PSY 100, Section D006 (14813), Fall 2018

Tuesday 4:40PM-6:20PM 1P-119

Thursday 4:40PM -5:30PM 1P-119

College of Staten Island, City University of New York

Professor: Dr. Florette Cohen

Office: 4S-111
Office hours: T 2:30 pm-4:30 pm/ TH 5:30 pm-6:30 pm
Phone: (718) 982-4178
Email: florette.cohen@csi.cuny.edu

Required Text:
Myers, D. G. and Dewall, C. N. (2017). Exploring Psychology (11th Edition). New York:
Worth Publishers.

ISBN#: 9781464154072

Required Commitment: To study 6-8 hours per week in addition to class time.

Course Description: A study of the important facts and theories concerning human
behavior and its motivation. Included will be research methodology, learning, cognition,
physiology, personality, psychopathology, history and systems, development, and social
factors. Topics will be related to major trends in recent cultural history, and to current
social and moral issues.

Learning Objectives:
After taking PSY100 you should be able to
1. Use a basic vocabulary of psychological terms and concepts;

2. Describe the broad scope of psychology and its relevance to a variety of fields;

3. Explain that knowledge is generated in the field of psychology through the scientific
method and the interpretation and evaluation of empirical data;

4. Begin to apply psychological knowledge to find solutions to diverse personal,

interpersonal, community, and workplace issues;

5. Think critically, at a rudimentary level, by analyzing assumptions and biases, and by

considering alternative explanations.

General Course Information and Policies

PSY 100 is difficult! Even though PSY 100 is “only” a 100-level class with no
prerequisites, you will find this class quite challenging. Why? First, as you will discover
college is rather different from high school. In college it is up to you to decide how much
effort you need to put into your classes in order to get a grade that is acceptable to you.
Second, most students in PSY 100 are not psychology majors and therefore may not be
all that interested in the topics we will cover in this class. Third, because this is an
introductory course, we will cover many topics but none of them into too much depth. An
intro class is intended to give you an educated overview of the field. Because of this, you
cannot settle into only one mode of thinking. You will have to switch viewpoints
frequently and remain very flexible. Fourth, in contrast to popular belief, Psychology can
be an accurate science (i.e., it is based on scientific methodology), but it is not always
intuitive. Many people think that they “know psychology” just because they feel that they
understand their fellow human beings so well. However, psychology deals with humans
and non-humans and with most complex brain-behavior (mental) processes. Psychology
has produced many perfectly good theories that are not common knowledge at all.

How to do well in PSY 100: You will be able to do well in this class, but you have to put
a sufficient amount of effort into it. For this class alone, you need to figure about 6-8
hours of work (studying) per week in addition to the time spent in the classroom.
(Studying means more than just going through the motions of reading a book.) One piece
of advice may seem obvious to you but not to others: In order to do well, you need to
come to class, and not only that, but also be on time, not sleep or chat in class, and not
answer your cell phones. (If you choose to sleep or chat in class, I will have to ask you to
leave the classroom.) It is in the classroom where and when important announcements are
made. Furthermore, some material will be discussed that is not covered in your book but
will be tested. For example, I will show many videos with information that you are
expected to learn. Class meetings also give you an opportunity to check whether you
understood what you read. (Another important piece of advice: Read the assignments a
few days before class, in preparation for our class meetings.) Don’t attempt to read your
textbook like a novel or while watching TV or within one marathon-study session. You
need to concentrate and read it in small chunks (i.e., cramming one night before a test is
academic suicide.) As often as possible, test yourself whether you really understand the
concepts by sketching out in writing what you just read (without peeping into the book.
The book should be closed, literally!) Ask yourself questions. Practice writing down
questions and answers. Create as many test situations as possible at home. Keep a list of
questions you can’t answer by yourself. Bring up those questions in class. I appreciate
class contributions of this sort very much. If you have any concerns, difficulties,
suggestions, etc., please, let me know as soon as possible.

Attendance: Each class I will post a question on the blackboard and your answer will be
collected as attendance. Attendance and participation are course requirements.

Attendance Policy: “A student who is absent in excess of 15% of the class hours in the
semester is assigned a grade of WU (withdrew unofficially), subject to the discretion of
the instructor. Fifteen percent equals six hours for a course that meets three hours a
week.” For this class, it means that if you miss more than 2 weeks of class meetings
(4+ classes), you exceed the limit of allowable absences. Please realize that this policy
holds for excused and unexcused absences. Also, if you come late or if you leave halfway
through the class it will still count as a partial absence. I will check attendance during
each class meeting, sometimes twice. It is your responsibility to be in class during the
scheduled times.

Grading: Attendance and in-class/on-line exercises are worth 20% of your total
grade. You will obtain a % Correct for each of four exams (comprising the practice exam
and exam). Each exam is worth 20% of your grade for 80% of your total grade. At
the end of the semester all scores will be averaged. Generally, a %-score in the 90s
corresponds to a letter grade of A, in the 80s to B, in the 70s to C, etc. Here are the
specific cut-off points:
A: 92.5 and above. C+: 76.5 ≤ %-score < 79.5
A–: 89.5 ≤ %-score < 92.5 C: 69.5 ≤ %-score < 76.5
B+: 86.5 ≤ %-score < 89.5 D: 59.5 ≤ %-score < 69.5
B: 82.5 ≤ %-score < 86.5 F: Less than 59.5
B–: 79.5 ≤ %-score < 82.5

Exams: All practice tests and tests will be given on-line through Blackboard. It is a timed
exam and may be taken at home or on campus at one of the computer labs. Tests are
multiple choice exams. During lectures, I will emphasize what I consider most important.
However, there is no way that I can cover everything in class you need to know.
Therefore, you must read your textbook carefully. All assigned reading is testable
material, as is material covered in class (incl. videos), even if not in the book.

