While earlier, used editions may be available in the campus bookstore, and differences between the two versions are relatively minor, you do so at your own risk. *Note that we have placed 2 copies of the text on reserve at the Data Porter Library (24 hour loan period). A link to access the course reserves appears on the course web site (below). Course Description and Objectives This is an introductory course in psychology, which meaner that we will be covering all areas of psychology in the course. It is designed to introduce you to the field of psychology as a whole, and to the major theories and findings in the discipline.
The course is designed so that you can meet the following objectives: 1 . Become familiar with the broad range of topics that make up the discipline of psychology. 2. Become familiar with the methods of investigation used in psychology, and the strengths and limitations of these methods. 3. Develop an understanding of the vocabulary and concepts of psychology that will allow you to study further in advanced courses or through independent reading. 4. Develop the ability to relate the findings of psychological research to your life and to important issues in our society and the world at large. . Think critically about your preconceptions of what psychology is so you can become an informed consumer of psychological information (in the media, Journals, etc… ) Course Website (http://learn. Outerwear. Ca): The course website will include reprint slides shown in lectures, the course syllabus and any announcements. You will also be able to check your grades on the course website. The Powering slides will be posted at least 24 hours before lecture, as many students prefer to take notes directly on the slides.
That said, having the slides will not replace regularly attending lectures. Attendance is critical for success n this course. Course Content: You will be responsible for materials from two sources in this course: the lectures and the textbook. 20% of exam questions will come exclusively from lecture materials, while 20% will come exclusively from the textbook. The remaining 60% of questions will come from materials that were covered both in lectures and in the textbook. To do well in this course it is necessary to both attend lectures and keep up with the assigned textbook readings.
Questions and Contacting the Instructors: The greatest disadvantage of a course this size (250+ students) is the minimal umber of individual interactions you will have with your instructors. We strongly encourage you ask questions in class/after class or to come to our office hours with questions. If you have questions about: * Content: Please direct them to the relevant instructor (see schedule below) or to teaching assistants. * Missed tests: Please contact teaching assistants. * Course website problems: Please contact teaching assistants. * Questions about exams/assignments: Please contact teaching assistants. Other inquiries: Please contact teaching assistants. COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING Requirements Tests (32% each): You will take three in-class multiple-choice tests during the semester. The tests will cover material that is presented in the text and in lectures. The tests will not be cumulative. There will not be a final exam. In general, there will be no make-up tests, but in cases of severe illness or other extenuating circumstances a make-up test will be offered. Given the size of the class written documentation will be required for any make-up test.
It is also required that you contact a TA within 72 hours, with your written documentation, to schedule the make- up test. Make-up exams will not occur more than one week after the original exam date. There will also be an optional application paper (see below). 2. Application Paper (Optional 32%): You have the option to write a short paper (1000 to 1500 words in length). In this paper, you will find 1-3 examples of popular media (e. G. News stories, books, blobs, movies, etc… ) and analyses them using at least one of the psychological concepts you have learned in this course.
This can be anything from a news article about relations between Israel and Palestine to a blob entry about a social issue to a particular character’s behavior in a movie or novel. You Just need three references–one can be the textbook, a second should be from a psychological Journal, and finally you need to reference the media you are analyzing. You are strongly encouraged to contact either the Tats or the instructors with your ideas for the paper before writing it. You will receive specific instructions for this assignment in class. It will be due on Tuesday November 26th by 1 1 :55 pm.
There will be no extensions for this assignment and you are encouraged to submit it well before the due date. Your mark on this paper may be used to replace the grade of your lowest mid-term. In the event that your mark on this optional assignment is lower than your mid-term marks, your mid-term marks will not be changed. 3. Psychological experiments/studies you participate in/article reviews (4% + 2% bonus): During the term, you will have opportunities to participate in studies that are being conducted by University of Waterloo researchers. See the description below.
Your participation is voluntary. During the first three weeks of our course, there will be a Mass Testing Questionnaire that can be completed on the web. This will count as one research participation credit. You can earn up to 2 additional percentage points in the class by participating in other experiments. Please note that you do not have to participate in experiments/studies if you don’t want to. Alternatively (or in addition), you may write up short reviews of articles that are relevant to psychology. Articles that you review must be serious (e. G. A news report of a study that has genuine relevance to psychology) rather than frivolous. You must check with a TA about the appropriateness of any article that you are thinking about summarizing. You may use the sheet at the end of the course outline to guide he writing of your summary. Please turn it in with the summary. In addition, you may not summarize any of the articles that you are using for your application paper or the articles in the Scientific American reader. You complete a total of 4 research participations in any combination of mass testing questionnaire, experimental participation and article summaries (e. . , 2 experimental participations + completing the mass testing questionnaire + 1 article summary; or 3 experimental participations + mass testing questionnaire) for normal course credit. Each hour of research participation/summary/mass testing questionnaire will be worth 1% of your grade for a total of 4%. In addition, I will allow you to participate in two additional hours of experiments (or article summaries) for an additional 1% extra credit for each. So theoretically, you could earn a mark of 102%. There will be no other opportunities to earn extra credit?I cannot grant any special requests for extra credit.