Dr. Janet Frick
Office: 241 Psychology Building Phone:
542-6790 Email: jfrick@arches.uga.edu
Office Hours: after class and by appointment
(note: Tell me in class if you want to stop by and meet with me.
I occasionally have other meetings scheduled during this time.)
*note: it's probably a good idea to email your TA if you want to meet with him or her, and give them an idea of when you might be dropping by.
Teaching Assistant for students whose last name starts with A-L
Ryan Keen
rkkeen@uga.edu
Office: Room 245
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 1-2, and by appointment
Teaching Assistant for students whose last name starts with M-Z
Jennifer McGee-Jeniski
jeniski@uga.edu
Office: Room 238
Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 1-2, and by appointment
Overview
Psychology 1101 is the introductory survey course in psychology.
One goal of this course is to familiarize you with the broad discipline
of psychology, exploring important areas within the field and providing
necessary background for future study. Another, perhaps more important,
goal is to foster your critical thinking, as we examine not only the field
of psychology but our own behavior and experience. I hope to spark
your interest in not only the different domains of psychology, but also
the scientific method of examining the world around you with a critical
eye, asking questions, and examining the many factors that affect people's
behavior. I also hope to equip you with the skills you'll need to
evaluate critically the many "psychological claims" that you hear in the
media. Psychology is a discipline that covers some controversial
and sensitive topics on which class members may have a diversity of opinions.
In a university learning environment, it is essential that we treat the
topics with appropriate scientific rigor, and class members' differing
viewpoints on those topics with respect.
Textbook and other Course Materials
Psychology (3rd edition), by Saul Kassin. Prentice Hall,
2001.
This textbook comes bundled with a study guide and other helpful materials,
including an excellent CD-Rom called "Mind Matters." It is fine to
get a used copy of the book, because none of the other materials will be
required.
The course WebCT site will allow you to check your grades, see assignments, and access other helpful class materials. This page can be accessed by going to http://webct.uga.edu. You log in using your UGA MyID (your "MyID" is the same as your arches email userid). You can create your MyID if you don't have one at http://www.uga.edu/myid. If you have never used WebCT, you will find important information by going to the WebCT home page and clicking on "student resources." This site will provide you with strategies for properly configuring your web browser, and it includes a helpful student guide for using WebCT. UGA's main library also offers orientation sessions on WebCT, and a schedule of sessions is linked from Student Resources at the student information web site within WebCT.
Course Requirements
Homework assignments
There will be three homework assignments given throughout the semester,
each worth 10 points. Homework is due at the beginning of the class
period in which it is due; late homework assignments will be worth a maximum
of 5 points for the next 24 hours after class, and will not be accepted
after that point.
Grades
Grades will be determined based on your final number of points out
of the 450 possible points.
A: 405 points or more (90% or above)
B: 360 - 404 points (80% or above)
C: 315-359 points (70% or above)
D: 270 - 314 points (60% or above )
F: fewer than 270 points (less than 60%)
Note that grades will NOT automatically be "rounded up" if you are close to the cutoff for a particular grade. Grade cutoffs are based on the number of points, not the percentages, and so only people with the exact number of points (or more) are guaranteed a particular grade.
According to university policy, withdrawal from the class before the midpoint (October 15) will not automatically result in a grade of "W" if the student is failing the class.
Research Participation
The Psychology Department has a policy that students in PSYC 1101 are required to complete 6.5 credit hours of research participation. You may complete this requirement through (a) participation in research experiments, or (b) writing summaries on psychology articles. You must complete this requirement, or I am required to assign you an "incomplete" (I) as your course grade -- there are NO EXCEPTIONS. If you receive an "I" and the research requirement is not completed in the following three semesters (including summer), the "I" is automatically converted to a grade of "F". This research requirement will be explained in detail in a handout distributed the first day of class. Register for participation at http://www.experimetrix.com/uga.
Academic Honesty
This class will adhere to the UGA Academic Honesty policy. The University's policy defines academic honesty broadly and simply – the performance of all academic work without cheating, lying, stealing, or receiving assistance from any other person or using any source of information not appropriately authorized or attributed. All coursework, including homework and exams, turned in for credit will be assumed to be the student's own work. Your minimum penalty for being found guilty of academic dishonesty in this course will be a grade of "F" in the course; further penalties may include a note on your transcript or expulsion.
Exam Schedule
Exam 1: Friday, September 6 (Chapters 1-3)
Exam 2: Friday, October 4 (Chapters 4-8)
Exam 3: Friday, October 25 (Chapters 9-12)
Exam 4: Friday, November 15 (Chapters 13-15)
Exam 5: Monday, December 16 from 12- 3 p.m. (Chapters 16-18, plus 20
points of cumulative questions)
Other issues
1. There is not an attendance policy. However, students
who attend class regularly do better on exams.
2. If you have questions about the research requirement, please email the RP (research pool) coordinator at rp@egon.psy.uga.edu. That person, not Dr. Frick, is the only one who can fix any problems. The research requirement is a departmental one, not Dr. Frick's, and she cannot resolve any problems you may be having. Please read the handout carefully, as it addresses most questions you will have.
3. Dr. Frick, Ryan and Jennifer are all happy to meet with
you and help you if you find yourself struggling with the course material.
There is no substitute for attending class and reading the textbook yourself.
However, don't hesitate to ask us for help – we want you to enjoy this
class!