
30
(5 pts each)
General SDSU Catalog Assignment
30
(Due by 9/10/14)
Internship/Job Description Assignment
15
(Due by 9/24/14)
Faculty Area Research Assignment
25
(Due by 9/24/14)
Psychology Advising Office Meeting
5
(Due by 10/24/14)
Professional Informational Interview
20
(Due by 11/19/14)
Advising Meeting with Carl
5
(Schedule before 11/29/14)
Academic, Professional Plan
30
(Due by 12/10/14)
Curriculum Vitae Sample
10
(Due by 12/10/14)
Final write up
30
(Due by 12/17/14)
Final Power Point Presentation
10
(Due by 12/17/14)
290 total points
CREDIT ≥ 203 points
NO CREDIT < 203 points
Extra credit opportunities can be discussed with the instructor after mid-semester evaluations.
Your Responsibilities: In this course, you will have a number of regular responsibilities. Your grade
for the course will be determined by the level of performance of these responsibilities – which
include your attendance and participation in class discussions, written reflections, the group
teambuilding project, assignments, and outside event.
Policies - Adding, Dropping and Withdrawal:
It is the student’s responsibility to add, drop or withdraw from classes which he\she are no longer
attending before the deadlines stated in the class schedule. It is the instructor’s discretion to withdraw a
student after the add/drop deadline. Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the withdrawal
deadline, as stated in the class schedule will receive an evaluative credit/no credit grade in this class.
Important Dates: The Fall 2014 schedule adjustment deadlines are:


Drop classes/Add classes/ Change grading basis/Withdraw by September 8 at 11:59 p.m.
May withdraw up to November 1 with special approval and prorated refund.
Attendance: Regular attendance is 25% of your grade. Please contact Carl Bolano at
carl.bolano@gmail.com if you need to request any missing assignments.
Participation: Because this class is designed as a seminar, you are expected to attend and participate
in all class discussions and activities; therefore, absences and late arrivals will reduce your
participation grade. It is expected that you notify the instructor if you will be absent or late, prior to
the start of class. If an unforeseen circumstance prevents you from attending class, follow-up
communication with the instructor in a timely manner will be taken into account in calculating the
participation grade.
Journal Entries/Written Reflections: Several times throughout the semester, you will be assigned a
topic to write about and submit your written responses or paper on Blackboard. Each written
entry/paper should be a clear and concise reflection of your personal involvement in that week’s
topic of discussion or question. You should submit your journals electronically to the instructor
before the beginning of the next class, unless otherwise instructed. Each journal will be evaluated on
completeness and effort, not content. Journals should be approximately one double-spaced page in
length, with attention to grammar and proofread for errors.
Academic Advisor Meeting: Meeting with your major advisor or a psychology peer advisor on a
regular basis is a crucial part of your college experience. Advisors can assist you with a variety of
different issues - deciding on a major, selecting courses, finding an internship, and many other things.
You are required to schedule the following meetings during the fall 2014 semester: 1) one meeting
with your major advisor or academic major peer adviser, and 2) one meeting with Carl Bolano.
Throughout the semester, you will create a plan for at least the next three semesters and complete
the form provided by your instructor.
Writing Tutor Consultation: As a student in the Pre-MARC Psychology University seminar class,
you have access to a free writing tutor to assist you with your writing assignments, both with
seminar writing assignments and/or your other classes. We encourage you to take advantage of this
FREE opportunity throughout the year. You are required to meet with Anna, the writing tutor, at
least once during the semester to review any SDSU work or Pre-MARC seminar writing assignments,
however, may meet as many times as you want.
Anna’s Fall 2014 walk in writing tutor hours will be:
Tuesdays/Wednesdays: 9:30-11:30 am
Fridays: 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
GMCS 322A
Student Engagement: http://sll.sdsu.edu/studentorgs/list.html
Out of Class Activities: To broaden your knowledge of campus resources and activities, you are
required to attend two SDSU out of class activities during the fall 2014 semester. The instructor
must approve the event in advance. Throughout the semester we will also recommend events to
attend. Your grade for the outside event will be based on a reflection paper – double-space typed,
proofread for grammar and errors, and at least one page in length.
Assignments: You will be assigned various assignments throughout the semester to assist in your
learning of the course material. Most of these assignments will come from readings on blackboard,
or online resources related to your major or to the university.
Completion of Assignments: Deadlines are deadlines. Late responses to assignments will not be
accepted. If you turn in an assignment late, you will lose 2 point for each day it is late, including the
day it is due. If you anticipate being absent when any assignment is due, please make arrangements
with the instructor to hand in the assignment early or to have someone else hand it in for you at the
required time. All work done outside of class MUST be typed. Handwritten work will be given
no credit. Please give yourself enough time to get your work done, and this includes planning for
such events as disk losses or computer failures.
*A note on formatting: All written assignments MUST use standard margins: 1.0 inch top and
bottom, and 1.25 inch left and right. Only Times New Roman font will be accepted. Failure to
format your assignments following these instructions will result in zero credit.
