PSYC 105 (Professor Stemler)
Fall 2015
PSYCHOLOGY 105
FOUNDATIONS OF CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY
FALL
2015 SYLLABUS
Course Information
Class Sessions: 10:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays (Exley Science Center - ESC 150)
Professor
Dr. Steven Stemler
Office
Judd 216
Teaching Assistants
Isabelle King (2016)
Christina Zaccardi (2017)
David Hong (2016)
Sara Dean (2017)
Sheri Reichelson (2016)
Eva Jaskoviak (2016)
Location
Sci Li
Sci Li
Sci Li
Sci Li
Sci Li
Sci Li
Participant Pool
Margaret Loomer
Office
Judd 104
Phone
860-685-2207
860-685-2848
e-mail
sstemler@wesleyan.edu
Office Hours
T 3-4pm & by appt
iking@wesleyan.edu
czaccardi@wesleyan.edu
yhong01@wesleyan.edu
sdean@wesleyan.edu
sreichelson@wesleyane.edu
ejaskoviak@wesleyan.edu
M 4:15-5:15pm
T 7:00-8:00pm
W 7:00-8:00pm
Th 9:30-10:30am
F 1:00-2:00pm
TBA
mloomer@wesleyan.edu
M-F 10:45am-5pm
Required Texts and Supplements
Text
Myers, D.G., & DeWall, C. N. (2015). Psychology (11th Ed.). New York: Worth Publishers. ISBN: 14641-4081-2
Note that there are a variety of options for accessing this text.
Option 1: Purchase a hard copy of the text from the bookstore (new book cost is $216.75).
Option 2: Rent a hard copy of the text from the bookstore. The cost is $140.89 for the semester and this
entitles you to do anything that you would normally do to the book if you owned it (e.g., write in it,
highlight, make notes, etc.).
Option 3: Rent an electronic version of the book. To do this, you can go through the bookstore website
($99.99) or you can go to http://www.coursesmart.com and select the Myers & DeWall text. There you
will be presented with two different options: (1) online access to the book which is a pdf version that you
will be able to read on any computer or mobile device with internet access, or (2) a downloadable version
that you can load onto only one specific machine (e.g., laptop/iPad); however, that machine does not need
to be connected to the internet in order for you to read the book. The electronic rental expires after 180
days.
Option 4: Several hard copies of the text are available at the reserve desk at Olin Library. Previous
editions of the text are also available in the Science library.
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PSYC 105 (Professor Stemler)
Fall 2015
Course Description
Psychology is the branch of science that seeks to understand human mental processes and behavior.
Psychologists examine topics as diverse as how we develop, how we behave in a social context, how the
environment impacts thought and behavior, what constitutes healthy behavior, and how behavior can be
changed. This introductory course will provide students with an overview of the current body of
knowledge and methods of science and psychology. We will focus on both contemporary findings and
classic studies that serve as the foundation of contemporary psychology.
Course Communication
Website
I have set up a Moodle website for this class. On the site, you will be able to find a copy of the
syllabus, lecture notes, video recordings of each lecture, and other supplementary resources that will
help you to gain a further appreciation of the course content. All lecture notes will be posted to the
site immediately after class. You can reach the website at http://moodle.wesleyan.edu. You will be
prompted for your WesId and Password and from there you can access course materialses. You can
also access the moodle site from your portfolio.
e-mail
All students are expected to check their Wesleyan University e-mail account regularly (e.g., at least every
other day) for updates regarding the course. Important announcements/amendments to the syllabus may
be made via e-mail. Students are responsible for reading all communications regarding the course that are
sent through e-mail.
Pear Deck
To facilitate a more interactive environment within the context of this large course, I will be using a
program called Pear Deck. At the beginning of each class session, you can go to www.peardeck.com and
sign in using your Wesleyan credentials (email address and password). From there, you can enter the code
that I will be showing on the projector during class. This will allow you to follow the lecture on your own
computer or mobile device and respond in real time to questions that are posed.
Course Objectives
1. To serve as an introduction to the basic concepts and theories, both foundational and recent, of a
variety of sub-specialty areas in psychology including: neuroscience, perception, learning,
memory, language development, personality, motivation, intelligence, psychological
disorders/treatment, and social psychology.
2. To illustrate the variety of different research methods used in the study of psychology.
3. To gain some insight into how/why you and those around you think, feel and behave.
4. To develop and practice critical thinking skills.
5. To explore a variety of perspectives on the human condition, and to foster a respect for points of
view that differ from your own.
6. To instill an interest in and enthusiasm for the field of psychology and an appreciation for the
ways in which the theories and research of psychology can inform and illuminate other facets of
your life.
