PSY101-001 Spring 10-11, Gallo/King

PSY PSY 101-001: General Psychology I

T&Th 1100-1220, Nesbitt 111
Professor: Email: Office: Office Hours: Teaching Assistant: Email: Office: Office Hours: Jennifer L. Gallo, PhD jlg37@drexel.edu PSA (Bldg. 47), room 301 M&W 3-4PM, or by appointment Please Note: Inquiries should be initially directed to the TA Christopher King, PhD Candidate cmk98@drexel.edu PSA (Bldg. 47), room 306 F 10AM-Noon, or by appointment

Course Description This course serves as an introduction to the study of human behavior, exploring both the social and biological foundations. It will look at the scientific basis of psychology discussing the research, principles and theory in the major subfields, including neuroscience, development, abnormal behavior, learning, memory and cognition, and social psychology. Learner Objectives/Goals o To be able to identify the nature and purpose of basic and common scientific methods used in the study of behavior and mental processes; o To be able to identify, explain, distinguish basic concepts and theories underlying selected sub-disciplines in psychology; o To improve your conceptualization of psychology as the study of human behavior that adheres to a scientifically driven biological, psychological, and social perspective. Text Psychology, Ninth Edition in Modules, by David G. Myers (Worth Publishers). This text is required. Copies have been placed on reserve in the Hagerty Library. Drexel Email and Bb Vista You are required to use your Drexel email account for communications related to this class. We will periodically send class announcements and information via email and we will only use Drexel domain addresses. Course materials, announcements, and so forth will be posted in Bb Vista throughout the term. Thus, Bb Vista is an integral part of this course. You are responsible for checking the course site regularly for the course outline/syllabus/etc. as well as any updates or changes. In addition, you are responsible for making sure you maintain uninterrupted access to Bb Vista throughout the term. If you encounter problems, visit http://www.drexel.edu/irt/ for assistance resolving technical issues. Grading Policy and Evaluation Exams* together contribute 100%
* If you are a graduating senior this term, see Spring Term Graduating Seniors section below Grade - Percentage correspondence: A+ = 97-100 B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 A = 93-96 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 A- = 90-92 B- = 80-82 C- = 70-72 D+ = 67-69 D = 60-66 F = <60

Spring Term Graduating Seniors ONLY If you are due to graduate at the end of this spring term (i.e., you do not have any courses left to take after this

PSY101-001 Spring 10-11, Gallo/King

term is completed) you may opt out of taking the final exam in this course, provided the following criteria are also met: (a) you are NOT failing this course or in poor academic standing in general (GPA-wise) without the final exam score; (b) you have NOT missed or failed any other exam or any other requirement(s) in this course; (c) you understand that your final grade in this course will be calculated using the grades you have earned on Exams 1 and 2 (each weighted 50%). In order to opt out of the final exam, you must notify the TA by email (and copy me) no later than the end of week 8 of this term so that I can check your graduation status in Banner and prepare to enter any grades by the appropriate graduation deadline as necessary with plenty of time resolve any issues/problems. If you do not notify the TA (and me) by this deadline, you may lose the opportunity to be exempt from the final and your grade will be calculated according to what you have (and have not) completed. If you are a graduating senior this term but you do not meet the criteria above, you must take the final exam on the first day of the final exam period (in accordance with the Provost's policy). As we approach the end of the term, if you are unsure whether or not you need to take the final exam in this course (i.e., are unsure what your grade will be without that exam), be in touch with the TA no later than the first day of week 8 to inquire. NOTE: Do not make plans to leave town before you know your status with respect to taking the final exam in this course. If you end up needing to take the final exam, it will be administered in accordance with the Provosts Policy (i.e., on the first day of this terms final exam week, which is June 7th). Exams 100% total There are three (3) exams and you are required to take them all. The lower of the first two exam grades will be dropped. The remaining two exam grades will each be worth 50% of your final grade. Exams are not cumulative but each will include material from lecture, Bb Vista, and the textbook. Each will be multiple-choice format. Make-up exams are typically NOT given. If you miss an exam you will receive a zero (0) for that exam. If the exam you miss is one of the first two, it will be the one that is dropped. If you miss the third exam, you will receive a zero (0) for that exam and the zero (0) will be factored in to calculate your final grade in the course. If you encounter an emergency or university-based function that prevents you from taking any exam as scheduled, you are required to present documentation of the emergency (e.g., physicians note/ER/court notice/athletic schedule/etc.) to me during my office hours for consideration of what, if any, alternate arrangement is warranted. In the event a make-up exam is warranted, I will determine the format in consideration of the individual circumstance. But in most cases the format will be a written, essay-style exam. If no alternate arrangement is warranted, as stated, you will receive a zero (0) for the missed exam(s). NOTE: Do not make arrangements to leave town (e.g., purchase plane tickets, rent a car, arrange a carpool, etc., etc.) before the date/time for exam 3 has been assigned and finalized by the registrar. You will NOT be excused from this exam for arranging to leave before the scheduled time. Exam Behavior This is a very large class (i.e., up to 328 students), and we will fill the seats during exams (and lecture!). Please familiarize yourself with the Universitys general policies on Academic Honesty (websites found under Academic Policies below). Several proctors will monitor each exam period. If you exhibit signs of academic misconduct during an exam period, you could be removed from the exam, you will receive a grade of zero (0) for the exam, and the incident will be filed with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards according to their posted guidelines (www.drexel.edu/sccs/honesty.html). Examples of academic misconduct during an exam include (but are not limited to) actual or perceived instances of: speaking to, waving/motioning to, texting/emailing, or otherwise communicating with another individual, and/or having course-related information in view or accessible during an exam period. To avoid any question of misconduct, keep your eyes on your own test and do not talk or motion to others during the exam.

