Dr. Philip Schatz
Saint Joseph's University
Introductory Psychology (Psy 1001 – 152)
Fall, 2005
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 10:00 – 11:00 AM; BEL 14
Course Description: Introductory Psychology is an introduction to the basic
concepts, methods, and problems associated with the scientific investigation of
human and animal behavior. Although this course is primarily conducted on a
lecture basis, students are encouraged to actively participate in classroom
discussions and demonstrations as well as to ask questions and make relevant
comments throughout the semester.
Faculty Information:
Dr. Philip Schatz,
Associate Professor of Psychology,
222 Post Hall,
Phone: 610.660.1804,
email: pschatz@sju.edu
Office hours: MWF 1:30-3:00; TR 10:30-11:15, By Appointment
Class Web Site: http://schatz.sju.edu/intro/
Assigned Textbooks:
Psychology Essentials 2 By John W. Santrock, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 0072937629
Course Objectives:
1. Students will learn the major theories and findings across the entire field of
psychology, as well as gain an understanding of the type of work performed by
a psychologist.
2. Students will learn the fundamentals of social science research, brain
functioning, sensation and perception, memory, conditioning of behavior,
intelligence, human development, personality, psychological disorders and
treatment, and social psychology.
3. Students will be exposed to skills involved in critical thinking
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Asking good questions, including defining terms and operationalizing
concepts.
Evaluating evidence, including analyzing assumptions and biases.
Considering alternative interpretations of evidence.
4. Students will be able to intelligently discuss and interpret general
psychological issues, claims, data, and perspectives presented in the popular
media; and,
Psy 1001 –101
Schatz – Fall 2005
5. Student will be prepared with a foundation for undertaking future
coursework in psychology beyond the level of this introductory course.
Attendance Policy: Classroom attendance is not monitored, but you are
expected to attend class and to be responsible for all of the materials covered
in both lecture and the text. Lectures are designed to complement but NOT
review the assigned reading materials, and your exams will emphasize lecture
materials. Attendance is strongly recommended, as neither your lectures nor
your exams will be “straight from the text”. If you are unable to attend class it
will be advisable for you to make arrangements with another student to acquire
and review the lecture notes; I will not re-teach material to compensate or
“catch you up” for missed lectures. Do not contact me if you will be unable to
attend a single class. In the event that you will be absent for a significant
portion of class lectures or will miss an exam, contact me PRIOR to the exam.
Please arrive to class on time. I will generally begin class promptly at 10:00,
and allow a few minutes for open discussion and questions. Given the layout of
the room, it is disruptive to enter the classroom once the class has started.
Once in class, please make sure all cell phones and other telecommunication
devices are turned off. Finally, this is not an environment for sleeping. I do
not encourage or appreciate naps during class, so if you feel the need to catch
up on lost sleep, please do so elsewhere, or risk being woken up during a good
dream.
Grading: During the semester you can earn up to 400 points. Three exams
(100 points each) will be worth 300 points. The Film/Internet assignment is
worth 100 points. Your final grade will be determined by the total of your
points, divided by 400. Extra credit will not be available.
Make-up exams will only be given under extreme circumstances; the reason
for your absence must be documented (i.e., a note from a doctor). Make-up
exams will be essay/short answer exams. Any unexcused exam absence will
result in the score of 0%. Excused make-up examinations must be scheduled
within one week of the original examination date. There is no opportunity for
extra-credit projects.
Assignments and Evaluations: You are expected to be familiar with the
readings assigned for a given topic prior to class lectures, as well as participate
in the discussions of the topics. Numerous exercises, including study guides,
journal readings, computer simulation software, and Internet-based
assignments will be provided to enhance the classroom experience.
Psy 1001 –101
Schatz – Fall 2005
Three non-cumulative examinations will be scheduled. Each examination will
typically consist of approximately 50 multiple-choice questions, which will cover
materials from both lecture and text.
Video/Internet Assignment, you are required to complete one additional
assignment: an Internet/video assignment. This assignment is designed to
assist you in integrating information covered in the course to applications in
real world situations. The topic web and video assignment must compliment
each other, and must reflect the content of a topic covered in the course. For
example, should you choose to view “Rain Man”, the complementary web
Bibliography should be on the topic of Autism. You are required to do both a
movie review and web bibliography.
