WELCOME TO CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY

PS115

Hi Everyone!!!!

Welcome to my class.

I am Monica Mauri and I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you. You can just call me Monica.

This course runs from September 22- November 30, 2010

Course Number :PS 115 Course Title: Contemporary Issues in

Psychology Credit Hours: 5 Prerequisites: None  

How to contact me

Instructor Contact Information: You may contact me via email or AOL

Instant Messenger (AIM) during office hours.

Kaplan Email Address: Mmauri@kaplan.edu

AIM Instant Messenger Name: Monicamauri

When you email me, please specify what class you are in.

Seminar and Office Hours

Course/Seminar Day and Time (EST):Thursday 7-8pm EST

Do you have the right materials???Course Materials: Software: Microsoft Word is required for

all Kaplan Courses

No textbook in this class

What will we learn in this class????? This course introduces students to the larger

discipline of Psychology through guided explorations of contemporary issues often studied in this field.  Students will explore topics related but not limited to various psychological fields such as behavior analysis, child development and substance abuse. While studying such topics as stress and life events, students will discuss how these issues directly affect their lives and those of others.  The course is specifically designed for first term students interested in studying psychology as a major interest to acquaint them with information about psychology and how it is applied to real-life events.

What we will be doing throughout the weeks:Course Outline:

Unit 1: Introduction Unit 2: Behaviors Unit 3: Stressors and Life Events Unit 4: Mental Health and Confidentiality Issues Unit 5: Substance Abuse Unit 6: Adolescent Issues: Peer Pressure Unit 7: Children: Learning Disabilities Unit 8: Media and Psychology Unit 9: Research in Psychology Unit 10: Reflection on Contemporary Issues in

Psychology

1000 points total

Assessments Number Points each Total Points

Seminars 9 5 45

Discussions 9 70 630

Projects 2 25, 100 125

Final Project 1 200 200

Total Points 1000 Points

A 930 - 1000 pointsA- 900 - 929 pointsB+ 870 - 899 pointsB 830 - 869 pointsB- 800 - 829 pointsC+ 770 - 799 pointsC 730 - 769 pointsC- 700 - 729 pointsD+ 670 - 699 pointsD 600 - 669 pointsF 0 - 599 points 

To get an A in class

Make sure you look at the syllabus for what is expected.

Rubrics are provided.

Discussion Grading Criteria

% - Points

Grading Criteria

% - Points

Makes one primary post for each discussion thread (there may be more than one thread) answering each of the questions fully with substance meeting length requirements (100 words for each primary post).

0 - 45

Makes two or more thoughtful responses to other students on each thread contributing to the quality of the discussion and meets length requirements (25 - 50 words for each peer response).

0 - 10

Primary responses make at least 1 reference to the unit material, text, or other academic source.

0 - 5

Responses are clearly written. 0 – 10

TOTAL 70

An explanation of the points earned, as well as where the assignment

could be strengthened will be included with your grade.

To get an A on discussion posts Answer the weekly discussion question.

Please remember that sometimes there are 2 questions. 100 word minimum

Respond to at least two of your classmates per board. 25-50 words

In other words 3 good, substantive posts per board.

To get an A on projects

Unit 1 Project Grading Criteria

 

% - Points

Student completes bio portion of the project as assigned.

0-15

Student successfully attaches project and submits via the drop box.

0-10

TOTAL 25

An explanation of the points earned, as well as where the assignment could be strengthened will be included with your

grade.

I will grade all of your projects at least by Sunday the week they are due, unless they are late.

Tutoring

You can chat with a live tutor during live tutoring hours (listed in the Writing Center) who can help you locate material within the Writing Center, understand a particular assignment, and explore the Kaplan library. 

You can submit a paper and receive comments specific to that paper within 48-72 hours.

Uh oh!!!! My work will be late Keep me informed of any unusual

circumstance.

Late work for units 1 - 4 will not be accepted after midnight Tuesday of Unit 5. Postings for units 5 - 8 will not be accepted after midnight Tuesday of unit 9.

Please notify me via email when you submit late work to any unit.

Points will be deducted

I am looking forward to having you in my class. We are going to have a wonderful semester!!!!!

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

What are the goals of psychology?

The goals of psychology are…….. to describe, explain, predict, and

sometimes influence behavior

Psychologists rely on the scientific method when researching an issue.

More on this topic next week………

History of Psychology

Phrenology -mid 1800’s

The process of examining bumps on a person’s skull to determine that person’s intellect and character traits.

Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) Started the first laboratory of psychology

in 1879, Leipzig, Germany Established modern psychology as a

separate, formal field of study

Who is known as “the father of psychology?”

William James

William James (1842-1910)is often called the “father of psychology.” He taught the first class in psychology at Harvard University in 1875.

It took him 12 years to write the first textbook of psychology, The Principles of Psychology.

Contemporary Approaches

Psychoanalytic psychology

Unconscious motivations influence our behavior

Behavioral Psychology

Events in the environment (rewards and punishment) influence behavior.

Humanistic Psychology

Individual or self directed choices influence behavior

Cognitive Psychology

How we process, store, and retrieve information influences our behavior.

Biological Psychology

Biological factors influence our behavior

Sociocultural Psychology

Ethnicity, gender, culture, and socioeconomic status influence our behavior

What is the difference?

Psychologists Psychiatrists Clinical Psychologists Counseling Psychologist