Introduction to Psychology - PSYC 101
Longwood University - Spring Semester - 2010
Chris Bjornsen, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
Ruffner 305, 395-2736, bjornsenca@longwood.edu
Office Hours: M/W 2:30-3:30, T/R 3:30-5:00
Section 07 – TR 11:00-12:15 - Ruffner 314
Section 09 – TR 2:00- 3:15 - Ruffner 314
Catalog course description:
A discussion of the relevant contemporary issues in psychology, and how they
affect our lives and our society. Basic psychological processes are discussed to
explain practical consequences. Interconnections with other disciplines are
emphasized. 3 credits.
Additional course description:
In this class we will explore some of the fundamental theories and research in
psychology. We will also learn about psychological disorders and the treatment
of these disorders. This class is intended to give you a broad introduction to the
areas of psychology that deal with social behavior and interaction, responding to
life's challenges and stressors, and those elements that make up one's
personality. This class is also intended to give you the opportunity to discover
how exciting and thought-provoking it can be to understand yourself and others
from the perspective of the discipline of psychology.
Text: Discovering Psychology, 4th edition, Hockenberry & Hockenberry, 2007.
Students also have access to the Companion Web Site, for a study guide, selfscoring quizzes, etc: www.DiscoveringPsychology.com
Course objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students will
have:
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a basic understanding of the field of Psychology
an enhanced ability to interpret contemporary events using the principles
of Psychology
enhanced research & writing skills
enhanced ability to think critically and creatively
enhanced computer and information technology skills
enhanced ability to think and behave ethically
Since this class satisfies Goal 8 of the General Education Requirements, we will
also engage in activities that will address the goals listed on the following web
page: http://web.lwc.edu/academic/LAS/Psychology/GenEduMatrix.htm (Note: If
you are a PSYC major, this course does not satisfy Goal 8. You must take a
different Goal 8 class to satisfy that goal. This course counts as a required major
course.)
Course Requirements:
Three tests
100 points each
Two Brief Papers - 2 full pages each
25 points each
Final Exam – Cumulative – Multiple Choice
100 points
Research Participation or Paper extensions
Required – no credit or grade
Students need to be prepared to take excellent notes during class. The professor
will not be giving printed lecture outlines, and will not save Power Point slides on
Blackboard.
Tests
Tests will be administered in class, and will be completed without the use of
notes or the text. Tests will cover textbook readings, article readings, class
lecture material, and class discussion information. In other words, anything that is
assigned reading and any information presented or discussed in class will be
included on the tests. Students should expect that 50% of test items will come
from lecture/class information and 50% will come from the text information. The
format of the tests (i.e., types of questions) will be decided as tests are written.
Students should be prepared to answer all types of questions on exams (essay,
short answer, multiple choice).
Papers. The professor will provide short articles and students will write two
reaction papers (2 FULL PAGES MINIMUM in length) that reflect (1) an
understanding of the concepts and ideas contained in the articles, and (2) how
the information in the articles relates to the information in the text and (3)
information explained in class. Printed copies of the papers will be due at the
beginning of class on the dates provided. Each day (M,T,W,R,F) a paper is late
will result in a one letter grade reduction in the grade for the paper. Papers
should conform to APA style (i.e., papers should be typed with one inch margins,
double-spaced 12-point font), no cover page. No reference page (bibliography) is
required.
Final Exam. The final exam will be cumulative, all multiple choice.
Research Participation/Paper Extension. All Longwood University Intro
Psychology students are required to participate in studies conducted by senior
psychology majors, or (in Dr. Bjornsen’s classes) extend the length of the two
papers by two pages each. More information about this assignment will be
provided in class. To sign up for the research projects, to the following web site
and click on New Participant: http://longwood.sona-systems.com/
Extensions on assignments, tests, etc. may be given, at the discretion of the
instructor, only for the following reasons: (1) Prior to the exam date or
assignment due date, the student has requested an extension because the
assignment/exam conflicts with a college-sponsored activity (such as a class field
trip or LC sport team event). (2) The student has requested an extension, prior
to the exam/assignment due date, due to a serious illness or family
emergency. (3) The student was hospitalized and could not request an extension
prior to the exam date or due date of the assignment. No other reasons for
missing an exam or assignment will be considered. Students will be given a
grade of zero for assignments/quizzes/tests missed. The final exam will be given
on the date and time assigned by the University, as printed in the official exam
schedule. If a student has more than two exams on one day, he or she may
request that he/she be given the exam on a day that is agreeable to the
professor and student.
Grading policy
Final course grades are calculated on a ten-point scale, based on the percentage
of total available points earned. 100%-90%=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, 590=F. (I round up from .9-.5, and down from .4-.1). Final grades will not be
available until the grades are posted on the University web site, myLongwood.
