PSYC105:  Psychology of Adjustment

Spring, 2003   

 

Instructor:  Dr. Doris M. Van Auken                                                               Meetings:  MWF  10:30 – 11:20 (purple)

Office:  181 Vincent                                                                                         Office Phone:  239-8386               

Office Hours:              M-F  11:45 – 12:45 and by appointment                           E-mail:  dvanauken@hcc-nd.edu                                                                                                                                                          

Course Description: 

This course will cover a wide range of topics dealing with the application of psychological principles to everyday life..  We will be discussing the methods, data, and practical applications of psychology in the areas of personality, stress and coping; the development of self; social cognition and influence; interpersonal communication; friendship, love and marriage; careers and work; expression of sexuality; and finally psychology and mental and physical health.

 

Course Objectives:                                                                               Transferable Skills:

The student will be able to:                                                                                               The student will be better able to:

1.) Define the concept of adjustment.                                                                              1.)  Generate ideas and synthesize results.     

2.) Understand the research methods used in psychology.                                         2.) Recognize and use multiple ways of thinking.

3.) Understand stress, its effects, and coping strategies.                                             3.) Ask relevant questions.

4.) Distinguish between self, self-concept, and self-esteem.                        4.) Distinguish between fact, opinion, and judgment.

5.) Understand how perceptions and cognitions affect behavior.                              5.) Understand and apply the Scientific Method.

6.) Better understand friendship, love, relationships, and sexuality.                          6.) Analyze, interpret, and appreciate the work of others.

7.) Understand career and work patterns.                                                                        7.) Evaluate and use available information sources.

8.) Think critically about the psychology-health connection.                     8.) Seek help when and where needed.

 

Texts:

Required:  Duffy, K. & Atwater, E. (2002).  Psychology for Living:  Adjustment, Growth, and Behavior Today (7th ed.).  Upper Saddle

    River, NJ:  Prentice Hall.

 

ATTENDENCE POLICY:

Because this course covers many topics in a short period of time attendance is required.  Therefore, I will take attendance at the beginning of each class meeting.  You may not miss more than 3 classes without your grade being affected.  If you are more than 15 minutes late for class it will be considered an absence.  It is in your best interest to let me know before you will be absent or late for class, or as soon as possible following an absence or late arrival for class. 

 

STUDENT MISCONDUCT:

The 2002/2003 Student Handbook states “Dishonesty such as cheating of all kinds, plagiarism in written or oral reports, illegal possession of examinations, knowingly furnishing false information to the College, forgery, alteration or misuse of College documents, records or identification” is considered not in keeping with the standards of the College and will not be tolerated.  For further information on student misconduct please refer to the Student Handbook. 

 

Plagiarism is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (1997) as “presenting the ideas or words of another as one’s own.”  Notice this definition is NOT plagiarized.  Presenting the work of another as your own is dishonest and constitutes cheating.  There is never an acceptable reason for plagiarizing.  The penalty for plagiarizing is an automatic zero on that assignment. Plagiarizing cheats you, the student, and insults me, the professor.  It is in your best interest to refrain from this behavior.  

 

Examples of plagiarizing include, but are not limited to the following:

1.        Copying word for word from a source, without citing the source in the text and on the reference page.

2.        Re-wording a passage from a source, without citing the source of the idea in the text and on the reference page.

3.        Buying a paper on the Internet.  It can be traced! 

4.        Copying the work of a friend or parent, etc.

 

EVALUATION:

 

ATTENDANCE:  (40 classes @ 3 points each, Total of 120 points)

Attendance is necessary in order to do well in this class.  Lectures and discussions will contain many examples, and explanations to enhance the textbook.  You should come to class prepared, having read the material listed for that day.  You will receive 3 points for each class meeting.  If you arrive late, you will receive 2 points for that day.  If you do not attend class you receive 0 points.

NO EXCEPTIONS, NO EXCUSES!

EXAMS:  (4 @ 100 points each, Total of 400 points)

There will be 4 exams.  Each exam will consist of multiple choice, and true/false questions.  There will also be a section of short answer essay questions.  The questions will cover the material in the assigned text chapters as well as all of the lecture material.  You will be provided with a list of questions to use as a study guide.  There will be questions that are straight information; however, you should also expect to see questions that require you to apply your knowledge.  Exam dates are listed on the syllabus.  I do not give make-up exams.  If you miss an exam, your make-up will be the comprehensive final.  

 

You may bring one 5” x 8” index card to each exam with handwritten notes on each side.  There are three rules for your card:     1.)  It must be in your own handwriting,     2.)  You must be able to read the notes without a magnifying glass and     3.)  You must not share your card with any other student.  This card is NOT a substitute for studying!  It will help you to focus your studying and will help relieve test anxiety.

 

GROUP PRESENTATIONS:  ( 2 @ 60 points each, Total of 120 points.)

Students will form into small groups of 5 to 6 students per group.  Each group will choose 2 chapters to lead a class discussion over.  One chapter must be early in the semester and one chapter late in the semester.  Material in the selected chapters may be presented in any format, upon approval of the instructor.  You will be provided with a rubric to guide you in your presentation and describe the grading criteria before your presentation.  Grades will be based on several things:  points assigned by other group members, points assigned by the class, and points assigned by the instructor.  Information is to be presented to the class on the days indicated on the schedule.  If a student is a member of the group and is not in class on the assigned day, a grade of zero (0) will be assigned to that student and may not be removed.  Presentations must cover the material in the textbook and also include additional information that can be found by conducting research in the library, on the Internet, and through personal interviews.  On the day of the presentations the group members will also provide the instructor with a brief quiz to be taken by the remaining members of the class.  Group members making the presentation DO NOT have to take the quiz over their material.  Instructor reserves the right to modify the quiz developed by the group.  

