COURSE NUMBER
AND TITLE:
PY 490. PSYCHOLOGY CAPSTONE/SL
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
"Capstone emphasizes the synthesis of knowledge and research skills expected
of the undergraduate Psychology major. Students are guided in conducting
research within a specific content area. Use of computers in statistical analysis
of psychological research data. Also includes class readings and discussions on
ethical issues. Observation or community service in selected social service
agencies is an integral part of the course. Ethics and Civic Responsibility, Writing
and Quantitative Literacy are significant components of this course (QEP). This
is a designated service-learning course integrating academic learning, civic
learning and meaningful service to the community." UAB course catalog (2015)
SEMESTER:
Spring 2015
CONTACT HOURS:
Seminar 1 day a week from 5:30 to 7:30 pm
CREDIT HOURS:
3 credit hours
COURSE MASTER:
Dr. Teruko Bredemann
Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology: Postdoctoral
Scholar (PGY 4).
Department of Psychology, Adjunct Professor
Phone:20.934.3524
Email:tmbredem@uab.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment only.
INSTRUCTIONAL
METHODS:
Independent textbook reading
Chapter review discussions
Independent readings from empirical scientific research articles.
Service- learning activities
Oral presentations
Guest speaker seminars
PREREQUISITES:
PY 315. Methods in Psychological Research. This course provides an overview of
scientific methods used to investigate psychological phenomena, including
correlational methods, quasi-experimental methods, and experimental
methods. It considers issues related to problem definition, hypothesis
formation, measurement, causal inference, validity, and reliability and includes
a strong emphasis on writing, quantitative analysis and questions of ethics and
civic responsibility. Writing, Quantitative Literacy and Ethics and Civic
Responsibility are significant components of this course (QEP).
1
REQUIRED TEXT:
The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success (2012). L. Machi and B. McEvoy.
Paperback ISBN 9781452240886.
REQUITED TEXT:
Practical Ethics for Psychologist: A positive Approach, 2nd ed. (2012). S. Knapp
and L. VandeCreek
RECOMMENDED
MATERIALS:
•
•
•
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
COURSE EVALUATION:
An electronic device capable of searching the internet and reading PDF files
online.
A 3 ring binder with dividers for journal articles and homework assignments.
Paper folder with 3 brads and 2 pockets inside for Graduate Portfolio
submission.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Read, understand, and critically evaluate academic research.
• Form sophisticated arguments to support their own educated hypothesis.
• Present scientific information to an academic audience
• Represent themselves as UAB Psychology seniors in the Birmingham
community
• Use ethical decision making as a means of problem solving in academic and
professional situations.
20% Literature Review Textbook Assignments
20% Journal article presentation
20% Final Literature Review Document
20% Ethics Quiz Average
10% Service Learning Report
10% Graduate Portfolio
GRADING SCALE:
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:
DROP/ADD
A 90-100; B 80-89; C 70-79
F < 70%
6 written Chapter exercises from the Literature Review textbook
Oral Presentation of student selected journal article
Written Literature Review paper of approximately 20 pages.
15 weekly quizzes on Psychological Ethics.
A written Service learning proposal, report, and organizational letter.
A written personal statement, CV and Graduate program reports.
*Please refer to the class schedule in order to review you responsibilities for
each week.
**ALL course assignments must be submitted typed, in a word document, on
paper, in class. Students are not permitted to leave class to print an assignment.
This course follows UAB policy concerning drop/add and will adhere to the
university date of January 2, 2015 without paying full fees and tuition. The last
day to withdraw from this course with a grade of “W” is March 30th, 2015.
2
ACADEMIC POLICIES
INSTRUCTION
In the Capstone course, you are expected to demonstrate self discipline, efficiency, and time management
skills in order to complete a written project independently. The Coursemaster provides guidance as well as
various resources needed to successfully complete course assignments, but does not "lecture" on all course
material. Students should carefully consider whether they can handle the responsibility of self teaching and
the amount of written assignments in the course.
COURSE ATTENDANCE
The University of Alabama at Birmingham recognizes that the academic success of individual students is
related to their class attendance and participation. Each course instructor is responsible for establishing
policies concerning class attendance and make-up opportunities. Any such policies, including points for
attendance and/or participation, penalties for absences, limits on excused absences, total allowable absences,
etc, must be specified in the course syllabus provided to students at the beginning of the course term. Such
policies are subject to departmental oversight and may not by their specific descriptions, negate or circumvent
the accommodations provided below for excuse absences.
SPECIFICALLY, IN THIS COURSE:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Students a required to notify the course master via email of unexcused absences.
There will be a 3 point penalty for each day any assignment is submitted late, including both paper and
"Turn It In" submissions.
After 3 days past the due date, Assignments will no longer be accepted after 3 days past the due date.
NO assignments will be accepted through email.
Student must give their oral presentations their assigned presentation date. There will be no "makeup" presentations nor swapping of dates between students.