Final Presentations – Graduate Program or Career Presentation. Each Student will be required
to complete an assignment researching a graduate program or future career in your area of interest.
Instructions of assignment and presentation will be discussed in class.
Final Assignment: You will work individually or in pairs to prepare a 10-minute presentation on
your dream career. You will also prepare a 2-page paper in which you will summarize the learning
that took place to accomplish this effort. Your topic must be approved by your instructor. Details
and a rubric will be provided by your instructor.
Late work: Assignments will not be accepted late. This policy will be strictly enforced. In the event
of an unusual and dire emergency, contact the instructor(s) before an assignment is due or shortly
thereafter. You may be required to provide evidence of your emergency in order to be considered for
alternative accommodations.
Honor code: This class operates in accordance with the university honor code. Even though you are
encouraged to work together on some assignments and projects, you are expected to submit your
own original work. Your journals should be written by you and not shared with others in the class.
You are required to attend outside events in person and write your own reflection papers. All
suspected honor code violations will be reported to the honor committee for appropriate action.
Open door policy: Both the instructor and peer advisor are open to your comments, suggestions,
and feedback on the course at any time. Feel free to email the instructor and/or peer advisor or
schedule an appointment to discuss your ideas and concerns. You may also submit your thoughts
anonymously.
This syllabus: You should consider this syllabus as your contract for the course. You must follow
the directions for each assignment and ensure that you submit your work on time. This class can be
successfully completed if you manage your time effectively, come to class prepared, and turn in work
in a timely and high quality fashion. These are behaviors that will enable you to be academically
successful in your other classes as well.
Students with disabilities: If you are a student with a disability and you need academic
accommodations, please let your instructor know at the first class meeting. All academic
accommodations for students with disabilities must be arranged through the Student Disability
Services, or http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds/
ETIQUETTE
Behavior: I want our class atmosphere to be casual and friendly! Please abide by the SDSU student
code of conduct and respect the rights of others.
Discussion: By being enrolled in this class it is agreed that this will be a place where students can
express their ideas, thoughts, and concerns without rejection or disrespect. It is my hope that this
classroom will be a place where even the quietest among us will want to contribute; what you have to
say is important!
Guest Speakers: It is imperative that we treat our guests with respect and give them our undivided
attention. Do not hold side conversations, text message, etc. You will be asked to leave if your
behavior is disruptive and will not receive credit for the day. Please come to class with questions
prepared for the speaker. It is important that we not only make our guests feel welcome but also that
we appreciate their valuable time.
Schedule: A course schedule is provided below. Note that unforeseen circumstances may cause
changes to the schedule, but you will be notified of changes accordingly. Each reading, Assignment,
and journal assignment is due at the beginning of the next class, unless otherwise noted. If class is
canceled for some reason, you are expected to complete that week’s assignment, as if class was held.
Week 1 August 27
Introduction to PRE-MARC Psychology Seminar
Class Topic/
Introductions, Review Syllabus and Class expectations, SDSU email, Introduce
Activities
Blackboard Home Room, Add Codes
Readings
1) Read, “Effective Email Communication”
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/effective-e-mail-communication/ (Due
Sept. 3)
2) Read, “Psychology Major! What are you going to do with that? Strategies for
maximizing your degree” http://www.psichi.org/Pubs/Articles/Article_781.aspx
(Due Sept. 3)
3) Read Chapter, “Choosing a major: Is psychology for you?” (Due Sept 3)
Assignments 1) Email Thelma Chavez at thelma.chavez@mail.sdsu.edu with a professional email
introducing yourself as PRE-MARC Psychology Seminar Scholar. (Due Sept 4)
2) WA 1: Answer questions from Chapter: p. 20 and Journal Exercises (Due Sept 4)
3) Start SDSU Catalog Assignment – (Due Wed, September 10)
4) Create a username and password for Career Services
5) Start the Type Focus Assessment on the Career Services website (Due Wed.
September 24th ) http://career.sdsu.edu/current/assessments.html
Click on TYPE FOCUS
Journal
WA 2: Why did you choose SDSU and the psychology major? What are you most
Topic
excited to accomplish this semester? What are your fears about starting the Fall
2014 semester? (Due September 3)
Week 2 Sept. 3 Taking an Active Role in Your Education and Tips for Academic Success
Class Topic/
Practical Tips to Setting Up Your Academic Plan and
Activities
Getting Involved on Campus and Beyond
Speaker
Carl Bolano
Assignment
Reading
Journal
Topic
1) Make an appointment to see a Peer Adviser in the Psychology Department - Ph:
(619) 594-5412; Life Sciences 105
(Due Between Aug 28 – September 18)
2) Continue with SDSU Catalog Assignment (Due Sept. 10)
3) Continue with the Type Focus Assessment from the Career Services website
(Due Sept. 24)
1) Chapter: “Taking an active role in your education” (Due Sept. 10)
2) Chapter: “ Study tips: Tools for academic success” (Due Sept. 10)
WA 3: In what ways will you engage in campus life (1) academically (2)
professionally, (3) culturally/socially (Due September 10)
Week 3
Sept. 10 Utilizing Campus Resources
Guest Speaker
Lidia Monjares (Psychology Advising Office), Phillip Salas, and Lauren Hughes
(Psi Chi)
Reading
1) Chapter: What can I do with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology?
