PSY 202A-Introduction to Psychology Part II

INTRODUCTION:  I would like to welcome you to this course at Portland Community College (PCC). I also hope that you will enjoy learning about general psychology 202A, as much as I enjoyed learning about it myself. This is an 11 weeks course, in which we will be covering several interesting topics such as emotion, motivation, intelligence, personality theory, health psychology, abnormal psychology, therapies, and social psychology. For those of you who do not know, this is the second course in a two quarter sequence of Introduction to Psychology. This is a one-quarter college transferable class. If you wish to complete the sequence, you may take Psychology 201 A on campus. The textbook is good for the two courses. This course meets cultural diversity requirements for Associate Degrees. 

It is important to remember that each of us analyzing the behavior of others, and our own is only human. Thus our interpretation of behavior, and change is filtered through our own biases. So that you may identify biases where they occur, you will spend time becoming familiar with the major schools of Psychology and the terms the different theories use, paying special attention to the research that supports or contradicts each perspective. Critical thinking, as well as mastery of the material, is a goal of this course. 

Completion of writing 115 with a "C" or better is required.

Text:  PSYCHOLOGY: Themes and Variations,7th edition, by Wayne Weiten,  Published by Thomson/Wadsworth

CHAPTERS:  Begin reading your assigned material, we will be covering 7 chapters throughout the term. Chapters to be covered are chapters 9 through 16 (except chapter 11).    

GRADING: Your grade will be based on points accumulated from three different sources:

1. TESTS: (90 POINTS) Three unit tests will be given this quarter consisting of 3 (30) one-point, multiple choice questions.
Test dates and the number of chapters per test, are subject to change.
Notification of any changes will be given in class at least one class meeting prior to the new class date.

Bonus Questions: Short essay questions will be given with the first two tests. The points earned from these essay questions will be added to each test respectively.
A scantron form 882 FS is needed for every test. You can purchase the forms at different university bookstores for a cost of 15cents per form.
You also need a #2 pencil to use with the form. If you erase an answer and
change it, make sure you circle the # of that question on the scantron form. I will make sure the ,. scantron machine picked up the right answer. If you do not circle that question before you give me your scantron form, it will be too late for any changes. If you use a different form, or a different type pencil,  FIVE POINTS will be subtracted from the total score of that particular test.

2.DIVERSITY ARTICLES: (60 POINTS)
Every student is required to read, and summarize 2 articles dealing with diversity issues. The summaries should be no longer than two pages typed (single space) for every article. Look in the course outline for the due dates. It is preferable if the articles are related to the chapter covered that week. Every article is worth 30 points. The day the articles are due, they will be discussed in groups in the classroom, and each group will choose one article to present to the whole class. The summary should include the concept the article is exploring, the research method used, and the results. Another section of the one to two page summary should be dedicated to the critique of the article (See outline for the summaries)

3. PARTICIPATION: (50 POINTS) Attendance, listening to lectures, participating in classroom exercises is part of the course-work, and would affect your final grade.  Class sessions will be interactive. You are encouraged and expected to read the assigned chapters before coming to class, in order to facilitate the process of interactive learning. You are also encouraged to participate by asking questions, and responding to questions posed by your fellow students and by your instructor.  Attendance: 20 points. Group activities (in class, and homework), 30 points. Bring your textbook to every class period.

Extra credit:  

Extra credit is also available for students who wish to ameliorate their grade. You can summarize an extra diversity article, critique or summarize a book, an article, a TV educational program, etc. Please discuss these options with your instructor ( 5 - 10 points)

Points for the extra credit are to be determined by both the student, and the instructor. A limit of one extra credit assignment is accepted. Deadline for extra credit is in the course outline.

If you do not attend class for any reason ”YES YOU DID MISS A LOT". PLEASE Call your partner and ask him/her about the material you missed. Your partner is one of your classmates with whom you team-up at the beginning of the term and exchange phone numbers, emails etc..

You can submit what you missed on a later date (no more than a week later), for only half the credit.This rule also applies to diversity articles' summaries.

Make-ups: Make-ups are discouraged. If you will miss any of the scheduled exams due to illness or an extended business trip, please contact me and let me know before the exam so I can consider alternate arrangements. 

Dropping: You can drop the class and not have the Withdrawal from course show on your permanent record. If you drop the class later in the term a "W" will show on your records. Refer to the PCC Schedule for more details.

Pass/No Pass: Students wishing a Pass/No Pass grade must request this grading option in writing. A grade of C- or better is necessary for a Pass grade. Refer to the PCC Schedule for further details.

"I" GRADE: The grade of " I" is reserved to students with extenuating circumstances where both the student and the instructor have to fill out a form explaining the reasons, and terms of finishing up the incomplete.

AUDITS: If you wish to attend the course without receiving a grade or credit, you must request this grading option in writing. Students auditing the course must attend 80% of the class.

I encourage students with disabilities to meet with me to arrange for accommodations .  Please make arrangements to meet with me outside of class to discuss your specific needs.   The office for Students with Disabilities phone #  977-4341.