General Psychology

Course Details

Course Number: PSYC 1103  Section Number: 103

Fall 2012

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 101

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Paul C. Guthrie   
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Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Other Policies

 

Syllabus

General Psychology

PSYC 1103, Section 103

Fall, 2012

 

Professor:  Paul C. Guthrie, Ph.D.                                                     

Office:  O-113

Office Hours:  8:30 – 10:00, MWF; 1:30 – 3:00, MW; 8:30 – 12:00, TR;

Phone:  397-4178

email: paul.guthrie@mwsu.edu

Class Times:  10:00 – 10:50, MWF                                                    

Location:  PY 101

 

Text:  King, L.A. ((2011). The science of psychology: An appreciative view (2nd ed.).        New York, NY: McGraw-Hill

 

Tentative Reading and Exam Schedule

 

Section I

 

Chapters 1 & 2 (8/27 – 9/14)

 

Exam I : 9/17

 

Section II

 

Chapters 5 & 6  (9/19 – 10/5)

 

Exam II: 10/8

 

Section III

 

Chapters 9 & 11 (10/10 – 10/24)

 

Exam III: 10/26

 

Section IV

 

Chapters 12 & 15 (10/29 – 11/14)

 

Exam IV: 11/16

 

 

 

 

Section V

 

Chapters 16 & 17 (11/19 – 12/7)

 

Final Exam (Chapters 16 & 17 only): Wednesday, 12/12 at 10:30 – 12:30

 

Course Requirements:  Course participation is a major component of this course. To encourage participation, each student should be prepared to answer any and all of the “test yourself” questions provided in the assigned readings. Students will be asked, on a random basis, to answer these questions aloud in class. Correct answers will be rewarded with 5 bonus points; incorrect or no answers will be penalized 5 points.

 

Grades will be based on your performance on 5 exams, worth 100 points each. All exams consist of multiple choice questions, on Scantrons (Form 881-E). Test content will be drawn from readings in the text and from lecture material. Not all lecture material will be found in the text, so regular class attendance is required.

 

Course grades are based on the number of points accumulated over the semester. There is a total of 500 possible points, so the grade ranges are as follows:

 

            A = 450 – 500  points

            B = 400 - 449

            C = 350 - 399

            D = 300 - 349

            F = less than 300 points

 

Attendance Policy:  Students are allowed three (3) absences. Once you exceed this limit, whether the absences are excused or not, you may be dropped from the course with a grade of “F”. I will not be responsible for recording attendance for students who are tardy.

 

Ten (10) points extra credit may be obtained by maintaining perfect attendance, defined as having no 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.

 

In order for an absence to be excused, the written excuse must be provided within one week of the absence.

 

Funerals, employment-related absences, illnesses not requiring medical attention, job interviews, family emergencies, automobile problems, court appearances, etc. do not constitute excused absences.

 

Make-up Policy:  You may make up one (1) missed exam: if you miss more than one exam, you should drop the course. A mass make-up for exams will be administered on Wednesday, 12/12, following the final exam. No other make-ups will be allowed; if you miss an exam during this semester, you must attend this session. Failure to do so will result in a grade of “0” on the missed exam.

 

Cheating Policy:  Any evidence of cheating on exams will result in dismissal from this class with a grade of “F”. To avoid questions of cheating, make sure you mark your Scantrons cleanly, and use a No. 2 pencil. No grade changes will be made because of “Scantron error.”

 

Note:  Individuals requiring special accommodation may contact me after class or during office hours.

 

Also note: Pagers and cell phones are to be turned off during class. If you have a situation that requires you to receive calls, you need to contact me ahead of time, have your device on vibration mode, and take the call outside the classroom.

 


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.