LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
PSYC 499 Psychological Foundations of Learning (3 Credit Hours)
Fall Semester 2011
Marilyn Gadomski, Ph. D.
mlgadoms@liberty.edu
434-592-4036 (O) or 434-841-3437 (C)
DEMOSS 4008 J
Office Hours MWF 8:30-10
11-12
TR 11-2
Drop In or By Appointment
I.
Course Description
Selected topics in psychology will be treated at an advanced level. Experience will be acquired in clinical settings and
through exposure/intern opportunities. Application procedures processed through the Career Center. Must apply semester
prior to completing internship.
II.
Rationale
The Practicum is an experiential application of the research and theories from the previous Psychology courses. Senior
Psychology majors apply to a research or community agency for 125 hours (for 3 credit hours, 42 work hours per credit
hour) of observation and participation. The requirements of the agency are carried out and documented in a detailed daily
log of activities. The log, along with personal reactions to the set of experiences, forms the basis for a Reaction paper of
10 typewritten pages. The course, in direct experience in the science of Psychology or in helping persons with special
needs, enhances awareness of the responsibilities and skills needed for professional employment in the psychological
services, and requires a synthesis of human development in spiritual, social, emotional, and cognitive behavior patterns.
An understanding of the behavior and learning potential of persons who are different in some aspects can be an effective
tool for intrapersonal and interpersonal Christian growth.
III.
Prerequisite statement
Senior standing, major in Psychology.
IV.
Materials List (optional)
(2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). USA: American Psychological Association.
(ISBN# 978-1-55798-790-7)
V.
Learning Outcomes
1.0 Students will be able to demonstrate competence in the major concepts in Psychology.
3.0 Students will be able to use critical thinking to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
4.0 Students will be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect values in their personal and
professional behavior that are the underpinnings of the multiple perspectives of psychology as a discipline and
Christian\Biblical faith and praxis.
5.0 Students will be able to communicate effectively in written, oral, and technological formats.
6.0 Students will be able to recognize, and respect the complexity of socio-cultural and international diversity.
VI.
Assignments/Requirements
Senior Assessment
Take the GRE-based Psychology exam of 140 questions. This is a free GRE trial for students, and it provides internal
assessment for the Psychology program. Prepare with online or paper GRE study guides. The maximum grade of 10
points is for earning a score at the national 80th percentile; completion of the Senior Assessment is required to pass
PSYC 499. Senior Assessment score is based on standard scores of 120-200, with a mean of 156. Points will be
earned as follows: 1=120-125; 2= 126; 3=131; 4=136; 5=141; 6=146; 7=151; 8=156; 9=161; 10=166.
Supervisor’s Evaluations
A MidTerm and a Final Supervisor’s Evaluation is available in the PSYC 499 syllabus and at the Supervisor’s Evaluation
link in the Assignments area of Blackboard. Submit the MidTerm Evaluation when you have completed ½ of your hours;
submit the Final Evaluation at least one week before the end of the term. Completion of the two Supervisor’s Evaluations
is required to receive the Ethics score and to pass PSYC 499.
Ethics
High personal and professional integrity is an integral aspect of Christian Psychology. The Ethics score will be recorded
after both of the Supervisor’s Evaluations, and the Reaction Paper at both links, are submitted in Blackboard. It is likely
that full credit will be recorded for your Ethics score; you will know if plagiarism or confidentiality/integrity/accountability
have presented problems in your internship experience.
Meetings
Four classroom meetings will be held during Fall and Spring terms; virtual meetings in the Discussion Board of
Blackboard enhance the class meetings of local Lynchburg interns and replace the face-to-face meetings of interns living
outside of the Lynchburg area. Complete the Discussion Board assignments as you finish ¼, ½, and the End of your
hours—NOT all at the end of the term.
Log
A record of your internship experiences must be kept in electronic format. For every internship work session, document
the date, times, and running total of hours to that point along with the narration describing the setting and events. The log
should include the graded areas—Behavior Patterns, Theories, Benefits, Suggestions--of the Reaction Paper and serves
as the basis of information in the Reaction Paper. Submit your Log at the link in Blackboard.
