Welcome to my teaching page! Every semester I receive emails from students asking about various aspects of my courses. In response to this, I developed this page to provide answers to the general questions often asked. On this page you will find information about my online access requirements, download sample courses syllabi, the use of IClickers and review my undergraduate independent study course policies, including Honor Thesis guidelines. Finally, students can review linked graduate school preparation presentations below.
Remember, the information provided on this page is intended as a general overview of my teaching policies, tools and content. If you need more specific information, please contact me via email or schedule an appointment through the Department of Psychology.
Sample Syllabi
Below are links to various sample syllabi from select courses I have taught; this list will be updated periodically. Please note these are only draft syllabi and are intend to provide you with a general overview past semesters’ course requirements. Remember, specific assignments, due dates and other expectations normally change each semester.
Online & CE6 Access Requirements
Students in all courses I teach must be prepared to use online classroom environments. All my classes have an online communication and learning requirement, including those where we meet for regular class lectures. This does not mean that you must have your own computer and internet access; the university has numerous computer labs available to students at no cost or you can use a public library. However, it does mean you are required to make time to access the online course environment at least twice a week.
My fully online and web assisted (in- class lecture) courses both required the use CE6. Once you are registered in one of my courses you can go to the FIU online course login page on the first day of classes to access the online component of the course. In my web assisted/ in- class lecture courses, we only use the online environment for course content distribution and electronic communications (see below). For fully online courses the entire course is conducted in the online course shell; we do not have live meetings or have required schedule meetings in my fully online courses.
Except for the syllabus distributed on the first day of web assisted classes, all other course materials are only accessible online. Assignment instructions, assignment materials, assignment submissions, chapter outlines, study questions, readings and relevant learning resources are only posted online in all my courses; I do not provide hardcopy handouts of materials. For some classes the lectures and exams are also provided online. In addition, all our electronic communications- emails, course announcements- are conducted only in CE6; communications outside of the online environment are not accepted. Students will be provided with the specific information about the required online component on the first day of class.
IClickers
Students in my undergraduate regular lecture/ in class courses must have an IClicker remote. The IClicker is a radio frequency device that allows students to respond to questions I pose in during the lecture. The IClicker Response assignment provides students the opportunity to illustrate their knowledge and grasp of each week's course content. Students will answer questions drawn from lecture and textbook materials using the required IClicker System. The questions will be both informal and assessment style.
Students will use the IClicker remote for EVERY class meeting. New IClickers can be purchased with the course text in the book store or used on various online sites. If you already have an IClicker you DO NOT need to buy another one; you can also borrow one from a friend so long it is not being used in the same class section. More information about using the IClickers will be given during class.
Independent Studies & Honors Thesis
Select undergraduate students earn credit working on independent research through the Independent Research, Field Experience or Directed Reading course options. These courses offer an opportunity to apply academic knowledge in a research setting and serve as an introductory experience within a psychology research lab. Students wishing to do an independent study course under my supervision need to meet to discuss developing a project; I do not accept students for independent study credits who have not met to me at least two months before the first day of class. As part of this experience, students usually work on various aspects of my current research in the Health Disparities and Cultural Identities Lab. Generally, we meet bi weekly to review your progress; this means you must be responsible, self motivating and able to work independently.
Once you have completed an independent study you can work with me to complete your Honors Thesis. Completion of an Honors Thesis is the only way psychology majors can graduate with honors. More importantly, completing an Honors Thesis provides evidence of your ability to pursue independent initiatives and to make a contribution to the field of psychology. In most cases, students work on completing their Independent Study project. At the end they will have completed a graduate level research paper which they will orally present their work to their Honors Thesis faculty committee.
Graduate School Preparation Presentations
Making the decision to attend grad school is a big step that should be taken with some level of planning. More and more students are applying to graduate school, making the process of getting into a quality and reputable school more competitive than ever. Below are lectures that I have presented at conferences and in classes to address the most common questions asked by undergraduates planning to apply to psychology graduate programs. These are very general lectures and should be used as a guide. Please follow up on these presentations' content with a Psychology Advisor or faculty member you are working with
- Is Graduate School right for me?
- Graduate School Countdown: Plan ahead for applying to Graduate School
- Selecting the right Psychology Degree
- Finding the right program: Academic, Program & Faculty Mentor Considerations
- Finding the right program: Social & Cultural Considerations
- Securing Letters of Recommendation
- What if I don't get in?
