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PSYCHOLOGY 1115-W01
Contemporary Psychology I
Spring 2011
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Ruth Kirson
Contact:
During the course please get in touch with me via the internal
course mail accessed on the course homepage or on the course
menu. I will be checking this daily, however please expect a
reasonable response time (approx 48 hrs although likely sooner). I
will try to respond to urgent messages as quickly as possible. Your
first task in this course is to send me an internal course message
using the mail function inside the course. Do this to let me know
you have successfully found your way into the course and
discovered at least this syllabus and the course mail.
We can continue to use the internal course mail for private
discussions throughout the course. (Please see below for mention
of public discussion within the course).
External to the course --Langara E-mail: rkirson@langara.bc.ca
Note: I will not be on campus this term so there will be no
opportunity to meet in person in my office and I will not respond
to phone messages left there. The best way to get in touch with
me is using the course mail or if you have a problem with access to
that then via my Langara email.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to a number of topics in psychology.
We will examine some of the history of psychology, methods of
research, and topics such as the brain and nervous system,
sensation and perception, learning, memory, cognition and
language, states of consciousness (including sleep) and human
development.
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Required Text:
Zimbardo, P. G., Johnson, R. L., McCann, V. (2009). Psychology:
Core Concepts. (6th. Ed.). Boston, MA:Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
Website for Text: http://www.mypsychlab.com There are also videos, exercises, and short readings that are
required but linked in the course content material.
Learning Outcomes:
To become a sceptical inquirer by using analytical skills and critical thin
Understand basic approaches to psychological research and methods of
research design
Become familiar with basic concepts, theories, terms and research in so
of the domains of psychology
Make connections among these areas of psychology.
Develop research, writing, discussion and presentation skills.
Develop skills in assessing ‘quality’ of Web resources.
Course Procedures and Evaluation:
Although there are no scheduled "class times" for this course it is
not self-paced. You may do your work at whatever time is
convenient for you however it is recommended that you proceed
through the course material according to the posted syllabus
dates. There will be activities and discussions that focus on the
current chapter reading for each week so it is important to keep
up with text readings. It is expected that you will log into the
course regularly (at least a few times a week) to keep up with
important messages from me (and your classmates), complete
exercises and assignments and to contribute to the ongoing
discussions. Success in the course depends on your regular
"attendance".
Note: It is important that you communicate with me about your
progress in the class. If you are having trouble for any reason --
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let me know about it! If you are unsure about procedure or how to
access information in the course you can send me mail or use the
discussion board. Remember there may be others who are unsure
too and you would be helping them out by asking.
In this course you will be expected to:
1. complete textbook and other reading assignments. This
involves:
reading all assigned chapters
completing exercises or surveys associated with specific chapter
reading articles associated with assignments
2. participate in an on-going structured discussion topics. This
involves:
contribute to discussions on proposed and related topics
responding to postings by your classmates and instructor.
3. complete chapter quizzes for each chapter:
access quizzes within course
complete by due date for each chapter
4. If doing Bonus Assignment submit by the due date.
5. Complete two mid-terms and a final exam--online.
Some Guidelines:
Our virtual classroom is subject to the same guidelines that are
appropriate for all people engaged in Langara’s regular classroom
and college activities. It is important that you check out Langara’s
Student Handbook to familiarize yourself with these guidelines.
We need to be careful about what we write online in this course:
in our private emails and our class Discussions. Our activities at all
times must be respectful of others and contribute positively to
our learning environment. Difference does not mean wrong or
right; we can have different opinions and still enjoy lively,
respectful discussion.
Assignments:
There is one required assignment to be completed individually
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throughout the term. This Assignment 1 involves completing the
chapter quizzes accessed within this course during the availability
dates. See the assignments section on the course homepage for
more details. There is also a Bonus Assignment which is due on the
posted due date. No late assignments accepted. For more details
on handing in assignments please see the page on "Assignment
Submission" on the homepage.
Discussions:
You are required to contribute to various discussion topics
throughout the term. Your contributions will be monitored and
assessed resulting in a participation mark. Please treat your
‘attendance’ and participation as you would in a professional
setting where regular attendance and enthusiastic, quality
participation in discussions are expected and essential. Only
discussion contributions made within 7 days of the instructor’s
original posting will count toward your participation mark. Read
the discussion guidelines (access link from course information
page) for more details on expectations, protocol and acceptable
conduct in the discussion section of the course.
