Introduction to Psychology
PSY101 -10165
Phoenix College – Spring 2015
Mondays & Wednesdays 10AM-11:15AM
Room: DB 221
Instructor:
Jeffrey L. Tinius, M.A., Ph.D. (2015)
Addressing Me:
Professor Tinius (Pronounced Tin-e-us), or Jeffrey
Required Text:
Myers, D. G. (2011). Exploring Psychology: Eighth Edition
in Modules. Worth Publishers.
Office Location:
DB 319 - Inside Psychology Department DB317
(The Next Floor Above Us)
Contacting me:
jeffrey.tinius@phoenixcollege.edu
Facebook Friend Request Jeffrey Tinius (Conversations or
Concerns with Group Projects)
Office Hours: M & W 11:30-12:30, M-TH, 3PM-4PM,
Fridays Varies
If you are going to be missing class, you do not need to
contact me (all exams are online). If you have to miss class,
contacting me will not change your grade.
PSY101
This is the introductory survey course for psychology: the study of behavior and
mental processes. It’s a broad course that covers a lot of information, and draws on a
multi-discipline approach. Some of the material will overlap with other introductory
courses, and much of the information will build upon more complex topics that you will
encounter in your later college studies, even if you are not a psychology major. The
main goal of this course is to create an introduction to psychology, while at the same
time working on student’s writing, critical thinking, oral presentation, as well as
information and numerical literacy skills. As critical thinking skills are an essential aspect
of learning, this course will encourage you to analyze and evaluate information in a
scientific manner. Our assignments will also focus on improving information literacy.
Hold onto this syllabus and calendar for the rest of the semester! Almost
everything that we are doing in class is already included or discussed in this syllabus.
This means that you won't have to wait for me to inform you of upcoming class events
(homework, exams etc) because they are already listed on this syllabus. Sometimes
things change from this syllabus, but most times they won’t.
Important dates:
2.2 Canvas Dreams Exercise Due
2.9 Exam 1 Available Until Sunday
2.11 Homework #1 Must be in class to receive full credit
3.11 Homework #1 Due (No Late Papers Accepted)
3.30 Exam 2 Available on Canvas Until Sunday
4.1 Homework #2 Must be in class to receive full credit
(History of Psychology Activity Available)
4.8 Film Topic Approval Day
4.22 History of Psychology Exercise Due
4.27 Homework#2 Due
5.4 Films Due on Canvas
5.6 Exam 3 Available on Canvas Until Sunday
5.11 Final Day, Film Festival
About The Textbook
If you want to buy your textbook online, then you should be able to get it for
relatively cheap. The tests are timed, but open book. We draw on the reading a lot in
this class, so you really should get the text book as soon as you can. The best place to
order it online might be Amazon, because their shipping seems to be one of the fastest
and most reliable.
The textbook, combined with good attendance and note taking, is your ticket to
getting an A in this class. Students who do the reading before they get to class are far
more likely to get an A than those who do not. The reading in this class is also very brief
and to the point (even though the book is thick). On most days, the reading will only
take you 10 to 20 minutes per class session. If you show up to class having done the
reading beforehand, you will get much more out of the class, and you will probably have
to take less notes.
Exams
There will be three exams during this semester. Each exam will have multiple
choice, or true/false style questions. Questions from the tests will come from lectures,
in-class videos, and from the assigned reading. There will also be some bonus
questions.
Each exam covers the material for that section, though some material is
discussed throughout the semester. If you want to ensure an A on the Exams, then
please do the reading, avoid missing class, and take decent notes/pay attention during
lectures. If you have done all of these and have still failed the exam, then please come
see me after class or during my office hours.
Exams will be posted online on Canvas. They will be timed to 1 hour and 15
minutes, though most people only take about 30 to 40 minutes to complete them.
Exams will be available only during the weekend of the last talk of the section. It is best
to take the exam on campus in the library, or some other place with a stable internet
connection.
