Professor:                   Peter W. Foltz

Office:                        Science Hall 323

Phone:                        646-1980

email:                         pfoltz@crl.nmsu.edu

Office Hours:            Monday, Wednesday 10:30-11:30, or by appointment

 

Course Description:  The goal of this course is to give you an introduction to a variety of different areas in psychology.  The course will introduce you to concepts and terminology used in psychology as well as provide you with some of the basic theories and principles that guide human behavior.  The course should permit you to understand how psychological phenomena affect your everyday life and how psychologists go about studying behavior.

 

Textbook

REQUIRED:  Exploring Psychology (4th edition), a softcover book, by David G. Myers.  (Please note that another class uses a hardcover edition of the book by Myers.  You are welcome to buy that one since it contains much of the same information, but in greater detail and at more expense)

OPTIONAL: There is also a study guide and a CD-ROM to accompany this text.  If you are having difficulty with this class or with the exams, I highly recommend using them.

 

Course Web page:  The course web page is at:  http://psych.nmsu.edu/~pfoltz/psy201.html

This web page contains a copy of the syllabus, information about the class, exam grades and links to other pages with information about psychology.  It will be updated throughout the semester.  It is strongly recommended that you periodically check for updates on the web page.

 

Prerequisites:  None

 

Discussion sections  You MUST be signed up for one of the discussion sections that accompany this course.  Your discussion section meets once per week throughout the semester.  Exercises will be assigned in the discussion sections and you will be graded on your work.

The discussion sections are:

1012661 PSY  201G 03A          INTRDN-PSYCHOLOGY      08:30-09:20           F   SH   117

1012662 PSY  201G 03B          INTRDN-PSYCHOLOGY      09:30-10:20           F   SH   117

1012663 PSY  201G 03C          INTRDN-PSYCHOLOGY      10:30-11:20           F   SH   117

1012664 PSY  201G 03D          INTRDN-PSYCHOLOGY      12:30-01:20PM         F   SH   117

1012665 PSY  201G 03E          INTRDN-PSYCHOLOGY      01:30-02:20PM         F   SH   117

1012666 PSY  201G 03F          INTRDN-PSYCHOLOGY      02:30-03:20PM         F   SH   117  

 

If you do not sign up for a discussion section you will be dropped from the class.

 

Exams  There will be three exams.  The exams will consist of multiple choice questions.  Each exam is worth 25% of your grade.

 

Papers:  Two papers are due.  Because this course meets the university's General Education requirement, the course must include writing assignments.  The papers will be assigned in your discussion section and should be turned in to your TA.  Other additional writing exercises may be given out in your discussion section.  The papers along with exercises in your discussion section will count for 25% of your grade.

 

Experimental requirement:  You MUST participate in four hours' worth of experiments.  This is a departmental requirement.  The procedure for participating in the experiments is described on a separate handout.  Failure to complete the experimental requirement will result in the penalties to your grade described on the handout. As described on the handout, you may alternatively write research method papers to fulfill this requirement.

 

Make up exams:  Make-ups will not typically be permitted for exams.  Exceptions will be granted with a note from the health center or your private doctor, or for extreme extenuating circumstances.  All make-up tests are scheduled to be given on Wednesday December 10th  at 10:30am.  You must inform the instructor as early as possible if you have missed an exam and want to take a make up exam.  Students who have not previously received consent of the instructor will not be admitted to the make up exam.

 

Extra credit:  There is no extra credit in this course.

 

Grades: On each exam, the average of the best four scores will be considered as 100%. 

The grades will be assigned as follows:

A

90-100%

B

80-89%

C

70-79%

D

60-69%

F

Below 60%

 

The weights for determining the final grade is:

Exam 1

25%

Exam 2

25%

Exam 3

25%

Discussion section and papers:

25%

 

 

Withdrawals:  To withdraw from this class, you must complete and turn in a signed withdrawal form.  The last day to drop with a "W" is October 20th.

 

General Policies:

1. The schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

2.  Rules of behavior in the class

a) Attend class.  Research shows that students who attend class and actively listen get better grades and learn more.

b) Don't show up late for class or leave early.  It disturbs my lecturing as well as the students around you.

c) You are welcome to ask questions during lecture, I enjoy the interaction and it is one of the best ways to learn.

d) During the lecture, do not read the paper, talk with the people sitting next to you, do homework for your other classes, sleep, etc.  It disturbs me as well as the students around you.

e)  Turn off you cell phones and pagers.  On a first offense, IÕll insist on talking with whoever is calling you and explaining that you forgot to turn off your cell phone ringer.  On a second offense, IÕll ask you to leave the class.  As a third offense, IÕll ensure that your phone never rings again.

3.  If a student is caught cheating, the policies described in the e Student Code of Conduct in the NMSU Student Handbook will apply. Its Web site is: http://www.nmsu.edu/~vpsa/handbook.html.   Penalties could range from earning no points for the work to expulsion from the university.  Academic misconduct results in a grade of F for the class.

4. Students with Disabilities.  If you have or believe you have a disability and would benefit from any accommodations, you may wish to self-identify by contacting the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office  located at Garcia Annex (phone: 646-6840).  If you have already registered, please make sure that your instructor receives a copy of the accommodation memorandum from SSD within the first two weeks of classes.  It is your responsibility to inform either your instructor or SSD representative in a timely manner if services/accommodations provided are not meeting your needs.

 

If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or which may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the instructor and/or Mr. Michael Armendariz, SSD Coordinator.  Feel free to call Ms. Elva Telles (EEO/ADA and Employee Relations Director) at 646-3333 with any questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  All medical information will be treated confidentially.