Attendance
The professor will take attendance at the beginning of each class, although
attendance per se will not count toward the final grade. Students are required to
be in class when class is scheduled to begin, and to remain focused on class
activities until the professor has indicated class is completed. If a student misses
a class, the student is responsible for what was discussed or taught in class that
day. The professor will not provide students with handouts or notes or lend
students videotapes shown in class, unless a student missed a class for a
documented emergency or University-sponsored event. It is always best to ask
the professor beforehand if your reason for missing class would be excused or
not. Information presented via Power Point in class will not be available in
Blackboard or on the internet after class. Students therefore should be prepared
to take notes each class, or get notes from a classmate. Notes missed due to a
University-sponsored event (e.g., athletic team travel) must be obtained from
another student. Videos or handouts missed due to a University-sponsored event
(e.g., athletic team travel) may be provided by the instructor, with approval given
prior to the missed class.
Honor Code and Student Conduct
Students are expected to assume full responsibility for their actions, and refrain
from lying, cheating, stealing, and plagiarism. University penalties for infraction of
the Honor Code are detailed in the Student Handbook, which students can find
on-line within the Longwood University web pages, and are responsible for
understanding and following. If the professor believes a student has violated the
Honor Code, the student will receive an “F” for the course. The professor may
also file Honor Code charges against the student.
During class students are expected to be “on task” and paying attention at all
times. Students should be aware that the Student Handbook states that
interfering with the duties of a student, faculty, or staff member is a Judicial Code
offense, and can result in academic probation. It is the responsibility of your
professor to protect and promote a classroom environment that meets high
educational standards. The professor will enforce the following policies for
classroom conduct. The professor will determine the degree to which such
disruptions will affect the student’s assigned work and grades, and possibly result
in the filing of Judicial Code charges.
The following are not allowed, and will result in points deducted from the test or
exam following the infraction. Each infraction will result in 10 points deducted
from the next test given in class. Repeated and highly disruptive infractions may
result in the student receiving an “F” for the class.
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Using one’s cell phone, Blackberry, iPhone, MP3 player, or any other
hand-held device for any reason. Students should be aware that looking in
one’s lap and having one or both hands in one’s lap is “the sign” that a
student is using a cell phone, and will result in the aforementioned grade
reductions. In the event that a student is waiting for a phone call from a
family member regarding a family emergency, the student should discuss
that with me prior to the start of class.
Using a laptop in class
Making a habit of arriving to class late or leaving class to use the
restroom. Any student who arrives late or needs to take an emergency
bathroom break must give Dr. Bjornsen a piece of paper with his or her
name and the date on it before leaving the room.
Interrupting the professor or another student while that person is
addressing the class
Falling asleep in class, or putting one's head down on the desk as if
asleep
Making irrelevant, rude, derogatory, or hostile statements during class
Interfering with the professor's ability to engage students in discussion,
direct a class activity, or lecture during class time
Packing up one's belongings before the professor has indicated class is
over
Reading or doing work during class that is not for this class or the topic of
that day’s class (including copying notes missed from another student)
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Eating food or snacks or candy in the classroom (You may drink a
beverage, but if it spills you have to clean it up.)
Putting one's feet up on a chair, desk, or table. Classrooms are not dorm
rooms.
Students are not permitted to audiotape class lectures or discussions
without the consent of the professor. Consent is only granted to students
with disability needs verified by the Office of Disability Services.
Other violations of proper student conduct may arise during the semester,
and the professor will discuss these with students at appropriate times.
Course Schedule
Tuesday
Jan 12 Syllabus, Photos
Jan 19 Chapter 1 Research Methods
Jan 26 Chapter 2 Neuroscience, Split
Brain (Gazzaniga)
Feb 2 Chapter 4 Consciousness,
Sleep and Dreams
Feb 9 Test 1 (1, 2, 3, 4)
Feb 16 Ch 5 Learning (Clive Wearing)
Feb 23 Video – The Codes of Gender
Mar 2 Ch 8 Motivation
Mar 9 Spring Break
Mar 16 Ch 9 Lifespan
Mar 23 Test 2 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Mar 30 Ch 10 Personality
Apr 6 Film: Back From Madness
Apr 13 Ch 13 & 14 Disorders &
Therapy
Apr 20 Ch 11 Social Psych
Sec 07 (T/R 11:00): Exam Wed Apr 28
3:00-5:30
Thursday
Jan 14 Chapter 1 History, Theories
Jan 21 Chapter 2 Neuroscience
Jan 28 Ch 3 Sensation and Perception
Feb 4 Chapter 4 Drugs
Feb 11 Ch 5 Learning
Feb 18 Ch 6 Memory
Feb 25 Ch 7 Thinking
Mar 4 Ch 8 Emotion Paper 1 due
Mar 11 Spring Break
Mar 18 Ch 9 Lifespan
Mar 25 Ch 10 Personality
Apr 1 Film: Back From Madness
Apr 8 Ch 13 & 14 Disorders & Therapy
Paper 2 due
Apr 15 Ch 12 Stress, Health, Coping
Apr 22 Test 3 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
Sec 09 (T/R 2:00): Exam Fri Apr 30
11:30-2:00
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the above syllabus
during the semester if necessary, with proper notification provided to
students during class.