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Please Note: This Class Syllabus is an important step in updating the format of our distance courses. If for any reason the Class
Syllabus does not match the print Course Guide or online course information, the Class Syllabus shall be taken as correct.
CLASS SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE:
Introductory Psychology: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
COURSE CODE:
PSY 120.3
TERM:
Summer 2015
COURSE CREDITS:
3
DELIVERY:
Online
COURSE SECTION:
W04
START DATE:
June 25, 2015
END DATE:
August 11, 2015
Course Description
An introduction to the scientific study of human behaviour, dealing with the essential problems
of psychology, the methods of investigation, and the advances which have been made in some
of the major fields such as evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, cognition, perception, and
learning.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to familiarize you with the body of knowledge, scientific theory, and
research related to the major biological and cognitive areas of psychology. The course focuses
on the study of behavior dealing with the essential problems of psychology, the methods of
investigation, and the advances that have been made in the fields of neuroscience, sensation
and perception, evolutionary psychology. consciousness, memory, learning, language, and
thinking and intelligence.
Course Overview
Psychology can be defined as the scientific study of mental processes and behaviour. Although
psychology is most often associated with clinical issues (i.e., abnormal, personality), this makes
up only a small portion of the field. Other specialties within the field include, to name a few,
neuroscience, cognition, perception, memory, and learning. We cannot understand ourselves
or the individuals around us without looking at how our brains work, how we think, and how we
perceive the world. This course will present psychology as the science of human thought and
behaviour, and we will also learn to critically evaluate "common sense" knowledge about how
people think and function.
April 21, 2015 gm ck pk as
PSY 120.3: Introductory Psychology: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
Your Instructor
Contact Information
The instructor for your class is Austen Smith ([email protected]). Austen is a PhD student
in the Cognition & Neuroscience program in the Department of Psychology. He has been
involved with online PSY 120 & PSY 121 as well as several live lecture courses in the
department.
Information on how to contact your instructor will be included on your class website. Email is
usually the fastest way to get help, and you can also contact his office at 306-966-6699.
Required Resources
Readings/Textbooks
Preferred:
Wade, Travis, Saucier, Elias, Psychology, 4th CE, UofS Custom Edition
Publisher: Pearson Education Canada, 2012.
ISBN: 9781269130868
Alternate:
Wade, Travis, Garry, Saucier, & Elias, Psychology, 5th CE, UofS Custom Edition
Publisher: Pearson Education Canada, 2016.
ISBN: 9781269130868
Wade, Travis, Saucier, Elias, Psychology, 4th Canadian Edition
Publisher: Pearson Education Canada, 2012.
ISBN: 0132064251
Textbook(s) are available from the University of Saskatchewan Bookstore:
http://www.usask.ca/consumer_services/bookstore/textbooks
Page 2 of 10
PSY 120.3: Introductory Psychology: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
Class Schedule
Module
Readings
Evaluation
Due Date
Intro.
None
NA
Module 1
Chapter 1 - What is Psychology?
June 29
Canada Day – University closed
July 1
Module 2
Chapter 2 - How Psychologists
Do Research?
July 3
Module 3
Chapter 3 - Genes, Evolution,
and Environment
July 8
Module 4
Chapter 4 - The Brain
July 14
July 17-20
Module 5
Chapter 5 - Body Rhythms and
Mental States
July 21
Module 6
Chapter 6 - Sensation and
Perception
July 24
Module 7
Chapter 7 - Learning &
Conditioning
July 29
Module 8
Chapter 9 - Thinking and
Intelligence
August 4
Module 9
Chapter 10 - Memory
August 7
Note: If for any reason the Class Syllabus Reading List does not match the Module
Reading List, the Class Syllabus shall be taken as correct.
NB: Please review Appendix A of this Syllabus for a month-by-month view of course activity and
important dates.
Exam Schedule
All exams are administered online. You do NOT need to come to a testing center to complete
them.
Midterm 1 – July 10, 2015
Midterm 2 – July 31, 2015
Final Exam – August 12, 2015
Midterm Online Exams
The midterm exams have 50 multiple-choice questions. Once you start taking the exam quiz on
the test day, you have 60 minutes to complete it. These 60 minutes can be used at any point
during the day
Page 3 of 10
PSY 120.3: Introductory Psychology: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
Final Exam
The final exam will also be administered online, and it has 2 sections: Section A consists of
50 multiple choice questions. You have 60 minutes to complete this. Section B is a long answer
section. The questions will be emailed to you. Your instructor will inform you when you will
receive the questions. Complete the exam and upload it to the Assignment Drop Box found
under the "Assignments" tab on the left hand menu of this course.
