Course Syllabus

Overview

This course is an introduction to theories and research in cognitive psychology, including such topics as perception and sensation, attention and consciousness, memory, language, problem-solving, and decision-making. Cognitive psychology investigates how people obtain information from their environment, how they transform this information into useful knowledge, and how they use this knowledge to solve problems. We will also evaluate this discipline in light of the restored gospel, thus enhancing our understanding of cognition and its true application in our lives.

A picture of The Thinker by Rhodan    
"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right."
–Doctrine and Covenants 9:8
"A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other."
–Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Requirements

Prerequisites

PSYCH 111: General Psychology

Required Resources

This course uses a low-cost, auto-access textbook. Read the information on the Textbook Information page to learn how to access your textbook and how to opt-out of this automatic purchase, if desired.

The course materials are available in the Course Materials List.

Resource Title/Description
(books, software, and so on.)
Author/Provider Ed./Vol. 13-Digit ISBN (if applicable)
Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience Goldstein, B. E 5th 978-1337408271
Thinking Fast and Slow Kahneman, D  978-0374533557

Proctored Exams and Assessments

This course will use an online proctoring software called Proctorio. This makes it possible for students to take assessments and exams without a human proctor present. Proctored exams can be accessed like any other exam once the software has been installed. Exams will be recorded by Proctorio and reviewed by the BYUI Testing Center. Any questionable exams will be forwarded to the instructor for further review.

For step-by-step instructions on Proctorio installation, please refer to this help guide article.

Structure

Course Outcomes (CO)

  1. Use the vocabulary of cognitive psychology to explain key concepts related to judgment, decision-making, attention, memory, perception, language, and so forth.
  2. Identify key questions being asked in current research in cognitive psychology.
  3. Articulate connections between cognitive psychology and the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Major Assignments

The table below is meant to help you see the relevance of each major assignment as it pertains to the course outcomes.

Major Assignments Description Course Outcome #
Preparation Assignments Preparation materials related to the weekly topics. Complete a study guide that will help you understand concepts associated with the topics. 1, 2, 3
Teach One Another Group Meetings Synchronous group discussions covering the course material which will help you remember and recall what you have studied.  1, 3
Scenario Assessments Assessments consisting of essay questions evaluating knowledge of the content covered during the week.    1, 3
Final Exam Cumulative assessment consisting of essay questions evaluating knowledge of the content covered during the semester.    1, 2, 3

Weekly Patterns

The table below displays typical weekly activities, due dates, and activity descriptions. 

Due Date* Learning Model Activity Title Description
Midweek Prepare Unit Video Watch or read the transcript of the brief video presentation.
Midweek Prepare Study Guide  Complete a study guide that will help you understand key concepts associated with the weekly topics. 
End of Week Teach One Another Teach One Another Meetings Meet synchronously to discuss the week's material with classmates.
End of Week Ponder and Prove Scenario Assessment Answer essay questions about the content covered during the week. 

NOTE: Set your time zone within user preferences so the dates and times for course activities will display correctly for your time zone.

Learning Model 

Students will complete a preparation assignment, teach one another through a weekly group meeting, and present a culminating scenario assessment in which they ponder and prove the weekly outcomes. 

The Learning Model is based on true gospel principles and provides the foundation upon which all BYU-Idaho courses are created. The five principles of the learning model are to exercise faith, learn by the Holy Ghost, lay hold on the Word of God, act for yourself, and love, serve and teach one another. These principles are woven into the three process steps to prepare, teach one another, and ponder and prove.

BYUI Learning Model graphic. Details are written below the image.

We will follow the Learning Model: Prepare, Teach One Another, and Ponder and Prove for this class. You must prepare by completing the preparatory assignments before each group meeting. As recorded in the 9th and 11th sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, "You must study it out in your mind" and "first seek to obtain my word." 

  • Prepare
    • Introduction and key terms
    • Readings 
    • Unit videos & other study aids
    • Unit preparation study guides 
  • Teach One Another
    • Teach One Another group meeting discussions 
  • Ponder and Prove
    • Scenario assessments

Expectations

Feedback

You can expect to receive grades and feedback within seven days of the due date for all assignments.

Workload

You can expect to spend at least 912 hours per week on this course. 

Group Work

Each week you will meet with your study group to discuss and submit group discussion questions. These study groups will be synchronous meetings. 

Late Work

All assignments must be submitted by the due date for credit. No late work will be accepted.

Grading  

Weighted Grading Categories

  • Preparation  20%
  • Teach One Another 20%
  • Scenario Assessments 50%
  • Final Exam: Scenario Assessment 10%

Extra Credit

No extra credit will be offered in the course.  

Grading Scale

Letter Grade Percent
A 100% - 93%
A- 92% - 90%
B+ 89% - 87%
B 86% - 83%
B- 82% - 80%
C+ 79% - 77%
C 76% - 73%
C- 72% - 70%
D+ 69% - 67%
D 66% - 63%
D- 62% - 60%
F 59% and lower

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

This course includes required synchronous meetings. If you are registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at (208) 496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

The materials in this course are also intellectual property and taking any materials from the course and posting them outside of this course in any manner (such as posting on Course Hero) will be construed as theft. If you post course materials without authorization, the instructor has the right to impose an appropriate academic sanction (such as; giving you a failing grade for the assignment or failing you from the course).

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

  • Student Honor
    • Academic Honesty
    • Student Conduct
      • Sexual Harassment
  • Student with Disabilities
  • Complaints and Grievances
  • Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due