Course: Exploring Psychology (PSY 113) Spring 2009
Course Description: Introduction to the academic, professional and ethical aspects of the field of
psychology. Develops critical thinking, research, library, and information acquisition for
psychology. Also explains career options. For psychology majors only.
Instructor: Dr. Douglas Engwall
Professor of Psychology
Email: ENGWALLD@CCSU.EDU
Website: www.psychology.ccsu.edu/engwall
Prerequisites: PSY 112 (may be take concurrently). For Psychology
majors and concentrates. Others see instructor.
Office: Marcus White 217
Phone: 860-832-3124
Office Hours: see attached schedule
Evaluative Procedures: 10 Assignments (@ 10 pts) 100
Assignment: Assignments should be submitted without covers. Please put your name, class day
and time on the top of each assignment (ex: Bob Smith, Monday 1pm). The assignments will be
turned in and graded at three intervals during the term (see attached outline for specific dates).
Each assignment will be graded using the following scale: 10 exceptional, 8-9 very good, 6-7
adequate, 4-5 poor, 1-3 incomplete/partial,0 missing. Late work will not receive full credit no
matter the excuse for lateness.
Grades: Grades will be based on the total number of points earned during the semester. The
following can be used as a general guide.
90% . . . . A
80% . . . . B
65% . . . . C
50% . . . . D
Attendance is expected for all sessions and class participation is encouraged. These factors will
play a part in assigning marginal grades.
Students will be held responsible for all announcements and information given during class and
for the timely completion of all course work.
Incompletes can only be given in rare situations and only to students who have completed 75% of
the course work.
Please power down your cell phones before class begins. The use of cell phones for any purpose
during class time is prohibited.
Getting started
Over the course of the semester, we will be exploring websites that will help you achieve your
education and job-seeking goals. One important website we’ll be using is maintained by CCSU’s
Career Services. Your first (non-graded) assignment is to register on this website so you’ll have
access to all of the services. Go to http://www.ccsu.edu/career/ and click the box on the upper
left entitled “Orient Yourself”. After a few screens, you’ll be given the choice of orienting
yourself to four different services. Select “Career Services”. Proceed through the orientation. At
the end of the orientation, fill in the information to start your personal account.
If you have difficulty starting this account, please contact Ken Poppe (the Career Service’s
webmaster) through CCSU’s email at careers@ccsu.edu. Please let me know as well.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are not a CCSU student or have great difficulty in registering, you may
use some of the services using guest as a username and connect as a password.
Getting your books
I’ve ordered three books that are available the campus bookstore. The first two books were
written specifically for psychology majors.
1. Kuther and Morgan: Careers in Psychology
Thomson/Wadsworth
This book examines all the areas of psychology with an emphasis on employment possibilities at
various levels of education (e.g. BA, MA, PhD). If you’re interested in child psychology, for
example, this text will describe typical workplace opportunities at all degree levels. This book
will be most helpful for one assignment where you select and describe an area in psychology.
2. Landrum and Davis: Psychology Major
Prentice Hall
The above book offers guidance on all aspects of the psychology major. It covers BA careers, the
graduate school application process, literature reviews, APA style, resume writing and ethical
concerns. All psychology majors should buy and hold on to this book.
3. Sherfield and Moody: Solving the Professional Development Puzzle
Pearson/Prentice Hall
I initially selected the above text for the few non-psychology majors signed up for the course.
Now I recommend that everyone buy and keep this book. As the title suggests, this book covers
all aspects of seeking, obtaining and keeping a job. There are great sections on searching for a job
(e.g. resumes, cover letters, interviews) and thriving in a career. This book is a great reference
and will serve the basis for several assignments.
Important points and tips for success
I very much enjoy teaching this class and every semester offer multiple sections. Since the
grading is based on 10 portfolio assignments per student, a class of 30 means 300 assignments
for me to assess. Multiply 300 times 2 or 3 sections and you get some idea of the paperwork
generated. I think, and students agree, that all the assignments are worthwhile so I’m happy with
the structure of the class. You can help me tremendously by following the guidelines below.
1) Turn in your assignments stapled together without a cover.
2) Put your name, day and class meeting time on each assignment. Example: Bill James,
Monday 1pm
3) Please don’t email assignments to the instructor. Emails may get lost, screened out, or deleted
by mistake. Sometimes I cannot recognize a student because of his or her email address. Be sure
to identify yourself in emails.