Grading Scheme
Midterm Exams (2 @ 12% each)
24%
Final Exam (Online)
40%
Discussion Postings (4% each)
36%
Total
100%
Information on literal descriptors for grading at the University of Saskatchewan can be found at:
http://students.usask.ca/current/academics/grades/grading-system.php
Please note: There are different literal descriptors for undergraduate and graduate students.
More information on the Academic Courses Policy on course delivery, examinations and
assessment of student learning can be found at:
http://www.usask.ca/university_secretary/council/academiccourses.php
The University of Saskatchewan Learning Charter is intended to define aspirations about the
learning experience that the University aims to provide, and the roles to be played in realizing
these aspirations by students, instructors and the institution. A copy of the Learning Charter can
be found at: http://www.usask.ca/university_secretary/LearningCharter.pdf
Writing Assignments
CCDE Writing Centre - Quality writing help for free! Anyone taking a distance class (online, independent studies, televised, or multi–mode delivery)
administered by the CCDE can use this free service. The Writing Centre provides tools and
support to help you write effective essays, reports, or reviews. Simply submit a project draft, and
a qualified tutor will assess your work and offer advice to improve your project. Contact the
CCDE Writing Centre at http://www.ccde.usask.ca/writing Online Module Discussions and Readings (36%)
Module discussions are to be posted in the discussion forum. Discussions may or may not be
conducted in groups depending on the class size and your instructor. If you have to work in
groups, you will be grouped during the first week of class, your instructor will notify the class and
you will be notified via email about your group.
Page 4 of 10
PSY 120.3: Introductory Psychology: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
Whether grouped or otherwise, you need to:
Read the "Readings and Activities" section found under each module to access the readings
and activities. Some chapters require you to complete an activity before participating in the
discussion forum. There are readings for every module.
Read the discussion forum. The forum is organized into modules. Instructors and tutors will post
discussion questions or activities for each module as the course progresses.
Guidelines and requirements for module discussions
Generally, your response should be in a paragraph with at least five sentences for each chapter
discussion and you are expected to respond to at least one post by a fellow classmate.
Students who fail to regularly participate will be penalized. Marks will be awarded based on the
quality of your response. The assessment rubric for chapter activities/discussions is listed in the
table below:
Rubric
Relevance of
information
References
Critical
thinking
Participation.
Marks are
deducted for
late
responses
not based on
schedule.
4
Information is
directly related to
the subject matter.
New concepts or
data are presented.
Information is
supported with
examples and/or
arguments.
Very useful or
highly relevant
references.
Applies a critical
thinking process
on an ongoing
basis through
reflection,
questioning of self
and others
Encourages and
facilitates
the discussion
between
participants and
fosters a learning
community.
3
Information is
directly
related to the
subject
matter and is
supported
with at least
one example
or argument.
Useful or
relevant
references.
Applies
critical
thinking and
reflections.
2
Information is
directly
related to the
subject matter but
not
supported by
examples or
arguments.
1
Information has
little relevance
to the subject. A
reiteration of
principles
presented in the
course.
0
Irrelevant
information
Relatively useful
or relevant
references.
Applies critical
thinking and
reflections but
mainly
from a personal
perspective.
References
provided are not
very relevant.
Seldom
apply
critical
thinking and
reflections.
No references
are presented
Often
interacts with
others in the
learning and
answers to
others in the
community.
Seldom interacts
with others in the
learning
community.
Answers to or
interacts only
with facilitators.
Do not interact
with others in
the learning
community.
No interaction
Demonstrates
no critical
thinking and
reflections.
Total
Page 5 of 10
PSY 120.3: Introductory Psychology: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
Additional Information
What skills do I need to take an online class?
Although you do not have to be a computer expert, you must have basic computer knowledge
such as word processing skills, using email, sending and receiving files and experience using
an Internet browser. If you have no experience using the Internet or a computer, we recommend
that you obtain computer skills training before participating in an online course. ITS offers
student support. For more information go to:
http://www.usask.ca/its/
Your course will be using the Learning Management System (LMS), Blackboard Learn.
Blackboard Learn is a full-featured and widely adopted virtual learning environment. It provides
an integrated set of tools to support online content delivery, learning communities, and
assessment.
The computer you use must meet the minimum requirements for the course and have access to
high-speed Internet. You need to use a supported Web browser. Your web browser must be
configured with the appropriate settings. You can access your class by logging into PAWS
[http://paws.usask.ca] with your NSID and choosing the Blackboard icon in the top horizontal
menu bar. There is a Browser Test feature for you to test your Web Browser and settings. You
will find your course in the U of S Course List.
High-speed Internet services are available from SaskTel and Shaw Cable. As a student, you are
eligible for educational pricing, which is about $25/month. Both are sold at the Campus
Computer Store [ccs.usask.ca]. Contact the Campus Computer Store for pricing and availability
in your area.
