Syllabus (8-27-04)
Psychology 101-03
Introduction to Psychology

11 AM Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Main 322

Dr. Hal S. Bertilson
hbertils@uwsuper.edu
Office: 715/394-8021
FAX: 715/394-8107

Old Main, Room 339
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Belknap & Catlin, PO Box 2000
Superior, Wisconsin 54880-4500
Homepage: The syllabus and all assignments may be found at http://frontpage.uwsuper.edu/psychology/
Professor Bertilson emphasizes the opportunity to relate psychological concepts to personal experience. Theory and application are more meaningful and useful that way and remembered better. Brief writing and discussion assignments assist in meeting this goal.

Dr. Bertilson received a teaching award at Weber State University, professional service awards at Weber State University and the University of Wisconsin-Superior, and has served on the University of Wisconsin Teaching Improvement Council. Dr. Bertilson's scholarship and research have been recognized by Saint Joseph's University, the University of Nebraska Graduate School, and the International Society for Research on Aggression. Dr. Bertilson has held faculty appointments at Eastern Montana College, Concordia College, Weber State University, and St. Joseph's University. He served as a college dean at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and Vice Chancellor/Provost at UW-Superior.

Tentative Office Hours. The following are Dr. Bertilson's tentative office hours. Exceptions for faculty committee meetings, symposia, workshops, and research are inevitable. Dr. B. will make a special effort to be available at the office hours listed below. Dr. B's full schedule of classes, meetings, and office hours for the next five days may be found on the web at http://frontpage.uwsuper.edu/psychology/_oh/fall04of.htm To be certain that he will be in his office, you are advised to sign up on his office door for an appointment or make an appointment via email. Of course you are always welcome to stop by and visit.

  Mondays 9:00 - 9:50 AM and 3:00 - 3:50 PM Other times by appointment or stop by
  Tuesdays 11:25 - 11:50 AM Other times by appointment or stop by
  Wednesdays 9:00 - 9:50 AM and 3:00 - 3:50 PM Other times by appointment or stop by
  Thursdays 11:25 - 11:50 AM Other times by appointment or stop by
  Fridays Times by appointment or stop by  
Course Description. An introduction to the scientific study of psychology covering major areas of study within the discipline, including physiological psychology, learning, memory and cognition, emotion and motivation, personality, and psychological disorders.
Master Course Objectives: By the end of this course the student should:
1. Be able to engage in informed reading, writing, and discussion of key concepts of psychology. The inducements for meeting this objective are writing/discussion assignments and the term paper.
2. Be literate in psychology. Know the key concepts and applications of knowledge. This objective will be measured by tests.
Instructional Materials:
Wade, C., & Tavris, C. (2003). Psychology. (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. (Required). [One copy is available on two-hour reserve at the Library.]
Additional Resources: Several additional resources may be of interest to students. The American Psychological Association web page (http://www.apa.org/students/) has links to sections on mapping out your college career, graduate school, code of ethics, code of fair testing, free on-line products, and career options in psychology. Psychology: Careers for the twenty-first century (1988) by the American Psychological Association may be ordered through the UW-Superior Bookstore.
Attendance, Class Accommodations, Safe Learning Environments, and Support Services. Information will be provided in a separate document and explained in class.

Course Requirements and Grading

Components of the Grade. Your final grade will be based on your performance in four grading categories. The following table shows how much each category counts toward your grade. Following that is a description of each category:
 


