Fall 2012 INSTRUCTOR:  Matthew Westra   OFFICE:  LA 202-C      OFFICE  PHONE:  (816) 604-2374 (with voice mail)    E-MAIL:  matthew.westra@mcckc.edu e-mail is the best way to reach me! OFFICE  HOURS: MWF - 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Tues - 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. Wed - 6-7 p.m.

Link to Textbook's Student Resources website:    http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=index&itemId=0470410175&bcsId=5192
Link to Textbook's Website & Videos:   http://mywiley.info/LongviewCarpenter2e     (Use the password:    longview  )

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.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
    We may, or may not, have written assignments performed inside and/or outside of class.

    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. If you are using outside sources, keep the following in mind. 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. AVOID Wikipedia, About.com, and other encyclopedias. Do your own research rather than relying on these to decide what's relevant and what isn't. Get in the habit of using scholarly resources.

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.

EXTRA CREDIT
Students may select to do one of the following for 10 points. Extra Credit papers will be graded as 0, 7, or 10 points.

1. Go to the Glore Psychiatric Museum.
2. Walk around, check out the exhibits, have reactions.
3. It costs about $3.50 to go through, with student ID.
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    http://www.stjosephmuseum.org/glore.htm 

This assignment presents an extra credit option. You may do this option in place of the trip to St. Joseph State Hospital's Glore Psychiatric History Museum. You may only do ONE option for extra credit.

The assignment will be to listen to 2 of the hour long programs (or 2 hours of total programming if you find shorter segments)  which directly address psychological topics.

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!

NPR's Science Friday's Archives  (be sure to listen to Psychology Specific topics)  (Take a look through the listings for Psychology and Brain. Some items in Ethics, Skepticism, or Anthropology may also apply.)

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  at (816) 604-2254 or click on her name 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.