Exams:
There will be two midterms and one final exam (multiple choice);
they are non-cumulative. The midterms are to be taken on-line at
specific times (yes you may write from home) --you will have a
choice of two times in the day, one in the morning and one in the
early evening; exams will be time limited. You must be available
for one of these times. If you have a conflict for a legitimate
reason (at instructor’s discretion) please contact me as soon as
possible. The final exam will be at 6:30 in the evening on a date
during the final exam period and is scheduled by Langara (official
date posted as soon as possible -please consult the Langara Exam
schedule); it will also be time limited. Students must make
themselves available to write this final. Only other exam conflicts
are a reasonable excuse (please notify me of exam conflicts
ASAP) You will be tested on material from the textbook and
coursework.
Date
% Final
Grade
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Evaluation
Assignments:
Assignment 1: Quizzes
during term
Bonus Assignment: Nov
25
Participation/Discussions
Throughout Term
10
Midterm Exam 1
Wed, Feb 9
25
Midterm Exam 2
Wed, March 9
25
Exam 3 (Final)
During Regular Exam
Period
30
10
5
All exams non-cumulative
Please Note: There are NO MAKE UP EXAMS. If you are going to
miss an exam, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor
PRIOR to the exam and provide suitable documentation (i.e.
medical note). Permission will be granted only for excuses deemed
legitimate by the instructor. IF YOU DO NOT CONTACT THE
INSTRUCTOR PRIOR TO THE EXAM, YOU WILL FORFEIT THE
VALUE OF THAT EXAM.
Note: Cheating and plagiarism are both unacceptable and either
activity may lead to serious disciplinary measures. . Policies are in
effect as described in the current college catalogue. Please
familiarize yourself with what constitutes plagiarism. Presenting
the words, ideas, or expressions of another's as your own is
considered plagiarism and as such is a serious offence. Ignorance
is no excuse!
Grading:
Your total percentage will be turned into a letter grade.
Course Schedule*
Date
Topic/Chapter/Readings
Jan 17-23
Chapter 1 Continued
Jan 24-30
Quiz 1: Chapter 1 –practice only (Jan 24,25) (not for
marks)
Chapter 2: Biopsychology, Neuroscience, and Human
Nature
Jan 31-Feb 6
Chapter 2 Continued
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Introduction; Blackboard orientation, Course Syllabus,
Internal Mail, Discussion
Introductions,
Chapter 1: Mind, Behaviour, and Psychological Science
Feb 7-13
Quiz 2: Chapter 2 (Feb 7, 8)
Midterm Exam 1: Wed Feb 9; 9:30 a.m. or 6:30
p.m. on Chapters 1, 2
Chapter 3: Learning and Human Nurture
Feb 14-20
Continue Chapter 3: Learning and Human Nurture
Langara closed Feb 17, 18 for Spring Break
Feb 21-27
Quiz 3: Chapter 3 (Feb 21, 22)
Chapter 4: Memory
Feb 28March 6
Continue Chapter 4: Memory
March 7-13
Quiz 4: Chapter 4 (March 7, 8)
Midterm Exam 2: Wed March 9; 9:30 a.m. or
6:30 p.m. on Chapters 3, 4
Chapter 6: Development Over the Lifespan
March 14 - 20 Chapter 6: Development Over the Lifespan
Quiz 5: Chapter 6 (Development) (Mar 21, 22)
March 21 - 27 Chapter 7: Sensation and Perception
Bonus Assignment Due March 25
March 28 –
April 3
Chapter 7: Sensation and Perception
Chapter 8: States of Consciousness
April 4 - 10
Quiz 6: Chapter 7 (Apr 4, 5)
Chapter 8: States of Consciousness
Quiz 7: Chapter 8 (Apr 8, 9 note this quiz is available
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Fri, Sat)
Last Day Classes April 8th
April 11
April 11 –Study Day
April 12-20
Final Exam Period
Final Exam: on Chapters 6, 7, 8 at 6:30 p.m.
ONLY Date to be announced. Please check Langara
exam schedule for posted date. You must be
available for posted date (exception for other
exams only --contact instructor if conflict)
*Please Note: This is tentative time schedule and will
be followed as closely as possible however it is
subject to change as the course progresses. You will
be notified of any changes.