Dr. Donna
Ashcraft
Fall, 2006
216 Harvey
Hall
Office Hours: MW 1:00-3:00
Phone: 393-1870 or
393-2295
F 12:00-1:00
Email: Ashcraft@clarion.edu
Website: http://psy1.clarion.edu/dma/donna.html
Books Required:
Pyrczak, F. & Bruce, R. R. (2003). Writing Empirical Research Reports (5th ed.). LA: Pyrczak Publishing.
Galvan, J. L. (1999). Writing Literature Reviews (2nd ed.). LA: Pyrczak Publishing.
Author. (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological
Association.
Additional Readings:
Additional chapters or articles will be required. These will be
announced
during class time and either distributed in class or put on reserve at
the library. Students may also need to locate additional readings on
their
own. Announcements may also be made as to where students may locate
additional
readings.
Course Description:
Students will obtain an in-depth look at a particular social
psychology
topic chosen by the students, by allowing them to review the literature
on that topic, and design a research proposal pertinent to it. The
proposal
should integrate the literature and potentially advance knowledge in
that
area. The proposal must be at least 20 pages; feedback and
opportunities
for rewrites will be given. This aspect of the course will be
collaborative
in nature, with students from Clarion University working with students
from West Chester University, over the Internet, and through video
conferencing,
to communicate across sites. Students will be graded on the quality of
the proposal, and a collaborative analysis, as well as collaborative
effort.
Group assignments will allow students to explore additional social
psychology
topics by requiring students to examine their own experiences during
the
completion of the research proposal.
Course Requirements:
Collaborative Project: Students will complete the introductory collaborative paper, research proposal, and collaborative analysis as a team comprised of students from both CUP and WCU. See separate collaborative syllabus on the web at http://coral.wcupa.edu.
Individual Efforts/Assignments: To allow students to explore
additional social psychology topics, beyond that of the research
proposal,
and in order to allow for individual, as well as collaborative efforts
to count toward final grades, students will also complete a series of
individual
in-class assignments/activities. Students will use the collaborative
project
as an example of many social psychological principles. To do this,
students
will read about social psychological principles and then find examples
of them in their experiences involving the collaborative project. The
social
psychological principles that will be studied will be determined by the
professor, who will also provide an outline of an exercise that can be
used to find the examples of the principles. Your completion of these
activities
will allow you to complete the final collaborative analysis.
Class Participation: Class participation is critical.
Students
must come to class prepared and willing to discuss the material.
Students
must have read the appropriate chapters/articles prior to class in
order
to complete the in-class activities and participate in the class
discussion.
Occasionally, it may be necessary to complete an assignment/activity as
homework and bring the results to class for examination and discussion.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. If you miss more than two classes your grade will drop by one letter grade. Your presence is necessary for your team to function effectively because so much of this course is collaborative. Your absence not only affects you, but also the interactions of the entire class and your individual group/team.
Grading: Students will be evaluated on:
1. Introductory collaborative paper
2. Collaborative Analysis Reports
3. Final Collaborative APA Research Proposal
4. Effectiveness of collaboration throughout the semester
5. Final Collaborative Analysis
6. Improvement over the course of the semester.