Assignment
1) Research a summer internship, or other position you would be interested in
applying to. Read the job description and skills required. Use Exercise 7.2
(from this week’s reading) to formulate a plan for obtaining this
internship/position. (Due September 24)
2) WA 4: Reflect on what your strengths and weaknesses are. What special
skills do you bring to an internship program or position now? What skills
do you want to learn and/or improve on to be marketable for an
internship? (Due September 24)
3) SDSU Faculty Research Area Assignment-Start researching faculty! Make a
list of your top 3 research labs (Due September 24)
Week 4
Sept. 17
Intro to Careers In Psychology
Class Topic/
Psychology: A World of Opportunities
Activities
Guest Speaker
Jaye Van Kirk, M.A., Psychology Consultant, Professor of Psychology, SD Mesa
College
Assignment
1) Informational Interview Assignment – See instructions on Blackboard –
Due Oct. 1
2) Continue working on SDSU Faculty Research Area Assignment – Make a list
of your top 3 research labs (Due September 24)
Readings
1) Cultural Sensitivity and Cultural Competence
2) Developing and Practicing Ethics
Week 5
Sept. 24
Preparing for Your Professional Career
Class Topic/Activities Getting ready for graduate school; How to get into Research labs;
Professional Etiquette
Speaker
Carl Bolano
Reading
Chapter: Applying to graduate school in psychology
Assignment
1) Internship/Job Description Assignment Due
2) Academic/Professional Plan – Answer questions 1-13 on pages 24-25
of “Finding Your Path: Tapping into Valuable Resources” reading
Week 6
Oct. 1
Introduction to Research – Overview of Psychology Research
Class
Overview of Psychology/Behavioral Science Research
Topic/Activities
Proactive Planning - Psychology Department Advising
Guest Speaker
Allison Vaughn, Faculty, Department of Psychology
http://www.psychology.sdsu.edu/research/research-experience/facultyresearch-pages/
Assignment
Journal Topic
1) Read Fiske’s “Developing a Program of Research”
2) Read Scott’s “A Personal View of the Future of Psychology Departments”
WA 5: Respond to the articles by Fiske and/or Scott: How will this
information shape your career in psychology? What are your opinions about
these topics? (Due Oct. 8)
Week 7
Oct. 8 TypeFocus Professional Communication
Class Topic/Activities TypeFocus, Career Services
Guest
Speaker
Reading
Assignment
Heather LePerle, Campus Internship Coordinator, Career Services
Finding your path: Tapping into valuable resources
1) Academic/Professional Plan – Answer questions 1-13 on pages 24-25
of “Finding Your Path: Tapping into Valuable Resources” reading
Week 8
Topic
Guest Speakers
Oct. 15
Graduate Records Exam
Beating the Standardized Test
Michael Flynn, Grad Pros Educational Consulting
Week 9
Guest
Speakers
Oct. 22
MARC/MBRS/PsyMORE Panel
Charles Moreno (MARC scholar), Duyen Trang, Tom Boyd (PsyMORE)
Assignments
Go to the psychology advising office (due Friday, October 24), work on
student information interviews (due November 19); continue with
academic plan and individual assessment google document
Week 10
Class Topic/
Activities
Guest Speakers
Oct. 29 Graduate Student Panel
Graduate Student Life: What it takes to get there and be successful
Week 11
Guest Speakers
Assignment
Nov. 5
Week 12
Guest Speaker
Nov. 12
Catherine Sumida, M.A.
TBD
Class Topic/
Activities
Mental Health Professions
TBD
Faculty Research Assignment Due Before Class (Nov.5)
Clinical Psychology
TBD
Clinical Psychology
Week 13
Nov. 19
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Guest Speaker
TBD
Class Topic
Communicating with faculty/staff for Volunteer or Interships
Assignments Due
E-mail Student Information Interview and Professional Interviews or
Share Via Google Docs
Journal Topic
WA 6: What advice would you give this fall’s incoming freshmen about
how to succeed in college, based on your learning and experiences so far?
(Due on Dec 4)
Week 14
Nov. 26 – Holiday. Thanksgiving week
Week 15
Class Topic
Dec. 4
Assignment Due
Research Opportunities (ADAR)
Claire Murphy, Ph.D. and Terry Cronan, Ph.D.
Professors, Department of Psychology
ADAR
All students must have met with Carl before Nov. 29th
Week 16
Dec. 10
Final Assignment Instructions and Course Wrap-up
Final Presentations
TBA
Assignment
Revised CV or Resume – Due via email or shared google document, Final
written assignments
Week 17
Dec 17
Final Assignment Presentations and Course Wrap-up
Final Presentations
TBA
Assignments Due
Revised CV or Resume – Due via email or shared google document, Final
written assignments; Academic and Professional Plan google document