Introduction to Psychology
PSY 301 (unique# 44035)
Fall 2008 (MWF 1 PM, CAL 100)
Instructor: Dr. Ray Hawkins
Office: SEA 2.208
Hours: MWF 2 PM - 3 PM
Phone: 232-3354
e-mail: hawkins@psy.utexas.edu
Teaching Assistants: TBA
Office: TBA
Hours: TBA
e-mail yasisca.pujols@mail.utexas.edu;
Date
Lecture Topic
Chapter Readings
Aug 27
"What" and "Why" of Psychology
Chapter 1 (pp. 1-13)
Aug 29
Scientific Method in Psychology
Chapter 1 (pp. 14-33)
Appendix A
Sept 3
Neuroscience, Behavior, & Development
Chapters 2, 3, 4
Sept 19
First Exam
Sept 22
Sensation, Perception, & Consciousness
Chapter 5, 6
Oct 3
Conditioning & Learning
Chapter 7
Oct 8
Memory
Chapter 8
Oct 15
Second Exam
Oct 17
Thinking, Language, and Intelligence
Chapters 9
Oct 24
Motivation, Stress, & Health
Chapters 10, 11
Nov 3
Personality
Chapter 12
Nov 10
Third Exam
Nov 12
Psychological Disorders and Therapy
Chapters 13, 14
Nov 24
Social Psychology
Chapter 15
Dec 5
Fourth Exam
Course Grade
A total of four (4) exams will be given, all during regular class times. There will be no final exam. Each exam will be
worth 100 points and will consist of 50 multiple choice, matching, and/or true and false questions. Each exam will
cover all of the reading materials assigned for that portion of the course and all of the lecture and video materials
presented since the previous exam. Approximately one fourth of all exam questions will be taken from lecture and
video materials and three-fourths from the text. Exams will not be returned, but you may review your exam by
notifying the TA prior to her office hours. Makeup exams will be given only when written documentation of medical,
psychiatric, or family emergencies are provided. A missed exam must be made up within two weeks of the scheduled
test date, and must be taken during your T.A.'s office hours. Absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS will be made under any
circumstances.
2
Extra Credit: Extra credit points can be earned by participation in classroom demonstrations. Extra credit cannot
be earned by outside papers or projects or by participating in more than the required number of experiments.
Required Textbook: David G. Myers Exploring Psychology (7th Edition); Optional text: Keirsey & Bates, Please
Understand Me.
Research Requirement
As an important part of the educational experience of Introductory Psychology, you are required to participate in 5.5
hours of faculty-sponsored research or to write a 5-page research paper. This requirement is explained on the first day
of class and at http://www.psy.utexas.edu/psy/UNDERGRAD/courses/info/301.html. If you have questions, please
contact Abby Black at 301research@psy.utexas.edu or stop in and see her at SEA 2.216 (telephone 232-4269).
Students with Disabilities
The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified
students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641
TTY.
Important Tips for Doing Well in This Course
1. Download and print a copy of the PowerPoint slides for the chapter(s) that will be covered in lectures and
bring this copy to class for your additional notes. These slides make an excellent outline of the key points to study
for each exam.
2. Attend every lecture. Although there is considerable overlap between the lectures and the textbook, some of the
lecture material is not discussed in the textbook and such material will be covered on exams. Missing a single
lecture may well be the difference between an A and a B on an exam. Studying someone else’s class notes is a very
poor substitute for getting the information first-hand.
3. Stay attentive during the lectures and take detailed and comprehensive notes. A main reason for poor test
performance is failure to pay full attention during class and the corresponding failure to take adequate notes.
4. Review your class notes at regular intervals. The most effective strategy is to reread all the lecture notes since
the beginning of the course (or at least since the previous exam) every 3-5 days. By the time you study for an exam,
you will have already learned most of the lecture material
3. Study the appropriate chapters of the textbook as we progress through the various topics of the course. About
two thirds of the test questions are drawn from textbook material and much of this material is not covered in the
lectures. We will begin each topic at approximately the date listed next to that topic on this syllabus.
4. Use the SQ3R study aids and other learning tips described in the textbook preface and on pages 29-30 of
Chapter 1. These aids have been proven to enhance learning and test performance significantly. A supplemental
CD-ROM called PsychInquiry has been bundled with the Myers' textbook and is highly recommended to improve
your critical thinking skills.