4) Attend class on a regular basis. Many assignments require class attendance in order to be
completed.
5) Be sure to read assignments carefully before completed them. Most require a short 1-2 typed
paged paper.
6) Assignments will not be returned to you so be sure to keep a copy.
7) Grades for assignments will be posted on Blackboard Vista.
8) Turn in assignments of the day they are due. Late work is the most difficult part of teaching
this course so I’m asking for your assistance. Most people turn in work on time anyway but I
need to encourage some folks by grading accordingly. In order to get an A in the course, you
must turn in all assignments within the timeframe given in the syllabus. No excuses will be
accepted for lateness. You can still get a B in the course if you turn in one set of late
assignments (Portfolio part one or two) but you will get a C if you turn in both sets late (Portfolio
part one and two). I’ve given you more time to turn in Portfolio part three but lateness will have
an affect here as well. To assure a good grade, therefore, turn in assignments on time, preferably
in class. If you miss class, you can place work in the plastic folder outside my office door at
Marcus White 217.
9) Do not use your cell phone during class for texting or any other purpose. Use of cell phones
greatly annoys your instructor and distracts other students.
What is Blackboard Vista?
Blackboard Vista is a website that we will be using to report grades. Blackboard Vista is
accessed via CentralPipeline [http://pipeline.ccsu.edu] and can be reached through any computer
with internet access. Once you have logged into Centralpipeline, click on My Courses. Then click
on Exploring Psychology and this will take you to the homepage of the Blackboard Vista account
for this course. All sections of the Exploring Psychology have been combined into one account
so you don't need to be concerned about your specific section.
SPRING SEMESTER 2009 (Monday at 1pm; Wednesday at 1pm and 3pm)
Tentative Course Outline. Readings are found within each assignment.
1/26 & 28
Introduction / Why did you choose to major in psychology?
Assignment (PA) #1: Why did you decide to major in Psychology?
2/4 & 6
What is Psychology? (Powerpoint on website)
PA #2: Select and examine an occupation in Psychology.
2/9 & 11
Psychology Faculty at Central
Opportunities for involvement (research, psych club, psi chi, etc)
Readings: The Psychology Major at CCSU
PA#3: Getting to know the Psychology faculty. Done in class
2/16 & 18
President’s Holiday. No Class this week.
2/23 & 25
Advising 101 (Powerpoint on website)
PA #4: Plotting your progress toward your degree
Print out and bring your Degree Evaluation to class.
Portfolio part one due (PA#1, PA#2, PA#3)
Portfolios turned in after 2/27 will receive only 5 out of 10 pts each late
assignment. No excuses accepted for lateness.
3/2 & 4
You and your MBTI
PA #5: What’s your type? Exploring the MBTI.
Please complete the Type Focus assessment (see PA #5) and bring
your results to class.
3/9 & 11
Finding a career to fit your skills, abilities and interest.
PA #6: Holland Hexagon. Please complete assessment before class.
3/16 & 18
BA Careers in Psychology. (Powerpoint on website)
3/23 & 3/25
Spring Break (No Class).
3/25
Middle of the academic term. Last day to drop class.
3/30 & 4/1
Workshop on interviewing skills.
PA #7: Reaction paper on interview workshop.
Portfolio part two due (PA#4, PA#5, PA#6)
Portfolios turned in after 4/3 will receive only 5 out of 10 pts on each late
assignment. No excuses accepted for lateness.
4/6 & 8
Getting into Graduate School
Graduate School Admissions (Video on getting into grad school)
PA #10: Turn in notes from in-class video on grad school.
Alternative #10: Select a career that requires a MA or PhD. Find 5 universities
that offer degrees in that area of Psychology.
4/13 & 15
Registration Period (No Class). Meet with your advisor.
4/20 & 22
Workshop on resume writing.
PA #8: Your resume.
4/27 & 29
Preparing for a career in Psychology.
Panel of staff reps from CO-OP, internships, study abroad
PA #9: Scavenger hunt based on websites and presentation.
5/4 & 5/5
Portfolio part three due (PA #7, PA#8, PA#9, PA #10)
Portfolios turned in after 5/15 will receive only 5 out of 10 pts on each late
assignment. No excuses accepted for lateness.