Spring 2012:  PSY 200.01: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

CA 129, TTh 0810-0925

Margaret F. Lynch, Ph.D.

mflynch@sfsu.edu

http://bss.sfsu.edu/mflynch

415.338.7550

Office: EP 113

Office Hours: TTh 0930-1050; Th: 1400-1530; Wednesdays: 2/8, 4/8, 4/25, 5/2 1030-1200

 

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 throughout the course.

 

TEXTBOOK: Gazzaniga, M., Heatherton, T., & Halpern, D. (2011). Psychological science, fourth edition. New York: W. W. Norton

 

EXAMS: There will be three 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 45 multiple-choice questions.  Online study guides are provided for all exams and the final exam. 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:

Exam 1ÉÉÉÉÉ..February 21 (Tuesday)

Exam 2ÉÉ.ÉÉÉ.March 29 (Thursday)

Exam 3ÉÉÉÉÉ..May 8 (Tuesday)

Final ExamÉÉÉ.....May 17 (Tuesday)

The optional final exam will be held at 8:00 a.m.  This exam is cumulative, also worth 45 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 three exams.  All of the same policies apply to this exam.

 

Exam scores are always posted outside EP113, not on the website. The best three of the possible four 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. This requirement is due no later than April 19 at 4:45 p.m.  The point value for this requirement 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 get Credit. Failure to correctly complete this requirement and to do so on time will significantly lower your grade. See the link for the ÒResearch Experiential RequirementÓ for complete information; follow the instructions carefully.

 

GRADING: Your cumulative points will determine your grade as follows: 

Three exams @ 45 points each           = 135 points

               Research component            =   25 points.

                  Combine (140 + 25)          = 160 points maximum.

 

GRADING CURVE: (Note: The point values are the minimum total needed for that grade)

A         =          135 

A-        =          130 

B+       =          125 

B         =          120 

B-        =          110 

C+       =          105 

C         =            95 

C-        =            85 

D+       =            80 

D         =            75

D-        =            70 

F          =            69 and less

Credit (CR) = 85 and above; No Credit (NC) = 84 and under 

 

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 tutoring availability will be announced and posted on the course website.  All students are welcome however students scoring 20 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 exam it can get quite crowded; do not wait until the last minute, you may not be able to receive tutoring in time to have your grade posted! If you are required to attend, you must attend for a minimum of 20 minutes to receive credit for attending.

           

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 and cannot be taken if you arrive more than 20 minutes past 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. NO LAPTOPS or electronics tablets nor are other electronic devices (except voice recorders) are permittedÉweÕre going old school! Your cooperation is essential and appreciated. Violators will be penalized 5 points.

4. There is ABSOLUTELY NO eating or drinking permitted in the auditorium. If you require water for a medical condition, please inform Dr. Lynch.

5. Please remember you are in college and a level of personal responsibility and maturity is expected and assumed.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. The faculty of San Francisco State University shall accommodate students wishing to observe religious holidays when such observances require students to be absent from class activities. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor, in writing, about such holidays during the first two weeks of the class each semester. If such holidays occur during the first two weeks of the semester, the student must notify the instructor, in writing, at least three days before the date that he/she will be absent. It is the responsibility of the instructor to make every reasonable effort to honor the student request without penalty, and of the student to make up the work missed.

 

Important Dates for Students:

Jan 19, 2012- Semester begins, Faculty meetings.

January 23, 2012Classes Begin

Jan 23 – Feb 3: Adds permitted via permit number on www.sfsu.edu/student

Jan 23 – Feb 3: Students may drop course(s) or withdraw from the University Òwithout WÓ on transcript.

Feb 3: Drop Deadline (WITHOUT ÒWÓ) - Note: if you do not attend the first class session, the instructor may drop you. However, it is the studentÕs responsibility to drop classes by the drop deadline. After Feb 3, the student must file a withdrawal petition, and if approved, will receive a "W" (Withdrawal) grade on their official transcript.

Feb 3: Deadline to Audit a course.

Feb 4-17: Late Adding by Exception - Students may add by exception with an instructor-approved late permit number.  After Feb 17, students will also be required to have a LATE ADD form approved by Associate Dean of College of Science and Engineering.

Feb 17: Deadline to apply for graduation for Spring 2012. After this date, a Waiver of College Regulations is required, explaining why the application is being filed late.

Feb 4-Apr 20:  Course Withdrawal period: Student will receive ÒWÓ on transcript. Instructor submits W online via course roster, including reasons/notes for ChairÕs approval.

Mar 16: Last day to request CR/NC grading option

Mar 19-23 Spring Recess; No classes, campus open

Mar 30: Cesar Chavez Day, campus closed.

Apr 21-May 11: Withdrawal from course(s) or University for serious and compelling reasons (documentation required; Instructor/ Chair/ COSE Associate Dean approval required)

May 11: Last Day of Classes

May 12; May 14-18: Final Exams

May 29: GRADES DUE, Semester ends

 

Other Important Academic Policy Reminders

Course Repeat Policy:

Starting Fall 2008 a new course repeat policy is in effect. Students may only enroll in a course a maximum of two times. Courses taken Fall 2008 or after, will count as enrollment, including grades of AU, I, IC, RD, RP, W, and WU, traditional grades (A, B, C, D, and F, and their plus and minus designations), and CR/ NC. The course repeat policy is intended to balance unfettered and equitable access to SF State resources. It will also promote careful planning of academic schedules, facilitate student advising at pivotal academic points, and increase enrollment opportunities for all students. For complete details please go to http://www.sfsu.edu/~senate/documents/policies/S09-248.html.

 

Withdrawal Policy:

Withdrawal Policy: Beginning Fall 2009, undergraduate students may withdraw from a course a maximum of two times and from no more than 18 semester-units of course work. This does not include total semester withdrawals of all courses or classes taken in CEL (College of Extended Learning). Please refer to the Bulletin for complete information, http://www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/current/genpol.htm.

Jan 23 - Feb 3: Students may drop course(s) or leave University Òwithout WÓ on transcript.

Feb 3: Drop Deadline (WITHOUT ÒWÓ) – After Sep. 6, the student must file a withdrawal petition, and if approved, will receive a "W" (Withdrawal) grade on their official transcript. 

Feb 4 - Apr 20: If withdrawal is approved, Student will receive ÒWÓ on transcript. (Instructor submits W online via course roster, including reasons/notes for ChairÕs approval)

Apr 21 – May 11: Withdrawal from course(s) or University for serious and compelling reasons (documentation required; Instructor/ Chair/ COSE Associate Dean approval required)

 

During the semester, students shall be notified in writing (digitally or in hard copy) of any substantive changes in the course syllabus.