Anyone who misses an exam but still wants to take it may do so after the last
official day of class, but before I enter the final grades. This means that you’ll have
about a week or so to make up any missed exams at the end of the semester. However,
make-up exams will have no opportunity for bonus questions.
Attendance
Attendance points will be collected throughout the semester from sign in sheets.
Essentially I will collect attendance only 20 times throughout the semester. See the
following points break down. Unfortunately, attendance points can not be made up,
and they can not be arranged for in advance. If you know that you are going to be
absent, and you notify me, it will not affect the potential loss of attendance points. This
means that you do not need to notify me that you will be missing class. You should
probably exchange phone numbers with your classmates, or add them on Facebook so
that you can keep connected to the course through them (e.g. they can pick up
handouts for you).
1-3 Absences (Minus 30 Points)
4-6 Absences (Minus 60 Points)
7-9 Absences (Minus 90 Points)
10-12 Absences (Minus 120 Points
13 or more Absences = 0 Participation points (Minus 200 Points)
Showing Up On Time - Leaving Early
It is your responsibility to sign in on the sign in sheet. I am not going to track
anyone down to get them to sign in if they came to class late, or if they left before the
sign in sheet was passed around.
If students are having chronic tardiness, then the sign in sheet may be taken
away after the first few minutes of class, and only offered to those that show up on time.
The same may be done if students are regularly leaving early. Keep in mind that
students who arrive to class late, and leave early are very distracting to the the other
students. This is only a small class room. Everyone notices when people get up and
move around.
Homework: Critical Thinking Papers
Usually in a PSY101 class there will be some sort of writing element involved (a
research paper, or a reflection paper). Instead of writing an entire research paper,
you will be doing a short assignment that focus on a tricky area of scientific writing, the
citation.
You will be presented with a short list of commonly misunderstood bits of
information. Your assignment will be to pick out some of the topics, and then to research
them on your own. You will be trying to find evidence that supports or denies a
certain viewpoint, while presenting credible sources of information to support your
claims.
Attendance Required: Students must be in class on the assigned day in
order to participate in the assignment. You will be given a specific form to do the
assignment on, and only assignments completed using this form will be accepted.
Please do not type up something else for the assignment. Anything typed will not be
accepted for credit.
Treat these assignments as a pop-quiz. If you miss class the day they are
handed out, you can do the assignment for half credit. There will be no late
assignments accepted under any circumstances. You will however get almost a month
to do it and turn it in. The assignment itself should only take you about an hour or two to
do.
If you know in advance that you are going to be missing class that day, contact
me after class or during office hours. There is a chance that you can attend another
class I have at a different day.
Psychological Film Festival
For your final assignment in this class, you will be collaborating in groups of four
people or less, in order to create a short film and presentation. The film will tell some
sort of story relating to topics in psychology, and the presentation will explain the topics
in more detail. Your film needs to be creative. It needs to tell some kind of a story.
Memory works best when information is told in a story format. This project is not just a
visual presentation of a bunch of random facts.
The film presentation should be no longer than about 10 minutes total. You are
given the autonomy to pick the topic, and the members of your group yourselves.
Groups should be small, with only 2, 3, or 4 members per group. If you have a group
of 5 people, it will be broken up into one group of 2, and another group of 3 people.
Mixed gender groups tend to have more interesting presentations. Topics for the video
and presentation can be anything appropriately relating to psychology, or anything
discussed in class or in your book. For example, films could be made on (but are not
limited to) the following topics:
Accurate & Inaccurate Forms of Hypnosis
Sport Psychology & Motivation
Culture & Learning
Organizational Psychology & Motivation
Lifespan Stages
Dual Processing & Cognition
Love & Relationships
Human Evolution
Forbidden Topics: Films making people on the street look stupid, films that denounce
specific social groups.
Remember, the point of the video is to tell a story that can be related to topics in
psychology. The point of the video is not to just repeat facts about psychology. We can
all find facts in the textbook. Telling a story is a key component to learning and memory.