PSY101-001 Spring 10-11, Gallo/King

Preparation For Class This class will be lecture/discussion format. Students are expected to prepare for each class by having the assigned readings completed prior to the start of each class. You are responsible for all material covered in the textbook and during lectureswhether or not lecture material is in the textbook and whether or not you attended class. I have created and posted study questions related to the important concepts you are expected to be familiar with having taken this course. Please use themthey are designed to help you learn the material and focus your study efforts for each test. Please do not contact me or the TA asking for notes on lecture material you missed get notes from a trusted classmate (in this section) who did attend the lecture(s) you missed. Extra Credit 1. You will be able to earn extra credit for participating in Psychology Department research studies that become available throughout the term. Sona Systems is a website on which you can find information about studies currently being conducted in which researchers are granting extra credit points for your participation. In order to read about these studies, participate in them, and earn extra credit, you will need to follow instructions carefully on how to use Sona Systems and set up an account. This information is available at: http://www.drexel.edu/psychology/research/participation/instructions/ 2. You will receive 1 extra credit point for every 30 minutes of participation in studies that offer extra credit. You can earn up to a maximum of 4 extra credit points (2 hours of participation) per participating course. However, NO EXTRA CREDIT will be applied to your final grade (regardless of participation in studies) unless all required course work/ assignments/ exams are satisfied first. In other words, no extra points will be awarded until all of the required points have been satisfied. PLEASE NOTE: Not all studies on Sona Systems will provide extra credit for your participation. Please click any study to read the description carefully. If a study is offering credit, it will be clearly stated. You can always contact the researcher of a particular study if you are not sure. 3. The last day you can earn extra credit for this term will be June 3, 2011 at 5pm. 4. If you choose not to or are ineligible to participate in any of the research studies offered this term, you have the option of earning an equivalent amount of extra credit points by participating in Alternative Extra Credit Assignments, which are only available during Weeks 6-8. You must obtain a passing score on these alternate assignments in order to earn the extra credit. To complete an alternative assignment, you must set up a Sona Systems account. Instructions on how to do so are available at: http://www.drexel.edu/psychology/research/participation/instructions/. After logging into your account, you can search under Studies for a title called Alternative Assignment. Click on the study and follow instructions to earn the extra credit. 5. Be sure to check Sona Systems weekly as new studies may be added throughout the term. If you have studyspecific questions please contact the researcher directly (the researchers contact information will be listed in his or her study description section on Sona Systems). If you have general Sona System questions, please contact Stephanie Grossman directly (slg97@drexel.edu). Disability Accommodations Any student with a documented disability who needs accommodations is encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS). Students with disabilities requesting accommodations and services at Drexel University must register with OD and present a current accommodation verification letter (AVL) to faculty before accommodations can be made. AVLs are only issued by ODS, and all accommodations will be handled in accordance with ODS guidelines. Contact with ODS is strictly confidential. Please make contact as early in the term as possible in order to receive timely accommodations. Contact information for ODS: www.drexel.edu/ods/; 3201 Arch St., Street, Suite 210, Philadelphia, PA 19104; 215.895.1401 (V); or 215.895.2299 (TTY).