Reaction Paper
Your Reactions to the entire internship experience, along with a description of the events and records from your log, will
comprise the academic portion of this experiential learning. Significant portions of the Reaction Paper must be devoted to
Patterns of Behavior, Theories to interpret those patterns, Benefits (strengths), and Suggestions (weaknesses) found in
the agency, supervisor, co-workers, and people being served. Submit your Reaction Paper at the link in Blackboard, at
least one week before the end of the term.
Psychology Activity Credits
Each student is expected to complete four Psychology activities throughout the semester. Three of these activities must
be ones that are posted on the Psychology Department’s web page (www.liberty.edu/academics/artssciences/psychology/index.cfm?PID=6732), or activities that are pre-approved by the instructor of this course. These may
include speaker events, volunteer activities, or church/community events. Since Activities aim to increase professional
experience and the Internship is experiential, the three experiential Activities in PSYC 499 may be events within the
internship agency as named in the Announcements in Blackboard. The fourth activity will be the end-of-semester course
evaluation survey. The activities will account for 2% of the course grade and must be submitted at least one week before
the end of the term.
VII. Grading Policies
A = 90–100%
B = 80–89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60–69%
F = 0–59%
900-1000 points
800-899 points
700-799 points
600-699 points
0-599 points
Late submissions: Assignments are due on the posted due date. No late submission of assignments is permitted unless
accompanied by appropriate documentation of illness, emergency or school activity.
The PSYC 499 internship is different from all other online courses, in that you must coordinate your work time with an
outside agency. Therefore, the due dates of assignments cannot be set the same for all students since some agencies
ask for all work hours to be completed within some four-week session, while others require the entire A-term to schedule
the work hours. You must be disciplined to submit the assignments without the module guidelines of other online courses.
The Course Checklist must be submitted in the first two days of the term. The Discussion Board Introduction, Activities,
and Psychology-content GRE Practice exam should be completed and submitted by the fourth week of the term. The
Discussion Board Questions, other virtual meetings assignments, your Log of hours and events, and the Supervisor’s
Evaluations should be completed as soon as the work hours allow; the Supervisor’s Evaluations should be separated, not
submitted at the same time, so that intervention can occur if there is a need.
The Reaction Paper must be submitted at two links, one which retains formatting for grading and the other which checks
for originality (no plagiarism); you can see your TurnItIn score after submission. Your Ethics points will be added after
your Supervisor’s Evaluations and Reaction Paper (at both links) have been submitted with no ethics violations.
It is recommended that all assignments be submitted at least one week before the term ends; the last day of the term is
the final due date for any assignment to be submitted.
The final grade will be based on the following criteria for 3-6 credit hours, with 42 work hours/credit hour and 3 1/3 pages of the
Reaction Paper percredit hour. All of these requirements must be completed to receive a grade.
Course Checklist
20 points
Successful completion of Senior Assessment; grade based on score, with
completion required to pass course
100 points
Grading scale
Supervisor’s MidTerm (40 points) and Final (40 points) evaluation of the
attitudes and skills demonstrated;
80 points
A 90-100
900-1000 points
High personal ethical and professional conduct
80 points
Participation in four class meetings and in Discussion Board
100 points
Documentation of three activities + Course Evaluation (5 point each)
20 points
Log documentation of at least 125 hours for 3 credits (42 hours/credit hour),
with noted patterns of behavior;
100 points
B 80-89
800-899 points
C 70-79
700-799 points
D 60-69
600-699 points
F 0-59
0-599 points
Personal reactions with noted benefits and
suggestions (10 points), in a 10-page—3 ½ pages/credit hour--(20 points)
reaction paper with a theoretical
explanation of behavior patterns (20 points).
500 points
Turnitin link for Reaction Paper
0 points, but
required
VIII.
Other Policies
Attendance Policy
Regular and punctual attendance in the four class sessions is expected of all local Lynchburg students; virtual class
sessions are on Blackboard for interns outside of the Lynchburg area and for reinforcement of class content for Lynchburg
interns. If, for some reason, you are living in Lynchburg and are unable to attend class, you are expected to communicate
via e-mail or phone that you will not be attending. Students that miss class are expected to get the details of what they
miss from their classmates.
