I am always glad to see you in my office - even just to chat. It is especially important that you talk with me if you are having difficulty with the class, or if you have a special need you would like me to know about. We'll think together about how to make the course go well for you. Requirements:

1. Reading. Coon, D. (2006). Psychology: A Modular Approach, 10th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

2. Class Participation. Even in a class this size, it makes a difference when you are absent, so please make every effort to attend class and notify me if you are going to be absent. It is also important that you join in class discussions - please share your thinking with us.

3. Exams. There will be four exams, each covering one fourth of the course material, and based on the lectures, readings, and discussions. The exams will consist of multiple choice application type questions. A week before each exam you will be given a study guide which will tell you what material is going to be covered on the exam. You will be allowed to bring in an 8 1/2" by 11" page of notes to assist you during the exam. Each exam is worth up to 40 points toward your final grade.

4. Message Board Posting: The exams break up the class material into four sections. For each section, I will post four questions on Blackboard. Choose ONE of these questions and post a 150 word response. You have until the day of the exam to post your response. After the exam, a new set of questions will be posted and you can no longer receive credit for the previous questions. Each message posting is worth 5 points toward your final grade, for a total of 20 points.

5. Enrichment: You will do two enrichment activities. These activities will offer you an opportunity to expand your understanding of the material by attending campus events or watching videos in the library. Events will be announced in class and the videos are on reserve in the library. You will be required to sign a sheet verifying that you have participated in the event or have watched the video. Each activity is worth 5 points toward your final grade, for a total of 10 points.

Final Grade Totals: Your final grade will be calculated by totaling the points you've earned on the four exams, Blackboard activities and enrichment activities:
          A      167 - 190          B      148 - 166           C      129 - 147          D      110 - 128           E      Below 110

8/31
Psychology as a Science
Read: Modules 1.4 & 1.5

9/5
Labor Day -- No Class

9/7
Learning Theory --Classical Conditioning
Read: Module 7.1

9/12
Learning Theory -- Operant Conditioning
Read: Modules 7.2, 7.3 & 7.4

9/14
Behavior Therapy and Psychoanalytic Therapy
Read: Modules 14.1 & 14.3

9/19
Psychoanalytic Theory
Read: Module 11.2

9/21
Humanistic Theory and Therapy
Read: Modules 11.4 & 14.2

9/26
Exam #1

Topic II: Biological Bases of Behavior
9/28
The Nervous System
Read: Module 2.1

10/3
The Brain
Read: Modules 2.2, 2.3 & 2.4

10/5
Sensations
Read: Modules 5.1 & 5.2

10/10
Perception
Read: Modules 5.4, 5.5 & 5.6

10/12
States of Consciousness: Sleep
Read: Modules 6.1 & 6.2

10/17
Exam #2

Topic III: Individual Differences
10/19
What is Mental Illness?
Read: Module 13.1

10/24
Abnormal Psychology -- Personality Disorders and Anxiety-Based Disorders
Read: Module 13.2

10/26
Abnormal Psychology -- Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders
Read: Modules 13.3, 13.4 & 14.5

10/31
Emotional Intelligence and Coping
Read: Modules 10.6 & 12.5

Topic IV: Social Psychology
11/2 - 11/7
Attitudes and Social Influence
Read: Modules 16.2, 16.3 & 16.4

11/9
Racism and Prejudice
Read: Modules 16.5 & 16.7

11/14
Exam #3

Topic V: Cognition
11/16
Memory Systems
Read: Modules 8.1 & 8.2

11/21
Forgetting
Read: Modules 8.3, 8.4 & 8.5

11/23
No Class -- Thanksgiving Break

11/28
Intelligence Testing
Read: Module 9.3

Topic VI: Development
11/30
Cognitive Development
Read: Module 3.6

12/5
Social Development
Read: Modules 3.3, 3.4 & 3.7

12/7
Aging
Read: Module 4.4

12/12 - 12/14
Finals Week -- Exam #4