Fall 2008 INSTRUCTOR:  Matthew Westra   OFFICE:  LA 202-C      OFFICE  PHONE:  (816) 672-2374  (with voice mail)    E-MAIL:  matthew.westra@mcckc.edu e-mail is the best way to reach me! OFFICE  HOURS: Mon: 3:15 - 4:15 Tues: 3:15 - 4:15 & 4:45 - 5:45 Wed: 6 - 7 pm Thurs: 3:15 - 4:15

Semester grades will be calculated as follows:

MAKE-UP EXAMS
   At my discretion, I will provide a method of assessment for missed exams. NOTIFY ME BEFORE A MISSED EXAM! I consider myself free to require that you take the same exam as the one missed, create a new exam for you, or require a written project - at my discretion. Further, do not expect that I will give you the same type of make-up exam as I gave another student who missed an exam.
 Only one exam may be made up.
 The Final Exam may not be missed, in accordance with college policy.

    It is expected that all written works produced outside of class will be completed in a fashion which reflects professional competence. This means, specifically, that Semester Written Projects  and Extra Credit Papers will be typed or done on a word processor, double spaced, use 1 inch margins, be presented on white paper with black ink which is dark enough to read easily, use standard capital and small letters, cite sources and quotations in APA (click here for a web source about APA format) or MLA form, use paragraphs properly, demonstrate thoughtful consideration of your topic and sources, be clean and aligned with a single staple (no paper clips) in the upper left corner. Papers will be free from spelling errors and grammatical errors (use spell check, but don't rely on it alone!). Pages are to be numbered, preferably in the bottom center or top right corner. Any typos which escape your watchful eye while typing will be corrected in pencil or pen prior to the assignment being turned in. There may be no more than 3 corrected typos, and no uncorrected typos per page. If you discover typos, re-type the page or fix them on your word processor and re-print.
    A References or Works Cited page, in proper APA or MLA format, must be included with all papers. The handy and inventive Citations Machine can do this for you. Just select the right type of source, input the correct info in the correct locations, and it will generate both Reference Section and Parenthetical citation format for you, in both APA and MLA.
    Quality and Appearance will be counted in the grade. Don't embarrass yourself with shoddy work. Part of professional competence lies in the conveyance of a message, as well as in the message itself.Use the handy check list linked here to be sure you meet the quality guidelines.
    Sources are Important. The best type of source in a scientific type of course is the publication of original research in a peer reviewed scholarly journal. Next would be professional sources read by professionals. Third would be materials written by respected authorities, but for the general public. Beyond that, we have popular press materials meant for uncritical consumption by the masses. The grade on your paper will take quality of sources into consideration.

Just to demonstrate why good writing is valuable, consider a visit to the Bad Writing Page, linked here.     Here is a link to a list of Pet Peeves - things to make sure you either avoid or include when writing.

• First, state the field that you are interested in, and describe it so that I am sure to understand the basic content of the field. The field may be either a career path or hobby.
• Research the ways psychology is applied within the field. It may be stated clearly or something where you must identify it within such terms as "good management practices". Do NOT just think your way through and default to the obvious.
  
• Present information about the obvious and hidden uses of psychology in your chosen field.
• Sources:
  
• Use at least 5 outside sources from psychology and/or from the literature in your field of interest. (Outside sources means items other than those connected with the course, such as notes or textbook. You may use these in addition to the 5 outside sources.)
  
• You must use at least  4 sources NOT from web pages. (On line research databases have articles that were originally printed. These are NOT considered  web pages.)  
  
• Interviews with credible people within a field can be used in addition to the 5 print sources. Be sure to explain why this person is qualified and credible to speak to your topic.
  
• Best sources will be Scientific Journal articles, and articles from professional publications within the field you are researching.
  
• Do NOT use Wikipedia,  or about.com. (Note that these might lead you to other, more credible sources, but don't use them directly.)
  
• Quality of sources counts in the grading of your paper.
  
• As always, cite your sources in proper APA or MLA format. Citations include those done within the paper and in the References or Works Cited sections at the end of the paper.

• Identify a claim you have encountered, having to do with Psychology. (I recommend you discuss this with me to be sure you have an appropriate one, and I may be able to give you some leads!)
• Research the claim to identify whether the claim is supported or refuted by scientific inquiry, or that there is not enough scientific evidence to either support or refute it. Do NOT merely offer your opinion or the opinion, observations, or anecdotes of others.
  
• Sources:
  
• Use at least 5 outside sources from psychology and/or from the literature in your field of interest. (Outside sources means items other than those connected with the course, such as notes or textbook. You may use these in addition to the 5 outside sources.)
  
• You must use at least  4 sources NOT from web pages. (On line research databases have articles that were originally printed. These are NOT considered  web pages.)  
  
• Interviews with credible people within a field can be used in addition to the 5 print sources. Be sure to explain why this person is qualified and credible to speak to your topic.
  
• Best sources will be Scientific Journal articles, and articles from professional publications within the field you are researching.
  
• Do NOT use Wikipedia,  or about.com, or Opposing Viewpoints. (Note that these might lead you to other, more credible sources, but don't use them directly.)
  
• Quality of sources counts in the grading of your paper.
• Evaluate your sources in terms of quality of information and credibility (go beyond the superficial "she has a Ph.D. so she must be right" level of analysis).
• Some examples of claims are available at this web page (Click here). (Note that you cannot use any of these claims - they'll be addressed in class.
  