Make-up exams: I will give make-up exams only if you tell me before the exam and
only if you have a legitimate excuse. Not being prepared for an exam in time is not a
legitimate excuse. Make-up exams will be in written essay format.

Additional Course Requirement: The discipline of psychology uses research to test its
ideas. The faculty in the Department of Psychology believes that all students enrolled in
Psy100 should experience the research process. Therefore, all students are required to
participate in a minimum of 4 half-hour units of research (called rc's: research-
participation credit) to be accumulated throughout the semester. You have the option of
fulfilling the requirement in several ways. Please go to the psychology department’s
home page (https://csivc.csi.cuny.edu/psy/files/) and click on research. There will be
guidelines on how to fulfill the 4 research credits. Those who do not fulfill the research
requirement by the end of the semester will have their PSY100 grade lowered by a full
letter grade (i.e. B to C) and will receive an incomplete (INC) until it is completed.

Suggestions for Studying for This Class: To do well on any test (not just PSY 100)
you want to have experienced a situation just like the tests you will have to take, before
you actually take the test! Set aside plenty of time to take practice tests on the website,
and answer the questions in the study guide. This strategy also helps to reduce test
anxiety because you have plenty of exposure to test situations, and you can get used to
them. Passively “reading” the text will not do. Active involvement is necessary. When
reading a section of a textbook chapter, pay attention to what you are reading. As soon as
you cannot absorb anymore what you are reading, stop immediately, close the book, take
pen and paper, and sketch out what you have read so far. Try to explain the material to
yourself (ask “why?”) rather than just summarizing. Test yourself (use the website
and your study guide) to find out what you really understand up to this point. Then go
back to the book, find out what you missed, and then fill in your notes. Only then move
on to the next chunk of material! In general, you should try to get as much practice
answering questions as possible because this is what you will be asked to do for a test.
Hands-on experience is really the key for most learning. It is often helpful to explain a
concept to a friend or family member, because it forces you to verbalize a certain
problem. You will discover your weaknesses immediately.

Extra Credit:
I will distribute a number of magazine articles, journal articles and book chapter related
to the lecture topics. Students are encouraged to read these articles and turn in two- to
three-page ‘reaction’ papers for extra credit. Up to 10 points will be added to an exam
grade for each paper turned in. You may also have opportunities to attend psychology
department talks, visit museum exhibitions, and/or participate in psychology research for
extra credit. To receive extra credit, you are required to turn in a two-page reaction
paper summarizing the talk, museum visit, or research experience. You may not
make up your own extra credit paper topics.

Policies for Dishonorable Conduct and Cheating: Familiarize yourself with CUNY
policies regarding dishonorable conduct. No matter how mild or severe the cheating, it is
entirely unacceptable, and I will enforce the current policies to the fullest extent.
 WEEKLY READING ASSIGNMENTS AND LECTURES
(Subject to change)

Week 1: Aug. 27 Introduction

Aug. 29 Ch. 15:Social Psychology
Week 2: Sept. 3 Ch. 15: Social Psychology (cont.)
** THURSDAY SEPT. 5th MONDAY SCHEDULE--NO CLASS!!!***
Week 3: Sept. 10: Ch. 15: Social Psychology (cont.)
Sept. 12: Ch. 12: Personality
Week 4: Sept. 17: Ch. 12: Personality (cont.)
Sept. 19: Ch.14: Psychological Disorders
Week 5: Sept. 24: Ch.13:Psychological Disorders (cont.)
Sept. 26: Ch.17: Therapy
**TUESDAY OCT. 1: SCHOOL CLOSED NO CLASS!!!***
Week 6: Oct. 3 Ch. 1: Thinking Critically with Psych. Science
** TUESDAY OCT. 8: SCHOOL CLOSED NO CLASS!!!***
Week 7: Oct. 10: Research Methods
Practice/Pre-Exam 1 DUE ON-LINE
***TUESDAY OCT. 15. EXAM 1 ON-LINE***
Week 8: Oct. 17 Ch. 9: Research Methods
***TUESDAY OCT. 22: Library Day and assignment***
Week 9: Oct. 24 Ch. 9: Thinking
Week 10: Oct 29: Ch 9: Thinking (cont.)
Oct 31: Thinking (cont.)
Practice/Pre-Exam 2 DUE ON-LINE
Week 11: Nov. 5: Ch. 9: Language
Nov. 7: Ch. 9: Language (cont.)
***TUESDAY Nov 12. EXAM 2 ON-LINE ***
Week 12: Nov. 14: Ch. 9: Intelligence
Week 13: Nov. 19: Ch. 9: Intelligence (cont.)
Nov. 21: Ch. 9: Neurology and Behavior
Week 14: Nov. 26: Ch. 9: Neurology and Behavior (cont)
***THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28TH—HAPPY THANKSGIVING***

Week 16: Dec 3 Ch. 8: Memory

Practice/Pre-Exam 3 DUE ON-LINE

***THURSDAY DEC 5th EXAM 3 ON-LINE ***

Week 17: Dec 10 Ch. 4: Developing Through the Life Span (cont.)
Dec 12 Ch. 4: Developing Through the Life Span (cont.)
Practice/Pre-Exam 4 DUE ON-LINE

***Tuesday Dec. 17— EXAM 4 ON-LINE ***

All extra credit projects due
—All research participation due***