Course
Requirements: Psychology 101
- Each student
will be required to take 4 tests during the semester. Each
test will be comprised of 50 multiple choice items. The
questions will range from very easy (those requiring recall)
to very difficult (those requiring application and critical thinking). The
more difficult questions are designed to distinguish between
the student who has merely memorized information and the student
who has processed and evaluated it. If a student misses
an assigned test without prior consultation with the instructor,
that student will have to take the missed test during the regular-scheduled
exam time.
- Each student will have the opportunity to complete five application
exercises valued at 10 points each. These application exercises
may take the form of oral or written quizzes on topics covered in
required reading assignments. These applications may not be
announced in advance. If a student misses an application exercise,
it will be very difficult to make up that class application. Assigned
classroom and homework activities can also comprise application exercises.
- Each student will be expected to attend class each session and
participate in the learning process. "Absence from more
than 10 percent of the scheduled class sessions, whether excused
or unexcused, is excessive and the instructor may choose to exact
a grade penalty for such absences..."
University of
South Carolina Lancaster 2005-2007 Bulletin, page 19).
- Students may choose to do an optional, extra-credit paper. This
paper will be considered as an application exercise valued at 10
points. It should be no less than 2 typewritten pages (doubled
spaced) and no more than four. It should be written in good
form. Grammar and punctuation will be noted. You may
choose from one of the following learning objectives:
- a. Describe and compare the
following perspectives in psychology: the psychoanalytic, the humanistic,
and the biological (neuroscience) perspective.
b. Comment on which of the above
perspectives--or any other major perspective studied--that you
most ascribe to and explain why you hold to that belief.
- a. Explain the statement:
"Correlation does not necessarily mean causation" and
state what must be done to prove cause and effect.
b. Cite an example you have read which shows the results
of a true correlational study that has been generalized into
a cause andeffect conclusion.
- a. Summarize the role of twin
studies and adoption studies in the nature vs nurture debate.
b. Take a position on heredity
vs. environment (nature vs. nurture) issue and explain why you
believe one is more important than the other in determining or
influencing human behavior.
- a. Explain the differences between classical (respondent) and
operant (instrumental)conditioning.
b. Give original examples of how
you have learned through classical conditioning and through operant
conditioning. In the operant example, be sure to state
which kind of reinforcement was used (positive, negative, punishment,
or response cost).
- a. Discuss the research results
on adolescent social and emotional development.
b. Comment on your own personal
social and emotional development in the areas listed in your
textbook as those in which adolescents experience more problems
than both younger or older individuals.
Studying the reading assignments, viewing the accompanying video tapes, completing
the exercises and practice quizzes on the CD-ROM, and completing
the assigned class activities are assumed to be sufficient work
for this introductory class and grades will be assigned on the
basis of tests and activities that occur during class and one paper
written outside of class. Students may earn bonus points
from appropriate classroom participation, impromptu oral quizzes, assigned classroom and homework activities.
Course Grading
Grading in Psychology 101 is based on the total number of points earned
by each student, with a minimum number of points required for each
letter grade. It is possible to earn up to 250 points, or more,
depending upon the student's motivation.
Points Possible: 4 tests @ 50 points
each &
October 23, 2007
200 points
5 application exercises @ 10 pts. each
50 points
Total Points Possible:
250 points
Your final grade in Psychology 101 will be determined in the following manner:
90% mastery is required for an A:
250-225 points
80% mastery is required for a B:
224-200 points
70% mastery is required for a C:
199-175 points
60% mastery is required for a D:
174-150 points
Below 60% mastery of the material results in no credit for the course
with a letter grade of F.
Your grade in psychology is an objective measure of your mastery of the material
based upon valid and reliable means of assessment. Students'
competency level of course objectives will be measured by the performance
on:
1. written expression
2. oral expression
3. interaction/participation
4. oral quizzes
5. classroom activities
6. multiple-choice tests
7. group activities
USC
Lancaster University of South Carolina
http://usclancaster.sc.edu/faculty/evans/psyc101_16wks.htm
| Last updated
October 23, 2007
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