PSYC E-15

Spring 2016
PSYC E-15: Introduction to Psychology
Day/ Time: Tuesday, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm

Lecturer: Todd J. Farchione, Ph.D.

Email: tfarchio@bu.edu

Teaching Assistant: Dennis Gaudet, M.Ed

Email: dgaudet@fas.harvard.edu

Course Description

This course is a broad introduction to the field of psychology. Students explore the key figures,
diverse theoretical perspectives, and research findings that have shaped some of the major areas
of contemporary psychology. This course also examines the research methods used by
psychologists across these areas to study the origins and variations in human behavior. Course
meetings include lectures, class discussions, films, and peer exchanges. Students are
responsible for material from lectures and readings.

Required texts

Kosslyn, S. & Rosenberg, R. (2011) Introducing Psychology: Brain, Person, Group (4th edition).
Pearson Learning Solutions, ISBN: 9780558882846 IP
Freud, S. (1926/1950) Question of Lay Analysis. New York: Norton QLA
Axline, V. (1964) Dibs: In Search of Self. New York: Ballantine DIBS

These books are available at the Harvard Coop, or may be purchased online at your discretion.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes. Close to 50% of examination questions are based on
classroom lectures, discussions and films. Films are NOT available for viewing outside of class.
If you are absent from class it is your responsibility to obtain missing notes from classmates.
Assignments and powerpoints used in class are available on the course website, but the teaching
staff does not provide lecture notes. It is strongly recommended that you obtain the phone
number and/or e-mail addresses of at least two people in the class who can provide you with the
information you miss.

Grading Breakdown

Summary of Requirements and Grading

Idiographic Project February 16 20%
Midterm Examination March 22 10%
Nomothetic Project April 26 20%
Perspective Exercises Throughout term 10%
Final Examination May 10 40%

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CANVAS

PSYC E-15 is not an online course, but does make extensive use of the course website and the
learning platform Canvas. Assignments, announcements, handouts, and powerpoints are posted
online. ALL assignments are submitted through Canvas. If this is your first time using Canvas
there are tutorials available for students at http://www.extension.harvard.edu/resources-
policies/resources/computer-e-mail-services

The email address you provided at registration is the one provided to us for communication with
students. It is your responsibility to ensure your active and current email address is on file with
Harvard Extension in order facilitate communication.

COMMUNICATING WITH TEACHING STAFF

The teaching assistant is available through email and web conferencing since he is located out of
state. Emails are usually answered within 24 hours Monday through Saturday. Any emails sent
on Sunday will be addressed on Monday.

Students can speak to the professor on break or after class, and by email.

DEADLINES FOR DATA COLLECTION PROJECTS

Projects are considered on time if submitted through the course website by 7:30 PM on the due
date. DO NOT submit via an e-mail attachment – they will not be accepted. No papers will be
accepted after this deadline and a grade of zero will be assigned.

HOMEWORK/EXERCISE SHEETS

Six homework/exercise sheets for each perspective of psychology studied in this course will be
available for download from the course website on the day they are assigned. Assignments are
collectively worth 10% of your final grade. You receive full credit only if the homework is
turned through the course website 7:30 PM of the due date. Late exercise sheets will NOT be
accepted.

REVIEW FOR EXAMS

A practice midterm exam will be available online on March 1st, and the solutions will be
provided on March 8th. A review guide will also be available online on the 8th as well.

A final review guide will also be provided for the final exam.

MIDTERM EXAM
The midterm is held in class on March 22nd. No make-up is given for missing this exam (so
please do not ask). If you are not present at this exam the point value of the midterm (10%) is
added to the weight of your final exam, making the final worth 50% of your final grade.

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FINAL EXAM
The final exam is scheduled for May 10, 2016. Students must take the exam on this date and are
not allowed to make individual arrangements with instructors. Students not present for the exam
will receive a zero on the final exam unless a make-up has been approved by Academic Services.
Make-up examinations are only approved for students in good academic standing who miss a
final exam for a serious illness or compelling emergency reason that is documented. They are
not approved because of negligence, misinformation, vacations, or lack of preparation. Refer to
the Extension School Catalog for more information.

If you already know you will not be present for the final exam you should seriously consider
electing another course.

DISABILITY SERVICES
If you require Disability Services, contact the Disability Services Coordinator at (617) 495-0977
as soon as possible. More information is available at
http://extension.harvard.edu/resources/disability-services concerning resources for students.

All services are accommodations are coordinated and approved through Academic Services, and
not through individual instructors or teaching assistants.

NON-CREDIT STUDENTS
Students registered for non-credit (NC) are considered by the Extension school as auditing the
course and receive no grade for the course.

In the course, non-credit students are welcomed to sit in class and review sessions and participate
in class discussions, but are not to submit any papers or take exams. Any work submitted will
be returned to you with no evaluation and “non credit” written across the front page.

HOW TO DECIPHER THE READING ASSIGNMENTS ON SYLLABUS

The first reading assignment is listed as IP 1.1, 1.2, 1.3. The code is that IP refers to the main
psychology text in the course, the number to the left of the decimal refers to the chapter and the
number to the right of the decimal refers to the chapter sections. Translated, this means chapter
one, sections 1, 2 and 3.

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Schedule of Topics

Unit R: Research Background

January 26 Course Overview

Assignment for Class:

None

February 2 Research Methods

Experimental Design

Assignment for Class:

IP 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

Unit 1: Biological Psychology

February 9 Modularity Doctrine

Neural Mechanisms

Assignment for Class:

IP 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

Unit II: Psychoanalysis

February 16 Cultural Origins

The Unconscious

Assignment for Class:

Idiographic Project due

February 23 Stages and Fixations

Freudian Legacy

Assignment for Class:

IP 8.1(1), QLA

Unit III: Behaviorism

March 1 Respondent Behavior

Operant Behavior

Assignment for Class:

IP 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 (3 & 4)

March 8 Two-Factor Conditioning

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Behavior Modification

Assignment for Class:

IP 10.1, 10.2

March 15 NO CLASS: Spring Break

March 22 Midterm Examination

Unit IV: Humanistic Psychology

March 29 On Being Human

Issues and Status

Assignment for Class:

IP 8.1(2), DIBS

Unit V: Cognitive Psychology

April 5 Sensation, Perception, Memory and Thinking

Assignment for Class:

IP 3.1(3,4,5), 3.2(3), 3.3(3,4), 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.2(4), 9.2(2)

Unit VI: Evolutionary Psychology

April 12 Context and Concepts

Adapted Mind

Assignment for Class:

IP 2.5, 7.2(1), 7.3(4)

Unit VII. Social Psychology

April 19 Conformity & Compliance

Social Cognition

Assignment for Class:

IP 13.1, 13.2

Unit S: Summary

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April 26 Approaches to Therapy

Assignment for Class:

IP 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4
Nomothetic Study Due

May 3 Future of Psychology

May 10 Final Exam

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