Category

Percent of
Grade

  Unit exams (7) and cumulative final exam 55%
  Daily writing and discussion assignments 25%
  Attendance 10%
  Term Project 10%
  Total 100%
Exams. There will be six tests. Each test will cover three chapters. The cumulative final exam will cover the entire semester and is given the same weight as one of the six tests. The tests will be define, explain, and short answer essay.
Grading A 92-100  
  A- 90-92  
  B+ 88-90  
  B 82-88  
  B- 80-82  
  C+ 78-80  
  C 72-78  
  C- 70-72  
  D+ 68-70  
  D 62-68  
  D- 60-62  
  F 50-60  
Research Requirement: Each student is required to be a participant in at least one psychology research project. This requirement is designed to better facilitate your understanding of the purpose, methodology, and ethics of psychological research. It also supports the research efforts of faculty and students who rely on students as research participants for their studies. It is expected that you will have a number of studies available; you are never required to be in a study in which you do not wish to participate. If you are unable to be in any study, you may satisfy this requirement by attending at least one campus cultural experience, such as special lectures, concerts, plays, or art shows. You will need to check with Dr. B. on whether the cultural experience, special lecture, concert, play, or art show will satisfy this requirement. You will need to turn in a short (2 or 3 paragraphs) description/reaction paper of the cultural event to document your attendance. Students will receive 5 points extra credit for each psychology research project they participate in.
Daily Writing and Discussion Assignments. Read the assignment. Write a short, informal writing assignment to prepare you for the discussion. Participate in small group discussion where you will deepen your understanding of the assignment. Further information will be provided in a separate document and explained in class (Writing/Discussion Assignment)
Term Project. The volunteer experience or application paper is designed to be an opportunity for students to study concepts and theories in more depth than the brief presentation in the textbook and to relate them to their lives. Concepts and theories that have application to student's lives are more useful and remembered longer. Further information will be provided in a separate document and explained in class (Term Project)
Course Calendar
  The following is a tentative reading and test schedule. Changes may be made to accommodate various opportunities and needs. Actual assignments will be specified in the writing and discussion assignments.
  Class time each day will include videos, small group discussions, lectures, and demonstrations.
Friday, September 3
  Introduction to the course
Wednesday, September 8
  Eight essential guidelines to critical thinking (inside cover)
To the student (xxix-xxxi)
About the authors (1)
Chapter 1. What is psychology? (2-19)
Friday, September 10
  Chapter 1 continued (19-33)
Monday, September 13
  Chapter 2. How psychologists do research (34-49)
Wednesday, September 15
  Chapter 2 continued (49-67)
Friday, September 17
 

Test 1 (Chapters 1 and 2)

Monday, September 20
  Chapter 3. Evolution, genes, and behavior (68-82)
Wednesday, September 22
  Chapter 3 continued (82-99)
Friday, September 24
  Chapter 4. Neurons, hormones, and the brain (100-118).
Monday, September 27
  Chapter 4 continued (118-139)
Wednesday, September 29
  Chapter 5. Body rhythms and mental states (140-162)
Friday, October 1
 

Test 2 (Pages 68-162)

Monday, October 4
  Chapter 5 continued (162-179)
Wednesday, October 6
  Chapter 6. Sensation and perception (180-203)
Friday, October 8
  Chapter 6 continued (204-227)
Monday, October 11
  Chapter 7. Learning and conditioning (228-244)
Wednesday, October 13
  Chapter 7 continued (244-265)
Friday, October 15
 

Test 3 (Pages 162-265)

Monday, October 18
  Chapter 8. Behavior in social and cultural context (266-283)
Wednesday, October 20
  Chapter 8 continued (284-309)
Friday, October 22
  Chapter 9. Thinking and intelligence (310-329)
Monday, October 25
  Chapter 9 continued (329-351)
Wednesday, October 27
  Chapter 10. Memory (352-372)
Friday, October 29
 

Test 4 (Pages 266-372)

Monday, November 1
  Chapter 10 continued (372-393)
Wednesday, November 3
  Chapter 11. Emotion (394-411)
Friday, November 5
  Chapter 11 continued (411-425)
Monday, November 8
  Chapter 12. Motivation (426-447)
Wednesday, November 10
  Chapter 12 continued (447-463)
Friday, November 12
  Test 5 (Pages 372-463)
Monday, November 15
  Chapter 13. Theories of personality (464-480)
Wednesday, November 17
  Chapter 13 continued (480-501)
Friday, November 19
  Chapter 14. Development over the life span (502-520)
Monday, November 22
  Chapter 14 continued (520-533)
Wednesday, November 24
  Chapter 14 continued (533-547)
Monday, November 29
  Chapter 15. Health, stress, and coping (548-565)
Wednesday, December 1
  Test 6 (pages 464-565)
Friday, December 3
  Chapter 15 continued (565-577)
Monday, December 6
  Chapter 16. Psychological disorders (578-601)
Wednesday, December 8
  Chapter 16 continued (601-619)
Draft paper is due (optional)
Friday, December 10
  Chapter 17. Approaches to treatment and therapy (620-639)
Monday, December 13
  Chapter 17 continued (639-653)
Epilogue: Taking psychology with you (655-657)
Wednesday, December 15
  Test 7 (pages 565-657)
Wednesday, 10:30 AM, December 22
  Final exam (comprehensive)
Wednesday, December 22
  Term Project is due