This course is called "General Psychology.". The adjective, general, means that this course deals with a variety of issues and important ideas in psychology, but does not consider all details and specific aspects of the field. Our greatest concern will be with major questions about the mind and behavior, and the important concepts in psychology. However, you will have to know some definitions and facts to be able to understand and discuss psychological ideas.

1. Basic knowledge of psychology's important terms, facts, concepts, and theories. You should be able to define these in your own words and give examples or applications.
2. Understanding of five basic views of human nature: biological, cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, and social-cultural.
3. Apply your knowledge of psychology to your own life and to what you are learning in your other courses.
4. Learn to think critically about psychological issues and human behavior.

There will be four examinations during the semester, including the final. These examinatins will have mostly short answer items and short essay questions.

Out-of-class assignments. A total of 12 grade points may be earned from these activities. More details will be given later.

1. Participation in psychology experiments (1 point per 1/2 hour of participation).
2. Critical thinking reports about psychological research on the Internet (3 points per report).
3. Participation in special small group discussions (2 points per session).

You may earn the 12 points by doing any combination of the three activities that totals 12 points, like 3 from experiements and 9 from reports. The maximum number of points for these activities is 12; there is no "extra credit."

In-class assessments. At least six times during the semester there will be brief in-class assessments of your understanding of what was covered that day. These are not quizzes, but rather ways for the instructor to find out if he taught well that day. You will be given 2 points if you make a serious attempt on your response, 1 point for an answer that is not adequate, and 0 for no response or if you are absent. You can earn a total of ten points this way.

The point value for the above is as follows:

In this course we will follow the Arts and Sciences College Policy on Academic Honesty. Other colleges have similar policies. Cheating, copying, or any other form of dishonesty will result in a score of zero on the work in question. If there is more than one offense the case will be referred to the appropriate college authority.

Attendance. Our activities in class will help you learn the material that will be on the examinations and will give you opportunities to apply what you learn. Your reward for coming to class is that you will learn more and will do better in this course.

Making up examinations that you miss and late papers. If you miss one of the first three examinations, you may make it up later in the semester. You may do this for only one exam; if you miss more than one exam, you will get a score of zero for the others that you miss. There may be different kinds of items on the make-up exam; for example, it might be entirely essay. You may take a make-up exam only if you (a) notifiy me before the exam that you will miss it, and (b) have a serious illness or family emergency, and (c) provide written support such as a note from a physician.

A word of advice: do not miss an exam and take a make up just because you don't feel like studying. The make up is for serious emergencies that prevent you from taking the original exam.

Classroom participation and courtesy. I respect each of you as individual students and will listen carefully to your ideas, be sensitive to your feelings, and do my best to help you learn. I expect you to treat each other with similar respect. This includes things like being on time for class, doing the reading that is expected, listening carefully and not talking while others (including your instructor) are speaking. If you must bring a cell phone to class, please turn it off.

Students with any special needs (disabilities, injuries, etc.) should see me after class or during my office hours. Assistance with many kinds of learning problems (writing, study skills, time management, etc.) is available in the Academic Resources Center, 3840 Lindell Blvd.

Teaching Assistant. The Assistant for this course will help plan and manage our activities, present occasional lectures and exercises, help with grading exams and with record keeping, and may be responsible for one or two classes when I must be absent.

Changes in this syllabus. The instructor may make changes in the syllabus during the semester, but will notify you in advance.

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PSY-A101-04: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
Spring 2003
Tentative Schedule

January
14	Orientation.
16	Chapter 1: What is psychology?
21	Critical thinking about psychology.
23	Chapter 2: Personality; views of human nature.
28	Personality continued.
30	Chapter 4: Neurons, hormones, and the brain.
February
4	The brain continued; preparation for exam.
6	First examination: Chapters 1, 2, 4, and class material.
11	Chapter 5: Sensation and perception.
13	Perception continued.
18	Chapter 6: Thinking and intelligence.
20	Intelligence continued.
25	Chapter 7: Memory.
27	Memory continued.
March
4	Second examination: Chapters 5, 6, 7, and class material.
6	Open date.
11,13	Spring Break.
18	Chapter 8: Learning.
20	Learning continued.
25	Chapter 9: Social and cultural context.
27	Social continued.
April
1	Chapter 3: Development.
3	Development continued.
8	Third examination: Chapters 8, 9, 3, and class material.
10	Chapter 10: Psychological disorders.
15	Chapter 11: Treatment and therapy.
17	Holy Thursday.
22	Disorders and therapy continued; The five views applied.
24	Chapter 12: Emotion, stress, and health.
29	Stress continued.
May
1	Course summary and evaluation.      Last day of class.
8	Fourth examination: Chapters 10, 11, 12, and class material. 12:00pm - 1:50pm

Note: You must take this exam at this time and day, not earlier or later. Do not make travel plans that would conflict with this exam

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