PSY101-001 Spring 10-11, Gallo/King

Academic Policies Drexel Universitys academic, ethical, and honesty policies apply; cheating, falsification, plagiarism, and any other form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any instance of academic dishonesty or misconduct (please see Exam Behavior section above) will be taken seriously and may result in failure on the individual assignment/exam (i.e., a grade of zero), failure of the course (i.e., a grade of F for the course), etc. as indicated by the Academic Integrity Policy. Please read, understand, and follow the Academic Honesty Policy as written by the Office of Judicial Affairs and as found in the University Handbook. The following websites should be useful if you are not already familiar with these policies: http://www.drexel.edu/judicial/honesty.html http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/academic_dishonesty.asp http://www.library.drexel.edu/resources/tutorials/tutorials.html#citing The last day to drop this class is Friday 4/8/11 by 5PM with Academic Advisor assistance, or Sunday 4/10/11 by 11PM via DrexelOne. The last day to withdraw from the class this term is Friday 5/6/11 by 5PM. If you wish to withdraw from the course, you must obtain my signature in person but please find me well ahead of the deadline (e.g., before or after class on Tuesday or Thursday, or during my office hours in week 6). Do not wait until the last minute to obtain my signature if you do, you run the risk of missing the deadline. Additional Information While it is ok to use a laptop to take notes during lecture, pagers, cell phones, and other electronic planners or devices may not be accessed during class and must be either turned off completely or placed in silent mode prior to the start of class in order to minimize disturbance to fellow classmates. Recording of course materials is prohibited without the permission of the instructor. Additionally, the use of any type of electronic device during an exam is strictly prohibited. Talking during lecture (that is not directly related to class discussion or questions for the group/ instructor) is extremely disruptive to fellow students sitting around you. Please refrain from doing this. If you have questions or concerns with these restrictions please see the instructor. Changes to the Syllabus Modifications to this syllabus may be made at the instructors discretion at any time during the course. Students will be notified either via email, during lecture, and/or in Bb Vista of any changes.

PSY101-001 Spring 10-11, Gallo/King

Course Outline (Subject to change at Instructors discretion) Week/Dates
Week 1 Mar 29 Mar 31 Week 2 Apr 5 Apr 7 Week 3 Apr 12 Apr 14 Week 4 Apr 19 Apr 21 Week 5 Apr 26 Apr 28 Week 6 May 3 May 5 Week 7 May 10 May 12 Week 8 May 17 May 19 Week 9 May 24 May 26 Week 10 May 31 June 2 FINALS WEEK June 7 thru June 10

Topic/ Exam
Syllabus Review/ Introduction to Psychology Science of Psychology

Module Readings Due

1 2-3

Neuroscience & Behavior Neuroscience & Behavior (Contd)

4-6

Environmental Bases of Behavior Environmental Bases of Behavior (Contd)

11-12

Exam 1 (on topics covered up to this date) Development (select aspects)

13-16

Sensation & Perception Sensation & Perception (Contd)

17-20

Learning Learning (Contd)

23-25

Exam 2 (on topics covered since exam 1 up to this date) Memory

26-30

Memory (Contd) Language

31-32

Intelligence Intelligence (Contd) Psychological Disorders Psychological Disorders (Contd)

33-34

48-52

Exam 3* (remaining topics covered) Date/time/location TBD by registrar and posted on SRCs website

* NOTE: Do not make arrangements to leave town (i.e., purchase plane tickets, rent a car, arrange a carpool, etc., etc.) before our final exam date/time. You will NOT be excused from the exam for arranging to leave before the scheduled exam date/time.