PSYCHOLOGY 101
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Instructor
Teaching Assistant
Thomas R. Scott
Office: SLS 170
Office hours: T-Th: 3:30-5:00
Office phone: 594-5020
Email: tom.scott@sdsu.edu
Elizabeth (Liz) Orient
NLS 024C
W: 1:00-3:00
(818) 317-7401
lporient@gmail.com
During this semester you should gain an understanding of the basic concepts and vocabulary of the field of
psychology. The topics we will address are:
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The history of psychology
Biopsychology
Sensation and Perception
Cognition
Learning
Human memory
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Motivation
Human development
Clinical psychology
Personality
Social psychology
Sigmund Freud
Psychology is a sprawling scientific discipline based on empirical research (as opposed to how it is often
portrayed in the media). It encompasses biological, behavioral, and social sciences, with several applied areas
as well. Psychology borders Neuroscience on one side and Sociology on the other, and we will generally move
across that span in our 15 weeks together.
Our class will necessarily be mostly by lecture, but you are encouraged to ask questions at any time. I will
prepare an outline of each class and send it to you beforehand to help you organize your notes as you listen to
the lecture. You should space the outline to give yourself room to take notes, then to print it and bring it to
class. I may not adhere to it slavishly, but I’ll stay close enough that it will help you take notes and understand
the material we cover.
The textbook is Psychology: Themes and Variations, 9th edition (2012) by Wayne Weiten. I’ve ordered the
ring-bound version, which I believe will save you $30-40 from the price of the hardbound book. The local
prices I’ve seen are $106 in the bookstore and $101 at KB’s. There are ancillary materials that come with the
book and can help you in the course, but I will leave it to your discretion whether you purchase or use these.
You may find the program CourseMate useful, and a representative from the publisher will come to our first
class to tell you how to use it if you choose to. I’ll say more about readings and grading during the first class.
We have a full house in this class. Come early and to take a seat toward the center of a row unless you want
people crawling over you for 10 minutes looking for an empty chair.
It should be a fine semester. See you August 28 to get it started.