Psychology 201

Introduction to Psychology as a Natural Science

Fall, 2016

Professor: Will McIntosh TA: Matthew Preda

Email: wdmcintosh@wm.edu TA Email: mspreda@email.wm.edu
Class Hours: Monday 5:00 to 7:50 TA Office: ISC 1250
Office Hours: By appointment (before and after class) TA Office Hours: Friday 10:00-12:00
Classroom: ISC 1221 (eventually)

Text: Weiten, Psychology: Themes and Variations (2013).

Course Overview: This course is designed to give you an overview of psychology as a natural science. It
provides a foundation for further courses in psychology and allows you to sample various areas of interest
within psychology. Material presented in class will overlap with that covered in the textbook, but a
substantial amount of the material presented in class is not covered in your textbook, so regular attendance
is strongly recommended. Exams will cover both the information in your text and material presented in
class.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Dates Topic Readings

Aug. 29 Introduction
The Science of Psychology Chapter 1

Sept. 5 Research Methods Chapter 2

Neuroscience & Behavior (part 1)

Sept. 12 Neuroscience & Behavior (part 2) Chapter 3

Genes, Environment, & Behavior

Sept. 19 Motivation pp. 388-410 (in Chapter 10)

Sept. 26 Exam 1

Oct. 3 Sensation & Perception (part 1) Chapter 4

Oct. 10 Fall Break
Oct. 17 Sensation & Perception (part 2)

Oct. 24 Consciousness (part 1) Chapter 5

Oct. 31 Consciousness (part 2)

Nov. 7 Exam 2

Nov. 14 Learning Chapter 6

 Nov. 21 Language & Thought Chapter 8

Nov. 28 Memory Chapter 7

Dec. 7 Exam 3 (***7:00 p.m.***)

Grading: There will be three multiple-choice exams for this course, each consisting of approximately 70
questions. Each exam will count for 1/3 of your final grade and will cover only the material discussed
since the last exam. Final course grades will be determined primarily by your performance on the three
exams. Grades will be assigned as follows:

93-100 = A 90-92 = A-
87 - 89 = B+ 83-86 = B 80-82 = B-
77 - 79 = C+ 73-76 = C 70-72 = C-
67 - 69 = D+ 63-66 = D 60-62 = D-
below 60 = F

Averages are rounded to the nearest whole number.

There is also a research participation requirement that is intended to provide you with a first-hand look at
psychological research. More detail will be provided to you by the program coordinator approximately
two weeks from now. For the purposes of this syllabus, students who do not complete the Research
Participation requirement will be penalized ⅓ of a letter grade on their final course grade. For example, a
student whose exam average merits a B+ will receive a final course grade of B if he or she does not
complete the research participation requirement. Similarly, a student whose exam average merits a B- will
receive a final course grade of C+ if he or she does not complete the research participation requirement. If
you choose to complete the alternative assignment, you must contact me by the last day of class to receive
the assignment, and complete it by the final exam.

Attendance

Please plan to attend every class. Arrange to exchange notes with another student in class, in case you are
unable to attend a class. I will not share lecture notes for any reason, so please don’t ask. If you must miss
an exam, please let me know, and schedule a make up exam with the course Teaching Assistant.

Minimizing Distractions in a Large Classroom

In order to minimize distractions, I ask that you do not handle cell phones in class. The only exception to
this would be turning off a cell phone that’s ringing because you forgot to turn it off. Students who are
incapable of going eighty minutes without handling their cell phones should sit in one of the back three
rows or in the desks along the back of the classroom.

If you bring a laptop to class, please be cognizant of the distraction you create if you are using it to surf the
Internet in class. This distracts other students within eyeshot of the screen. Please sit in one of the desks
along the back of the classroom if you plan to do anything besides take notes with your laptop.