TROY STATE UNIVERSITY-FLORIDA AND WESTERN REGION DISTANCE LEARNING
PSY 2200
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
COURSE SYLLABUS
Term I (August 4 – October 12, 2003) INSTRUCTOR’S INFORMATION Thomas P. Dunn, Ph.D.915 Beachview Drive NE. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547 Phone: (850) 314-9303
E:mail: [email protected] EDUCATION
I hold the A.B. (1963, Psychology) Degree from Western Kentucky University (WKU) and the M.A. (1968) and Ph.D. (1969) Degrees in Sociology from the University of Kentucky.
PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS
I served in the U.S. Army from 1963-1966 (Captain, RA). I have 30 years of teaching experience at WKU, from which I am retired and hold the rank of Professor Emeritus. I joined TSU as an adjunct faculty member in 1995. Since then I have taught SOC 2275 and SOC 4495 (Sociology of Sports), PSY 2200 in the classroom and SOC 2275, SOC 3310, SOC 3331, and ANT 3310 via distance learning. Currently, I serve as Chair of Arts and Sciences (Undergraduate).
GREETINGS!
I am pleased that you have decided to enroll in this course. Your first step in what I hope will be an enjoyable and academically rewarding experience is to read carefully the remainder of this syllabus. Shortly thereafter you should contact me via email. Welcome aboard!
DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES AT TSU
All Distance Learning courses at TSU utilize Blackboard Learning Management System. To learn how to use and log in to Blackboard, visit the Distance Learning web page at
www.tsufl.edu/distancelearning and click on the After Registration link. In every Distance Learning course, students should read all information presented in the
Blackboard course site and should periodically check for updates—at least every 48 hours.
ELECTRONIC OFFICE HOURS:
I will be holding “Electronic Office Hours” each Friday morning between 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. American Central Time. You may reach me via e-mail during this time period for an instant response to your questions. At other times, I will usually respond to e-mails within 24 hours (48 hours at the most). In addition you will be able to contact me by telephone, fax, and email. Students will also be able to log on to the course site on Blackboard.
DISTANCE LEARNING DEPARTMENT/ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT: If for any reason you are unable to contact your instructor and need immediate
assistance, please contact the distance learning office:
Site Director: Heather Pitell, [email protected]
Financial Aid: Christy Williams, [email protected]
General Information: Christy Williams, [email protected]
Blackboard: Kim Broaddus, [email protected]
Department Phone: 1-866-MY-TSUDL E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (M,T,W,RF Distance Education Office: (850)301-2150 Web Page: www.tsufl.edu
Address: Troy State University Florida Region 81 Beal Parkway
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida 32548
CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
“Scientific study and interpretation of human behavior including such topics as perception, abnormal behavior, mental hygiene and selected viewpoints .”
OVERALL OBJECTIVE
This course is designed to introduce the student to the field of psychology in a way that is accurate, interesting, and understandable. It presents a thorough overview of psychology in a way that the average college student may comprehend.
SPECIFIC STUDENT OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Discuss the fact that psychology is a science with biological bases for behavior. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of basic research method.
3. Discuss how sensation and perception impact on behavior. 4. Discuss various states of consciousness.
5. Discuss how learning takes place, and about the nature of memory.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the building blocks of thought (via the structure of language, images, and concepts).
7. Distinguish between the various theories of intelligence and mental abilities. 8. Demonstrate an understanding of motivation and emotion.
9. Discuss life span development.
10. Discuss the different theories of personality. 11. Describe the impact of stress in peoples' lives.
12. Demonstrate an understanding of the various psychological disorders and the therapies used to treat them.
Students will demonstrate the above through their performance on weekly quizzes, exams, writing assignments, homework assignments, and discussion board participation.
TEXTBOOK AND/OR OTHER MATERIALS NEEDED
Required: Psychology: An introduction, Charles G. Morris and Albert A. Maisto. 11th Edition. Prentiss Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 2002.
ORDERING YOUR BOOKS
Upon registration you should have received a postcard with pertinent information for ordering your course materials.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:
1. Students must have Email capability.
2. Students must also have Internet access through one of the following browsers: Netscape Navigator 4.0 or later, Netscape Communicator 4.0 or later or Internet Explorer 4.0 or later.
3. Students must have either Microsoft WORD or WordPerfect.
4. Students must have virus protection software, installed and active, to prevent the spread of viruses via the Internet and email.
REQUIRED ADDITIONAL READING
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED READING
May be found on the Blackboard site
RESEARCH COMPONENT
Each of the writing assignments has a research component that requires the use of Internet sources.
ENTRANCE COMPETENCIES
Prior completion of the Distance Learning Orientation is important to successfully completing this course. Basic knowledge of e-mail and the Internet are required. The ability to read and comprehend college level textbooks is necessary.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Exams: Three online exams will be given. (to be taken during the third, fifth and eighth
weeks of the term). 50 points each.
Research/Writing Assignments: Two writing assignments (50 points each) are to be
completed for this course. These assignments are required. The assignments must be typed; the first must be at least four pages in length and the second at least three pages in length. You must use a standard format that is double-spaced, with one-inch margins and normal font and letter size. Each assignment must have at least three Internet sources. The first assignment must be turned in via e-mail attachment during the fourth week of the term, and the second should be turned in during the eighth week.
