Psychology 2035A-650 SUMMER DISTANCE 2019

Understanding Yourself and Others

If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.

1.0    CALENDAR DESCRIPTION

This course examines ways in which recent research findings in psychology may be applied in the individual's life. Emphasis on psychology as an empirical science and on avenues of self- understanding and personal growth. Topics include personality, stress and coping, person perception, interpersonal communication, friendship and love, sexuality, and vocational development.

  • Anti-requisite: Psychology 2050

Anti-requisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. So, if this course has an anti-requisite that you have previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in this course.

This course is 0.5 Credits.  

2.0    COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor: Sarah Babcock | Email: sbabcoc5@uwo.ca | Office: Social Sciences Centre (SSC), Room 7317   

 

My Communication Approach & Policies:           

My approach as an instructor is to have open, professional communication with students; I encourage you to ask questions and to reach out if you are unsure of expectations or how to complete a task.

 

Email Policy: I check my email regularly and will respond to emails within 48 hours during weekdays. Please include the course code (PSYCH 2035) in all subject lines, as this enables me to find and ensure emails are answered in a timely manner. If for some reason I cannot address your email within this 48-hour timeline or am unavailable for longer than a 48-hour window, I will notify the class via the OWL announcements feature.

 

Appointments: If you are interested in scheduling an individual meeting with me at any point, please contact me via email to arrange it. I am only available on campus on select days of the week but will do my best to accommodate your schedule and availability.

 

Course Approach & Instructor Expectations
Specific Policies:

Classroom Community: The classroom (both physical classroom and online) are intended to be a safe learning space, where respect for others should be demonstrated and is required. I am committed to including a range of perspectives in this course, and with your help will strive to create a learning environment that both encourages and respects different points of view.


Learning Activities: As a learner in this course, you will be required to complete regular activities online. The reason I include these activities in the course is because research evidence shows that engaging with, discussing, and thinking about the material you are learning in new ways promotes better learning and more successful retention of the material.


Instructor Expectations:

  • You will complete weekly readings, quizzes, and online activities.
  • You will participate thoughtfully in online discussions
  • You will show accountability for your learning; I will provide the framework (e.g., schedule), as well as the material and tools - but you are responsible for staying on track and keeping up with material.

You will reach out to me (or an Academic Counsellor) if you are not able to complete any of the course requirements, for any reason                                                                                   

If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, there are several resources here at Western to assist you.  Please visit:  http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for more information on these resources and on mental health.

Students in emotional or mental distress should refer to Mental Health@Western http://uwo.ca/health/mental_wellbeing/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help. You can also visit the Wellness Education Centre directly on campus (UCC Room 76) for resources and support.



Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 519-661-2111 ext 82147 for any specific question regarding an accommodation.

Student Development Services http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/ssd/ has staff who specialize in assisting students with various disabilities to adjust to the university environment. These disabilities include (but are not limited to): vision, hearing and mobility impairments, learning disabilities, chronic illnesses, chronic pain, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders. Students who require special accommodations for disabilities should make a formal request through Student Development Services as early as possible.

 

Statement on Accommodation

If you find yourself unable to meet any of the course requirements due to illness or for compassionate reasons, please reach out to an Academic Counsellor who can advise the instructor as soon as possible.

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for accommodation: http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html

Policy on Grade Adjustments. To maintain fairness to all students, end of term grades will not be adjusted based on “need”, nor will students be granted to chance to improve their grade by completing extra assignments at the end of term. As such, it is important that you monitor your performance and take steps to eliminate difficulties or barriers as soon as possible, so the problems do not interfere with your performance in the course. Please reach out to me directly to discuss if you are struggling with the material as early as possible so we can make appropriate plans to support your learning. Moreover, I encourage you to let me know if you are in a special circumstance (e.g., need a certain grade in this course to graduate) at the beginning of term so I can best help you succeed.

3.0  TEXTBOOK

Course Textbook: Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century
Edition: 12th | Authors: Wayne Weiten; Dana S. Dunn; Elizabeth Yost Hammer

 

For this course, the online (MindTap) version of the textbook is required. There are two options for purchasing:

  1. Loose-Leaf Version of text + MindTap Psychology Printed Access Card (ISBN: 9781337573405)
  2. MindTap Psychology Printed Access Card Standalone (ISBN: 9781337112062)

 

The online version of the textbook is required and is an essential part of the course content, as weekly quizzes, mastery training, and activities will be completed through this site. Both the online-only and online + loose-leaf printed version options are available at the campus bookstore, or directly through the course website.

