Course Outline: Psychology 520

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION:  This is a course for graduate students only.  It is conducted entirely as a face-to-face course, in English.  This on-line syllabus should be regarded as an example only; the "real" syllabus is the one handed out in class.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Pre-requisite: Graduate standing
"Research and theory in aspects of human diversity, including intelligence, motivation, personality, achievement, and aptitudes.  Both individual and group differences are addressed, and sources of diversity are explored."

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To become familiar with some of the ways in which people differ psychologically. Among the aspects to be studied are intelligence, achievement, personality, aptitudes, interests and values, and creativity.

2. To develop an understanding of the relative contributions of heredity and environment to human differences.

3. To understand how group differences, such as gender, race, age, and social class affect psychological differences.

4. To discover personal psychological differences.

5. To learn how knowledge about psychological differences may be applied in interpersonal relationships as well as in work activities.

COURSE FORMAT

The format for this course will be a mixture of lecture and seminar/discussion. Because there will be a substantial amount of class time devoted to discussion, it is essential that all students come to class well-prepared. Students will be expected to contribute not only to their own learning but to that of other students as well.

REQUIRED READING

1. Caplan, P. J., & Caplan, J. B. (1999). Thinking critically about research on sex and gender (2nd ed.). New York: HarperCollins College Publishers.

2. Plomin, R. (1990). Nature and nurture: An introduction to human behavioral genetics. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

3. Articles distributed in class and ones on reserve at the Educational Resources Center, TPH.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Exams - 125 points, distributed as follows:

Mid-term exam, worth approximately 50 points

Comprehensive final exam, worth approximately 75 points

2. Summary/Reaction Papers - 40 points

You will be required to write a total of three summary/reaction papers, two on chapters from the Caplan and Caplan text and one on Chapter 4 in the Plomin text.

- first C & C paper: worth 10 points

- second C & C paper: worth 10 points

- Plomin paper: worth 20 points

More information about these assignments will be provided.

3. Research Presentation - 50 points

You will select a topic related to course content, do a search of relevant scholarly literature using PsychLit and/or other on-line data-bases, prepare an outline and reference list for your presentation, and give a presentation in class on your topic.

More information about this assignment will be provided.

4. Class Discussant Assignment - 20 points

You will lead class discussion on the article(s) assigned as required reading for one of the topics covered in the course. You will need to read the article(s) carefully, generate some discussion questions, and skillfully lead classmates in a discussion. What are the main points of the article(s)? What are the implications? How is the information applicable to the study of individual differences? How can the content be tied to the nature-nurture theme of the course? Etc.

5. Attendance and Participation - 25 points

Regular, prompt attendance is expected, and attendance will be taken at each class period.

It is important that you arrive on time to class so that you do not disrupt the learning experience for other class members. During the first five minutes of class the classroom door will be left open for those who are unavoidably late; after that time the door will be closed, and you should not enter.

It is especially important that you be present on exam days and for classes in which you are scheduled to lead the discussion or make a presentation. An acceptable excuse (e.g., illness) must be provided in order for you to be allowed to make-up an exam or presentation.

Points for attendance and participation will be awarded for regular, prompt attendance; for coming consistently prepared for class; and for making meaningful contributions to class discussion.

TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE: 260

ACADEMIC HONESTY

The following guidelines and expectations are quoted from the 1999-2000 Hilltopics, page 5:

"The maintenance of academic integrity is of fundamental importance to the university. Thus it should be clearly understood that acts of plagiarism or any other forms of cheating will not be tolerated and that anyone committing such acts risks punishment of a serious nature.

"Plagiarism - To represent written work taken from another source as one's own is plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense. The academic work of a student must be his/her own. One must give any author credit for source material borrowed from him/her. To lift content directly from a source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a borrowed passage without reference to the source after having changed a few words is also plagiarism.

"Cheating - No student shall give or receive assistance not authorized by the instructor in taking an examination or in the preparation of any essay, laboratory report, problem assignment, or other project which is submitted for purposes of grade determination."

TOPICS

Course Introduction
Introduction to the Study of Individual Differences
Historical Views of Differential Psychology
Research Methods and Statistics
Theories of Human Nature
Theories of Human Nature
Intelligence
Abilities, Aptitudes, and Achievement
Personality and Motivation
Interests and Values
Gender Differences
Race and Social Class Differences
Age Differences

**PLEASE NOTE:

The above schedule, requirements, and policies are subject to change due to extenuating circumstances.

Created: May 25, 2000.  Last modified: May 25, 2000.
All contents copyright (c) 2000  Retta E. Poe