Homework assignments: as detailed on Blackboard (50 points).
Quizzes: 3 quizzes will be given online (Blackboard) at 10 points per quiz. (30 points) 1 quiz will be given online at 20 points.
Discussion Board participation: 50 points. A new topic will be added each week and
students must respond in a timely manner to the topic. They should also check back to read the responses from other students or from the professor. This is an important part of this course, and is where difficult concepts may be discussed and clarified.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
Self-study of textbook material, written assignments, on line Blackboard quizzes,
STUDENT/FACULTY INTERACTION:
Interaction between the students and the instructor, and student to student, will be accomplished via the Communication Center section of Blackboard. This section contains E-mail, Student Roster, Student Pages, Discussion Board, Virtual Chat, and Group Pages. Many of these will be used in the delivery of this course, but most of the day-to-day communication will be via E-mail, Announcement page, and the Discussion Board.
THREE USEFUL WEB SITES FOR THIS COURSE http://www.learner.Org/exhibits/personality
What makes us who we are? Find out here, with descriptions and exhibits of personality as it relates to reputation, behavior, thoughts, and feelings.
http://www.plaza.interport.net/nypsan/freudarc.html
Links to Internet resources about Freud’s work and writings about Freud.
http://www.server.bmod.athabascau.ca/html/aupr/history.htm
Learn about psychology’s past or investigate the history of a particular topic.
SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS
The timing of the assignments (see Course Schedule) is designed to help the student keep up with the volume of material contained in the course, and to assist the student in
preparing for the exams.
Quizzes and Exams are taken online. Research/Writing Assignments and Homework should be submitted to the professor via attachment to E-mail.
METHOD OF EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE
3 exams at 50 points each (37.5% of final grade).
2 Writing Assignments at 50 points each (25% of final grade).
3 Quizzes at 10 points each = 30 points and 1 Quiz at 20 points (12.5% of final grade) Participation in Discussion Board topics = 50 points (12.5% of final grade).
Homework: 50 points (12.5% of final grade)
COURSE GRADING SCALE: BASED ON 400 TOTAL POINTS Grade Points
• A Excellent 360-400 • B Above Average 320-359 • C Average 280-319
• D Below Average 240-279 • F Failure 279 and below
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
In addition to interaction via Blackboard and Email contact, students are required to contact the instructor via Email or telephone BEFORE the beginning of the course term for an initial briefing. Although physical class meetings are not part of this course, participation in all interactive, learning activities is required.
Student assignments and student/instructor communications will be conducted via E-mail and Blackboard, although students will be allowed access to the instructor via telephone, mail, or fax if necessary.
INCOMPLETE GRADE POLICY:
A grade of “I” is not automatically assigned, but rather must be requested by the student by submitting to the instructor the Petition for and Work to Remove an Incomplete Grade form. An “I” can never be used in lieu of an “F” nor can an “I” be assigned because of
excessive absences.
MAKE-UP WORK POLICY:
TSU Distance Learning courses are not entirely self-paced and the instructor has the right to assign due dates for all assignments and projects. Thus, missing any part of this schedule, or submitting late assignments, may prevent successful completion of the course.
If it becomes necessary to take an ‘I’ or ‘Incomplete’, for the course, the student should complete a ‘Request for an Incomplete Grade’. This is the responsibility of the student and is not automatic. There must be a valid reason for such a request. If you foresee difficulty of any type (i.e., an illness, an employment change, etc.) that may prevent completion of this course; notify the instructor as soon as possible. Failure to do so could result in a failing grade.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA):
Any student whose disabilities fall within ADA must inform the instructor at the beginning of the term of any special needs or equipment necessary to accomplish the requirements for this course. Students must also provide written proof of their disability to the instructor. The Director of Adaptive Needs Program can be reached by writing to: 215 Adams Center, Troy State University, Troy, Alabama 36082 or by
calling 334-670-3220. Students who have or may be dealing with a disability or learning difficulty should inform the instructor and contact the office above.
HONESTY STATEMENT:
In accordance with the Standards of Conduct in the TSU Bulletin, a student or
organization may be disciplined, up to and including expulsion, if deemed in violation of the STANDARDS OF CONDUCT for the commission of or the attempt to commit this offense: Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism or knowingly furnishing false
information to the university, faculty, or other officers or employees of the university.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT:
The commission of or the attempt to commit any cheating and/or plagiarism are in violation of the Standard of Conduct stated in the Troy State University – Florida Region Student Handbook, and may be disciplined up to and including suspension and expulsion. Plagiarism is the passing off of the thoughts or works of another as one’s own.
Plagiarism involves giving the impression that a person has thought, written, or produced something that has, in fact, been borrowed from another. Plagiarism may result from poor technique of citation or more serious cases as: copying the work of another person; submitting the work of another person; or closely paraphrasing a piece of work without due acknowledgement.
ALLEGATIONS OF PLAGIARISM:
Depending on the circumstances, the penalty imposed for plagiarism may include warning , resubmission, loss of marks, failure on a particular assignment or course, or a charge of misconduct to be dealt with by Troy State University.
