Syllabus: Spring 2015
PSY 1013.01 – Introduction to Psychology
Faculty Name: Krishna Parikh
Catalog Course Description
Introduction to General Psychology. (PSY 2301) Survey of traditional areas of
psychology; psychobiology, perception, learning, cognition, development, social
behavior, abnormal psychology, and psychotherapy. Three lecture hours a week. Credit:
Three hours
PSY 1013 is a survey course introducing students to the field of psychology. The course
is a prerequisite for other courses in the psychology department.
Measurable Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Recognize the main theories, models and research in developmental psychology and of
specific phenomena relating to development
Recognize the foundations and limitations of scientific investigation in developmental
psychology
Recognize basic developmental psychology concepts
Apply basic developmental psychology concepts
Recognize cultural influences on life-span development
Discuss critically factors related to life-span development
Identify and discuss phases of psychological development
Recognize developmental milestones
Each of the above student learning outcomes must be performed at an appropriate level as stated
in each course assignment requirements, grading scale or rubric.
Subject Matter
Class Sessions
• You are expected to attend class every Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00am-12:20pm.
• The majority of the face-to-face class sessions will be lecture and class activities.
Classes may include discussions, group projects, films, and activities.
• While some lecture materials will overlap with book material, I will be expanding
and clarifying book information.
• You MUST take your own notes in class in order to pass. Research supports the
fact that taking notes by hand in class is to your benefit. The lecture outline will
be provided prior to class but you are responsible for taking notes, as what will be
discussed will go beyond the outline provided.
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Media presentations and demonstrations may be used to help illustrate the
concepts being discussed. These materials may be included on the exams.
Questions and comments are always welcome but should be posed respectfully
towards the instructor, graduate assistant, and peers.
Tape or video recording of any class meetings can only occur with the signed
permission of the instructor.
Major Course Assignments and Examinations
Wiley Course Module Activities and Quizzes:
For each chapter, you will complete two types of online activities in WileyPlus (which
will be embedded into the class Blackboard account).
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Chapter Activities should take no more than an hour to complete, and they are due
prior to lecture. These will consist of watching videos and animations and then
answering questions.
o The percentage you earn on these questions for each chapter will be multiplied
by 10 points. As there are 14 chapters, with 140 possible points, this will
constitute 11% of your grade.
Chapter Quizzes allow you to demonstrate proficiency with material covered by the
text and are due prior to class.
o The percentage you earn on these questions for each chapter will be multiplied
by 10 points. As there are 14 chapters, with 140 possible points, this will
constitute 11% of your grade.
o You will have up to two attempts for each of the ten questions. If you answer
the question correctly on the first attempt, you will receive 100% of the points
for that question. If you answer the question correctly on the second attempt,
you will receive 75% of the points for that question.
o Chapter Activities and Quizzes are meant to enhance and supplement reading
of the textbook.
Scientific Literacy Modules:
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For four of the scientific literacy modules you will complete an assignment in the
blackboard system.
Chapter literacy modules allow you to demonstrate critical thinking and scientific
mindedness around current psychological research. These exercises are designed to
prepare you to complete the paper project due at the end of the semester.
Successful completion of the in-class portion of these modules will require you to
print some materials ahead of class in order to come prepared. It is your responsibility
to obtain these materials, which will be posted ahead of time on the blackboard site.
Copies of materials will NOT be made available to you in class.
Each of these assignments will be worth 15 points, for a total of 90 possible points
Final Paper (Scientific Literacy Module #9):
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Students will complete a final paper project for the semester. Paper topics and
instructions will be available on Blackboard.
You must bring a hard copy to class AND turn the assignment in through
turnitin.com by the beginning of class (11am) on the due date in order for the
assignment to be considered on time.
o Turnitin.com is plagiarism detection software. Plagiarism will not be
tolerated and will result in a zero for your paper and possibly a zero for the
course.
o Quotes should be used sparingly. It is always better to use your own words
to complete an assignment. Using your own words demonstrates your
understanding of the material, and will result in a higher grade overall
No late assignments will be accepted and no make-up assignments will be
given.
Paper Format:
o APA Style:
1. Title page with running head
2. Page numbers in upper right hand corner
3. References must be cited in APA format
4. 12 pt. Times New Roman font
5. Double spaced with 1” margins
6. An abstract is not needed.
o Correct grammar and punctuation are expected. Please refrain from using
abbreviations or slang terms.
The APA publication manual may assist you in writing in APA style. The TWU
Write Site, the GAs, or instructor may also provide assistance in understanding
APA format as needed during office hours, however we will not be available to
proofread your papers.
