3370 Theoretical Psychology (honors) Course Syllabus
Mr. Arrowood
Course Description:
This course focuses on the attempt of psychology to solve the mysteries of human nature. The units of this course take a deep look into specific areas of psychological studies. The first unit explores theories of personality development. The second unit explores what can go wrong with personality development as studied in the field of abnormal psychology. The third unit explores altered states of consciousness, especially the role of sleep and dreaming. The fourth unit explores human interdependence as studied in the field of social psychology. Students should expect a more intense study worthy of “honors” status.
Materials Needed:
Textbook: Psychology and You – provided
Notebook – designated for this class only
Folder –designated for this class only
Writing utensil
Key Concepts of the Course
The main focus of this course is learning and analyzing what the major psychological theories tell us about human nature. Psychology is a helpful discipline in humanity’s attempts to know itself. On the other hand, the field of psychology has been influenced by biases in politics, culture, and personal philosophies of the theorists. Someone looking for the truth about human nature cannot passively accept what psychology promotes as truth. Theories must be critically analyzed so that we may determine what truth lies in them, and what errors and biases are potentially clouding the truth.
Therefore, this course does not simply ask you to memorize theories and terms. This course requires you to learn how to think about the theories, how to judge them, and how to apply them to your understanding of yourself and others.
We will first look at how the major theories in psychology explain the development of human personality. We will then study what can go wrong in the development of the human personality, and how to possibly correct those problems. Next, we will look at the role that sleep, dreams, and psychoactive drugs play in shaping the human psyche. Finally, we will study the nature of human interdependence and social interaction.
Course Goals, Objectives, and Assessments
Goal 1: Students will learn about the classical theories describing personality formation
Objective 1: Students will memorize key psychologists and terms related to each personality theory
Objective 2: Students will apply each personality theory to their own lives and to the understanding of human development in order to understand the inner workings of each theory
Assessment: quizzes, tests, essays
Goal 2: Students will learn about the role of clear and complete thinking in gaining a clearer understanding of psychology.
Objective 1: Students will learn how to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a psychological theory
Objective 2: Students will learn the role of science and philosophy in creating and testing psychological theories of human personality and behavior.
Objective 3: Students will apply the intellectual standards to their thought process regarding psychological theories
Objective 4: Students will apply the intellectual virtues to their thought processes regarding psychological theories.
Assessment: participation, presentation, essays, projects, informal writing activities
Goal 3: Students will gain a more complete global understanding of human personality
Objective 1: Students will learn how to synthesize the strengths of each psychological theory into a better overall understanding of human nature
Objective 2: Students will learn the classical Catholic anthropological model of psychology, and how it fits with modern theories
Objective 3: Students will use the various theories of human personality to analyze psychological development and disorders in order to come to a global understanding of human nature and personality development
Assessment: quizzes, tests, essays, participation, worksheets, projects
Grading Policy
Grades will be figured based on a points system (not by weighted categories). The points students earn will be divided by the total points possible for a grading period. Since this course is designed to be flexible and guided by student progress and interest, the total points possible will be variable. Graded assignments will include the following:
Open-book quizzes will be given for each chapter. The purpose of these quizzes is to encourage students to think about the chapter material in a critical way. Quizzes will ask students to explain chapter material, and sometimes to analyze it. Quizzes will usually be given midway through the discussion of the chapter so that students will experience modeling and practice of the required thought process, but will still need to do much of the analysis of the chapter on their own.
Writing Assignments: If you want to learn how to think well, you need to learn how to write well. Students will be asked to perform a number of writing assignments throughout the year. These assignments will be graded according to a rubric based on the intellectual standards. Learning summaries are short essays that ask students to analyze or apply course material. They should be at least two full typed pages long (double spaced, one inch margins, twelve point font).
Participation is very important in this class, and is in fact the main activity of this class. You should consider it your opportunity to enter more deeply into the ideas presented in class. Participation will be graded based on “global assessment.”
Amount of Participation: I will keep track of how many times you participate each week. This will form the core of your participation grade.
Quality of Participation: I will keep notes on how well your participation reflects the intellectual virtues.
Student self-assessment: Students will fill out a self-assessment in which they make goals for themselves (with input from me) to grow in one or more of the intellectual virtues, and then assess how well they have met these goals.
Tests are designed to test your knowledge of the study guide material. They will be given at the end of each unit, worth 50-100 points. Each test may be some mixture of objective (fill in the blank) questions and essays (2 or 3 short or 1 long)
Semester exam will be worth 150 points, covering the material from the study guides for all four units covered in the semester.
Self-evaluation will be worth 50 points. You will “make a case” for receiving a particular grade using criteria provided in class and citing evidence from your work across the semester. Your self-evaluations will not determine your quarter grade. Rather, you will be graded on how well you defend your case.
Projects: Students will be required to do projects for each unit. The purpose of these projects is to give students the opportunity to apply the course material to some aspect of their lives. Students may choose from a list of projects, or design their own (with prior approval).