The Four Jobs Required
This assignment is worth 100 points, and later on you will be given a detailed
grading rubric for each task needed to complete the assignment. There are 4 basic jobs
that need to get done in order for everyone involved to get a 100%. Here is a basic
summary of what each job will need to do.
Job 1 - Filming: 25 points for everyone in the group.
• In a story format, did you film a video that illustrates topics from psychology?
• Did you get the video files off of the camera and pass them onto the editor?
• You need to double check that the facts you are using in the film are accurate, before
you even start filming, and as you are actually filming.
• Did you film with good lighting? Try to film indoors. If you film outdoors, do it in the
morning or early afternoon. If you film outside, make sure it’s not windy out that day.
• Make sure that all group members appear equally in the film.
Job 2 - Editing: 25 points for everyone in the group.
• Use Windows Movie Maker for a PC computer. Use iMovie for Apple computers.
• Export the movie to a format that will play on the VLC player.
• Did you edit the film footage in an interesting way?
• Did you include the first and last names of all group members in the video? Did you
name the film something appropriate? Do not name it Psychology Film.
• Was the video at least 5 minutes long, but no longer than 8 minutes?
• While editing, you need to double check that the facts you are using in the film are
accurate.
Job 3 - Directing & Storytelling: 25 points for everyone in the group.
• Does the video tell an interesting or funny story using examples from psychology
topics?
• Be prepared to tell me your basic storyline idea on the topic approval day.
• We do not want to see videos that just repeat facts back to us!
• Did you notify the instructor of any problems during the project?
• While your entire group will help come up with a storyline for the film, you alone have
the final say on the storyline that your group uses. Don’t be a jerk about it, but you
need to make sure that things get done, and done on time, and get done correctly:)
• You are in charge of turning the film in on Canvas by the date mentioned, about a
couple weeks before the final day.
• You are also in charge of letting me know about any problems with your group. You
will need to do this using Facebook messenger.
Job 4 - Facts & Presentation: 25 points for everyone in the group.
• What are the basic facts that your group needs to understand on the topic(s) before
you even get started?
• Be prepared to tell me the basic facts you are using on the topic approval day.
• Is the presentation interesting?
• Does it give the rest of the class the facts they will need to understand the topic?
• While you were presenting, did someone write the first and last names of the group
members on the board?
• While you were presenting, did some one else set up the film on the VLC player?
• After you were done presenting the facts, did someone else share an anecdote or
story about the filming process?
• Is your presentation at least 3 minutes long, but no longer than 5 minutes?
Topic Approval Day
This day accounts for 10% of the grade for the assignment. In order to earn full
credit for this day, students must have two outlines prepared for approval. Attendance
on this day is very important. Anyone absent this day needs to notify me in advance or
else their groups will progress without them, and that person will need to find another
group to work with. There will be a sign-up sheet with several times for this day. Each
group will make a 5 to 10 minute long appointment with me, and will meet with me one
at a time. Each group needs to have two outlines ready for me to review at this time:
1. One sheet of paper will outline a description of the topics that are being used in the
film and presentation. This includes all of the facts, terms, definitions and should
give a detailed summary of the concept that is going to be illustrated in the project.
While everyone in the group must contribute to this, the person with job 4 needs to
specifically make sure that this gets done. This needs to be only one page long and
can be hand written if need be. It is not a term paper, just an outline of the facts used
in the film. Remember that the film needs to be 5 to 8 minutes long. Make sure that
you have enough content for the entire film.
2. The next paper is an outline, or summary of the story that will be used in the film.
This is the story that you are going to tell in the film. It is based on the facts of the
topic. It needs to have some kind of plot with a beginning, and a conclusion at the
end. This is not a full on term paper, just a one page outline of the story you will be
telling in the film. It can be hand written if need be. It can also be written in a
storyboard fashion. Remember though that the film needs to be 5 to 8 minutes long.
