TICKET#: 30657 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Fall 2007
Professor: Kimberley J. Duff, Ph.D.
Cerritos College
Lecture: T/Th 8 -9:30am in SS214
email: kduff@cerritos.edu voicemail: 562-860-2451,
ext 2780 Office: SS 39
Office Hours in SS39: tentatively scheduled for
Monday 4- 5pm, Tuesday 12 – 1pm, and Wednesday 10 – 11am.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to make time for
office hours. Remember, that office hours can often be busy so come early as
the instructor will take students first come first serve.
INSTRUCTOR
INFORMATION
I am Dr.
Kimberley J. Duff, Associate Professor of Psychology at Cerritos College. I
started my training at a Saddleback Community College before transferring to
the University of California at Santa Barbara for my B.A. in Psychology. I
completed my Masters Degree and Ph.D. in Social Psychology at the University of
Illinois at Chicago before returning to California to live. When I am not
teaching, I am conducting research on how people stereotype and the role of
mentoring with students here at Cerritos College. When I am not on campus, I am
at home trying to apply psychology to my cats and my toddler son, my husband
has already figured out all my psychology tricks!
REQUIRED TEXT: Wade, C. & Tavris, C. (2001). Invitation
to Psychology (4th or 3rd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome! Introduction to
Psychology is a survey course on the science of psychology. During the course,
you will learn about a vast array of topics inherently interesting in
understanding ourselves and those around us. In class we will learn about such
frequently raised questions as: What are some of the research methods
Psychologists use?; What does it mean to be a critical thinker?: How do measure
concepts like intelligence and personality?; Are there differences in people's
susceptibility to visual illusions?; Do we all use stereotypes and can they be
helpful as well as harmful?; Do subliminal messages exist and, if they do, how
do they work?; Should we believe eyewitness testimony accounts? Do we really
only use 10% of our brain? How can you train your new pet to do what you want?
To make class exciting and
because students learn and process information in a variety of ways, the course
will be a combination of lecture, class discussion, and group activities. A
variety of thought provoking video clips and podcasts have been incorporated
into class to help bring topics to life for you. In-class activities and
lectures will include quite a bit of information that is not in the textbook,
that you will be tested on (i.e., if you skip class you will miss out on
information that you can not get solely from reading the book).
ASSIGNMENTS, EXAMS, AND GRADING
1. TEST QUESTIONS ASSIGNMENT
Prior to each exam, you will be asked to write 5 multiple choice test questions with answers. The questions can be from any class material related to the topic we are currently covering. The questions must be typed and must be written by you, not from another source.
2. PODCAST ASSIGNMENT
Podcasts assignments are worth 10 points. A Podcast is basically a digital audio recording available in mp3 format, just like music. The podcast is available through iTunes (which you can download for free for both PC and Mac) and also directly on my website. Listen to the podcast and then complete the podcast survey. Written transcripts are also available.
3. EXAMS
All tests will consist of
50 multiple-choice questions. Questions will test your understanding of concepts
and theories as well as experimental evidence for theory. There will be 3 in
class exams that will cover textbook readings, lectures, special assignment
readings, and films. In addition, there will be a FOURTH cumulative final
during the normal finals week. If you are satisfied with your scores, you may
skip the final exam. If you miss one of the first three tests or took them all
and want to try to replace you lowest score with a better score, you may take
the final exam and I'll take the best of your 3 scores. However, because the
final will cover the entire class, it is in your best interest to take the
first three tests. Because of the option to drop one test grade, THERE WILL
BE NO MAKEUP EXAMS FOR ANY REASON. If
you are ill, injured, or away during one of the first three exams, that will
simply be your drop score and you'll have to take the final. If you miss two
exams, a zero will be averaged in for one test score.
TEST REVIEW
There is a test review that
accompanies our textbook . Students
tend to find that going over all types of questions (e.g., multiple choice,
matching etc.) increases their scores on exams.
Time permitting, to help you
study for the exams we will have an in class game of Psychology Jeopardy which
will help you review for the test. To prepare for this each student must
prepare 5 questions (typewritten) with answers that address the topics that
will be on the upcoming test. You must turn in 5 multiple choice questions with
answer choices A-D and you must note the correct response. Please proofread
your paper for errors prior to turning in. The questions are to be original
questions written by you, not
copied from another source (i.e., do not copy questions from your study
guide, another book, another student or the internet)!