Exams:
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There will be three (3) exams worth a total of 300 points (100 points each)
Exams are NOT cumulative and may include multiple choice questions, matching
items, and/or true/false questions
Questions may come from the required readings, lectures, media, Wiley class
activities, guest lectures, class activities, discussions and demonstrations
presented in class and online. Exams may include both conceptual questions and
questions that require the application of the information covered.
o You will need to know the terms, concepts, facts and theories and be able
to apply this information to real life examples.
During exams, all backpacks, purses, laptops, cell phones, hats and other
materials (other than those necessary for the exam) will be put at the front or
sides of the room.
Make-up policy for exams: Make-up exams will ONLY be allowed for
emergency situations (in other words, a doctor’s appointment is not an
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emergency). It is the student’s responsibility (BY EMAIL WHEN POSSIBLE) to
contact the professor within 24 hours to reschedule. Failure to do so will result in
a zero on the exam. Make-up exams will be scheduled at the convenience of the
instructor and will be rescheduled as quickly as possible. Make-up exams will
cover the same material, but are in a format of the instructor’s choice, such as
ORAL or comprehensive fill-in-the-blank/essay exams.
Grades on makeup exams or assignments will not be entered UNTIL a note from
the Office of Student Life has been received.
SONA Research
• Each student will complete 3 hours of experimental credit worth 90 points total.
• Research opportunities may be offered in different time blocks (e.g. 30 min, 1
hour, 1 ½ hour…)
• Each student’s experimental credits must add up to a minimum of 3 hours total
• This can be earned by:
o Participating in online research posted in SONA - you will receive "one
credit" for each 30 minutes of participation
o Participating in research requiring you to meet with the researcher - you
will sign up through SONA and you will receive "one credit" for each 30
minutes of participation
o Completing a journal article critique - you will receive "one credit" for
each journal article that you summarize...these will be available through
SONA after midterm.
§ Only half of your research participation credit can be earned
through journal article critiques.
o Attending the Psychology Research Symposium during the last week of
classes. More information will follow as the date approaches.
• What should you do:
o As research opportunities come in, they will be posted on SONA.
Therefore, check SONA frequently.
o Read the SONA directions on Blackboard under the Research tab so that
you can register ASAP.
o All SONA credits must be completed by April 30th
• Breakdown of points: 15 points for each 30 minutes of research participation
(Total of 90 points for research participation).
o 15 points for each journal article critique (maximum of 45 points can be
earned through this method).
Attendance
• Students are required to attend class
• Class attendance is mandatory (see TWU policy) and will be taken each class.
• Attending is defined as showing up for class on time and not leaving until class has
been dismissed.
o If you are more than 10 minutes late (based on my watch or the GA’s, not
yours) to class, you will NOT be counted as present.
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o If you leave early or leave class for a significant amount of time (as
determined by the GA or myself), you will NOT be counted as present.
Being present during lectures and participating in class discussions will aid in your
learning the course material and meeting the course goals.
The instructor reserves the right to take attendance via sign-in sheets, written
assignments, or other classroom assignments. Thus, some class periods will require a
student to actively participate in order to receive attendance points. These in class
assignments cannot be made up.
If you miss class for a university-approved reason and you have submitted
documentation to the Office of Student Life (Student Center 206), then you should
contact your instructor within 24 hours of the missed class to schedule any make-up
assignments or exams. Please see the make-up policy as not all assignments/exams
can be made up.
Attendance grades will be calculated at the end of the semester based on the student’s
attendance/participation of the class periods. Each class period (31 classes total) will
count as 2 points toward your attendance grade. Thus, you may receive 62 points for
perfect attendance.
Absence (either excused or unexcused), tardiness, leaving class early, and disruptive
behavior will result in a total loss of attendance points for that day.
o Please note that this means attendance will be taken on exam days as well
as class periods before and after a holiday/break.
Please note that signing in another student or plagiarizing written in-class
assignments is considered plagiarism and will be dealt with according to the
Academic Dishonesty policy below.
Readings
Huffman, Real World Psychology 1E packaged with Blackboard Integrated WileyPlus
ISBN 9781118797532
• It is expected that each student will have the required reading completed before
the class during which we will discuss the material (see course schedule). Some
material in the text may be challenging upon first read, but lectures will be easier
to follow if you have read the chapter. Information in the readings may be on the
exam regardless of whether or not it is directly discussed in lecture.
Note: This is an abbreviated syllabus and is subject to change. A more detailed syllabus will be
distributed to students by the instructor.