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PSYC 105 (Professor Stemler)
Fall 2015
Course Requirements and Grading
The grading is broken down in the following way:
Examinations
3,100 points each (best 3 out of 4 exam scores)
Research Exposure Requirement
400 points (100 points per study)
Course Paper
300 points
Grading Scale
A+ 9,670 – 10,000
A
9,340 – 9,669
A9,000 – 9,339
B+ 8,670 – 8,999
B
8,340 – 8,669
B8,000 – 8,339
C+
C
CD+
D
DF
7,670 – 7,999
7,340 – 7,669
7,000 – 7,339
6,670 – 6,999
6,340 – 6,669
6,000 – 6,339
0 – 5,999
*Note: If you are taking the course CR/U you need to achieve a minimum score of 6,000 to receive a CR
Examinations: There will be three in-class multiple-choice examinations that will cover topics associated
with a particular segment of the course. There will be one final examination that is cumulative, covering
all material in the course. Your best 3 out of 4 examination scores will be used when computing your
grade. Thus, if you do well on the first 3 examinations, you would not need to take the final exam. In
addition, if you find that you need to miss an examination for any reason (e.g., illness, unexpected life
event) you may simply drop the score for that particular examination. There will be absolutely no makeup
examinations. If you miss two examinations you will receive a zero for both exams.
You will be given the entire class period to complete each examination. As a matter of policy, you should
not leave the room until you have completed the exam unless it is an emergency, so please plan
accordingly. Students who arrive late will be allowed to take the examination only if nobody has yet left
the room. Finally, no food is allowed into the room during an exam.
Response Paper: The purpose of the response paper is to enhance your understanding of the material by
asking you to think critically about the topics we are covering. The paper is expected to be an informal
(yet well written) commentary that recognizes and integrates themes across the readings, films, and class
discussions. You may also speculate on how the psychological research methods you have learned about
might be used to help investigate unresolved issues. These papers are NOT book reports. Do not merely
repeat material from the text, ask the same questions listed before each chapter, or simply agree or
disagree. Quality is more important than quantity. It is possible for these papers to be relatively brief and
yet very thoughtful analyses. All papers must be double-spaced, with 1 inch margins all around, and
written in 12 point font. You do not need a title page and there is a 2 page maximum. They must be
uploaded to the Moodle dropbox prior to the start of class on the day they are due.
At the end of the drop/add period, you will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (A, B, or C).
Please note that each group will be given a different set of prompts to choose from and a different due
date. All course paper prompts will be provided one week in advance.
Research Exposure Requirement: In order to provide you with an opportunity for more active engagement
in the research process, you are encouraged to participate in 4 hours worth of research in the Psychology
department. You will receive 100 points for each study. More details will be given by the Participant Pool
Coordinator (Margaret Loomer). All questions and concerns regarding the research exposure requirement
should be directed to Mrs. Loomer.
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PSYC 105 (Professor Stemler)
Fall 2015
Students with Disabilities
Wesleyan University is committed to ensuring that all qualified students with disabilities are afforded an
equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from its programs and services. To receive
accommodations, a student must have a documented disability as defined by Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and provide documentation of the
disability. Since accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively,
please contact Disability Resources as soon as possible.
If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact Dean Patey in Disability
Resources, located in North College, Room 021, or call 860/685-5581 for an appointment to discuss your
needs and the process for requesting accommodations.
Comments
Your comments and suggestions are welcome at any time. Please do stop by our office hours or send
me an email during the semester to let me know how you are doing. I am looking forward to getting
to know you!
Syllabus Information Disclaimer
I reserve the right to change any information contained in this document, when necessary, with adequate
notice given to the student. Notice shall be given in the classroom during class or via e-mail notification.
No other notice is required. It is the students’ responsibility to keep up with any changes, modifications,
adjustments or amendments that are made to this document.
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PSYC 105 (Professor Stemler)
Fall 2015
Course Schedule
Week
Dates
01
01
02
02
03
03
04
04
05
05
06
06
07
07
08
08
09
09
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
09/08
09/10
09/15
09/17
09/22
09/24
09/29
10/01
10/06
10/08
10/13
10/15
10/20
10/22
10/27
10/29
11/03
11/05
11/10
11/12
11/17
11/19
11/24
11/26
12/01
12/03
12/08
12/10
12/19
Paper
Due
Group A
Group B
Group C
Topic
Introduction to Psychology
Psychological Methods and Domains
Sensation and Perception
States of Consciousness
Memory
Memory and Learning
Intelligence
Intelligence
EXAM 1
Personality
Cognitive Development
Language and Thought
Psychopathology
Psychopathology
FALL BREAK
Biological Psychology
Treatment
EXAM 2
Social Development
Motivation and Moral Psychology
Social Psychology
Social Psychology
Cultural Psychology
THANKSGIVING
Stress, Coping, and Positive Psychology
Subfields of Psychology
EXAM 3
Course in one day
FINAL EXAMINATION
SATURDAY 9am-12pm in Science 150
Required Reading*
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 6
Chapter 3
Chapter 8
Chapter 7
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Chapter 14
Chapter 5 (pp. 177-194)
Chapter 9
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Chapter 2
Chapter 16
Chapter 5 (pp. 195-227)
Chapter 11
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Chapter 4
Chapter 12
Appendix B
* Always check the course Moodle site for any additional required supplementary readings.
Note: Each student will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (either A, B, or C) and will be responsible
for turning in a response paper on the date noted above.
The required readings listed are those that are associated with the lectures and can be done after
the lecture has been delivered. There is no expectation that you will have read the material prior
to the lecture.
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