Classes that meet once per week or less will permit no more than one unexcused absence per semester.
Penalties for unexcused absences will be 50 points out of 1,000 (5%) for each unexcused absence over the permitted
number per semester. Save the one free absence for an urgent time since no excused/unexcused difference will be noted
except for university-sponsored events with sponsor notes.
Dress Code
Students are expected to come to class dressed in a manner consistent with The Liberty Way.
Honor Code
We, the students, faculty, and staff of Liberty University, have a responsibility to uphold the moral and ethical standards of
this institution and personally confront those who do not. The Honor Code as in the Liberty Way is in effect; any breach of
the Honor Code, including plagiarism, will result in a grade of 0% for that piece of work and possibly a grade of F for the
course.
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct includes academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and falsification. See The Liberty Way for specific
definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting.
Disability Statement
Students with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) in DH 2016 to make
arrangements for academic accommodations. For all disability testing accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment,
extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Tutoring/Testing Center is the officially designated place for all tests administered
outside of the regular classroom.
Drop/Add Policy
A Fall/Fall course may be dropped without a grade, tuition, and fee charges within the first five days of the semester. From
the sixth day until the end of the tenth week, a Fall/Fall course may be withdrawn with a grade of W or WF.
Classroom Policies
The inappropriate use of technology, such as cell phones, iPods, laptops, calculators in the classroom is not tolerated.
Other disruptive behavior in the classroom is not tolerated. Students who engage in such misconduct will be subject to
the penalties and processes as written in The Liberty Way.
X. Calendar for the semester/term
SCHEDULED Tuesday MEETING DAYS—7:40 AM in DH 4024
August 30
Placement confirmation. Contact the agency and begin to accumulate hours.
Post a question and Prayer Concern in the Blackboard (Bb) Discussion Board
(DB).
Progress, Statistics on behavior patterns. Keep a record of the frequency of
September 27
some behavior. Submit ¼ report in the Discussion Board.
October 25
November 29
Progress, Theories of behavior patterns
Choose cognitive development (Piaget), social modeling,
and/or Behaviorism as an explanation for the behavior. Submit ½ report in the
Discussion Board.
Reactions to observed patterns; log and paper due.
What do you now believe/feel about the treatment patterns in your agency of
Internship? Submit the End report in the Discussion Board.
XII. Curriculum Objective Mapping
Assignment
Psychology Department Curriculum Objectives
Senior Assessment
1.1 Characterize the nature of psychology as a discipline.
1.2 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding representing appropriate breadth and
depth in selected content areas of psychology: theory and research representing
general domains, the history of psychology, relevant levels of analysis, overarching
themes, and relevant ethical issues.
1.3 Use the concepts, language, and major theories of the discipline to account for
psychological phenomena.
1.4 Explain major perspectives of psychology (e.g., behavioral, biological, cognitive,
evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural).
Supervisor’s Evaluations
6.1 Interact effectively and sensitively with people from diverse backgrounds and
cultural perspectives.
6.2 Examine the sociocultural and international contexts that influence individual
differences.
6.3 Explain how individual differences influence beliefs, values, and interactions with
others and vice versa.
6.4 Understand how privilege, power, and oppression may affect prejudice,
discrimination, and inequity.
6.5 Recognize prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory behaviors that might exist in
themselves and others.
Ethics
4.1 Recognize that ethically complex situations can develop in the application of
psychological principles.
4.2 Recognize the necessity for ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and
practice of professional and personal areas.
Assignment
Psychology Department Curriculum Objectives
Meetings, Log
3.1 Use critical thinking effectively.
3.2 Engage in creative thinking.
3.3 Use reasoning to recognize, develop, defend, and criticize arguments and other
persuasive appeals.
3.4 Approach problems effectively.
4.1 Recognize that ethically complex situations can develop in the application of
psychological principles.
4.2 Recognize the necessity for ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and
practice of professional and personal areas.
4.3 Demonstrate reasonable skepticism and intellectual curiosity by asking questions
about causes of behavior.
4.4 Seek and evaluate scientific evidence for psychological claims and biblical truth.
4.5 Tolerate ambiguity and realize that psychological explanations are often complex
and tentative.