Make sure to plan this out accordingly. We don’t want to see a film rushed at the end
to be less than 8 minutes, and we don’t want to see a film dragged out pointlessly to
get to 5 minutes. Try to make a film that people can identify with, and that illustrates
the facts correctly.
Both of these outlines need to be ready for me to approve by the topic approval
day. Please show up to your appointment ready to go, so that you don’t have to delay
other students. If your two outlines look fine and ready to go, then you’ll get an approval
and you can go film the rest of that class day, or you can do whatever else you need to
get done. If one or both of these outlines are not acceptable, then you’ll be asked to go
back to the class and work on it for a while.
The topic approval day is there to help you, and is designed to make your
presentations better. If you miss the topic approval day then you will miss the points for
that day, and you will miss the opportunity for feedback, but you might still be able to
complete the project if you find another class member who also missed.
On the Final Day of Class
We will all watch the films on the final day of class. Everyone should bring
something to share so we can have food and drinks while we watch the films. Except for
the people bringing plates and cups, you don’t have to bring enough of something for
the entire class. If everyone brings something small (large enough for 5 people) then
we’ll have plenty of things to share.
Part of your points for the final presentation will include getting here on time that
day. An attendance sign in sheet will be passed around, but only for during the first 10
minutes of class. We will start the presentations 10 minutes after our class starts.
Expect to stay a little longer than usual that day, and enjoy the films!
Contacting Me About the Projects
If you or your fellow group members are having any sort of difficulty whatsoever
with your film festival project, do not hesitate to message me anytime outside of class. If
you Facebook message me before adding me, it might go to my spam box first.
The easiest way to reach me about this assignment is by talking to me after class
or during office hours. If you are having troubles editing the film, exporting the film, or
filming in general, just contact me. It would also be best not to wait until the last minute
to contact me with problems relating to your project. If you show up empty handed on
the last day of class, you won’t get any points for the assignment.
Grades
Students will be graded on a point system. About every 70 points equals a letter grade.
EXAM 1
EXAM 2
EXAM 3
2 IN-TEXT CITATION ASSIGNMENTS
2 CANVAS VIDEO ACTIVITIES
FILM FESTIVAL
CLASS PARTICIPATION
50
100
100
100
50
100
200
POINTS
POINTS
POINTS
POINTS
POINTS
POINTS
POINTS
TOTAL:
700
POINTS
Course Grades:
A
=
630 or more points 90% or more
B
=
560 – 629
80 –89%
C
=
490 - 559
70 – 79%
D
=
420 - 489
60 – 69%
(Still Passing But
Non-Transferable)
F
=
419 or fewer
59% and below
Extra Credit: Social Motivation Increases Graduation Rates
At the beginning of every class day, there will be an opportunity to earn 5 points
extra credit, and a free desert from Café Oso. You can earn these points by simply
inviting class members to outside activities that you are participating in. For example, if
you have a play or performance that you are in, a dance that you go to, a sport or
tournament that you are participating in, any student activities, or any other social
event that you find interesting and are going to, invite the class to come along. Just
make sure that it is something that you are actually participating in, and it is appropriate
for the class to go to (your social activity at a church, or a bar might be ok; just use
your best judgement).
Every day as class is starting, just come up, introduce yourself to the class and
tell us about your event. Then post the event details on canvas and at the end of the
semester you will get extra credit added into your final grade. You can announce
activities as many times as you would like.
This is the formula for your announcements:
(Standing in front of the class before it starts) Hi everyone, my name is (insert
own name). This (insert day or dates) there is a (insert activity description) going on. Let me
tell you about it, and describe what it is for about a minute or so. I’m also going to tell you why
you should go. This is where it is located at (insert coordinates). This is how much or how little
it costs. I’ll post all of the details on canvas under the discussion section, so that if you forget
you can find the details again.
Bam! Extra credit
You also get a free desert to Café Oso (remind me to give it to you at the time you
announce your event).
