Course Syllabus
PSY 301.115
Texas A & M University —Central Texas
Department of Psychology & Counseling
Summer 2013
June 3 – July 26
Course: Psychology of Learning
Class Times: T/R: 4:45 – 7:15 p.m.
Location: 101N
Office Hours: M - R: 12:00 – 1:30
Professor: Richard K. Yeager, PhD
Phone: 254-519-5775
Office: 302, TAMU-CT North Campus
Secretary: Ms. Harriet Ott: (254) 519-5464
(hot@ct.tamus.edu)
E-mail: ryeager@ct.tamus.edu
1.0
Course Overview:
Psychology of Learning. (3-0). An investigation into the major theoretical approaches, concepts and principles, and experimental methods of learning. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or approval of the
School Director.
2.0 Course Objectives:
The general objectives for this course are:
Define learning and discuss its importance
Distinguish between classical and instrumental conditioning
Identify the physiological processes that occur with thinking and learning
Discuss the principals of social cognitive theory
Identify concepts related to retrieval and forgetting as they concern long term
memory
Discuss major cognitive theories, both historical and contemporary
Identify and compare major theories related to developmental perspectives
on cognition ( Vygotsky and Piaget)
Discuss the importance and impact of the social process in learning
Relate basic human needs and affect to motivation
Identify the impact of cognitive factors on motivation
3.0 Required Textbook:
Ormrod, J. E. (2008). Human Learning (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice
Hall.
A student of this institution is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from a university-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

4.0 Course Requirements:
4.1. Exams: 300 Total Points
There will be three exams during this course. Each exam is worth 100 points each. Exams will be online, open book, and open note but must be completed individually. Exams must be taken in
Blackboard on the dates in the attached schedule (see course calendar). Once begun, exams must be completed within three hours. You will be given one opportunity to take each exam. Make sure that you are someplace with a reliable connection to Blackboard. Student computer or student Internet Service Provider problems will not be accepted as an excuse for failing to take or complete the exam. Students will only be allowed to retest if there is a problem with Blackboard or with University computing facilities. If a problem occurs with University equipment, please have the computing lab staff document the problem.
Alternate test forms may be presented to the students. If you want to challenge a test item, you will do so in writing no later than 1-day after the test has been closed. You are required to provide me with the question, your argument as to why the exam question is incorrect and any supporting information from the text or your notes supporting your argument. Your misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the item is not justification to present a challenge to the exam. Students are on the honor system for these exams and any violation will result in the student receiving a zero
(0) for the exam and the possibility of further sanctions according to university policy (see
Academic Honesty & Integrity, below).
Make-up exams will only be given for University excused absences. The professor reserves the right to change the exam format for make-up exams (e.g. essay as opposed to objective).
Appropriate documentation will be required to be given a make-up exam. If you know that you will not be able to take an exam on the scheduled date and contact me PRIOR to the scheduled date, alternate arrangements may be made at my discretion. If you have missed an exam, contact me IMMEDIATELY. Do not assume that if a Make-Exam appears on Bb, that you can take the exam. If you take a Make-Up Exam without prior permission, you will earn no points for that exam.
4.2. Presentation: 25 Total Points
Each student will be required to create and post a PowerPoint presentation on Blackboard. This presentation will compare and contrast two of the approaches to learning that we will be covering in the course. Students will need to have their topics approved by the professor. Presentation guidelines will be posted in a separate document. Due dates for topic approval and the presentation are listed in the attached schedule.
4.3 Homework: 15 Total Points
There will be several questions posted for each chapter. Students are required to answer each question and submit their answers through the appropriate assignment tab in Blackboard.
Students should work on these questions individually. Each chapter’s questions will be worth one point.

5.0 Grading Criteria:
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
Presentation
Homework
6. 0 Course Calendar*
Week Ending
6/8
6/15
Chapter
1
3 & 4
(100 points)
(100 points)
(100 points)
29%
29%
29%
306 - 340 points = A
272 - 305 points = B
90 – 100%
80 – 89%
238 – 271 points = C 70 – 79%
(25 points) 7% 204 - 237 points = D 60 – 69%
(15 points) 4% < 204 points = F
6
Open 6/18 – 6/23
7 - 10
11
Topic
Introductions and Perspectives
Classical Conditioning and
Instrumental (Operant) Conditioning
Social Cognitive Theory 6/22
6/20
6/20
6/29
7/6
7/6
7/13
7/20
Open 7/2 – 7/7
12 - 13
14 - 15
Exam 1
Presentation Topic due for Approval
Cognition and Memory
Developmental Perspectives
Exam 2
Metacognition & Problem Solving
Social Processes & Motivation
7/20
7/23 Wrap - ups
Presentation due on Blackboard
7/25 Open 7/23 – 7/25 Exam 3
* Professor reserves the right to amend this syllabus at any time. Assignment dates and times subject to change.
Please check for current dates/times in Blackboard assignment/assessment links
7.0
Drop Policy
If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and ask for the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the responsibility of the student. The record’s office will give a deadline for which the form must be completed, signed, and returned. Once you return the signed form to the records office and wait 24 hours, you must go into Duck Trax and confirm that you are no longer enrolled. If you are still enrolled,
FOLLOW-UP with the records office immediately. You are to attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you miss the deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the course.

8.0 Academic Honesty
Texas A&M University Central Texas expects all students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Students guilty of academic dishonestly are subject to disciplinary action.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. The faculty member is responsible for initiating action for each case of academic dishonesty.
9.0 . Disability Services
I will provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate because of that disability. Student responsibilities primarily rests with informing faculty at the beginning of the semester and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels. If you have or believe you have a disability, may wish to self-identify. You can do so by providing documentation to the Director of Student Affairs. Students are encouraged to seek information about accommodations to help assure success in this class. Please contact Brandon Griggs at griggs@ct.tamus.edu
, (254) 519-5721 or Main Building Room 114.
10. Library Services
INFORMATION LITERACY focuses on research skills which prepare individuals to live and work in an information-centered society. Librarians will work with students in the development of critical reasoning, ethical use of information, and the appropriate use of secondary research techniques. Help may include, yet is not limited to: exploration of information resources such as library collections and services, identification of subject databases and scholarly journals, and execution of effective search strategies. Library resources are outlined and accessed at http://www.tarleton.edu/central texas/departments/library/
11. Resources/Expectations.
Students are expected to read the assigned materials prior to each class and be prepared to discuss those reading. Open, active discussion and questions related to course concepts are strongly encouraged. Such discussion fosters a critical evaluation and understanding of concepts. Students are responsible for meeting the course requirements on assigned dates as outlined in this syllabus.
Students who are absent from class are responsible for that day’s material, as outlined in the syllabus. Students are responsible for reviewing the course calendar included with this syllabus and in Blackboard for all assignment deadlines so they can plan to complete the assignment in a timely manner and/or before the deadline. It is the student’s responsibility to plan accordingly so that all deadlines are met. Please note that all requirements are outlined in the syllabus and in the
Blackboard course section.