Course
Objectives:
The Introduction to Psychology course is just that: An introduction to the major sub-fields of
psychology: behavioral neuroscience, cognitive, developmental, social and personality, psychopathology, and health. The
course aims to acquaint students with the major methods, theoretical points of
view, and findings of each sub-field. Important concepts are exemplified by a
study of selected topics and issues within each of the six areas. The goals of the course are to: expose
students to a variety of research questions that psychologists ask; to teach
students the methods that psychologists use to answer those questions; and to
illuminate the applications of psychological theory and research to everyday
life.
Course
Requirements:
There are two components that make up your final grade for
the course: an exam component and a research component. These components are discussed below.
Exams: The exam component is comprised of four,
non-cumulative, multiple-choice exams.
Each exam consists of 50 questions.
The exam dates are: 9/27; 10/20; 11/15; and 12/15. There
are no make-up exams given.
*Please note: if you arrive more than 10 minutes late for an exam, after
someone has already completed his/her exam, you will not be allowed to take the
exam. The four exams make up 80% of your
final grade.
Research
Experience: The research component
is designed to give you practical experience with psychological research. To fulfill this component, each student must
volunteer and participate in psychological research experiments. You must participate in 5 one-hour
experiments. Successful completion of
the 5 research credits is worth 20% of your grade.
The procedure for participating in research
is as follows: you must regularly monitor the DM 2nd floor bulletin
board – all research experiments are posted there. When you sign up for a day/time, make sure
you write down that information as well as the name of the
experiment/experimenter, place and contact information. If you do not show up ON TIME for your
experiment you will docked 10 points. Once you sign up for an experiment you are
committed to that experiment and if you fail to show up you will be penalized.
Alternate
research option: If for some reason
you do not want to participate in research you may complete the research
component by writing summaries of research experiments. You will need to write 5 summaries, each of
which is 4 typed, double-spaced pages, in APA format. The research studies that you will summarize
will be assigned to you by Dr. Frazier.
They are due on the last day of class.
If you wish to do the alternative assignment you must arrange this with
Dr. Frazier by November 15th.
Successful completion of the alternative research assignment is worth
20% of your final grade
Course
Policies:
Grading
policy: The assignments, as
mentioned above, include 4 exams (80%) and the research component (20%). The
following scale is used to assign final grades:
Course conduct:
This is a college course and behavior during class time should reflect
that. Students must comport themselves
in a respectful and courteous fashion.
Disrespectful, disruptive or distracting behavior is not tolerated. The professor is the final arbiter of what
behavior is appropriate/inappropriate. This policy is in place to ensure that the
professor is able to teach effectively without distraction, and that students who come to class to learn are able to do so
without distraction. If the professor
finds that you are behaving in appropriately, you will be given one
warning. The second instance of inappropriate
behavior will result in expulsion from the class for the remainder of the
day. Further offensive behavior will effect your grade and disciplinary action will be
taken. Here is a brief list of
offensive, disruptive behaviors that are NOT tolerated in this class (this list
is not exhaustive): arriving
late/leaving early, talking during class, beepers & cell phones going off
during class, sleeping or reading the newspaper during class, etc.
Attendance:
Lectures are designed to explain and expand on concepts presented in the
text. Class notes will be posted to the web site following each lecture. If you choose not to attend the lecture you
may be able to gather the information from the text and notes on the web
site. Lectures are geared towards students
who are really interested and motivated to learn.
Progress in course:
If at anytime during the semester you are concerned about your progress,
please arrange a time to come and talk with me.
It is usually best to take action early; it is not to your advantage to
wait until the end of the semester to obtain help.
Academic
Integrity/honesty:
This course operates on the CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: “This Code of Academic Integrity was adopted by the Student
Government Association on November
28, 2001 and reflects the values articulated in the Student Code of
Standards. Florida International University is a community
dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and
research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service.
All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable
opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning.
Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic
conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and
the educational mission of Florida International University.
Pledge
As a student of this university:
I will be honest in my academic endeavors.
I will not represent someone else’s work as my
own.
I will not cheat, nor will I aid in another’s
cheating.
All students are deemed by the University to
understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they
will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined
in the Student Handbook”
(Florida International University Student Handbook (2004-2005). The university’s policy on academic
misconduct and dishonesty may be found at: http://academic.fiu.edu/docs/provost_manuals.htm).
Specific disciplinary action as follows:
1. Cheating: Cheating is a form of academic misconduct
that involves the unauthorized use of books, notes, aids or assistance from
another person with respect to exams/assignments. ANY STUDENT CAUGHT CHEATING WILL
AUTOMATICALLY FAIL THE COURSE AND FURTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION MAY BE TAKEN. –
ANY STUDENT WHO AIDS/ABETS THE CHEATING STUDENT WILL ALSO BE PENALIZED.
2.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct
that involves presenting the words, beliefs, opinions, facts, data, hypotheses,
information of others as your own. ANY STUDENT CAUGHT PLAGIARIZING WILL
AUTOMATICALLY FAIL THE COURSE AND FURTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION MAY BE TAKEN.
Accommodations due to disability: Students
who require special circumstances due to disability may speak to Dr. Frazier
regarding their needs.
Required
textbook:
Weiten, W. (2005).
Psychology – Themes and variations, 6th
Edition. Thompson Learning. Available with all
accompanying materials at F.I.U. bookstore.
Class
Schedule:
This is the schedule of lecture topics
and corresponding reading assignments.
Exams and other important dates are also noted. This schedule may change at the discretion of
the professor.