POSSIBLE EXTRA CREDIT
Unless otherwise specified in class, you may participate in one extra
credit opportunity. Keep in
mind that extra credit is not a guaranteed way to raise your grade and, as it
is not a requirement for the course (or your grade), the extra credit options
are offered outside of class time and may not fit in to your schedule. However,
if you cannot make it to the extra credit opportunities or you would like to
improve your grade more, come and spend some time with me in office hours and
we can work on some better study habits!
1. Attend a psychological
experiment performed by students at Cerritos College and write a one-page
summary about your experience. These opportunities may be offered by Dr Duff's
research assistants or by students in the Research Methods course and will be announced
in class. The experiments take
place on Mondays/Wednesdays 11 – 2pm and last about 15 minutes and should
be available about halfway through the semester.
FINAL GRADE CALCULATION
Grading will be according to
a straight percentage of possible points:
|
90-100% of total possible points |
A |
|
80-89% of total possible points |
B |
|
70-79% of total possible points |
C |
|
60-69% of total possible points |
D |
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Below 60% of total possible
points |
F |
**It is extremely critical
that you are present for all exams and that you turn in all of your assignments
as both are counted to compute your total score. For example, if you got 100%
on each exam, but never turned in any assignment, you would not necessarily get
an A grade in the class. Likewise you could get all C's on the exams and pull
the letter grade up by doing all your assignments. **Note: to avoid a
competitive environment, there will not be curve on your grades. However, if at
the end of the term you are on the borderline of a grade (e.g., you have 79%
which technically is a C), but you have turned in all the mini assignments and
you have participated actively in class, then I will consider moving your score
up the 1% point.
EMAIL
REQUIREMENTS
POLICIES
First of all, let me say that
you should treat college as a job that you have chosen to be employed by. As an
employee you should show up on time, complete all of your work by the
deadlines, and treat others respectfully. If you do not follow these guideline,
you would not receive a paycheck or you could possibly be fired. Likewise, in a
classroom not adhering to these guidelines could result in a low grade or even
being dismissed from the class!
-If you are not actively
participating in class, the instructor may drop you. Although it is the
student's responsibility to drop courses, according to college policy, if you
miss one more than twice the number of weekly class meetings you may be dropped
by the instructor. In addition, if you miss the attendance call at the
beginning of class by coming in late, you may be marked as absent.
-Please be on time; it is
very disruptive if you arrive late or leave early and you will miss critical
information that is provided. I also consider it to be disrespectful to be
continually arriving late. If you have an emergency that requires you to arrive
late or leave early please do so unobtrusively.
-It is extremely important to
keep up with the reading; as you will see, Psychology is not about common
sense. You should at least read the summary in the back of the chapter prior to
coming to class.
-Assignments are due at the
beginning of the hour and must be ready to be turned in (i.e., your name must
be on it and it must be stapled) otherwise it will not be accepted.
-please complete work ahead
of time. You never know when a rolling blackout may occur, you may run out of
printer ink, you may get a flat tire, your goldfish might die, or you have to
go to the beach!
-no late work! I recognize
that sometimes extreme circumstances such as medical problems, family death, or
disabling emotional problems could interfere with regular work. If you have a
documentable circumstance, see me as soon as the problem arises.
-I prefer that you hand in
assignments in class, however if you discuss it with me first you may send
assignments via email. When sending email, it is the student's responsibility
to double check that the assignment arrives on time. Sometimes I may not be
able to open an attachment, so always check with me.
-no side conversations are
permitted while class is in session. Students engaging in side conversations or
other disruptive behavior will be sent to the Dean.
-In fairness to the vast
majority of students who take their college career seriously, no form of
cheating will be tolerated on exams or projects/papers (this includes
plagiarism). Any student suspected of cheating will receive a failing grade and
will be reported.
**If another student is
bothering you or you suspect a student cheating (that I do not see), I
encourage you to leave a confidential message on my voicemail.
-Students who miss classes or
are late for class are responsible for all notes and handouts given in class. I
suggest you exchange numbers with another student in class in case you are
unable to attend a lecture.
-It is your responsibility to
consult the syllabus for due dates, chapter readings, test etc. Remember, even
if the instructor does not remind you of a due date, if it is on the syllabus
you need to adhere to it.
-If you have any special
needs for this course (i.e., help with note taking, video viewing assistance,
special test-taking needs etc.) please see me as soon as possible so that we
can special arrangements.
-For emergency evacuation
procedures, please let the instructor know as soon as possible if you will need
assistance leaving the classroom. We will go over the evacuation procedure in
class.
