Spring
2008
Tuesday and Thursday Section
Class Time: TUE & TH 8: 30 PM – 9:45 PM, 3 credits
Classroom: 4105
INSTRUCTOR: R. Beneckson
305-237-2215
rb@mdcpsychology.com
This course is a study of personal adjustment in the life
of the individual. We will study the relationship of the individual to
him/her self, to other people, and to the requirements of society. We
will study research on stress, happiness, interpersonal communication,
personality theory, human development, sex and gender, friendship and marriage,
physical health, and careers and work. The goal of this course is to
expose the student to knowledge in these areas so that the student may apply
them to improve the quality of their lives.
Textbooks: Weiten
and Lloyd, Psychology Applied to Modern Life, Eighth
Edition.
Basic Requirements:
This course will be taught through study of the textbook,
lecture, video programs, discussion, and dialogue. Class participation
will be highly emphasized and rewarded. There will be 2 exams, with multiple
choice and/or essays. The highest exam grade will be counted twice, the lowest
score once, for a total of three test scores. Students are required to
keep a journal applying the material from each chapter to real aspects of their
lives.
What is
ultimately required of the student is an open mind and the desire to
learn. In addition to the basic material, the emphasis on this course is
learning how to enjoy the process of learning itself, thinking critically, and
seeing how research and academic material may be applied in a practical context
to self-study.
Grading:
Your final grade in the course is based on the total of the 3 exam scores, plus
journal points, extra credit points, plus credit for the class presentation,
and class participation. All mandatory assignments must be done or points
are subtracted for each missing assignment. Each student is required to
participate in a small group presentation based on a specific application of
material from selected chapters. The maximum for the class presentation
is 10 points. The personal journal is worth a minimum of 5 points and a
maximum of 16 points.
Other extra credit points depend on the specific project,
but generally are between 5 and 10 points.
A = 280+
B = 245-279
C = 215-244
D = 185-214
F = 0-184
MDC Catalogue Description of ISS 1161:
This is an interdisciplinary course that emphasizes
understanding of oneself as a unique individual who, as part of global
community, is responsible for decisions affecting his/her psychological,
social, environmental, and physical well-being. Main themes include personality
and self, society and culture, development and the life cycle, and the
maintenance of physical and psychological health. (3 hr. lecture)
Course Policies:
Please be aware of the following course policies as they can have an effect on
your grade in the course.
Exam policy: Do not arrive late or fail to show up for an
exam. If you arrive 15 minutes after the exam has started you will not be
allowed to take it. In the event of medical emergency, you must provide
an official notice from your physician, if accepted, alternative arrangements
will be made. See the instructor for permission to make up an exam.
Academic dishonesty: Instances of cheating will be not be tolerated and will be dealt with in accordance
with policies established by
Classroom conduct: Arriving late, leaving early, or otherwise being
disruptive during lectures will not be tolerated. If you know in advance
that you will arrive late/leave early, notify the instructor prior to
class. Please
turn off cell phones and beepers during class!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely NO TEXT
MESSAGING during class!!!!!!!!!
Absences:
More than 3 unexcused absences will result in you being dropped from the
class.
Related concerns: If at anytime during the semester you are concerned about your
progress, please feel free to speak to me about it.
Extra Credit: There
will be the opportunity to earn extra credit by doing short research
papers or extra class presentations with the permission of the
instructor. See the instructor for more information.
Course Outline: Below are the scheduled lecture topics and
corresponding textbook chapters. Please make every effort to read the
chapter prior to lecture. Lectures will also present material not found
in the textbook. This schedule is subject to change based on the progress
of the class. Therefore, it is essential that you come to class regularly
to keep abreast of any changes.
Topic:
Textbook Weitan
& Lloyd
1-8-08 Adjusting to Modern
Life
Chapter 1
Personality Test
http://cac.psu.edu/~j5j/test/ipipneo1.htm
New
Findings in Stress and Health
1-15-08 Theories of Personality
Chapter 2
1-24-08 Psychological Disorders
Chapter 15
1-31-08
Psychotherapy Chapter
16
2-7-08 Stress and Its Effects
Chapter
3
2-12-08 Coping Processes Chapter
4
2-19-08 The
Self Chapter 5
2-21-08 Social Cognition
and Social Influence
Chapter 6
2-28-08 Review,
3-4-08 Exam 1
3-11-08 Interpersonal
Communication Chapter
7
3-18-08 Friendship and Love Chapter
8
3-25-08 Development and Expression of Sexuality Chapter
13
4-1-08 Marriage and Intimate Relationships Chapter
9
4-8-08 Gender and
Behavior
Chapter
10
4-15-08 Careers and
Work
Chapter
12
4-22-08 Psychology and Physical Health Chapter
14
4-24-08 Review, Catch up on Reports
Final Exam
5-1-08 8:55 – 10:25 PM
WRITINGSTYLE
Please, when you write your journals,
leave two spaces between sentences. Also, when using “quotation marks,”
make sure that periods and commas are included within the “marks.” This
is proper English usage in writing. Thank you.