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PSY2301.

001—Introduction to Psychology—Spring 2006


Green Hall 4.428 Monday, Wednesday & Friday Lectures 10:00-10:50 AM
Friday Discussion Sessions 10-10:50 and 11–11:50 AM

INSTRUCTORS
Dr. James C. Bartlett Dr. Duane Buhrmester
GR 4.520 972-883-2079 GR 4.532 972-883-2352
jbartlet@utdallas.edu buhrmest@utdallas.edu
Office hours: Wed. 11 AM-12 PM Office hours: Mon. 1-2 pm
TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Chong Chow Jack Birchfield
GR 4.404 GR 4.302
cmc055000@utdallas.edu jack.birchfield@student.utdallas.edu
Office hours: Mon 11-12 pm, Thurs. 11-12 am Office hours: Mon 12-1; Thursday 1-2
Course Website: http://blackboard.utdallas.edu/
Goals and Learning Objectives: Policies:
This course introduces students to the phenomena, Exams: DON'T MISS AN EXAM! Make-up exams will be given only if:
principles, and theories of psychology. Psychologists study (a) you were seriously ill and have documentation from a physician, or
how biological, cognitive, social, and cultural factors interact (b) you were detained the day and time of the exam, or (c) you made
to determine how we develop our amazing capacity for arrangements prior to the exam to attend an urgent family affair (e.g.,
complex behavior, emotions, and cognitions. Psychologists funeral). In any of these cases, you must notify one of the professors or
seek to understand why and how risk factors lead some TAs in advance of the scheduled time of the exam (call and leave a
individuals to suffer from psychological disorders, whereas voice-mail message if you can do nothing else). Otherwise, you will
others are able to be resilient in the face of adversity. receive an F. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that an exam
Prerequisites: None is made up within one week of the scheduled time. Beware, make-up
exams are designed to be more comprehensive to compensate for
Requirements: having more study time.
Text: Sternberg, R. J. Psychology: In Search of the Human Faulty Exam Questions: Occasionally, we write faulty exam questions.
Mind, 4th edition. 2003. Publisher support site: If you encounter such a question, let us know immediately after the
Methods of Evaluation: exam period. (You may talk to the instructor or leave a note with the
Exams: We will have four non-cumulative exams based on secretary in the Associate Dean’s Office, GR 4.528). We will consider
the lectures and reading, which will include multiple choice, your arguments before grading the exams, and if necessary throw out
matching, and short answer essay questions. In addition, the question for everyone.
some exams will include short answer, fill-in or brief thought- Drop and Withdrawal: Prior to 1/26 dropped courses will not show on
provoking essay questions that will be announced in class the the student’s transcript. From 1/27 to 2/13 withdrawing from courses
week prior to the exam. Material from lectures, readings, and earns “W”. Withdrawing from 2/14 to 3/14 earn WP or WF with advisor
discussion sessions will appear on the exams. and instructor signatures. No withdraws after 3/14 without hassle.
Exam answer forms: Exam System II, Form 229630 Incomplete: The grade of Incomplete will normally not be given. If a
Papers: We will require 2 brief papers, both of which will student is unable to attend a substantial portion of the course, then he or
arise out of activities in the discussion sessions. she should withdraw from the course.
Scholastic Dishonesty: Scholastic dishonesty included cheating,
Attendance: Students must sign-in on the attendance sheets plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, or any other action that is not an
at class and discussion sessions. Attendance grade based honest participation in the learning process. By enrolling in this course,
on percent of classes attended (allowing for 10% excused you agree to UTD’s guidelines
absences). at : http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/scholastic.html. Policies on
Grading is based on a set of a priori criteria: 90% correct for scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.
A’s, 80% for B’s, 60% for C’s, and 50% for D’s. In case we Disabilities. UTD proudly supports a very diverse student body.
find that our tests were unusually difficult we may relax these Among our studies are those with learning, sensory, and physical
criteria. Grades will be based on the total number of points disabilities that require special accommodations. Please contact Kerrie
across the course. The four exams will count 70% (17.5% Tate at *2098 for the documentation that instructor need.
each) of the grade, the papers taken together will count 20% Classroom Civility. As a member of this class, your behavior affects
(10% each), and attendance 10% . fellow students and the professor. Talking, coming in late, leaving early,
and being discourteous can diminish the learning experience for
everyone. Therefore, violators will be required to leave class.
Date Topic Reading
Jan. 9 Introduction/Orientation
11 What is Psychology? Early and contemporary approaches Ch. 1
13 Lecture Hall @ 10am: Methods & critical thinking in psychology Ch. 2
16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
18 Biological Foundations I: Organization of nervous system/brain Ch. 3
20 Discussion Rooms @ 10 & 11am: The Stroop effect Stroop effect reading
23 Biological Foundations II: Neurons and neural transmission; Ch. 3 (cont’d)
the endocrine system
25 Sensation & Perception I: General principles; vision Ch. 4
27 Lecture Hall @ 10am: Statistics in psychology – The correlation A-1 through A-10
coefficient – 1st paper assignment
30 Sensation & Perception II: The auditory system and other senses Ch. 4 (cont’d)
Feb. 1 Consciousness: Attention and awareness Ch. 5 (p175-183)
3 Lecture Hall: Exam 1 at 10 AM
6 Learning I: Classical conditioning Ch. 6
8 Learning II: Operant conditioning and social learning Ch. 6 (cont’d)
10 Discussion Rooms @ 10 & 11am: False memories False memory reading
13 Memory I: Measures and models of memory Ch. 7
15 Memory II: Extremes of memory; memory and brain Ch. 7 (cont’d)
17 Lecture Hall @ 10am: The nature of language / 1st paper due
20 Language & Thought I: Levels of language & how it is learned Ch. 8
22 Language & Thought II: Solving problems, making decisions, Ch. 8 (cont’d)
reasoning, and being creative
24 Discussion Rooms @ 10 & 11am: Intelligence test demonstration
27 Intelligence I: Measuring intelligence; theories of intelligence Ch. 9
Mar. 1 Intelligence II: Extremes of intelligence; Genes and intelligence Ch. 9 (cont’d)
3 Lecture Hall: Exam 2 at 10 AM
6-11 Spring Break
13 How does intelligence grow? (Buhrmester begins) Ch. 10 (360-385)
15 Piagetian demonstration
17 Lecture Hall @ 10am: Do parents shape who we are? Harris Read.; Ch. 11 (407-411)
20 Do Parents shape . . . continued Ch. 11 (394-416)
22 Could Freud be right? Ch. 15 (536-545); Dora Read
24 Discussion Rooms @ 10 and 11am: Name that Defense Mechanism
27 Are other approaches to personality more useful? Ch. 15 (546-563)
29 What’s the best way to parent? Ch. 11 (411-426)
31 Lecture Hall: Exam 3 at 10 AM
April 3 Attitudes and their vicissitudes Ch. 13 (470-486)
5 Behaving in groups Ch. 14 (502-522)
7 Discussion Rooms @ 10 and 11am: Zimbardo Prison Film
10 Insanity and its classification; 2st Paper Assignment Ch. 16 (570-576) Insane Read.
12 Disorders of mind and behavior Ch. 16 (577-587)
14 Lecture Hall @ 10am: Return from madness (film)
17 Treating the mind Ch. 17 (608-634)
19 Changing behaviors Prozac Reading
21 B.F. Skinner’s Walden II Walden II Reading6
24 Catching up & Review; 2nd Paper Due
28 Lecture Hall: Exam 4 at 8 am

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