Introduction to Psychology - PSYC 101

Instructor: Chris Bjornsen, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology

Office: Ruffner 305

Office phone: 395-2736

          Office Hours: M, W 11-12,  TR 2-3 & by appt.

email: bjornsenca@longwood.edu

Class times:  9:30-10:45 T/R

Classroom:  Ruffner 312/314

Catalog course description:

Additional course description:

Text:  Discovering Psychology, 4th edition, Hockenberry & Hockenberry, 2007

Course objectives:  Upon successful completion of this course, students will have:

• a basic understanding of the field of Psychology
• an enhanced ability to interpret contemporary events using the principles of Psychology
• enhanced research & writing skills
• enhanced ability to think critically and creatively
• enhanced computer and information technology skills
• enhanced ability to think and behave ethically

Since this class satisfies Goal 8 of the General Education Requirements, we will also engage in activities that will address the goals listed on the following web page:  http://web.lwc.edu/academic/LAS/Psychology/GenEduMatrix.htm  (Note: If you are a PSYC major, this course does not satisfy Goal 8. You must take a different Goal 8 class to satisfy that goal. This course counts as a required major course.) 

Course Requirements:

Students need to be prepared to take excellent notes during class. The professor will not be giving printed lecture outlines.

1. Tests. Tests will measure students' understanding of information presented during class and as well as assigned reading. The questions on the exam will take many different forms, including multiple-choice, fill in the blank, identification of components of graphs/figures/tables presented in class or in the text, and essay questions.

2. Brief papers. The professor will hand out short articles (or provide links to articles online) and students will write short reaction papers (3 pages) that reflect individual understanding of the concepts and arguments contained in the articles. All students must turn in printed copies of papers. Papers will be due at the beginning of class on the due dates (to be provided). Each class day a paper is late will result in a one letter grade reduction in the grade for the paper. Papers should conform to APA style (i.e., papers should be typed with one inch margins, double-spaced 12-point font. No cover page is required. No reference page is required. No direct quotes or paraphrasing is allowed. Students must write papers using their own words and understanding of the articles. 

3. Extra credit. Students may participate in research being conducted by Psychology department students and faculty. Each study a student participates in will count one point toward the student's final grade (maximum 5 points).

Extensions on assignments, tests, etc. may be given, at the discretion of the instructor, only for the following reasons: (1) Prior to the exam date or assignment due date, the student has requested an extension because the assignment/exam conflicts with a college-sponsored activity (such as a class field trip or LC sport team event). (2) The student has requested an extension, prior to the exam/assignment due date, due to a serious illness or family emergency. (3) The student was hospitalized and could not request an extension prior to the exam date or due date of the assignment. No other reasons for missing an exam or assignment will be considered. Students will be given a grade of zero for assignments/quizzes/tests missed. The final exam will be given on the date and time assigned by the University, as printed in the official exam schedule.  If a student has more than two exams on one day, he or she may request that he/she be given the exam on a day that is agreeable to the professor and student. 

Grading policy

Attendance

Regular class attendance is important if you want to succeed in this course. I believe you are adults and are capable of deciding whether or not you will take this advice and attend class. Do not misinterpret this to mean that the professor "doesn't care" if you come to class or not. If you miss class, you are still responsible for what was discussed or taught in class that day. The professor will not provide students with handouts or notes or lend students videotapes shown in class, unless a student missed a class for an emergency or University-sponsored event. It is always best to ask the professor beforehand if your reason for missing class would be acceptable or not. The professor will likely take attendance at the beginning of each class in order to learn students' names and keep track of who is and who is not attending class on a regular basis.

Honor Code and Student Conduct

Longwood students founded the Honor Code in 1910. Its purpose is to create and sustain a community in which all persons are treated with trust, respect, and dignity. Students are expected to assume full responsibility for their actions and refrain from lying, cheating, stealing, and plagiarism. University penalties for infraction of the Honor Code are detailed in the Student Handbook, which students can find on-line within the Longwood University web pages and are responsible for understanding and following. If the professor believes a student has violated the Honor Code, the student will receive a course grade reduction or, more likely, an “F” for the course. The professor will also file Honor Code charges against the student.

During class students are expected to be “on task” and paying attention at all times. Students should be aware that the Student Handbook states that interfering with the duties of a student, faculty, or staff member is a Judicial Code offense, and can result in academic probation. It is the responsibility of your professor to protect and promote a respectful, positive classroom environment. Indeed, one of the reasons for which a Longwood professor can be fired is for “failure to maintain discipline”. As such, the professor will strictly enforce the following expectations for classroom conduct. The professor will determine the degree to which such disruptions will affect the student’s grade, and possibly result in the filing of Judicial Code charges.

• Interrupting the professor or another student while that person is addressing the class
• Falling asleep in class, or putting one's head down on the desk
• Making irrelevant, rude, derogatory, or hostile statements during class
• Interfering with the professor's ability to engage students in discussion, direct a class activity, or lecture during class time
• Walking out of the classroom during class (including to visit the restroom), or leaving class before the professor has dismissed students
• Packing up one's books before the professor has indicated class is over
• Reading or doing work during class that is not for this class
• Answering a cell phone during class (please make sure cell phones are turned off)
• Eating food - including snacks, crackers, candy - during class. You may drink a beverage, but if it spills you have to clean it up.
• Putting one's feet up on a chair, desk, or table (our furniture is new, and we have to pay for cleaning or replacing furniture)

Students are not permitted to audiotape class lectures or discussions without the consent of the professor.

Students are not permitted to use headphones / ipods during exams.

Other violations of proper student conduct may arise during the semester, and the professor will discuss these with students at appropriate times.

Course Schedule

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the above syllabus during the semester if necessary, with proper notification provided to students during class.