If a student is not prepared to give their presentation on the assigned date, a zero will be recorded for
that grade.
The University regards certain absences as excused and in those instances requires that instructors provide an
accommodation for the student who misses assignments, presentations, examinations, or other academic
work of a substantive nature by virtue of these excused absences. Examples include the following:
•
•
•
Absences due to jury or military duty provided that official documentation has been provided to the
instructor in a timely manner in advance.
Absences of students registered with Disabilities Services for disabilities eligible for a reasonable
number of disability-related absences in advance or as soon as possible.
Absences do to participation in university-sponsored activities when the student is representing the
university in an official capacity and as a critical participant, provided that the procedures below have
been followed:
3
a) Before the end of the add/drop period, students must provide their instructor a schedule of
anticipated excused absences in or with a letter explaining the nature of the expected absences
from the director of the unit or department sponsoring the activity.
b) If a change in the schedule occurs, students are responsible for providing their instructors
with advance written notification from the sponsoring unit or department.
c) Absences due to other extenuating circumstances that instructors deem excused. Such
classification is at the discretion of the instructor and is predicated upon consistent
treatment of all students. In these instances, instructors must devise a system for
reasonable accommodation.
During any actual emergency or severe weather situation, this site - www.uab.edu/emergency -will be the
official source of UAB information. In addition, the UAB Emergency Management Team will use B-ALERT, the
university’s emergency notification system, to communicate through voice calls, SMS text messages and emails to the entire campus all at the same time. B-ALERT also integrates with Facebook and Twitter.
COMMUNICATION
The primary sources of information distribution for this course will be an external website designed specifically
for Dr. Bredemann’s Capstone course - http://bredemann490.webnode.com/. This has been created as a
means to streamline the many research resources that are required in this course. When information is
updated, the date of the update will be added on the front page to make you aware of any changes. It is
strongly advised that you check the class webnode several times a week given that most course and
assignment related questions are already answered on this website: www.bredemann.webnode.com If you
email the Course master for information that is posted on the class webnode, you will be directed to read that
information in the email reply.
All students were required to obtain and use the UAB e-mail address that is automatically assigned to them as
UAB students. All official correspondence will be sent ONLY to the @uab.edu.address. Students are
responsible for ensuring that the correct e-mail address is listed in Canvas by the beginning of week 1 in the
class. E-mail is the only way the Course master can communicate with you. It is your responsibility to makes
sure a valid email address is provided. Failure on your part to do so can result in your missing important
information that could affect your grade. Note* Communication through the Canvas discussion board and
messages will not be used during this course.
If you need to communicate with the Course master or teaching assistant for this class, please use the UAB email system. Dr. Bredemann’s email is tmbredem@uab.edu. Mr. Deraumus can be reached at
fasustus@uab.edu . NOTE – Students should not expect and immediate answer to their email inquiries to the
Course master or TA. Please allow up to 24 hours from the time of submission to receive an email reply to
your inquiry.
In case of emergency you may contact the Course master at 205.934.3524. Please be courteous to the
person(s) who answer the phone and leave a message if Dr. Bredemann is not immediately available.
4
ACADEMIC POLICIES (2)
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Course Syllabus (which includes the Classroom Policies and Class Schedule) serves as a Contract by
which the student must comply. An excuse of “not knowing” information covered in these documents
is not an acceptable excuse for mistakes in this class.
Students are expected to participate in scheduled assignments and learning activities. Completion of
scheduled assignments will be used to monitor participation in the course. A student cannot receive
credit for this course if s/he does not complete assignments or respond to e-mail requests from the
Course master in a timely manner.
Students are expected to submit all assignments to the course on the due date. Assignments are not
accepted in e-mail.
Students are expected to submit completed assignment. Incomplete assignments will be subject to
deduction in points. Therefore, to receive full credit, the student must submit only fully completed
assignments.
If extenuating circumstances (such as hospitalization or other serious events) prevent the student from
completing the assignment by the deadline, the student is required to e-mail the Course master before
the deadline on the assignment to discuss alternatives. If this communication does not occur, 10% of
the total points available for that assignment will be deducted daily until the student turns the
assignment in. No assignment will be accepted after 3 days past the due date.
Students are expected to check their UAB e-mail daily and respond within 48 hours.
Students are expected to follow the instructions for each assignment.
A deduction in points will be applied to submitted assignments which do not comply with the
instructions.
Students are expected to devote an average of 8 to 12 hours per week outside of class time to the
assignments, readings, and projects associated with this class.
Students are expected to have a back-up plan in the event their computer has operational problems,
there is loss of electricity, or there is loss of Internet access. These are not an excuse for late or
incomplete submission of assignments nor are they acceptable reasons for an assignment deadline
extension. Most public libraries, school libraries, university libraries, etc. have computers with Internet
access and are available for use by the public.
