Fall 2009: PSY 200.01: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
CA 129, MWF 1010-1100
mflynch@sfsu.edu
http://bss.sfsu.edu/mflynch
415.338.7550
Office: EP 113; Office Hours: MWF 900-945, MF1100-1230, and
other times by appointment
COURSE: This is an introductory, lower-division course that
surveys the diverse discipline of psychology. There is a great deal of material to cover in a very short
time; therefore, the pace of this course will be quite brisk. It is important that you keep up on the
assigned readings. The format of
the course will be lecture, augmented by films, demonstrations, and guest
lecturers. You will learn a great
deal about your own behavior and the behavior of others.
TEXTBOOK: Gazzaniga, M., Heatherton, T., & Halprin, D. (2010). Psychological Science. Third
edition. New York: Norton.
EXAMS: There will be four equally weighted exams (35 pts. each)
covering separate sections of the material. You will be responsible for the material presented in the
textbook, lectures, and films. The
format of the exams will be 35 multiple-choice questions. On-line study guides are provided and
you are permitted to bring one, single-side, handwritten page of notes to the exams; no attachments, downloads,
scanned or Xeroxed text; study groups may share duplicate sheets. You need
parscore form F-1712-PAR-L for exam 1 only, and F-289-PAR-L for the others. You will be docked 5 points if you do not have the correct
form or if you do not fill in the required information; take time and care in
doing so.
The
exam schedule is as follows:
Final
ExamÉÉÉ.....December 21 (Monday)
The optional final exam will be held at 8:00 a.m. This exam is cumulative, also worth 35
points, and may be taken to replace a missed exam or to potentially improve
your score—that is, to replace a score on one of the other four exams. Exam scores are always posted outside
EP113, not on the website. The best four of the possible five exam scores are
used for your grade.
RESEARCH EXPERIENTIAL
REQUIREMENT: This requirement is
designed to acquaint you with the process of psychological research. You may fulfill this requirement by a
variety of activities. Please see separate description, requirements, and cover
page that you need to print under the heading: ÒResearch Experiential
RequirementÓ on the website. This requirement is due no later than
Wednesday, November 20 at 4:45 p.m. The credit for this assignment is 25 points. If you are late
or do not complete the entire assignment correctly, you will be given only 5
points for each, if any, activities you do complete correctly—obviously,
it is in your best interest to get full credit. Also, you are required to turn
in this assignment in order to get a grade of C+ or higher or to Credit.
Failure to do so will lower your grade one full step.
GRADING: Your cumulative points will determine your grade as follows:
Research component = 25 points.
Combine (140 + 25) =
165 points maximum.
GRADING CURVE: (Note: The point values are the minimum total needed for that grade)
STUDY
SESSIONS/TUTORING: Study sessions are
available. They are led by
students and are held in the common area located in EP113. You may stop by or schedule an
appointment. Individuals or groups
can be accommodated. The schedule
of study sessions will be announced and posted on the course website. All students are welcome however
students scoring 18 points or below on an exam must attend a study session
before the next exam. Your exam score will
not be posted if you do not attend a study session if required to do so.
Admittance to the study sessions will be limited to reasonable accommodation of
the room on the days immediately prior to the examÉdo not wait until the last
minute!
REQUIREMENTS
and EXPECTATIONS:
1. It is expected that you will attend
classes and complete all requirements.
2. Examinations must be taken at the
scheduled time. Written proof that
you were ill is required for a make-up; likewise, documentation is required if
you have an emergency. (An
emergency is defined as an event of
an unexpected and compelling nature
that necessitates your attendance.)
3.
Mutual respect is expected; for example: unnecessary noise, interrupting or
embarrassing other class members is unacceptable. If you create a disturbance, you will be directed to
leave. We should work together to
make the environment supportive for all.
This includes: refraining from sleeping, chatting, reading, and studying
for another class or activity, or any other behavior that is rude,
disrespectful, and/or disturbing to others. If you are unavoidably late to class, make your entrance as
unobtrusive as possible and sit down quietly. CELL PHONES MUST BE OFF: no rings, no text messaging. Your
cooperation is appreciated. Laptops may ONLY be used for note taking! Laptop
users must sit in the last two center rows. Violators will be penalized 5
points.
4.
There is ABSOLUTELY NO eating or drinking permitted in the auditorium.
5.
Plagiarism, cheating and other unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated in
this class. Plagiarism in particular is a very serious offense. Plagiarism is defined in the UniversityÕs Student
Code of Conduct, http://www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/current/supp-reg.htm#ppg339,
as Òliterary theft; i.e., the presentation and passing off as oneÕs own
the ideas, words, or writings of another.Ó Also according
to SF State policy, ÒStudents É who display inappropriate conduct, including
cheating and plagiarism, may be subject to disciplinary action as provided in Title
5, California Code of Regulations. Any
student may be expelled, suspended, placed on probation, or given a lesser
sanction for discipline problems.Ó Plagiarism includes allowing someone take
credit for work you have done. If you plagiarize or cheat on an assignment or
exam you will receive a grade of 0 and may be referred for academic discipline.
Cheating on a test is an automatic grade of 0 and can
result in expulsion from the University.
6. Students with disabilities who need reasonable
accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor. The Disability
Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) is available to facilitate the reasonable
accommodations process. The DPRC is located in the Student Service
Building and can be reached by telephone (voice/TTY 415-338-2472) or by email dprc@sfsu.edu.
During the semester, students shall be notified in
writing (digitally or in hard copy) of any substantive changes in the course
syllabus.