Support Services
If you have a hidden or visible disability that may require classroom or test
accommodations, please contact the Disability Resources & Services (DRS) office. You
can reach the DRS office at 602-285-7477 or in the Hannelly Center (HC) Building. All
disability-related information obtained by DRC remains confidential. If you have a
disability and you don’t want to tell an instructor what it is, then you don’t have to.
If English is not your first language and you would like to use a translation
dictionary during your exams, just let me know. Or if you don't understand something in
class, just ask me at any point.
Also if you are having difficulty studying for and passing the tests, then please
see me in my office hours for additional help.
Classroom Rules, Policies and Etiquette
Cognitive
Resources
Humans can only process so much information per minute. Doing
several things at once can cause us to do all of those things poorly.
Please try to come to class with a clear head, make an effort to
forget outside problems, mute the cell phone and be ready to take
notes. Please don’t do work from other classes while you are in this
class.
Leaving Early
Or Arriving Late
If you have to leave early, you do not need to notify me. If you have
arrived late, you don't need to tell me. However, please be
considerate to everyone and try to sit as close to the door as
possible on these days. Remember, there is no assigned seating in
this class. Leaving early or arriving late is almost always distracting
to those around you, and it lowers your grade.
Cell Phones
It’s best not to use your phone at all in class, even to take notes.
Please resist the urge to send text messages, browse eBay, or play
games with your cell phone during class. If you have to take a call
then please quietly take it in the hallway. If you are expecting an
important call that day, please try to sit as close to the door as
possible.
Laptops
Laptops and tablets can be used in class for note taking.
Facebooking in class will distract the guy next to or behind you, and
you won't learn very much that day.
Bringing Your
You are not required to bring your textbook to class.
Textbook to Class However, the lectures are meant to compliment the course
readings, so it might help you to take better notes during the
lectures if you bring your book. It's your call.
Buying A Used
Textbook Online
You do not have to buy your textbook at the bookstore on campus.
You can buy the same exact textbook through amazon for a fraction
of the price of the book store. As long as you buy it today, then you
should be fine for the first exam.
Plagiarism
The Phoenix College policy on plagiarism can be found in your
student handbook. All of your professors stress out about this at
some point, so be careful not to do it, even on accident. Everything
that you turn in for this class must be your own original work. No
copying of websites or of other’s work is permitted. Keep in mind
that it is very easy for instructors to spot plagiarized work.
Professionalism
Please remember that the college classroom is a professional
environment, and your behavior should reflect this at all times.
Socializing In &
Out of Class
It is strongly recommended that you try to make friends with people
in your classes. This can be helpful for exchanging notes for days
you have missed, having someone to study with before the exam,
and it can make it more fun to come to class every time.
Talking In Class
While it's beneficial to make friends in class, talking during class
time is not necessary, and is greatly distracting to those around
you. Even if you are whispering, it can still be very distracting to
those sitting around you. Feel free to pass notes, or wait until class
is over to talk with classmates. Feel free to politely shush others
that are talking in class. Also, people who talk a lot in class, tend to
get worse grades.
Taking Less,
But More
Useful Notes
Most of what we will be talking about in class comes directly from,
or mirrors the assigned reading. This means that if you do the
reading before you get to class, you will have to write less notes,
and your notes will make more sense. Occasionally, lectures will
differ from the reading, and I will make a special point of mentioning
this in class. Most often though the Powerpoints that I show in class
are full of terms and concepts that are discussed in detail in the
textbook.
Think of the Powerpoints as being my way of remembering what to
talk about. You will also note that on many days, the assigned
reading is only a few pages long. Doing the reading before
class, is the most predictable way of getting an A in this course.
Getting Professor This is not a real thing. This does not happen. Please make friends
Tinius to Send
with people in this class so that you can get any notes from them
You Notes or
if you missed class. Notes and Powerpoints are not posted online.