-If you have any concerns
with the course or you would just like to talk about the courses, please
contact me.
Please keep track of your
points and notify the instructor if there is a discrepancy between your records
and the posted roster.
ASSIGNMENT POINTS YOUR
POINTS/
TOTAL
POINTS
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If you decide that you are
not happy with your grade and you have taken all three exams, you can
substitute one test score with the final score. To calculate what you need on
the final to change your score:
1. Calculate your total
points so far
2. Subtract your lowest
test score
3. Subtract your points
from your desired grade and that is what you need on the final.
IMPORTANT DATES: Please
consult academic calendar on the Cerritos College website for up to date
information about add and drop dates:
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18-WEEK SESSION: |
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August 13 - December 14 |
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Falcon enrollment dates |
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July 19 - August 19 |
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Instructor-initiated adds
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August 20 - 26 |
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Last day to drop with a
refund |
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August 26 |
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Last day to add
(Instructor initiated) |
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August 26 |
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Last day to drop without
a ÒWÓ |
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September 14 |
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Last day to elect CR/NC
grading option |
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September 14 |
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Last day to drop with a
ÒWÓ |
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November 16 |
FINAL EXAM WEEK: Please
consult Final Exam schedule for date of exact exam when it is published. *If
you cannot make your final exam date, you need to make prior arrangements with
me at least 1 week before the final.
TENTATIVE CLASS AGENDA
|
Week |
Date |
Topic |
Assignment Due |
Recommended |
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1 |
8/14 |
Introduction to course/syllabus |
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What do you do with your 168
hours a week? |
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8/16 |
Conference Day |
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2 |
8/21 |
Research Methods READ: Chapter 1 |
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8/23 |
Research Methods READ: Chapter 1 |
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3 |
8/28 |
Research Methods READ: Chapter 1 |
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Tuskegee Experiments: Can participans be denied treatment? Video Pick: Analyze This |
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8/30 |
Biological Basis of Behavior Read chapter 4 |
email printout due today |
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4 |
9/04 |
Biological Basis of Behavior Read chapter 4 |
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Video
Pick: Awakenings Regarding
Henry |
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9/06 |
Biological Basis of Behavior/Sensation and Perception Read chapter 4, 5 |
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5 |
9/11 |
Sensation and Perception Read chapter 5 |
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9/13 |
Sensation and Perception/Test
Review |
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6 |
9/18 |
EXAM I |
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9/20 9/20 |
Learning how to do better on an
exam |
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7 |
9/25 |
Classical Conditioning Read chapter 8 |
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9/27 |
Operant Conditioning Read chapter 8 |
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Video
Pick: Clockwork
Orange SchindlerÕs
List |
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8 |
10/02 |
Other Theories of Learning Read chapter 8 |
Podcast Due (Punishment and Reinforcement) |
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10/04 |
Memory Read chapter 7 |
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Video Pick: The Bourne
Identity |
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9 |
10/09 |
Memory Read chapter 7 |
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Video
Pick: Memento |
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10/11 |
Memory Read chapter 7 |
Podcast Due (Mnemonics and Chunking) |
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10 |
10/16 |
Intelligence and Cognition Chap 6 |
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10/18 |
Intelligence and Cognition Read chapter 6 |
Test 2 Questions |
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11 |
10/23 |
Intelligence and Cognition / Test Review Chap 6 |
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10/25 |
Test 2 |
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12 |
10/30 |
Social Psychology Chapter 9 |
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11/01 |
Social Psychology Chapter 9 |
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Video
Pick: War of
the Buttons American
History X 12 Angry
Men |
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13 |
11/06 |
Social Psychology Chapter 9 |
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11/08 |
Social Psychology Chapter 9 |
Podcast Due (Bystander Effect) |
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14 |
11/13 |
Personality Chapter 2 |
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11/15 |
Personality Chapter 2 |
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Video
Pick: Help me find one?! |
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15 |
11/20 |
Personality Chapter 2 |
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11/22 |
THANKSGIVING DAY OBSERVANCE |
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16 |
11/27 |
Personality /Test Review Chapter 2 |
Podcast Due (Personality Applied) |
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11/29 |
Exam 3 |
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17 |
12/04 |
Catch up |
Extra credit papers due |
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12/06 |
Review for Final Exam |
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| 18 | 12/10 -12/14 | FINAL EXAM WEEK: Please consult Final Exam schedule for date of exact exam when it is published. *If you cannot make your final exam date, you need to make prior arrangements with me at least 1 week before the final. |