 

Additional information regarding the online textbook format (MindMap) will be provided on OWL. However, just like in a paper version you can highlight text, make notes, and keep track of your progress. In addition, the online format offers adaptive practice material which modifies based on your learning, as well as provides study support like flashcards, extra quizzes, as well as links to other online material to support each topic.

Important Note. When you gain access to the course MindMap textbook website, please ensure that you register with the same name (i.e., exact match) to your WESTERN ID name. If you do not, this may result in a delay of your grades in OWL.  

4.0    COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course will provide an overview of the study of psychology and how it can be applied to our everyday lives, to better understand ourselves and others, with topics such as: personality, stress and coping, person perception, interpersonal communication, friendship and love, sexuality, psychological disorders, and career development.

   4.1    STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 

By completing this course, you will gain skills in both the development of general academic skills and in content-specific knowledge. This is reflected in your learning outcomes, which are as follows:

 

By the end of this course, as a successful student, you will be able to:

This outcome will be directly* demonstrated & assessed through:

Identify instructor expectations, course structure, contact information, deadlines, and evaluation information.

§  Syllabus Scavenger Hunt

 

Demonstrate accountability in your learning, by keeping up with material, completing tasks, and reaching out for assistance if/when needed.

§  Quizzes

§  Mastery Training

Display engagement with course material, by actively participating in online learning activities and offering your thoughts on the discussion forum

§  Online Activities

§  Discussion Forum

Define and describe the key concepts, principles, and overarching themes relevant to the science of psychology.

§  Quizzes

§  Mastery Training

§  Exams

Outline how research informs psychological theories, and vice versa.

§  Quizzes

§  Exams

Appraise psychological constructs by engaging in critical thought and commentary, using research evidence to support claims.

§  Online Activities

§  Discussion forum

Relate the principles and theories discussed to everyday situations.

§  Exams

§  Online Activities

*Note: There may, of course, be other ways or assignments that showcase a specific outcome throughout the course, I’ve simply listed here the primary modes by which this outcome will be captured. 

5.0     EVALUATION

Syllabus Scavenger Hunt (1%). You are required to review the syllabus so that you know what the expectations of the course are, what to do if you need support, and how you will be evaluated. This assignment will be posted on OWL for completion. By completing this task and earning a grade percentage, this is your agreement with me (the instructor) that you have read the syllabus and understood the course expectations and timelines.

 

Weekly Activities:

  1. A) Quizzes (12%). Weekly online quizzes will become available every Monday (via MindMap textbook website) and remain open for the week to completed. These quizzes will cover the topic material of the week. The purpose of these quizzes is to help keep you up-to-date on the course material and to provide you with the opportunity to get a sense of your learning progress throughout the term.

Quizzes will only be accepted for completion grade via until Sunday at 11:00PM for the week they are assigned. Late submissions will not be accepted. There are 16 quizzes total (1 quiz for each chapter), but only your top 12 quiz grades will count. Each counted quiz will be worth 1%.

  1. B) Mastery Training (12%). You will be required to complete the Mastery Training for each topic. This will be completed via MindMap textbook website. The purpose of Mastery Training is to familiarize yourself with important terms. This online-tool is adaptive, so it will provide additional practice on concepts that you may not know as well and phase out concepts that you have demonstrated that you already know; this streamlines your review.

 

Mastery Training for each topic will only be accepted for completion grade until Sunday at 11:00PM for the week they are assigned. Late submissions will not be accepted. There are 16 trainings in total (1 training for each chapter), but only 12 (each worth 1%) are required to be completed for full marks. These are summative assessments and therefore only graded for completion, not performance/correctness.

 

  1. C) Online Activities (12%). You will need to complete the weekly online activities for each topic. This will be completed via MindMap textbook website. The purpose of these activities is to allow you to connect to the material you’re learning in new and interactive ways.

 

Online activities will only be accepted for completion grade until Sunday at 11:00PM for the week assigned. Late submissions will not be accepted. There are 2 required activities per week, each worth 0.5%.