PPTS
Course Schedule & Reading Guides
Section 1
1.21
Day 1
Introductions
1.26
Day 2
Module 1, Module 2 Intro to
Psychology
1.28
Day 3
Module 3, Module 4.4, 4.5
Biology of Psychology
2.2
Day 4
Module 5.1, 5.2, 5.8, 5.9 States
of Consciousness
Canvas Dreams Exercise Due
Today
2.4
Day 5
Module 6, Module 7.1 Hypnosis &
Drugs
2.9
Day 6
Module 8, Module 9.1, 9.2, 9.3
Genetics & Environment
Exam 1 Available on Canvas
Until Sunday
Section 2
2.11
Day 7
Homework #1 Must be in class
to receive full credit
Module 10.1-2
2.16
No Class: President’s Day
2.18
Day 8
Module 10.3, Module 11.1, 11.3-4
Childhood & Learning
2.23
Day 9
Module 12 Adolescence &
Learning
2.25
Day 10
Module 13 Lifespan & Learning
3.2
Day 11
Module 14.1, 14.3, 14.4, 14.7,
15.2, 15.3, 15.5, 16.2, 16.3,16.6
Sensation & Perception
3.4
Day 12
Module 17.1-17.3, 17.6, 17.7,
18.1- 18.6, Simple Learning
3.9
Day 13
Module 19.1, 20.6, 21.4 Complex
Learning
3.11
Day 14
Module 23 Language
Homework #1 Due Today (No
Late Papers Accepted)
No Class 3.16 or 3.18 - Spring Break
3.23
Day 15
Module 24.1-24.4 Intelligence
3.25
Day 16
Module 25.1 Motivation & Film
Festival Discussion
3.30
Day 17
Module 26.2, 26.6, 26.7
Information Literacy & Love
Exam 2 Available on Canvas
Until Sunday
4.1
Day 18
Module 27.1-27.2 Module 28
Emotions & Primatology
Homework #2 Must be in class
to receive full credit
Section 3
4.6
Day 19
Synthetic Happiness
4.8
Day 20
Film Topic Approval Day
4.13
Day 21
Work In Film Festival Groups
4.15
Day 22
Work In Film Festival Groups
4.20
Day 23
Module 29 Stress & Social
Hierarchy
4.22
Day 24
Module 32.1-32.5, 35.1-35.5
36.1 Disorders, Therapy &
Origins of Psychology
History of Psychology Exercise
Due Today on Canvas
4.27
Day 25
Module 37 Conformity &
Aggression
In-Text Citation Assignment
Due Today
4.29
Day 26
Module 38 Gender Roles
5.4
Day 27
Module 39 Empathy & Altruism
Final Films Due Today on
Canvas - Upload Them at
Phoenix College
5.6 (last class day)
Day 28
Module 31.9 Self-Esteem
Exam 3 Available on Canvas
Until Sunday
5.13 Finals Day
Day 29
Film Festival! Show your films
10AM-11:50AM
and bring snacks for everyone to
Wednesday
share! Attendance counted today.
Important Withdrawal Dates:
Monday February 16th - Last day for withdrawal without instructor’s signature.
Monday March 16th - Last day for withdrawal with instructor’s signature.
My Part
• Present all of the necessary information
• Make it clear what is expected of every student
• Be available after and outside of class (office hours, Facebook Messenger)
• Explain concepts clearly and accurately
• Make each class as interesting as possible
• Include useful and helpful examples and stories that illustrate the material so that
class is much more than just terms and definitions
• Make class fun and or enjoyable to attend
Your Part
• Read the textbook before coming to class
• Get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep the night before coming to class
• Eat breakfast or lunch before coming to class
• Don’t simply take notes on the definitions of the terms (you can usually find those in
your textbook), focus your note taking on the examples
• Take responsibility for your schedule conflicts (A few absences will not necessarily
cause you to fail this class, but 10 absences will most likely cause you to fail)
• Try to make friends with the people in this class. BUT please don’t talk in class ; )
• If there is ever a bad question on an exam, copy paste the question into a message
and I’ll try to fix it (if it’s bad)