TELECOURSE SYLLABUS   INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY  (PSY1113) FALL, 1997

COURSE PREREQUISITE:  None

TEXTBOOK AND OTHER MATERIALS:
Psychology and Life, by Zimbardo & Gerrig (14th Edition).
Study Guide for Discovering Psychology.
These materials are available for sale at the TCC Bookstore on the Metro Campus.

In addition, SuperShell is available for this text. SuperShell is a computer version of the study guide that accompanies the textbook. It is available in both Windows and Mac versions. SuperShell is an optional study aid which augments the Telecourse Guide, but will not serve as a replacement for it because it only covers the textbook. There is no charge for SuperShell, except that you must provide the disks for your copy. Two high density 3½" disks are required. I have also prepared a booklet that explains how to set up and use SuperShell.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the understanding of, and appreciation for, the scientific approach to the study of human behavior. The course integrates physiological, cognitive, intra-psychic, sociocultural, and behavioral perspectives on human thought and behavior. Major units include: history, methodology, biological bases of behavior, consciousness, learning and memory, intelligence, personality, psychopathology, therapies, and social psychology.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Define the term psychology and demonstrate command of the basic vocabulary of the discipline.
2. Describe the major areas in the field, and identify the parameters of this discipline.
3. Distinguish between the major perspectives (behavioral, psychoanalytic, cognitive, physiological, and sociocultural) on     human thought and behavior.
4. Appreciate the variety of ways psychological data are gathered and evaluated.
5. Gain insight into human behavior and into one's own personality or personal relationships.
6. Explore the ways that psychological theories are used to describe, understand, predict, and control or modify behavior.

TEACHING METHODS:
The study guide provides the organization for the course by coordinating all components of the course. It contains 26 lessons to be completed by the end of the semester. Two television programs to be broadcast each week, although you will not be held responsible for all 26 lessons. See the last page of this syllabus.

The television programs are not rewrites of the text. Thus, it is essential that you carefully read each assignment in the text and view each of the television programs (preferably more that once) in order to complete this course successfully. In addition, completion of the study guide for each lesson is very important in order to facilitate the learning process and provide you with immediate feedback as to your level of mastery of the concepts presented in the text and television programs.

Use the study guide! It is an invaluable aid to your progress in this course. It contains the following for each lesson:
1. Objectives — a list of things you should be able to do by the time you have finished the lesson.
2. Reading Assignment — the specific pages, sections, or chapters in the textbook that cover the material in the unit. In some cases, one reading assignment covers two related units.
3. Key People and Terms — the terms, concepts, and names you should know after studying each unit.
4. Program Summary — a narrative description of the themes and highlights of each program.
5. Review Questions — a selection of multiple-choice items that test mastery of the material and provide practice for exams.
6. Questions to Consider — open-ended questions to promote critical thinking.
7. Optional Activities — optional activities appropriate to the lesson (none are assigned by this instructor).
8. Additional Resources — an annotated bibliography of books, articles and films for the interested student.

(Answer Keys — Answers for the Review Questions and Questions to Consider are shown in the Appendix.)

Telecourse broadcasts begin Tuesday, August 19, on Channel 21. The Introduction to Psychology programs will first be broadcast on Tuesdays, and repeated on Wednesdays, Sundays and Mondays. Two programs will be broadcast each broadcast day. See the handout from the Telecourse Office for the exact broadcast times.

Should you miss a broadcast, you can arrange to see it by going to the Media software desk in the Learning Resources Center in Room MC211.

EVALUATION TECHNIQUES:
Four objective exams will be given during the semester. Each exam will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions covering material in both the TV programs and reading assignments in the textbook. The reading assignment for each lesson is shown in the Telecourse Guide.

All tests are administered through the Telecourse Testing Center, Metro Campus. Room locations for the tests will be posted at or near the entrances to the building.

The Center will close promptly at the scheduled time. It is your responsibility to finish the test before the Center closes. No make-up tests will be given.

Use of notes and books will not be allowed during the test. In order to take the exam you must identify yourself with both a validated, current TCC identification card and a second means of pictorial identification — a driver's license, for example. No student will be allowed to take an exam without both forms of identification. Exam grades are not available by phone. Attach a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope to your answer sheet if you want your test score mailed to you. Otherwise, come by my office. Grades should be posted on my bulletin board by late Monday afternoon or evening.

GRADING SYSTEM:
Each exam will be graded on a percentage scale according to the following guidelines:
     90 - 100 = A
     80 - 89   = B
     70 - 79   = C
     60 - 69   = D
       0 - 59   = F

Course grades will be based on the same scale.

WITHDRAWAL:
The last day to withdraw is November 7. If you should decide to discontinue work in the course for any reason (i.e. low grades, lack of time to devote to studying, etc.), it is imperative that you officially withdraw or change to audit status through the Counseling Office (MC118) to avoid receiving a failing grade in the course. You must sign a withdrawal form.

STUDY GROUPS:
I have found that reviews are generally of little or no value to students. There is a study technique, however, that I have found to be very helpful. Students who voluntarily band together in small groups to study together before exams usually see significant increases in exam performance.

I will assist in establishing the study groups by providing a master list of students who have indicated their desire to participate by signing their names, addresses, and phone numbers to a list during the orientation sessions. This list will be mailed to all persons on the list as soon as possible after the final orientation session. Students will be responsible for the actual formation of the groups.

COMMUNICATION:
Whenever you have questions, please do not hesitate to call or come to my office. Introduction to Psychology is (as are most survey courses) time-consuming and, at times, downright difficult. Attempting to complete the course via telecourse is an even more difficult task requiring a great deal of motivation and constant self-discipline. The quicker you can seek clarification on something you do not understand, the better. It is probably best not to save up questions as this may lead to overwhelming confusion. You will usually be able to talk with, or see me, during my office hours. I have voice mail in case you call when I am unable to answer the telephone myself. If, for some reason, I have not returned your call within a reasonable amount of time, try again to reach me.

Whenever you call, be prepared to leave the following information:
1. Your name and Social Security Number.
2. Phone number(s) at which you can be reached.
3. Time(s) when you can be reached.
4. Description of the general nature of your problem.

Should your mailing address change during the semester, notify the Telecourse Hotline (595-7282) immediately. During the semester it will be necessary to send you important information.

NEWSLETTER:
Periodically, over the course of the semester, I will be mailing out newsletters which I hope you will find informative, useful, and occasionally entertaining. The newsletters might include news items relevant to the field of psychology, notices of events (meetings, seminars, television broadcasts, etc.) related to things you will be studying, suggestions about how to study and take tests more efficiently, news about study groups, and possibly things I have not even thought of yet.

If you have anything to contribute to the newsletter, get it to me as soon as possible. I will try to include it.

STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING:
I expect you to be thoroughly familiar with the contents of this syllabus. This syllabus constitutes the procedures and rules of the course. By remaining in the course, you are tacitly agreeing to accept these procedures and rules. If any of these procedures and rules are not acceptable to you, it is your responsibility to withdraw from the course.