2 activities x 0.5% x 12 weeks = 12%. These are summative assessments; graded only for completion.

 

Discussion Forum Posts (3%). There will be a discussion forum on OWL where you can post your responses to weekly topics. You are required to post on this forum at least 3 times during the term. Posts will be rated on their quality. Each post = 1% (3 posts x 1% = 3% of final grade).


Information on how to successfully complete tasks, as well as rubrics (where appropriate) will be posted on OWL.

 

Although the Psychology Department does not require instructors to adjust their course grades to conform to specific targets, the expectation is that course marks will be distributed around the following averages:

70%     1000-level and 2000-level courses
72%     2190-2990 level courses
75%     3000-level courses
80%     4000-level courses
   
The Psychology Department follows Western's grading guidelines, which are as follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf):

A+  90-100      One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
A    80-89        Superior work that is clearly above average
B    70-79        Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
C    60-69        Competent work, meeting requirements
D    50-59        Fair work, minimally acceptable
F    below 50    Fail


6.0  TEST AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE

Exams (60%). There are two multiple-choice exams (closed book). All exams are non-cumulative.

MIDTERM (25%)
Date: Saturday June 8th
Time & Location: TBD
Content: Weeks 1-5 (Chapters 1-7)

FINAL EXAM (35%)
Date: July 29 – August 1 (TBD by registrar)
Time & Location: TBD by registrar
Content: Weeks 6-12 (Chapters 8-16)

 

7.0   CLASS SCHEDULE

Week

Date

Topic

Readings

MindMap Activities
(Due Sundays at 11:00PM)

1

May 6

Introduction

Chapter 1

·         Quiz        

·         Mastery Training

·         Weekly Activities

2

May 13

Personality & The Self

Chapter 2 & 6

·         Quiz (x2)         

·         Mastery Training (x2)

·         Weekly Activities

3

May 20

Stress Effects and Coping

Chapter 3 & 4

·         Quiz (x2)       

·         Mastery Training (x2)

·         Weekly Activities

4

May 27

Psychology and Physical Health

Chapter 5

·         Quiz       

·         Mastery Training

·         Weekly Activities

5

June 3

Social Thinking and Social Influence

Chapter 7

·         Quiz        

·         Mastery Training

·         Weekly Activities

MIDTERM EXAM (Saturday June 8th, 2019)

6

June 10

Interpersonal Communication;
Friendship and Love

Chapter 8 & 9

·         Quiz (x2)   

·         Mastery Training (x2)

·         Weekly Activities

7

June 17

Marriage and the Family

Chapter 10

·         Quiz        

·         Mastery Training

·         Weekly Activities

8

June 24

Development and Expression of Sexuality & Gender

Chapter 12 & 11

·         Quiz (x2)       

·         Mastery Training (x2)

·         Weekly Activities

9

July 1

Careers and Work

Chapter 13

·         Quiz        

·         Mastery Training

·         Weekly Activities

10

July 8

Psychological Disorders

Chapter 14

·         Quiz        

·         Mastery Training

·         Weekly Activities

11

July 15

Psychotherapy

Chapter 15

 

·         Quiz        

·         Mastery Training

·         Weekly Activities

12

July 22

Positive Psychology

 

Chapter 16

 

·         Quiz        

·         Mastery Training

·         Weekly Activities

FINAL EXAM (Scheduled by the Registrar: Between July 29-August 1) 

*Reminder: You need to complete 3 discussion posts during the term.

8.0     STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES

Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offenses. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offenses because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offense are described at the following link:  http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf

As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offenses. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com http://www.turnitin.com

Possible penalties for a scholastic offense include failure of the assignment, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.



9.0    POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR MEDICAL ILLNESS

Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?Command=showCategory&PolicyCategoryID=1&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12 

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation:
http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html


10.0        OTHER INFORMATION

Office of the Registrar web site:  http://registrar.uwo.ca

Student Development Services web site: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca

Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:

    http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html

- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct
- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations
- Policy on Attendance
- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines
- Policy for Assignments
- Short Absences
- Extended Absences
- Documentation
- Academic Concerns
- 2019 Calendar References

No electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, will be allowed during exams.