Video Summary: You are to choose one movie/video from the
recommended viewing list and provide no less than one full page
summary of the topic viewed (and no more than three pages). This
should not be a summary of the entire movie. Rather, you should
summarize the manner in which the video addressed the particular topic
or disorder, as well as providing factual information about that topic or
disorder. If you feel an alternate video would be appropriate, discuss
this with me prior to completing the assignment. All summaries must be
must be typed and double-spaced.
Web/Internet Bibliography: Using the topic which complements the
Video/Movie, perform an Internet Search and provide an “Annotated
Bibliography” on the topic selected. This should include no less than 10
unique Internet sites related to the topic (2 or 3 pages from the same
site is not acceptable) with no less than a paragraph explaining each site
with regard to relevance, usefulness, audience, content, etc. You should
provide a final rating of the site on a scale of 1-10. A sample web
bibliography is provided on-line. Submissions must be typed and
double-spaced.
Topic Selection and Due date: Prior to completing this assignment
you must first have approval. You may speak to me in class, but must
send an e-mail with the name of the movie and the topic (disorder or
sub-area of psychology); I will respond with an approval letter,. The
Video/Web assignment is due within three weeks of approval,. Under no
circumstances will this assignment be accepted the class prior to the final
examination. As stated before, the assignment should complement one
of the topics within psychology.
Tentative List of Videos for Viewing:
Psy 1001 –101
Schatz – Fall 2005
Biological Basis of Behavior
Awakenings
Rain Man
Regarding Henry
My Left Foot
Shine
Consciousness
Altered States
Social Psychology
12 Angry Men
Citizen Cane
Nell
Abnormal Psychology
Sybil
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s
Nest
Three Faces of Eve
Mr. Jones
Jacob’s Ladder
A Beautiful Mind
Psychological Treatment
What About Bob?
Nuts
The Snake Pit
The Prince of Tide
Good Will Hunting
Academic Honesty: Any student who is caught cheating on any examination or
assignment will automatically fail the course and will be reported to the Academic
Honesty Board. Please make sure that you are familiar with the recently adopted
Academic Honesty Policy of Saint Joseph’s University, which is published in the
annual academic catalog.
Additional Resources
If you have, or are thought to have, a documented disability (learning, physical,
psychological) for which you are or may be requesting reasonable academic
adjustments, you are encouraged to discuss your instructional needs with your
professor and contact Services for Students with Disabilities, Room 113 Science
Center, 610-660-1774 or 610-660-1620 as early as possible in the semester.
Accommodations can only be provided to those students with current (within 3
years) documentation. All requests for reasonable academic adjustments such as
extended time for tests must be discussed with the professor a minimum of one
week before scheduled test date.
Psy 1001 –101
Schatz – Fall 2005
Lecture Syllabus: Psy 1001-101; Fall, 2005
Week of
Topic
Reading
Sept 29
Intro / Roots and Branches / Ethics
Chapter 1
Sept 5
(No Class Monday) Biological Bases of Behavior
Chapter 2
Sept 12
Biological Bases of Behavior / Sensation & Perception Chapters 2,4
Sept 19
Sensation & Perception / Consciousness
Chapters 4,5
Sept 29
Consciousness / Exam #1 (Friday Sept 30th)
Ch. 1,2,4,5
Oct 3
Learning
Chapter 6
Oct 10
Memory
Chapter 7
Oct 17
(No Class Monday) TBA
Chapters 8
Oct 24
Intelligence/Motivation
Chapters 8.9
Oct 31
Motivation / Exam #2 (Friday Nov 4th)
Ch. 6,7,8,9
Nov 7
Development
Chapter 3
Nov 14
Personality
Chapter 10
Nov 21
Abnormal (No Class Wednesday, Friday)
Chapter 11
Nov 28
Abnormal / Treatment
Chapters 11,12
Dec 5
Social Psychology
Chapter 14
Dec13
Review
Finals Week
Final Examination:
Ch. 3,10,11,12,14
Date to be announced during the semester.