SUPPORT MATERIALS:
TROY STATE UNIVERSITY FLORIDA REGION LIBRARY LIBRARY SUPPORT
TSUF&WR Library services are available both online and at the TSUF&WR Regional Library in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. To access online services and information, go to http://www.tsufl.edu and select first, Library Services, and then, Florida & Western Region Library Services. For questions or assistance of any sort, e-mail the Regional Library at [email protected] or call 850-863-8971 or 800-638-7237. Staff is available seven days a week to help you find the resources you need.
Troy State University Florida and Western Region Library 326 Green Acres Road, Fort Walton Beach
Friday and Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM Sunday, 1 PM – 5 PM
Closed: Holidays and Last Weekend of Term
COMMENTS & QUESTIONS:
At TSU, students are our most valuable commodity. If you have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you are having problems let me know as soon as possible, rather than allowing yourself to get further and further behind in the course. EarmyU students should let me know if they are being posted or TDY and I will know why you are AWOL from the course.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week One: Read Preface, Chapter 1 The Science of Psychology, Appendix A and
Appendix B
Read Chaper 2, The Biological Basis of Behavior Respond to Discussion Board topic
TAKE QUIZ OVER APPENDIX A (SEE ASSIGNMENTS PAGE) Week Two: Read Chapter 3, Sensation and Perception
Read Chapter 4, States of Consciousness Read Chapter 5, Learning
Respond to Discussion Board topic
TAKE QUIZ #1
Week Three: TAKE EXAM #1 (OVER CHAPTERS 1-5)
Read Chapter 6, Memory
Read Chapter 7, Cognition and Language Respond to Discussion Board topic
Read Chapter 9, Motivation and Emotion Respond to Discussion Board topic
TURN IN FIRST RESEARCH/WRITING ASSIGNMENT Week Five: Read Chapter 10, Life Span Development
TAKE QUIZ #2
TAKE EXAM #2 (OVER CHAPTERS 6-10)
Read Chapter 11, Personality Respond to Discussion Board topic
Week Six: Read Chapter 12, Stress and Health Psychology Read Chapter 13, Psychological Disorders Respond to Discussion Board Topic
Week Seven: Read Chapter 14, Therapies
Read Chapter 15, Social Psychology Respond to Discussion Board topic
Week Eight: TAKE QUIZ #3
REVIEW AND TAKE FINAL EXAM (OVER CHAPTERS 11-15) TURN IN SECOND RESEARCH/WRITING ASSIGNMENT TURN IN HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
Understanding My Blackboard Site…Psychology 2200 /Dr.
Dunn
My syllabus is located in the link titled:
Course ID: General Psychology 2200-lD
The areas I use most in this site, and the ways in which I use them, are: I do use the Discussion Board. To access the Discussion Board, Click on the Communications link and then Discussion Board. To post comments, click on the question you wish to answer and you will then see buttons that allow you to respond. Be sure to read the comments of your fellow students. Check back to see if any replies have been made to your comments.
I do not usually use the Virtual Chat.
I do not usually use the Digital Dropbox. I prefer that you send e-mail assignments via attachments to my regular e-mail address ([email protected]).
I do use the BB gradebook. To access your grade click on My Grade in the Tools section. However, final grades and points for writing assignments, etc. will be e-mailed directly to your personal e-mail address. You may check on the status of quizzes, midterm and final exams via Blackboard gradebook.
To send email to me or any others in this class, click on the Communications link and then select who you would like to send email to… However, I prefer that you send e-mails directly to me from outside the site. If you send an e-mail from BB, be sure to send yourself a copy and with the name of the person to whom you are writing and the subject in the subject block, otherwise you will not be able to find it later if you need to do so.
I do use quizzes in this course. As the quiz becomes available, you will find a notice in the Announcements section. Be sure to click on “Show All” if you have missed more than 7 days of announcements. The quizzes may also be found in the Assignments section. Just click on the quiz number and you will be taken to the quiz site.
I use online exams so you do not need to obtain a proctor for this course.
All instruction and study materials/assignments for this course will be presented via the course management software: Blackboard. To access the course:
1. Students will go to Blackboard’s homepage at http://troyst.blackboard.com 2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the box marked, “STUDENTS”. 3. Type in the course name Fl-PSY2200/Dunn-DL and click on “GO.”
4. The next page will be titled, Enrollment.
5. Type in your name and a password of choice. You must type in the password a second time for purposes of verification.
6. Click on “enroll” which will take you to the next page. Here you will provide the following information: first name, last name, Email address, city, state, zip code, country, and date of birth.
7. Click “enroll” and that will take you to the next page, which should tell you that you have been added to PSY 2200
8. Click “Enter Fl –PSY2200/Dunn-DL”
9. If you are in a homepage (it will say “Welcome (and your name)” you are not actually in the course even though you see some messages from the course. Be sure to click on to the name of the course. It will take you to a page that says “Announcements” and which has several green buttons down the left-hand side. 10. If you have any problems, contact me via e-mail. Computers can be frustrating.
