Personality (PSY 454)
Fall 2003

Course Description: Surveys several of the major theories of personality development and structures from the classic ideas of Freud and Jung to the current cognitive theories of Bandura. Also covers trait and humanistic approaches. Prerequisites: PSY 211
I hope that in this course, you will: 1) develop a good understanding of some of the major theories of personality; 2) engage in a critical analysis of these theories; and 3) apply these theories so that you have a better understanding of yourself and others. To acheive these goals, it is essential that you be an active learner. I expect you to be prepared for each class so that you can fully participate in discussions and exercises, and I hope you will continually question and evaluate what we are learning.

Requirements:
Reading: Feist, J. & Feist, G. (2002). Theories of Personality, 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill

Exams: There will be three exams, each covering one third of the course material, and based on the lectures, readings, films and discussions. The exams will be open-note and consist of four short, one-paragraph essays (worth 10 points each) and one long, one-page essay (worth 20 points). Each exam is worth 60 points toward your final grade, for a total of 180 points.

Quizzes or Personal Reflection Papers: For each theory, you will have the choice of either taking an in-class quiz or writing a personal reflection paper. Both the quizzes and personal reflection papers are worth twenty points each toward your final grade, for a total of 200 points. There will be eleven quizzes/personal reflection papers and the lowest grade will be dropped.

Quizzes will consist of 20 multiple choice questions and will be given at the end of the second class on a theory. If you are not taking the quiz for a theory, you can leave class early that day. There are no make-ups for quizzes.. If you do not take a quiz, you must write a personal reflection paper.

Personal reflection papers will give you an opportunity to reflect critically on what you are learning, and to apply each personality theory to your own life. They are due the same day as the quizzes, and only one paper will be accepted late. Papers will be graded for accurat

Extra Credit: There will be three five point extra credit opportunities, one for each third of the class. All of these extra credit assignments will involve posting a message on the iClarion website for our class.

Class Participation: Your contribution to this class is important! I hope you will share your thinking, personal examples, and questions with us.

Final Grade Totals:
          A      342 - 380          B      304 - 341           C      266 - 303          D      265 - 228           E      Below 227

Schedule:
Part 1:
8/25
Introduction
Read: Chap. 1

8/27 - 9/3
Sigmund Freud
Read: Chap. 2

9/1
Labor Day -- No Class

9/8 - 9/10
Alfred Adler
Read: Chap. 3

9/15 - 9/17
Carl Jung
Read: Chap. 4

9/22
Review

9/24
Exam #1

Part 2:
9/29 - 10/1
Karen Horney
Read: Chap. 6

10/6 - 10/8
Erich Fromm
Read: Chap. 7

10/13 - 10/15
Carl Rogers
Read: Chap. 16

Abraham Maslow
Read: Chap. 17

10/27
Review

10/29
Exam #2

Part 3:
11/3 - 11/5
George Kelly
Read: Chap. 15

11/10 - 11/12
B.F. Skinner
Read: Chap. 10

11/17 - 11/19
Albert Bandura
Read: Chap. 11

11/24 - 12/1
Raymond Cattell and Hans Eysenck
Read: Chap. 13

11/26
No Class -- Thanksgiving

12/3
Review

12/8 or 10
Exam #3

I am always glad to see you in my office. It is especially important that you come see 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 class go well for you.

cforden@clarion.edu

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