Not having a computer, computer problems, computer crashes, loss of Internet and/or lose of
electricity are not acceptable excuses for late work, incomplete work or a request for an assignment
deadline extension. Students are expected to have a back-up plan in case any of these occur. If
technical problems are experienced, contact the UAB AskIT Help Desk. https://ask.it.uab.edu/
Students in this class will be expected to: speak and write Standard English, possess independent
reading and study skills at the university level, possess basic computer skills, and possess the
appropriate computer software and hardware necessary for successful participation in the class.
Students are expected to participate in this course by following the Course Syllabus, Class Schedule,
and any additional information provided by the Course master.
5
ACADEMIC POLICIES (3)
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT POLICY
College of Arts and Sciences expects students to maintain an acceptable quality of academic performance and
to exhibit appropriate conduct. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner similar to accepted
standards for educated professionals. Academic misconduct may include, but is not necessarily limited to, acts
such as plagiarism, cheating, misrepresentation, fabrication or giving or receiving unauthorized aid in tests,
examinations, or other assigned work, and will be subject to disciplinary action. Any act of dishonesty in
academic work constitutes academic misconduct.
ABETTING is helping another student commit an act of academic dishonesty. Allowing someone to copy your
quiz answers or use your work as their own are examples of abetting.
CHEATING is the unauthorized use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, study aids, the
work of others, or computer-related information.
FABRICATION means presenting falsified data, citations, or quotations as genuine.
MISREPRESENTATION is falsification, alteration, or the misstatement of the contents of documents, academic
work, or other materials related to academic matters, including work substantially done for one class as work
done for another without receiving prior approval from the instructor.
PLAGIARISM means claiming as your own the ideas, words, data, computer programs, creative
compositions, artwork, etc., done by someone else. Examples include improper citation of referenced
works, the use of commercially available scholarly papers, failure to cite sources, or copying another
person’s ideas.
TURNITIN POLICY
Plagiarism is academic misconduct that will result in a grade of zero on the plagiarized assignment and may
result in dismissal from the College of Arts and Sciences and the University. All papers submitted for this
course may be reviewed using the online plagiarism monitoring software, Turnitin.com. Also, please note that
all documents submitted to Turnitin.com are added to their database of papers that issued to screen future
assignments for plagiarism.
Academic misconduct will result in a grade of zero on the assignment/exam and may result in disciplinary
action. A student who feels he or she has been unfairly disciplined should contact the program director or
department chair to request a review of the disciplinary decision. A more detailed description of the
"Grievance Procedures for Violations of Academic Standards" is available from the Office of the Associate
Dean for Academic and Student Affairs.
6
ACADEMIC POLICIES (4)
NON-ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT POLICY
"The University is a community of scholars and learning; therefore all participants are expected to maintain
conduct with (1) facilitates the institution's pursuit of its educational objectives, (2) exhibits a regard for the
rights of other members of the academic community, and (3) provides safely to property and persons.
Through appropriate due process procedures, disciplinary actions will be taken in response to conduct that
violates these principles. A more detailed description of non-academic misconduct can be found in the UAB
student handbook. It is the student's responsibility to be fully aware of the policies and procedures described
in this document, which may be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences Office of the Associate Dean
for Academic and Student Affairs.
COURSE CONTENT AND SCHEDULE CHANGE:
The Course Schedule reflects expected class progress in course subject matter and is considered tentative. The
Course Schedule is subject to change in content and scope at the Course masters discretion.
NON-HARASSMENT, HOSTILE WORK/CLASS ENVIRONMENT:
The UAB College of Arts and Sciences expects students to treat fellow students, their Course masters, other
UAB faculty, and staff as adults and with respect. No form of hostile environment or harassment will be
tolerated by any student or employee.
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES:
How to register for DSS Support Services. Contact DSS at 205.934.4205 for 205.934.4248 (TDD), or visit 516 Hill
University Center. You must present documentation of disability to receive DSS services. After DSS receives
your completed documentation, you will meet individually with a member of the taff to discuss your
accommodations. For more information about Disability Services, please feel free to contact the office directly
or visit their website for more information.
Students who need course accommodations should make an appointment with the instructor to discuss their
needs. Student with disabilities must be registered with DSS and provide an accommodation request letter
before receiving academic adjustments. Appointments or additional information is available on the UAB
website at: http://main.uab.edu/Sites/students/services/disability--‐support/
7
STUDENT AGREEMENT
Students are required to submit the following Student Agreement during Week 1 of class:
"I have read the Course Syllabus, Class Schedule and Classroom Polices and will comply with all of the
information and requirements including the policy on plagiarism.
I realize that The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success and Practical Ethics for Psychologists are both required
for this course and that work submitted using earlier editions will not be acceptable for this course.
I verify that I meet the technology requirements on the computer I will use.
I have reviewed the syllabus provided and agree to the assignments, assigned deadlines and the policies
regarding late work".
Student Name: __________________________________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________________________________________
8