REQUIRED
TEXTBOOK
Morgan, B.L., &Korschgen, A.J. (2001).
Majoring in psych? Career options for psychology undergraduatesn (2nd
ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Slife, B. (Ed.) Taking sides: Clashing
views on controversial psychological issues (current ed.). Guilford,
CT: Dushkin Publishing Group.
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite: Senior Standing. Students
will explore the diverse career options available to them, debate various
controversial issues, and discuss other select topics of concern in the
field of psychology.
EDUCATION OUTCOMES SPECIFIC TO PSYCHOLOGY
Use the scientific method as a primary basis for engaging in critical thinking and evaluating multiple sources of information.
Use appropriate computer technology to complete relevant assignments.
Communicate and present psychological concepts, principles, and theories clearly and effectively, both in oral and written form.
Articulate controversial and ethical issues related to psychological intervention and research.
Interact effectively and work productively with others.
Examine, evaluate, and pursue career and educational opportunities available with an undergraduate degree.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the
student will:
Know about the variety of job opportunities that are available and the requirements needed to obtain that kind of job (14).
Have improved their oral and written communication skills (5,6).
Understand the difference between science and pseudoscience (1).
Have the ability to critically analyze arguments (1,11).
Be aware of various critical issues in the field of psychology (11).
Be able to work effectively with others in a group (13).
COURSE ACTIVITIES/ASSIGNMENTS/REQUIREMENTS
Debates:
Before coming to class, everyone is required to read the appropriate material
from the Taking Sides book and then write 1 or 2 pages stating his/her
opinion on the presented issue. These will be turned in during class or
before class starts on WebCT. The debaters will present both sides of the
issue, going into more depth through outside readings. Total time for both
sides presenting the debate should be approximately 30-40 minutes with
time afterwards for questions. The debaters will be graded by myself and
the class on preparedness, organization, and ability to respond to questions.
Involve the class with handouts, videos, class exercises, visual aids (Powerpoint),
examples, etc. Before each debate, the debate team must turn in an APA
style list of references that they used when preparing for this debate
(books, articles, web sites, personal communication, etc.). Failure to
turn in this material on the day of the debate will result in a 10 point
grade deduction.
Your Lot In Life: You will be presented with 2 lots in life. Chose 1. You will then write a paper, defining your lot and then discussing the possible choices that are available to you. You may write this paper as you are the person in question, as a therapist or helper, etc. You are required to use (1) traditional library sources (book, journal articles), (2) Internet sources, and (3) Outside agency (can include government, religious, self-help group). Make sure to reference appropriately. SPRING ONLY
Applying Psychology to Real Life: You are to find ads, newspaper articles, advice and medical columns, cartoons, web sites, songs, etc. that incorporate ideas, topics, etc. that relate to psychological principles. You also need to type up the psychological concept and definition and how this relates to the particular psychological concept, theory, or research finding and any errors in the presentation of the material. You will be graded based on relevance of the clippings to topic, accuracy of description, depth of coverage, writing, organization, and originality/creativity. You are to come up with 10 different items that relate to at least 5 different psychology courses. No more than 3 in each group.
Pop Psychology: Find a topic that is an example of "pop" psychology or pseudoscience. How is what you found an example of this? Use examples from bookstores, internet resources, research data, etc. to support your statements. Tell me which one you will be doing since no 2 groups can have the same topic. You will present this to the class. Before your presentation, you will need to give me a list of references. 5 points will be deducted from your grade if you do not. Make sure that you present this information in a scientific fashion – that is, what is it, what are you expected to believe, and what does the research say about this (both pro and con)? This presentation should last approximately 15-20 minutes. No more than 3 in each group.
Personal and Job Portfolio: Place in 3 ring binder with disk or CD-Rom
with information. Include contact address information (including e-mail
address). Personalize folder – make it your own.
1. Personality, Values, and Skills – Fill out the checksheets. What
are your top 5 components in each area?
2. Knowledge and Learning – Institutions, Employers, Volunteer Organizations,
etc. Fill out checksheet for major.
3. Transcript and Advisor Checksheet – Your transcript is on line –
print out a copy. Fill out a copy of the Advisor Checksheet (either BA
or BS).
4. Resume – See http://www.valdosta.edu/career/
for dates on resume writing.
5. Job Information – What is your career goal? Find out the training
that you need to have, degrees or schooling available, description of job,
average pay, and where you would work. Include an explanation of how your
personality, values, knowledge, and learning fit this job.
