Syllabus for

PSY – 423 Advanced Psychology Seminar

3 Credit hours

Spring 2010

I.       COURSE DESCRIPTION

         A discussion of contemporary figures and topics in the areas of sensation and perception, cognition and complex human learning, human development

         and family studies, and the applied areas of industrial and educational psychology.

         Prequisites: PSY 201, 305, and 322

II.      COURSE GOALS

This course is intended to provide advanced study of several contemporary topics in the field of psychology.  Students will have an opportunity to integrate knowledge of various areas of psychology and utilize critical thinking skills to achieve a sophisticated awareness of several current issues. 

III.    STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS COURSE

As a result of successfully completing this course the student will be able to do the following:

A.           Articulate key concepts in the field of death and dying, drawing on information from current research on end-of-life decision making, death perspectives, and grief/bereavement.

B.           Describe meaning associated with death in various religious/faith perspectives and cultures and how this influences grief/bereavement and end-of-life decisions.

C.           Discuss current political implications and current issues regarding end-of-life decisions.

D.           Describe various family forms, utilizing current research knowledge from human developmental and family studies perspectives.

E.            Articulate key issues in the current debates about various family forms, including the institution of marriage and singleness.

F.            Identify a topic of interest and access current literature to achieve understanding of the topic.

IV.    TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER LEARNING RESOURCES

This course will use current literature rather than a textbook.

V.     COURSE PROCEDURES

A.           University Policies and Procedures

1.            Attendance at each class or laboratory is mandatory at Oral Roberts University. Excessive absences can reduce a student’s grade or deny credit for the course.

2.            Students taking a late exam because of an unauthorized absence are charged a late exam fee.

3.            Students and faculty at Oral Roberts University must adhere to all laws addressing the ethical use of others’ materials, whether it is in the form of print, video, multimedia, or computer software.  By submitting an assignment in any form, the student gives permission for the assignment to be checked for plagiarism, either by submitting the work for electronic verification or by other means.

4.            Final exams cannot be given before their scheduled times.  Students need to check the final exam schedule before planning return flights or other events at the end of the semester.

5.            Students are to be in compliance with University, school, and departmental policies regarding ePortfolio requirements.  Students should consult the ePortfolio handbooks for requirements regarding general education and the students’ majors.

a.      The penalty for not submitting electronically or for incorrectly  submitting an ePortfolio artifact is a zero for that assignment.

b.      By submitting an assignment, the student gives permission for the assignment to be assessed electronically.

B.           Department Policies and Procedures

Policies and procedures for submitting artifacts can be found in the General Education ePortfolio Handbook and the departmental handbook for the student’s major.

C.      Course Policies and Procedures

1.      Evaluation Procedures

         a.      The student’s evaluation will be based on the following:

Two exams                                          200

Class participation and discussion            75

Project                                                 125

                     Total                               400

b.      Grading Scale

(1) 360-400      A

(2) 320-359      B

(3) 280-319      C

(4) 240-279      D

(5) Below 240   F

c.             Due Dates

(1)               All assignments are due at the beginning of class on their respective due dates.

(2)               Major assignments (including exams) turned in after the due date are penalized at the rate of 10 percent per late day.  Weekends count as one late day.

(3)               Minor assignments (20 points or less) are penalized 50 percent if turned in one day late and are not accepted after that.

2.            ePortfolio Requirements:  None

3.            Other Policies and/or Procedures

a.             The format of the course is a seminar.  A seminar differs from other classes in that student discussion is a major component of the class.  Students will be expected to prepare by reading all assigned materials before coming to class and participating actively in the exchange of ideas during class. Class participation counts 50 points toward the final grade.

b.            There will be two essay exams during the semester, each counting 100 points, and a final exam, also in essay format, counting 100 points.

c.             Each student will be expected to complete and present a research project during the semester.  Details of this assignment, which counts 150 points, will be furnished during the first week of class.

d.            Missed Exams

(1)               All missed exams must be made up by the end of the week following the originally scheduled exam.

(2)               Excused Misses: No fees or points are deducted for legitimate excuses from administration, physician, nurse, or professional counselor.

(3)               Unexcused Misses: Points will be deducted as specified above.

e.             Cheating/Plagiarism

(1)               Students suspected of cheating receive no points for that exam or quiz with no opportunity for a makeup.  Additionally, they face possible disciplinary action by the University.

(2)               Students suspected of plagiarism receive no points for that written assignment with no opportunity for a makeup.  Additionally, they face possible disciplinary action by the University.

(3)               All appeals to the contrary must be typed and copies submitted to the chairperson of the department and to the instructor. 

f.             Changes--Class attendance is considered an essential component of the course requirements.  Therefore, any changes in syllabi, assignments, exams, or other requirements announced in class by the instructor are considered to constitute adequate and sufficient notice.  It is the student's responsibility to be aware of any such changes and to contact the instructor if he or she is unsure of what is expected.

g.             Office hours are posted on the instructor's door and are announced in class.  If students cannot make the posted hours, they can see the instructor after class or leave a message on voice mail with contact times. Appointments are arranged.

h.            Students are expected to attend classes and to participate in class activities and discussion.  Consequently, the student who has one or two unexcused absences receives no point penalties.  The student who has more than two unexcused absences receives a ten-point deduction from his or her final score for each absence beyond two.

i.              Three tardies are treated as one unexcused absence.  An excused absence consists of administration excuses for required University activities or written verification of the student’s inability to attend class and/or complete assignments provided by a physician, counselor, or pastor. This written verification by a professional must include his/her rationale for the absence and/or the inability to complete assignments.

VI.    COURSE CALENDAR

The following is a tentative course calendar, subject to change if required by university scheduling, additional time required on a particular chapter, or other unforeseen events.  Any changes to this calendar will be announced in class well in advance.

Week                        Subject                                                                                         

           1                              Introduction to course and policies        

           2-7                          Unit 1:  Death and dying

           8                              Student presentation: Death and dying, mid-term review

           9                              Mid-term (over Unit 1); Begin Unit 2: Family Forms  

           10-14                      Unit 2:            Family forms

           15                            Student presentation: Family forms, final exam review

           17                            Final Exam (over Unit 2)

Course Inventory for ORU’s Student Learning Outcomes

PSY 423 – Advanced Psychology Seminar

Spring 2010

This course contributes to the ORU student learning outcomes as indicated below:

Significant Contribution – Addresses the outcome directly and includes targeted assessment.

Moderate Contribution – Addresses the outcome directly or indirectly and includes some assessment.

Minimal Contribution – Addresses the outcome indirectly and includes little or no assessment.

No Contribution – Does not address the outcome.

The Student Learning Glossary at http://ir.oru.edu/doc/glossary.pdf  defines each outcome and each of the proficiencies/capacities.

 (Revised 1/15/04)