Phone: 306-966-8375, or
Email: [email protected]
If you do not have your own computer, there are a number of Open-Access Computer areas at
the University of Saskatchewan. To use them you’ll need your NSID (see below). A list of OpenAccess Computer labs can be found at: http://www.usask.ca/its/guides/student_guide/.
Each U of S student receives a University of Saskatchewan Network Services ID (NSID) and
initial password. The NSID and password are your keys to a wide range of student computing
services and facilities such as PAWS, registration, e-mail, student computer labs, personal web
page and printing. All students are assigned a unique NSID, in the form of three letters and
three numbers (e.g. abc123) and a password.
If you have questions about how to use PAWS, or problems logging in contact the ITS Help
Desk by e-mail at [email protected], by phone 306-966-4817 or 1-800-966-4817 (Canada
only).
What will my online class look like?
Each online class is designed to provide students with a rich learning environment. Most (if not
all) of the course content will be online so it is important that you become familiar with it. Once
you reach the homepage of your class, you will see the following:
Page 6 of 10
PSY 120.3: Introductory Psychology: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
• On the left hand side is the Course Tools menu where you will find tools like assessments,
assignments, chat, discussions, course syllabus and course content.
• On the right will be the content for your course. Use this area to move through the lessons for
your course.
Take some time as soon as possible to explore these links to familiarize yourself with the course
website, study procedures and requirements. You won’t hurt anything by looking around the
website, so please feel free to explore.
You must be officially registered in an online class before you will be allowed access to the
class.
Where do I go for Help?
If you require assistance with the course content, please contact your instructor. Information on
how to contact your instructor will be available on the class website.
If you require assistance with your NSID or have any technical computer questions, contact the
ITS Help Desk. If the question is technical in nature then you should first consult the ITS
blackboard site at blackboard.usask.ca.
ITS Help Desk can be reached at:
In Person: Room 70, Arts Building (open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 966-4817 in Saskatoon or 1-800-966-4817 toll-free in Canada
Phone support during classes:
Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Students with Disabilities
If you have a diagnosed disability (learning, medical, physical, or mental health), you are strongly
encouraged to register with Disability Services for Students (DSS). In order to access DSS
programs and supports, you must follow DSS policy and procedures. If you suspect you may
have a disability, contact DSS for advice and referrals. For more information,
see http://www.students.usask.ca/disability/ or contact DSS at 306-966-7273 or [email protected].
Page 7 of 10
PSY 120.3: Introductory Psychology: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
Integrity Defined (from the Office of the University Secretary)
“Integrity is expected of all students in their academic work – class participation, examinations,
assignments, research, practica – and in their non-academic interactions and activities as well.”
(Office of the University Secretary)
It is your responsibility to be familiar with the University of Saskatchewan Guidelines for
Academic Conduct. More information is available at
http://www.usask.ca/secretariat/student-conduct-appeals/IntegrityDefined.pdf
Acknowledgements
Course Author(s)
Professors Lorin Elias and Jorden Cummings. Significant revisions to the online course made in
2012 by Chris Plishka.
Instructional design services provided by the Centre for Continuing and Distance Education,
University of Saskatchewan.
Appendix A – Month-by-month view and important dates
Page 8 of 10
PSY 120.3: Introductory Psychology: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
June 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Saturday
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Q3 Begins
PSY 120 Orientation
28
PSY 120 – M1
Friday
1
29
PSY 120 – M1
Discussion Replies
Due
PSY 120 – M1
30
PSY 120 – M2
Page 9 of 10
PSY 120.3: Introductory Psychology: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
July 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
CANADA DAY 1
2
PSY 120 – M2
5
6
PSY 120 – M3
12
13
PSY 120 – M4
19
Midterm Break 20
26
7
PSY 120 – M3
14
PSY 120 – M4
Discussion Replies
Due
Q4 Begins
21
PSY 120 – M5
Discussion Replies
Due
27
PSY 120 – M7
28
PSY 120 – M7
8
PSY 120 – M3
Discussion Replies
Due
15
PSY 120 – M5
9
10
11
PSY 120 –
Midterm 1
Q3 ends
16
PSY 120 – M5
Midterm Break17
18
23
24
PSY 120 – M6
Discussion Replies
Due
25
PSY 120 – M6
29
PSY 120 – M7
Discussion Replies
Due
4
PSY 120 – M2
Discussion Replies
Due
PSY 120 – M4
22
PSY 120 – M6
Saturday
3
30
31
PSY 120 –
Midterm 2
PSY 120 – M8
August 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
PSY 120 – M8
9
10
4
PSY 120 – M8
Discussion Replies
Due
Q4 Ends11
5
PSY 120 – M9
6
7
PSY 120 – M9
Discussion Replies
Due
8
Exams 13
Exams 14
15
PSY 120 – M9
Exams 12
PSY 120 Final
Exam
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Page 10 of 10