Psychology 120

Course Syllabus

General Points of Interest It is an academic course – the

expectation is that you can handle the reading & the rigor of the course.

It is FUN and FASCINATING. It is mostly activity-based and you will

learn a lot about yourself. It is up to you to read the material, to

sharpen your knowledge, using the many tools that are available, and to ask good questions during allocated review classes.

Format

You will be told, in advance, when each chapter will be covered.

You must read the chapter & do the on-line practice quiz to prepare. When the timing works, you will have study hall to do the reading. The quiz results will be sent to my email address, so I will check your understanding & preparation. The quizzes are also meant as a study tool for you; if you are not successful, you will need to re-read the chapter, to study & to ask questions.

Class time will be spent doing relevant activities, watching videos and, on occasion, completing on-line activities.

Chapters will be covered in 2-4 days.

There will always be either an in-class quiz or in-class concept web (and sometimes both). They will not necessarily be announced in advance. The expectation is that when we start a chapter, you have read it & are able to write the quiz or complete the in-class activity (at any time).

I will lecture, with a power point presentations, for each chapter. There will be a day for practice multiple choice questions, in preparation for each unit test.

The unit test will be the next day. These are worth significantly more than the chapter quizzes & concept webs (formative vs. cumulative).

Study hall will be used to read, study & practice the quizzes.

The Challenge

Stay on track; put in the necessary time at home to ensure you learn the material and can pass the tests.

Keep the pace. Complete the journals, reflections and research

assignments. Some time will be given for this work, but some will need to be done at home. Please try to keep the pace and adhere to my due dates.

Request extra help when you need it.

The Pay-Off

There will be lots of time for fun & interactive activities, experiments & videos.

This is a fascinating & relevant science that you can transfer into your personal life, and possibly into your future studies.

Classes will be interactive & interesting.

Assessment Unit Tests 25% Midterm 10% Final Exam 20%

Research Papers 15% Reflections 15% Projects 5% Quizzes 10%

Units of Study:Methods Domain – chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4

Biophysical Domain – chapters 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 & 13

Development Domain – chapters 17, 18, 24, 25 & 26

Variations in Individual and Group Behavior Domain – chapters 29, 30, 31, 34, 35 and 36

Figure 1.2: Where Would You Put a Third Eye?

Return

Companion Website

http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/thinkingaboutpsych2e/default.asp?s=&n=&i=&v=&o=&ns=0&uid=0&rau=0

Here, you will find the online quizzes, review, simulations & links.

Go in (this week), register and start to look around. It’s a comprehensive site and should really help you as

you learn the content of each chapter. I expect you to take the online quiz and to enter my email

address (heather.gunn@nbed.nb.ca) so that your results are sent to me. You must do each quiz before we leave the chapter.

Wiki Page

If you go to my wiki page, you will find up-to-date postings that include PowerPoint presentations, details about assignments and helpful hints. There isn’t an option to chat on this site, so please direct your questions to me during class time.

I expect that you check the site daily.

http://hgunnwikimhs.wikispaces.com/

From American Journal of Psychology. Copyright © 1961 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Used with the permission of the University of Illinois Press

Figure 1.3: Husband and Father-in-Law

What do you see? An elderly father-in-law or a husband?

Return

Introductory Video

http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html

“Past, Present and Promise”

Research Papers

Use APA format. I will use Owl Purdue & Citation Machine to familiarize your with this documenting format. There will be a tutorial (during study hall) for those who need more help.

Be critical of the sources you find: no wiki, no “free-for-all-use of Google”. Try to find respectable, relevant research. I will provide a list of suggestions.

Download the sample APA paper on Owl Purdue and use it as a model * this is not an option; I will not accept another format*

You will have a choice of approximately 10 topics.

Guidelines (despite topic)

Use 2-3 sources. Your paper should be a combination of the

information you find in these sources & your own observations and insight.

Information from the sources should be mostly paraphrased (from the original), but you will be expected to use between 2 and 5 direct quotes, as well.

Length: 1) cover page, 2) abstract, 3) 4-5 pages (double spaced, 12 font) of content (use subheadings), 4) reference page

Project #1

Mental-Health Awareness With your group research a mental illness that is prevalent in a

typical high school population (depression, schizophrenia, ADD, other). We will have two days in the library to find research.

Prepare a presentation that covers the following: the prevalence of the disorder in high school populations (North America stats).

Causes of the disorder, treatment options, early warning signs, and reasons for differences in the prevalence between different populations.

Your presentation should have a visual aid: poster, power point or other (pitch an idea).

Evaluation: you will each complete a self-evaluation and this, coupled with my observations, will comprise your mark. Evaluation will consider a) participation b) on-task behavior c) insight d) presentation skills e) technical skills (powerpoint or poster).

Welcome! Tell Me About Yourself (and I promise not to psycho-analyze you!) Name Interests, hobbies, strengths, sports, music,

“quirks”, other? Goals you have for this year (personal or

academic) Goals you have for the future Something most people know about you Something most people don’t know about you Do you have a job? How many hours? Do you have computer access at home? What interests you most about this course? Are you worried about anything (regarding the

course)?

Five of the following are true; Five are falsehoods.

1. I live in the lobster capital of the world.2. I went to university with Mrs. Pope & Mr. MacPherson.3. I am a black belt.4. I have five kids.5. When I was your age, my bangs were 5 inches high

(and heavily back-combed), and I wanted to look like Madonna.

6. I am close friends with Bubbles (from the Trailer Park Boys).

7. I have been teaching for 20 years.8. I have my pilot’s license.9. I used to teach at the Youth Prison.10. I once auditioned for Canadian Idol.

Fifty People, One Question | Short Film Smart and very patient dog Boredom is a choice

http://www.youtube.com/my_history