Syllabus
Course Overview
This is an introductory course in psychology, which surveys the various fields of psychology and the application of selected psychological principals to life situations. By the end of the semester, you will be able to:
- Name several other aspects of psychology besides counseling.
- Describe laws governing human behavior from several different perspectives.
- Be able to discuss psychological principles from a gospel perspective.
Course Materials
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This course requires the following textbook:
Introducing Psychology, 3rd Edition
Author: Schacter, Gilbert, Wegner, Nock
ISBN: 978-1464107818
You will be using Adobe Connect during this course. You will need a microphone and a set of earphones that will work with your computer.
Class Organization
The course has been designed to follow a weekly schedule in which students will complete one lesson per week. You are expected to complete all of the learning activities for each lesson in the order they are listed. Except for the first and last weeks, each of the lessons will follow the same pattern.
| Activity |
|---|
| Readings and open-book quizzes |
| Presentation |
| Field Report |
| Field Report Discussion Board |
| Class Meeting |
| Unit Exam |
Each week follows the BYU-Idaho Learning Model: prepare, teach one another, and ponder and prove.
Preparation
Each lesson will begin with a chapter reading assignment followed by an open-book chapter quiz. Some of the weeks will require reading two chapters. In addition to the reading, each week contains a presentation. These presentations contain interactive content that will help clarify difficult concepts in psychology. Take careful notes while you read and view these presentations. These activities will prepare you to understand and complete the field reports, the field report discussion boards, and unit exams. You will be assessed on the content in the textbook and presentations.
Teach One Another
Each lesson will have a teach one another component. Using the discussion boards, you will share the results of your field reports with your classmates. The purpose of this discussion is two-fold: To 1) share your field-report findings so you can receive feedback in preparation for submission, and 2) provide constructive feedback on your classmates' field-reports. The feedback you receive in these discussion boards will be included in your weekly final field report write ups. Read the discussion board activity directions for more specific information.
Ponder and Prove
Each lesson has two Ponder and Prove activities: field reports and unit exams.
Field Reports
Field reports are intended for you to test psychological concepts found in each lesson. These informal reports are developed for you to gain a deeper understanding of specific principles. These field reports are divided in to two parts: 1) the report and sharing the results of your findings with the class in the discussion board and 2) the write up of your findings, which includes feedback you received on the discussion board.
Unit Exams
The unit exams cover the content in that week's presentation. You will have 30 minutes to complete each exam. Although exams are open book and note, the time limit will make it difficult to do well if you do not thoroughly familiarize yourselves with the presentation material.
Grading
| A = 94-100% | C = 74-76% |
| A- = 90-93% | C- = 70-73% |
| B+ = 87-89% | D+ = 67-69% |
| B = 84-86% | D = 64-66% |
| B- = 80-83% | D- = 60-63% |
| C+ = 77-79% | F = 0-59% |
Students may check their total number of points for all assignments and quizzes at any time using the "Grades" link on the course toolbar.
Course Policies
You should read the following course policies and make sure that you understand what these policies mean to you regarding your interactions with the instructor and other students in this course. If you have questions about any of these policies, you should contact your instructor immediately.
Personal Honor
In this class, our interactions with each other should be guided at all times by the following principles of personal honor:
Principles of Personal Honor - "True at all Times"
- Personal honor is integrity in fulfilling commitments, responsibilities, and covenants.
- Personal honor begins with willing obedience and is fully developed when we consistently govern ourselves by true principles.
- Personal honor increases spiritual strength through the ministry of the Holy Ghost.
- Personal honor is central to every aspect of our lives, including the BYU-Idaho experience.
- Personal honor brings us joy and happiness; deepens our desire to love, serve, and lift others; and ultimately helps us to become more like our Savior.
You should make sure that you understand the above principles of personal honor. It is important for all class members to strive to follow the above principles in our associations with one another.
If you have any questions about how Personal Honor is related to academic honesty or the university's dress and grooming standards, you may visit the University Standards web page to get more information.
Students with Disabilities
BYU-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere which reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability, contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office at 208-496-1158. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and the instructor by this office. If you need assistance or feel you have been unlawfully discriminated on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established policy and procedures. Contact the Personnel Office at 208-496-1130.
Sexual Harassment
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program which receives federal funds, including federal loans and grants. Title IX also covers student-to-student sexual harassment. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please contact the Personnel Office at 208-496-1130.