Psychology 120 Course Syllabus

General Points of Interest  It is an academic course – the expectation is that you can handle the reading & the rigor of the course.  It requires maturity & self-discipline.  It is FUN and FASCINATING.  It is not lecture-based, nor will we be reading from the textbook.  It is activity-based.  It is up to you to read the material, to sharpen your knowledge, using the many tools that are available, and to ask good questions during allocated review classes.

Format  You will be told, in advance, when each chapter will be covered.  You must read the chapter & do the on- line practice quiz to prepare. The quiz results will be sent to my address, so I will check your understanding & preparation. The quizzes are also meant as a study tool for you; if you are not successful, you will need to re-read the chapter, to study & to ask questions.

 Class time will be spent doing relevant activities, watching videos and, on occasion, completing on-line activities.  Chapters will be covered in 2-4 days.  There will always be either an in-class quiz or in-class concept web (and sometimes both). They will not necessarily be announced in advance. The expectation is that when we start a chapter, you have read it & are able to write the quiz or complete the in-class activity (at any time).  At the completion of each unit, there will be a day for review. This will be done with a series of power-point presentations. Any questions you have about the material should be asked at this time.  The unit test will be the next day. These are worth significantly more than the chapter quizzes & concept webs (formative vs. cumulative).

The Challenge  Stay on track; put in the necessary time at home to ensure you learn the material and can pass the tests.  Keep the pace.  Complete the research assignments on your own time; no time will be allocated for this in class.  Request extra help when you need it.

The Pay-Off  There will be lots of time for fun & interactive activities, experiments & videos.  This is a fascinating & relevant science that you can transfer into your personal life, and possibly into your future studies.  Classes will be interactive & interesting.

Assessment  Unit Tests25%  Midterm10%  Final Exam20%  Research Assignments (4)25%  Quizzes & Graphic Organizers 5%  Class Participation 5%  Journals & Assignments 5% Flex Points: you can choose whether you want the remaining 5% to be allocated to the journal category or to the quiz category. The condition is that all work must be complete (all quizzes written & all journals submitted)

Methods Domain  Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4  Unit Test: October 5 th. Chapter One: Sept 10 Chapter Two: Sept 15 Chapter Three: Sept 18 Chapter Four: Sept 24

Biophysical Domain  Chapters 7, 9, 12 & 13.  Unit Test: November 2  Chapter 7October 6  Chapter 9October 14  Chapter 12October 22  Chapter 13October 27

Cognitive Domain  Chapters 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 & 25  Unit Test: December 14  Chapter 19Nov 4  Chapter 20Nov 12  Chapter 21Nov 18  Chapter 22Nov 20  Chapter 23 Nov 26  Chapter 24Dec 03  Chapter 25Dec 09

Variations Domain  Chapters 29, 30, 31, 34 & 35  Will not be a unit test (rather, this material will be emphasized on the final exam, along with (of course) material from each domain.  Chapter 29 Dec 15  Chapter 30Jan 06  Chapter 31Jan 11  Chapter 34Jan 14  Chapter 35Jan 19

Disclaimer Alert!  These dates are subject to change and are meant to simply give you an idea of the pace and of the units of study.  The expectation is that you have read each chapter prior to its start-date.  I will inform you of any changes.

Companion Website  ych2e/default.asp?s=&n=&i=&v=&o=&ns=0&uid =0&rau=0 ych2e/default.asp?s=&n=&i=&v=&o=&ns=0&uid =0&rau=0  Here, you will find the online quizzes, review, simulations & links.  It’s a comprehensive site and should really help you as you learn the content of each chapter.  I expect you to take the online quiz and to enter my address so that your results are sent to me. You must do each quiz before we leave the

Methods Domain – assignments & journals  Journal topic on page 18  Journal topic on page 36  Journal topic on page 50  Journal topic on page 73  Journal topic on page 91 Must complete three of the journals, as well as the “what happened on your birthday” assignment. Due on October 2 nd.

Research Assignments  Methods Domain  Complete ONE of the following.  Submit on October 7.  Use APA format. Go to Owl Purdue & Citation Machine to familiarize yourself with this documenting format. There will be a tutorial (at noon) for those who need help.  Be critical of the sources you find: no wiki, no “free-for-all- googling”. Try to find respectable, relevant research.  Download the sample APA paper on Owl Purdue and use it as a model * this is not an option; I will not accept another format*

Guidelines (despite topic)  Use 2-3 sources.  Your paper should be a combination of the information you find in these sources & your own observations and insight.  Information from the sources should be mostly paraphrased (from the original), but you will be expected to use between 2 and 5 direct quotes, as well.  Length: 1) cover page, 2) abstract, 3) 3-4 pages (double spaced, 12 font) of content (use subheadings), 4) reference page

Mental-Health Awareness  Research a mental illness that is prevalent in a typical high school population (depression, schizophrenia, ADD, other).  Include the following: the prevalence of the disorder in high school populations (North America) compared to another population (you choose – elementary school populations, nursing-home residents, white-collar workers, farmers, teachers, etc).  Causes of the disorder, treatment options, early warning signs, and reasons for differences in the prevalence between different populations.

History & Perspectives: Research Option  Research the life of a psychologist or scientist mentioned in this module. Focus your research on the following: was this person’s childhood remarkable or predictive of his or her future success in psychology? Why or why not? What type of schooling did he or she receive? What interests outside of psychology did he or she pursue? Did these impact his or her research? What interesting facts made this person more real to you?

Nature & Nurture in Psychology  Research (2-3) stories of twins separated at birth.  Give a brief review of the individuals, the situation and the history.  What similarities did the twins share? How were they different?  How did each twin feel growing up? Did they sense they had a twin or did they lack a feeling of connection to their sibling?  How did they feel when they were reunited with their twin?  Does this story give any insight into the nature/nurture debate, in your opinion?

Nature & Nurture in Psychology Option Two  Research adoption laws in Canada.  What do biological parents have to do to put up a child for adoption? Are they required to relinquish parental rights?  How do adoptive parents apply for adoption? What restrictions exist to qualify as an adoptive parent?  How long do biological parents have to reconsider their decision? What could happen if a biological parent didn’t know of the birth of the child? Could he contest the adoption days, months, weeks, or even years later? Why or why not?  What is the wait time for a potential adoptive parent?  When can adoptees learn of the details of their adoption? Can they know the identities of their biological parents? Why or why not?  Does NB have “safe haven” laws? How do these affect adoptions?

Research Animals  Explore what Canadian regulations exist to ensure animals are treated well in experimental laboratories.  How big do the living quarters need to be for different types of animals? Why are there differences in sizes of living quarters?  What is “adequate ventilation”?  What, if any, recent (past decade) changes have occurred in Canada with respect to lab animals?  Should more stringent measures be in place to protect animal rights? Why or why not?