Grades are based on the average of all required work (including tests and quizzes), plus a project requirement for the grade the student desires. The grading scale is as follows:
Requirements for the Semester
A: “A” Average in all required work, plus a minimum of 200 project points.
B: “B” Average in all required work, plus a minimum of 150 project points.
C: “C” Average in all required work, plus a minimum of 100 project points.
D: “D” Average in all required work, plus a minimum of 75 project points.
Required assignments must all be completed to pass this course. The additional points to reach your desired grade will be earned through projects outside of class. These projects are not optional! They are a required part of the class and must be done on your own time and by your own initiative. It is possible to get straight A's on all of your exams and assignments and still fail the quarter by doing no projects.
Additional project points can raise the final semester grade by 3% per 25 points, for a maximum of a 6% raise. Being short on project points will lower the semester grade by 3% for every 25 points below the required level.
Unit 1: Psychological Study & Personality (280 points possible in required assignments)
Open-book quiz on chapter 2: 30 points
Open-book quiz on chapter 14: 30 points
Participation: 20 points
Learning Summary on psychological study done in group: 50 points
Learning Summary on personality theories: 50 points
Exam: 100 points
Unit 2: Abnormal psychology: Mental disorders and how to stay psychologically healthy
Open-book quiz on chapter 18: 30 points
Open-book quiz on chapter 19: 30 points
Participation: 20 points
Learning Summary on mental disorders (with definitions packet): 50 points
Learning Summary on therapy method: 50 points
Exam: 100 points
Unit 3: Altered States of Consciousness: Sleep, dreams, drugs, meditation, hypnosis, etc.
Open-book quiz on chapter 6: 30 points
Open-book quiz on chapter 16: 30 points
Participation: 20 points
Learning Summary on one state of consciousness: 50 points
Learning Summary on one state of consciousness: 50 points
Exam: 100 points
Unit 4: Social Psychology: Attraction, aggression & violence, helping behavior, effects of groups.
Open-book quiz on chapter 20: 30 points
Open-book quiz on chapter 21: 30 points
Participation: 20 points
Learning Summary on one concept studied in this unit: 50 points
Learning Summary on one concept studied in this unit: 50 points
Exam: 100 points
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to be present on time to all class meetings. Unexcused absences and tardies will be met with the following consequences:
ü First offense: warning
ü Second offense: parent & administration contact
ü Third offense: parents & administration meeting
ü Fourth offense: expulsion from the course
Teacher obligations for this class
To know the subject material and prepare handouts and lectures that will help students understand that material
To organize the course in a meaningful way so that knowledge builds over the semester leading to an increased sophistication and sensibility
To consider student concerns regarding time management when assigning homework and constructing requirements for the class
To guide classroom discussion so that each student has an opportunity to participate, and to welcome student participation with respect for all students as learners and persons
To grade fairly and to meet with students in conference to answer questions about grading or instructor comments on papers
Student obligations for this class
To read all assigned material and come to class prepared to discuss that material
To participate in all class activities. This includes being attentive when other students are speaking or making oral presentations
To complete all assignments on time, and to provide drafts and revisions of assignments as requested by the instructor
To respect all members of the class as learners, teachers, and as persons. To enter into respectful reasoned discourse in response to disagreements. As Christians, we are called to treat each other with dignity and charity. Common courtesy, awareness of each other’s needs, caring communication, and observance of the safety and comfort of those around us are all part of this call.
To enter fully into the learning process and to do your own work. Since the goal of this course is for you to become your own thinker, it is imperative that you do your own thinking and your own work. Essays need to be completely your own thought process. Plagiarism in part or in whole will result in a zero, not just a failure, for the paper. Suspected plagiarism that cannot be proven will be brought to the attention of the student, who will be given a chance to assert his or her thought process in dialogue with me. Quizzes and tests are meant to test your mastery of basic concepts, and must therefore be conquered through studying and your own mastery of the material. Copying or cheating on these quizzes or tests will result in a zero, not just a failure, of the quiz or test. The same is true for any assignment given in the course of this class.
To take pride in your work as a learner and scholar. Please type all assignments except informal in-class assignments. Please make all assignments neat and presentable before handing them in. Use only loose-leaf paper for collected assignments.
To make up any missed work. Any missed work due to excused absence is to be turned in on the day you return to school. Missed work due to incompleteness or unexcused absence will be penalized five points for every day it is late. Missed quizzes or tests due to excused absences are to be made up within one week of the student’s return to school. Missed quizzes or tests due to unexcused absences will be given a value of zero points in the grade book. If a student is absent prior to a test or quiz and feels unprepared, he or she may talk to me about taking the test or quiz at a later date. I will allow this only if I feel the absence posed a serious impediment to the student’s ability to study. Tests and quizzes will be announced ahead of time, so absence the day before is not automatically a valid excuse.
