draft updated 3/8/16
PSY 305 Variant Topics-GWAR
MASTER SYLLABUS
Instructor: TBA
Course Location and Time: TBA
Office: TBA
Email: TBA
Phone: TBA
Office Hours: TBA
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to nurture students’ critical thinking and writing abilities specific to the
discipline of psychology. In this course, students will read and review literature from a specific
topic or topics in psychology. Students will complete various writing assignments to
demonstrate knowledge of content in psychology and proficiency in writing. Throughout the
semester, students will also participate in a variety of in-class exercises to practice their writing
style and form. The aim of this course is to equip students with effective writing skills that will
translate to success as a psychology major as well as prepare the student for a career in
psychology and for graduate level study in this field.
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)
This course satisfies the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) and meets the
guidelines set forth by the University Senate. Each student will complete a minimum of 15
pages/4,000 words of formal writing through a variety of assignments distributed throughout the
semester. Students will be given extensive in-class instruction on writing proficiency and
opportunities to give and receive substantial feedback on their writing assignments. This is a
writing intensive course, and students will be graded on spelling, grammar, organization, and
ability to develop an overall argument in written form. Each student’s course grade will be
directly tied to the quality of their writing. As such, students who do not meet the standards of
writing competence cannot pass the course. Students MUST receive a C or better to satisfy
the GWAR.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
- Communicate in writing that reflects the conventions of the discipline of psychology
-Use APA Style in writing and analysis of writing
-Self-regulate writing quality related to content, structure, and grammar
-Critically analyze and discuss professional psychological literature
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites
Students must satisfy the following to take this course:
- all Segment I, General Education requirements. This includes: Written and Oral
Communication, Critical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning.
- have passed English 214 with a C minus or its equivalent.
- You must be a registered psychology major
- have 60 units completed.
- have taken and passed PSY 371 with a “C” or better
- have taken and passed PSY 400 with a “C” or better or are taking PSY 400 concurrently
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draft updated 3/8/16
Required Text/Readings:
(fixed-required): Rosnow & Rosnow, Writing Papers in Psychology: a student guide to research papers,
essays, proposals, posters, and handouts
(course specific-required): TBA
Assignments and Grading:
Assignment
(Fixed)
Short paper
Final paper
Assignment Content
(Course specific)
Short paper assignment: TBA
Final paper assignment: TBA
Requirements
(Fixed)
Short paper assignment
requirements
 ## pages
 APA style
 rubric provided to
students
Grading
(Fixed)
10% of total grade
Final paper assignment
requirements
40% of total grade


Article write
up (x2)
Article write up assignment:
TBA
Generic articles
related to writing (will
be provided)
Specific articles
related to course
content
15 pages (exactly)
Outline, 2 drafts, and
final
 Peer review feedback
on Draft 2
 APA style
 rubric provided to
students
Article write up
requirements:
1 page (exactly)








10% of total grade

1 draft, 1 final after
discussion
rubric provided to
students
Topic specific assignmentscan include additional written
assignments, exams, in-class
activities, class participation:
TBA
40% of total
grade
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Final grade in this course based on percent of total points:
90-100% A range
80-89% B range
70-79% C range
60-69% D range
below 60% F
EXPECTATIONS
The objectives of this course will be best achieved with full participation of both students and
instructor. Full student participation includes attendance, as well as:
-Reading the assigned materials and coming to class prepared to pay attention and participate.
-Taking part in both large and small in-class group discussions and exercises.
-We will share work with one another, and we will practice revising and editing.
-Turning off and stowing cell phones and pagers when entering class. 
-Use the computer for note taking only. 
-Listening to others, giving your own opinion, and showing respect to instructor
and fellow students.  
-Contacting instructor when you’re unclear about an assignment. Do this before
the due date, as you will still be held to the timeline.
-For additional help, contact the Learning Assistance Center (338-1993; www.sfsu.edu/~lac) for
a schedule of their writing workshops and information about their tutorial services.
-Handing in all assignments on time.
-Late papers will have points removed. Papers submitted later than one week past the due date
will not be accepted.
-Emailed papers will not be accepted.
Academic Integrity: Students are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical and professional
manner. All academic assignments are to be the work of the individual student. Academic
integrity is a fundamental principle of the university. Academic dishonesty, in the form of
cheating or plagiarism, represents an attempt to gain an unfair advantage and the San Francisco
State University Student Code of Conduct expressly prohibits it. Academic dishonesty is a
serious offense and may result in a failing grade on an assignment, or failure and/or dismissal
from the course.
You can get more information on avoiding plagiarism at
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/StudentHelp/Plagiarism.html#what
Students are responsible for knowing the SFSU regulations concerning cheating and plagiarism,
found in the Bulletin and online: http://www.sfsu.edu/%7Ehelpdesk/docs/rules/conduct.htm.
Information for Multilingual Students: It is important that multilingual students get to make the
best possible use of the course and the class materials and assignments. If you are a non-native
English speaker, and think this will affect your reading pace or assignments, you are invited to
communicate with me about options and support. Information on the SFSU Composition for
Multilingual Students Program, including ESL resources and courses, is available on the web at:
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http://www.sfsu.edu/~cmls/.
Accommodations: It is my responsibility and interest to make this course accessible to all
students. If you have any disability related needs, please communicate with me as soon as
possible. You can also contact the Disability Resource Center at 338-2472 (voice / TTY), and
information is available on the web at: http://www.sfsu.edu/~dprc/
Drop Deadlines: TBA
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1
Writing topic for week
(fixed)
Why writing is important….
What is APA style/why does
it matter
Week 2
Plagiarism
Simple, straightforward
communication
Week 3
Outlining and Organizing- 1
Reading an article/critical
analysis and critical thinking
How to receive feedback
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Content topic for week
(course specific)
Professional email
Draft 1 short paper
Outline/Organization - 2
Citation style
Literature Review
Paragraph and paper (logical)
development
Outline due/final paper
Feedback on short paper
Article write-up #1, draft 1 due
Outline returned/final paper
Final short paper due (graded)
Receive feedback from article 1
write-up
Article write-up #1, final due
Typical writing and
communication errors
Be concise/size matters
The importance of transitions
Draft 1/final paper due
(graded)
Article write-up #2, draft 1 due
Citation in APA style
Plagiarism issues
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Written assignments
(fixed with flexibility)
Feedback from draft 1/ final
paper received
Article write-up #2, final due
Observation/objective
descriptions
Providing peer /reviewer
feedback
Draft 2 of final paper  peer
review (grade the reviewer’s
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Week 13
review)
Receive peer review feedback
(and reviewers turn in copy to
professor)
Final paper due
Citation
Week 14
Week 15
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