4.6 Recognize and respect human diversity and understand that psychological
explanations may vary across populations and contexts.
4.7 Assess and justify their engagement with respect to civic, social, and global
responsibilities.
4.8 Understand the limitations of theirs and others psychological knowledge and
skills.
4.9 Apply knowledge of psychology (e.g., decision strategies, life span processes,
psychological assessment, and types of psychological careers) to formulating
career choices.
4.10 Identify the types of academic experience and performance in psychology and the
liberal arts that will facilitate entry into the work force, post-baccalaureate
education, or both.
4.11 Describe preferred career paths based on accurate self-assessment of abilities,
achievement, motivation, and work habits.
4.12 Identify and develop skills and experiences relevant to achieving selected career
goals.
4.13 Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning and personal
flexibility to sustain personal and professional development as the nature of work
evolves.
4.14 Describe major applied areas of psychology (e.g., clinical, counseling,
industrial/organizational, school, health).
4.15 Articulate how psychological principles can be used to explain social issues and
inform public policy.
4.16 Apply psychological concepts, theories, and research findings as these relate to
everyday life.
4.17 Describe major applied areas of psychology (e.g., clinical, counseling,
industrial/organizational, school, health).
4.18 Identify appropriate applications of psychology in solving problems, such as (a)
the pursuit and effect of health lifestyles (b) origin and treatment of abnormal
behavior,(c) psychological tests and measurements, and (d) psychology-based
interventions in clinical, counseling, educational, industrial/organizational
community, and other settings and their empirical evaluation.
4.19 Articulate how psychological principles can be used to explain social issues and
inform public policy. Apply psychological concepts, theories, and research
findings as these relate to everyday life.
5.6 Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in various formats (e.g., group
discussion, debate, lecture) and for various purposes (e.g., informing,. defending,
explaining, persuading, arguing, teaching).
Assignment
Psychology Department Curriculum Objectives
Reaction Paper
1.1 Characterize the nature of psychology as a discipline.
1.2 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding representing appropriate breadth and
depth in selected content areas of psychology: theory and research representing
general domains, the history of psychology, relevant levels of analysis, overarching
themes, and relevant ethical issues.
1.3 Use the concepts, language, and major theories of the discipline to account for
psychological phenomena.
1.4 Explain major perspectives of psychology (e.g., behavioral, biological, cognitive,
evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural).
5.5 Demonstrate effective writing skills in various formats (e.g., essays,
correspondence, technical papers, note taking) and for various purposes (e.g.,
informing, defending, explaining, persuading, arguing, teaching).
5.8 Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills.
5.9 Exhibit the ability to collaborate effectively.
(objectives in addition to the
Meetings and Log, which are
preparation for the Reaction
Paper)
Psychology Activities
4.9 Apply knowledge of psychology (e.g., decision strategies, life span processes,
psychological assessment, and types of psychological careers) to formulating
career choices.
4.10 Identify the types of academic experience and performance in psychology and the
liberal arts that will facilitate entry into the work force, post-baccalaureate
education, or both.
4.11 Describe preferred career paths based on accurate self-assessment of abilities,
achievement, motivation, and work habits.
4.12 Identify and develop skills and experiences relevant to achieving selected career
goals.
PSYC 499 Paper Evaluation
Senior Assessment score is based on standard scores of 120-200, with a mean of 156. Points will be earned as follows: 10=120125; 20= 126; 30=131; 40=136; 50=141; 60=146; 70=151; 80=156; 90=161; 100=166.
Successful completion of Senior Assessment
100 points
Supervisor’s Evaluations
80 points
Professional Ethics
100 points
4 class meetings and Discussion Board
100 points
Documentation of four Activities
20 points
Log of 125 hours/3 credit hours, daily running total
100 points
Paper
Benefits, Suggestions
100 points
10 pages/3 credit hours
200 points
Patterns, Theory
200 points
Copy this grading chart onto the end of your Reaction Paper. It will be used for scoring your paper, and you will be reminded of
every graded aspect of your paper.
Instructions for Paper
Include the PSYC 499 Paper Evaluation form with the completed assignment.