6. How has your years at VSU (particularly in the Psychology Dept.)
helped you develop your skills, knowledge, etc? For each of the department’s
goals, you are to discuss your strength(s) and/or weakness(es) in each
area, why you are strong and/or weak in these areas, and how the program
is related to each of these strengths and weaknesses. Give examples to
illustrate your point.
Class Participation: You are required to attend class and actively participate in debates, group projects, and other discussions on the listserv or in class. Part of your grade depends on class participation - that means more than showing up and breathing. Not showing up to class will be penalized. There will be no difference between excused and unexcused absences. Every time you miss a class, 10 points will be deducted from your final score. In addition, every time you come in more than 10 minutes late or leave early, 3 points will be deducted from your score. You will have one opportunity to make up one missed class or being late. You can find ONE additional Applying Psychology article. This will deduct one missed class or 3 lates. While in class, please be courteous to the speaker (s). If you are discourteous (sleeping, doing another activity, etc.), you will have 3 points deducted from your total score. You will be unable to make up these points.
Debater
- 100 points
Debate papers - 5 points each
Lot in Life - 100 points
Class Participation - 100 points
Group projects - 50 points each
Portfolio - 100 points
SPECIAL
NEEDS STATEMENT
VSU, in accordance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act, will make reasonable accommodations for students
who require special assistance because of a disability. If you require
some assistance, do not hesitate to make me aware of the situation, but
you must also register with the Special Services program in Nevins Hall
(245-2498).
NOTE:
Working in Groups
Many of these projects require you to
work in groups. This may be your first time doing this type of activity.
Not everyone likes to work in groups. Some people prefer to work on their
own and know it is done right. Some projects in this class will allow you
to do that, others will not. You are psychology majors, so use your knowledge
of psychology to work with others. For the majority of projects, you will
pick your own group. If your group does a poor job, you will be held responsible
even if it wasn’t your fault. This may sound harsh, but in many places
you will be make to work with other people and everyone is held accountable.
If a certain person is not doing their job in a group, then it is your responsibility to tell that person they need to do more and they will be tossed out of your group if they don’t do the work. You have the right to do that. You have the right to leave your group and work with another if you feel that you are doing everything and others are doing nothing.
If you are a strong leader, try backing down and not doing the work for others or commanding others to do things. All this does is encourages others not to work - why reinforce the behavior? If you practice social loafing, you will get dumped from your group, so don’t do it. Be honest with yourself. Look at the amount of time others are committing to the project and you are committing to the project - does it look similar?
You will probably be frustrated or upset at some point in time. I will try to help out, but I can only do so much as an arbitrator. Don’t put things off until the last minute and then expect everyone to work around your schedule. I will be giving class time for these projects - I recommend that you work on them during that time.
BY NEXT CLASS - You will be given 2 lots in life. In addition, you will need to pick out the top 5 debates you would like to participate in and you need to have an e-mail account and give me the address.
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Deborah S. Briihl
Office: Psychology and Counseling Building
Phone: (912) 333-5930 or 5994
Office Hours: MW 2-4:30 TTh 2-4
Email: dbriihl@valdosta.edu
http://chiron.valdosta.edu/dbriihl
Group Projects
Group Project 1 - use the book and the internet
Group Project 2
Find a topic that is an example of "pop"
psychology or pseudoscience. How is what you found an example of this?
Use examples from bookstores, internet resources, etc. to support your
statements. Tell me which one you will be doing since no 2 groups can have
the same topic. You will present this to the class. Before your presentation,
you will need to give me a list of references. Make sure that you present
this information in a scientific fashion – that is, what is it, what are
you expected to believe, and what does the research say about this?
Name ____________________________ Topic ________________________________
On a scale from 1-10 (with 1 being poor and 10 being excellent), how do you rate the debaters on:
Organization and Delivery - stating their side with good transition statements, logical procession of ideas, good flow of information, both preview and summary points of argument, effective use of time, maintaining focus, good eye contact, movement, oral skills (rate and volume), creativity, class involvement.
Content - effective use of examples, evidence and research to back up statements, terms defined, questions answered, glaring omission present, does the speaker understand material.
For each person, you should have 2 numbers and then for the entire group, you should have 1 letter grade.
Group
Member_________________________________________
Organization/Delivery Content
Group
Member_________________________________________
Organization/Delivery Content
Group
Member_________________________________________
Organization/Delivery Content
Overall
grade you would assign this group
A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F