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Psychology 406P, 4 credits, UMKC PACE Program
SPRING
2012
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INSTRUCTOR:
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Matthew Westra |
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OFFICE
PHONE:
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(816) 604-2374 (with voice mail) |
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E-MAIL:
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matthew.westra(at)mcckc.edu e-mail is the best way to reach me. |
| OFFICE
HOURS
(at MCC-Longview): |
Mon: 4 - 5 and 6 - 7 p.m. Tues: 10 - 11 a.m. Wed: 12 - 1 p.m. Thurs: 2 - 3 p.m. |
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There are 4 determinants to the grade: A portfolio of 10
Connections
Papers,
2 book reviews, and an experience project report with
presentation.
| Weight is as follows: | Grading is as follows: | |||
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A = 225 - 250 B = 200 - 224 C = 175 - 199 D = 150 - 174 F = 0 - 149 |
BOOK REVIEWS - 100 points
- 40% of your grade
A 5-10 page review is required for each of the
two
assigned books. Book reviews combined are worth 40% of your grade.
Each
review should reflect course content and assigned chapters and
readings.
As we are not having in class, multiple choice tests on course
content,
I expect the book reviews to demonstrate that you have a grasp of
the
ideas
and information covered to date and can integrate that information
and
those ideas into the book review. The book, then, serves as a
stimulus
and foundation for your synthesis of course material. A summary of
the
book and reaction do NOT constitute a successful book review for
these
assignments.
The first review is over a book from the first
list.
Read the book, then comment on the key ideas, essential evidence,
bias,
conclusions, and your response. Tell me what you think, more than
what
you feel. Identify both strengths and weaknesses of the author's
comments,
what you would add, etc.
The second review will cover a book from the
second
list or a different book from the first list. Do the same as
for
the first review.
Click
here
for
the
book
list
EXPERIENCE PROJECT - 50 points, 20%
of
the
grade
The Experience Project involves the student
with
a person with a developmental disability, or an organization
serving
people
with developmental disabilities.
The project could include interviews,
volunteering
time, providing respite or baby-sitting for a child with a
developmental
disability, or some other activity that provides direct encounter
and
experience
with a person or people labeled "developmentally disabled." A
minimum
of
8 hours of direct experience is appropriate. Certainly, feel free
to do
more, and to divide your time between different types of
experience.
A 5-10 page report, a journal, or other
documentation
and discussion of your experience is required. You may include a
variety
of media to document and present your experience. The report
should not
only document what you did during your contact time, but be an
integration
of course lessons and concepts into an actual personal, hands-on
experience.
Tie in relevant information from lecture, discussion, and
readings.
You must have approval of the experience before
doing it. This acts to safeguard your expenditure of time and
effort,
to
be sure it qualifies. You must provide agency verification of your
time
and activities.
NOTE: See Schedule for Due Dates
| At the top of the first page of each paper, please include: |
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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 Portfolio Entries and any other written assignments (other than in-class exam essays) 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.
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.
Deviations from requirements will prevent papers from being accepted.
Just to demonstrate why good writing is
valuable,
consider a visit to the Bad
Writing
Page,
linked
here.
(will open in PowerPoint)
READING
In addition to the required books, there will be articles
and
other readings. These will either be made available through the
Internet.
We will be using discussion to cover much of the course
material.
This will depend on your reading the material BEFORE class. Don't
embarrass
yourself by having discussions fall on their faces due to lack of
preparation.
I will assume you have read the material, and may ask you
pointed
questions about it during class. Certainly, my efforts to teach
will be
fruitless, if you will not make the effort to learn.
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.
RECORDING
Tape, digital, and other types of audio and/or
video recorders are not allowed. Please do not bring
them or use them. If you have a documented special need that
requires
their
use, please bring me certification from the Special Needs Office
and I
will be more than happy to assist with accommodations.
PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES
Pagers and Cell Phones are not conducive to the
educational process. I will assume that any interruption due to
these
will
be justifiable based on real emergency reasons and that the
student
being
summoned will need to leave immediately to deliver the baby,
attend to
the dying, retrieve the injured daycare patron, or otherwise take
immediate
action which necessitates leaving.
DUE DATES
See the Schedule for due dates.
Due dates are the deadline. Work will not
be accepted after due dates. You are encouraged to submit
work
early.
| Mar 2 |
DUE
-
Book
Review
1 Films TBA & Discussion - |
| Mar 9 | Guest Panel visit - The Whole Person |
| Mar 16 | Film & Discussion - Probable Film: Sound & Fury (subject to change) The Family - Impact of disability on families, family issues. (Class NOTES)  The Arc - Position Statement on Self Determination The Arc - Family Support Services Sibling Support.org MCDD (Metropolitan Council on Developmental Disabilities) Family Services Connection Respite Care |
| Mar 23 |
Film TBA & Discussion -
Cultural Diversity: (Link to Notes) Issues inherent in culture; ethnography; cultural differences in attitudes. Deaf Culture Disability Culture (NOTE: Read the "Editorial" and scout around articles) Cultural Competence |
| March 30 |
Spring Break - No Classes |
 |
Interesting Internet Sites | |
| Last
Modified: Oct 25, 2012 |