The following are some common mistakes that you will avoid. Most are according to the standards of appropriate formal writing;
some are especially applicable to scientific thought and writing in APA style.
Technical writing

Use third person references. Avoid “you” or “I” except in the case of personal experience examples.

Use formal language--no contractions or informal terms ("a lot",”thing”,"hyper").

Use past tense verbs to describe all findings—the events have already happened.

Match nouns, pronouns, verbs for singular/plural form, even though it is sometimes awkward to avoid gender issues
(he/she, themselves). Try using all plurals or alternating the singular gender reference.

Edit carefully for punctuation and grammatical constructions. Christians must be articulate in order to be influential and
persuasive.
Style




Include a title page with the name of the paper and your name, and the agency name.
Put a References page at the end, using hanging indent, if any sources have been cited.
Cite sources in the form (author, year). Every source cited in the Paper must be in the References; every entry in the
References must be cited in the Paper.
The paper may be a chronological account of your experience, a focus on a particular area of interest from the
experience, or an analysis of how the experience has affected your perception of these clients. Be careful to cover all
areas adequately in the Paper Evaluation by using each bold term as a Paper heading for a section.
Liberty University Undergraduate Internship Program
Career Center • 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24502
434-592-4036 • psyc499intern@liberty.edu
•
Mid - Internship Site Supervisor Evaluation
Name of Student Intern: _________________________________________________________________
Name of Organization: __________________________________________________________________
Name of Site Supervisor: ________________________________________________________________
Supervisor’s Phone: ____________________ Email: __________________________________________
1. Please give a short description of the student’s job duties/assignments to date.
2. Are you satisfied with the student’s overall performance thus far?
Please comment:
Yes __________
No __________
3. Are there any specific areas the student should focus on or needs improvement in during the remainder of the
internship?
4. Additional comments.
Supervisor’s Signature___________________________________
Date ________________________
Discuss these areas with the intern. When ½ of the internship hours are completed, scan and email to Student Intern, OR
give paper copy to Student Intern to be scanned and submitted in Blackboard OR fax to 434-522-0475
Liberty University Undergraduate Internship Program
Career Center • 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24502
434-592-4036 • psyc499intern@liberty.edu
Final Site Supervisor Evaluation
Name of Student Intern: ______________________________________________________________
Name of Organization: _______________________________________________________________
Name of Site Supervisor: ______________________________________________________________
Supervisor’s Phone: ______________________________ Email: ______________________________
1. Please give a short description of the student’s accomplishments and whether the student achieved the learning
objectives.
2. This student’s strength(s) are:
3. This student needs improvement in the area(s) of:
4. Were you satisfied with the student’s overall performance?
Please comment:
5. Was this student a valuable asset to your organization?
Please explain:
6. What is the likelihood of this student succeeding in this field?
7. Additional comments (if any).
Yes_____
No_____
Yes _____
No_____
Please indicate on the scale below your evaluation of your student intern during his/her semester with your organization.
Characteristics
Attendance/Punctuality
Superior
Good
Average
Marginal
Unsatisfactory
Appropriate attire
Dependability/Reliability
Courtesy
Cooperation with company rules
Ability to follow instructions
Ability to learn and understand
Ability to work with others
Ability to work independently
Quality of task completion
Timeliness of task completion
Willingness to take on new tasks
Initiative
Judgment
Learning attitude/accepts constructive criticism
Oral and written communication skills
Supervisor’s Signature_________________________________________Date______________________
Discuss these areas with the intern. At least one week before the end of the term, scan and email to Student Intern, OR
give paper copy to Student Intern to be scanned and submitted in Blackboard OR fax to 434-522-0475.
N/A
Activities Report Forms
Student Name
Theme/Purpose and Summary of Activity
Event
Value/Relation to life plans
Date/Time/
Location
Question(s) that could be asked of speaker/leader
Benefit to
Profession
Suggestion for improvement or for future events
Complete one chart for each event and for each course in 2-3 sentences per box. Submit all 3 charts in one document in
Assignments.
Full credit will only be awarded if every box has a thoughtful response.
MGadomski PSYC 499