MWF 9:00-9:50
This course explores the human being from an information processing perspective. Topics include sensory aspects of information extraction, selective attention and concentration, problems related to perception and recognition, and the structures and processes of human memory systems.
Topics Reading Assignments
Introduction Chapter 1
Sensory Processes no assigned reading
Preattentive and Attentional Processes Chapter 3
Pattern Recognition Chapter 2
Short-Term Memory Chapter 4, Chapter 6 (pp. 164-182),
Chapter 7
Long-Term Memory Chapters 5, 8
Social Perception no assigned reading
Creative Problem Solving (and other loose ends) Chapter 11
EXAMS
Four noncumulative exams will be given at approximately equal intervals throughout the semester. Tentative test dates, subject to change, are Feb. 11, Mar. 7, Apr. 11, and May 6. Each exam will test knowledge of material covered in class (and related readings) since the previous exam and will be worth 100 points. The purpose of spacing exams equally is to attempt to equalize the amount of material covered by each exam
TERM PAPER
All students are required to write an original term paper on an individual or topic of relevance to perception and cognition. You must each write your own paper, but I encourage you to help each other out by exchanging editing services, sharing tips on finding information, etc. The paper will be worth 50 points toward your course grade, i.e., half as much as a test. Before you invest too much time in your paper, check the topic with me and get approval to proceed (see deadlines below).
You might find an article that piques your interest in the list of references in your textbook. Or try search around in the library database, especially PsychInfo. You’ll find something to write about.
The paper should be written in APA style (more or less) as described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. (Copies of this style manual are available from the MSU Bookstore or directly from the APA at www.apa.org You may also want to consult the abbreviated APA style sheet found at http://www.docstyles.com/apacrib.htm ). I’m a big fan of using headings and subheadings to clarify the organization of the paper.
The length of the paper will depend on the obscurity of the topic. In general, however, the paper should be no fewer than 5 pages and no more than 15 pages in length, not counting the cover page, abstract, references, figures, photos, tables, etc. Again, depending on the topic, I would expect to see at least five reference sources cited, but that’ll depend on what’s available.
In addition to other sources (e.g. Internet, books) make sure that your references included at least three journal articles.
Deadlines: Submission of term paper topic and working title—February 11. Submission of some of your references and a tentative paper outline—March 7. Submission of completed term paper—May 6, 5:00 pm. Papers received after this date and time will not be accepted under any circumstances and will receive a grade of 0. No excuses, no extenuating circumstances, no exceptions. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you plan to complete and submit your paper well in advance of the deadline to allow for the inevitable catastrophes that are sure to befall you!
Papers should be prepared using word processing software that will allow them to be opened using Word software and must be submitted as an e-mail attachment. Be sure to follow the following format in naming the file that contains your paper:
firstname.lastname.CWID#.psyc4133.spring.2011.termpaper
Note: By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a 'limited right' in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The "limited right" shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student's work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and for educational purposes. (What this means is that you grant Midwestern State University the right to submit your paper to TurnItIn.com or other similar services where it will be scanned for evidence of plagiarism and become a permanent part of their database of papers.) Clear evidence of plagiarism will result in a grade of 0 on the paper. So don’t cheat. And don’t use a paper that you’ve used before in another class.)
GRADING
Course grades will be based on accumulated point totals on exams. Each exam will be worth 100 points (90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; 59 or lower = F), and the term paper will be worth 50 points. Points accumulated on the five exams will convert to a course grade as follows:
405-450 = A ,360-404 = B, 315-359 = C, 270-314 = D, <270 = F
Each unexcused absence beyond the 5 that are allowed (see below) will reduce the point total by 22 points (about one-half letter grade). Each tardy will reduce the point total by 11 points.
ATTENDANCE POLICY Students are allowed 5 unexcused absences (as defined below) in this class. Each additional unexcused absence beyond these 5 will result in a lowering of the course grade as described above. Students who miss the calling of the roll at the beginning of the class will be counted as absent for that day unless you alert me to your presence at the end of the class period to let me know you were only tardy. Students who miss one or more exams because of absences will be allowed to take makeup exams at the end of the semester. All makeup exams will be administered on the date scheduled for the final exam, Monday, May 9, at 8:00 am. If you have no makeup exams to take, you won’t have to come in on that day. There will be no grade penalty for exams missed because of an excused absence. There will be a one letter grade penalty on exams missed because of unexcused absences. Absences are excused only under the following circumstances: 1. the student provides a written excuse from a medical practitioner stating that the student was unable to attend class on the day(s) of the absence; 2. the student provides a written excuse from a medical practitioner stating that the student's dependent child was ill on the day(s) of the absence; 3. the student provides a written excuse from an official of Midwestern State University stating that the student was in attendance at a mandatory university function on the day(s) of the absence. Funerals, employment-related absences, illnesses not requiring medical attention, job interviews, family emergencies, automobile malfunctions, court appearances, etc. do not constitute excused absences. Please reserve your 5 allowed unexcused absences to cover these situations.
ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS 1. Learning requires activity on the student’s part. This can be challenging in a lecture class, but students have found ways of dealing with the problem for centuries and so can you—by taking notes, thinking of examples, paraphrasing ideas that you hear in class, and so on. Please stay busy and involved in class by taking notes. My lecture outlines will be posted online only the night before exams, so you will need your own notes in order to study for exams. Use the posted outlines only as a last-minute check on the accuracy of your own notes. 2. Students at Midwestern are increasingly getting up and leaving classes, sometimes returning and sometimes not. That behavior is inappropriate and disruptive. Therefore, come to class on time and be prepared to stay for the duration of the class. It would never occur to me to walk out of a lecture except under the most extraordinary of circumstances (e.g., I’m coughing my head off and my presence is more disturbing to the class than my leaving), and I’d be even more unlikely to further disrupt the proceedings by coming back after having left! I do not want to have to establish a formal policy in order to manage this aspect of classroom behavior. Let’s all rely, then, on using common sense and common courtesy. 3. Do not use cell phones in class. If you bring a laptop, use it only for taking notes.