 

QUIZZES:  (8 @ 25 points each, Total of 200 points.)

The presenting group members will generate quizzes.  They will consist of multiple choice and true-false questions.  Quizzes will be taken at the beginning of the class period following the group presentation.  Quizzes will be of an appropriate level of difficulty (not to easy and not to difficult).  There will be a total of twelve quizzes given over the course of the semester.  Students will take 10 of the 12 (remember you don’t take the quiz you develop).  Of the 10 quizzes you will take, the 8 highest quiz scores will count.  Your 2 lowest scores will be dropped.

 

OPTIONAL COMPREHENSIVE FINAL:  There will be an optional comprehensive final.  If you have missed an exam, the comprehensive final will count as your make-up test.  You may also take the final to substitute for your lowest test score, which will be dropped.  Please let me know ahead of time if you plan to take the comprehensive final exam.  NO note cards will be permitted for use on the final exam.

 

If you think a grade is inaccurate and you wish to dispute it, you may do so in writing within 7 days.  You must explain why you think your grade should be changed and show strong support for your argument. I will respond to your argument in a timely fashion.

 

Options for replacing one test score:  I understand that some people are just not good test takers.  For this reason the following options will be available.  You may chose one of the options and complete that option to replace one exam score.  All optional work must be turned in before April 18 in order for me to score your work and return it to you before final exams. 

 

§          Option 1:  Write a paper on any topic covered in the chapters of the exam you wish to replace.  Your paper should:

§          Be six to eight (6 - 8) typed (double spaced please) pages. 

§          Have a minimum of five (5) references, which must be cited and referenced.

1 – textbook

3 - professional journal articles (EX:  Journal of Applied Psychology)

1 - other source (internet, popular magazines, etc.).

 

§          Option 2:  Keep a journal of 10 of the 21 chapters to be covered in this course.  Each entry is worth a total of 10 points.  Each journal entry should: 

§          Be 2 typed pages (double spaced please) and should include the following: 

 1.)    Summary – A one-page summary of the chapter, including the major topics.  (worth 4 points)

2.)      2 Comments – Something you found interesting, something you found hard to believe, or something you want to know more about.

                                 (worth 2 points)

3.)      2 Questions – Several questions, which you may have concerning the reading.  (worth 2 points)

4.)      2 Real-life Examples – Two examples from your own personal experience, related to the readings in that chapter.  (worth 2 points)

 

Important Note:          ABSOLUTELY NO PAPERS/JOURNALS/EXTRA CREDIT WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED

AFTER April 18, 2003.

 

Extra Credit:  The only opportunities for extra credit come in the form of movies and workshops. 

  • You may also watch movies for extra credit.  You may watch 3 movies and write a summary of the movie and how the movie relates to some area of psychology.  Each summary will be worth 4 points for a total of 12 possible extra credit points.  This is an easy, painless way to get extra credit.  A list of movies will be provided to you.
  • You may attend the SAP workshops presented at HCC each month.  You will be required to sign-in when you arrive.  You will also need to write a one-page summary of the material presented at the workshop.  These are worth 5 points each.  There are usually 3 or 4 workshops per semester.

 

FINAL GRADE:

Your final grade will be based on your final point total.  There are 840 points possible in this class.  Cutoffs for grades are listed below.  No papers, assignments, or other work may be completed for extra credit.  There will be several extra credit assignments that will be handed out in class.  If you are not in class you will miss these opportunities.  If your grade is borderline, factors such as the quantity and quality of your class participation will be a deciding factor.

 

POINTS REQUIRED FOR EACH GRADE:      

                                                                                               

A+  =    823                                                                            A  =   781                                                                               A-  =   756

B+  =    739                                                                             B  =   697                                                                                B-  =   672

C+  =    655                                                                             C  =   613                                                                                C-  =   588

D   =    504                                                               TOTAL POINTS   =    840

   

 How to do well in this course:

  • Read the assigned chapters before attending the lectures.
  • Attend lectures and take accurate notes (tape recorders are welcome in class).
  • Schedule regular time for study of text and notes (5 to 6 hours per week outside of class).
  • Use the text questions and study guide to prepare for exams.
  • Make friends with classmates.  Share notes.  Form study groups.
  • Come to see me when the material is not clear.
  • Let me know as soon as possible of any problems, which might affect your performance in this class.

 

 

Class Performance Record (to be kept by the student)

 

                  SCORE                                  SCORE                         SCORE                                                                                           SCORE

 

EXAM 1:       ___________                      QUIZ 1:  __________                QUIZ 6:   __________                 EXAMS:                                        ____________                                                                                   

EXAM 2:       ___________                      QUIZ 2:  __________                QUIZ 7:   __________                 ATTENDANCE:                           ____________

 

EXAM 3:       ___________                      QUIZ 3:  __________                QUIZ 8:   __________                 QUIZZES:                                      ____________

       

EXAM 4:       ___________                      QUIZ 4:  __________         QUIZ 9:   __________                       GROUP PRESENTATION:          ____________                                   

                                                        QUIZ 5:  __________                QUIZ 10:  __________

 

                                                                                                                                                                        TOTAL POINTS             ______________________

 

Please keep this record up-to-date.  You will always know exactly where you stand in the class.  Also, keep in mind that I will not be calculating grades the weeks before the final.  If you keep accurate records you can determine for yourself if you need to take the final exam.