• On your paper, begin by clearly stating the claim you are researching.
• In your conclusion, make a summarizing statement that your reading has either supported or refuted the claim.
• As always, cite your sources in proper APA or MLA format. Citations include those done within the paper and in the References or Works Cited sections at the end of the paper.
  

• First, I check the topic and title, to develop my interest.
  
• Second, I scan the general appearance - does it look neat, proper font, margins, and spacing sizes, etc.
  
• Third, I examine the sources in the References section, to see that there are at least the minimum number, and what type they are.
  
• Fourth, I return to the front and read through the paper. During this, I am primarily looking at the content. Does the paper address significant and interesting details of the topic? Does the paper deliver what each section is looking for? Does the paper have adequate breadth and depth for the topic, is it accurate?
• Also, I evaluate the quality of the writing. If the writing is smooth and facilitates my ability to attend to the subject and content, then this is good and strengthens the grade. However, if there are structural, spelling, clarity of communication, and other writing problems, then I have a hard time focusing on the content, and the grade can be lowered anywhere from a little to entirely. Basically, if there are such severe structural problems that I can't read the paper, then I can't get to the content or give a good grade.
• At any point in my evaluation, if there are serious deviations from the assignment or from the Quality of Written Work statement above, then the grade will immediately be dropped anywhere from 40% to 100% depending on the severity of  the flaws.

EXTRA CREDIT
Students may select to do one of the following for 10 points.

1. Go to the Glore Psychiatric Museum.
2. Walk around, check out the exhibits, have reactions.
3. It costs about $1.50 to go through.
4. Write a paper about:
1. What you saw that made an impression on you.
2. What your reactions were to the various forms of treatment.
3. How the information in class and the text fit / conflict with what you saw at the museum.
5. Turn in your well written paper, get 10 points of extra credit.

Glore Psychiatric Museum - 3406 Frederick, St. Joseph, MO
phone:  (816) 232-8471 or  (800) 530-8866

New Museum Hours;
Open Mon. -  Sat., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday 1- 5 p.m.
Adults- $3.50
Children- 8-17 $1.50
Children- 8 and under free
Students with College ID - $1.50

The assignment will be to listen to 2 of the hour long programs, from their archives, through online streaming audio (Real Audio Player), directly addressing psychological topics. See links at the bottom of the page for the Archives of  programs.

Then write a paper (about 2 pages) summarizing  the topic discussion, telling about the show guests, how the topic and discussion fits or contrasts with class and textbook information.

Be sure to cite the web site source properly!

The assignment will be to watch 2 hours of programs (any mix of hour and half hour programs to total 2 hours of viewing), from their archives, through online streaming "video on demand", directly addressing psychological topics. See links at the bottom of the page for the Archives of  programs. You can watch multiples from one series or mix and match.

Then write a paper (following the Quality of Written Work statement in the syllabus) telling of your reason for selecting the particular videos you chose, summarizing  the topic discussion, telling about the show guests, how the topic and discussion fits or contrasts with class and textbook information, what you learned and whether/how viewing the videos expanded your understanding of psychology. The paper is not about whether you enjoyed the videos, but rather what you learned.
Be sure to cite the web site source properly!

• Death: A Personal Understanding
  
• Growing Old in a New Age
  
• Seasons of Life
  
• The World of Abnormal Psychology

READING
    For each week's work, I will assume that you have prepared yourself by doing whatever reading, watching of video material, participation in activities, etc., that should contribute to your intelligent contributions to the class. 

DISCLAIMER
    Due to the nature of the study of Psychology, we will have occasional frank discussions including the topics of human sexuality and biology in factual, symbolic, and figurative forms. If you are easily offended or made uneasy by such language or concepts, I recommend you consider withdrawing or talking with me about what exactly will be covered and how it will be covered. These discussions often take on a humorous tone, as people's anxiety often erupts in laughter and jokes. Inappropriate (hostile or sexist) joking will not be tolerated, but it should be expected that one natural release of tension is through humor. This includes both oral and written comments.

STUDENTS With SPECIAL NEEDS
    Our college strives to be accessible and supportive regarding people with disabilities. If you have a documented need for accommodations for learning, please contact our Special Needs Office and have the paper work filed. We will be glad to assist in what ever ways are necessary to level the playing field of learning. You may contact Jennifer Argo or Connie Flick-Hruska at (816) 672-2254 or click on their names for e-mail.

• Cheating. Using any materials or devices or strategies which provide undue advantage on any exam, assignment, activity or other method of assessment for a course. This includes, but is not limited to, looking at another student's exam, using phones or other communications systems to text message during exams, taking pictures or images of exams, talking with others during exams, using Internet to find information, or any other system of inappropriate "help." Exams are to be measures of what YOU, as an individual, have learned.
  
• Unauthorized Collaboration. Working together on projects, paper, exams or other forms of assessment which are to be completed individually. This includes limiting the contributions of non-group members on group projects.
  
• Plagiarism. Taking anyone's work as one's own. Presenting another's words, ideas, forms of expression, materials, or labor without proper citation, referencing, and declaration that this material originated outside the student's own work.
  
• Falsifying Data or Resource Materials. Inventing or misrepresenting data, ideas, information, quotations, concepts, information, sources, or any other  materials for use in student work.
  
• Misconduct. Engaging or cooperating in activities such as changing grades, copying tests or test items, revealing to other students any information or items from exams or quizzes or any other forms of assessment, falsifying one's identity for any academic purpose or activity,violating any of the college's or district's policies, or any laws in the performance of one's academic activities.
  

Motivation & Emotion   Chapter 8.           All Chapter Modules

Personality and Methods of Therapy