PSY 203: PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY Instructor: Connie Wolfe, Ph.D. Office: 215 Moyer Email: wolfe@muhlenberg.edu Office Hours: see webpage Phone: 484-664-3686 Note: You are required to visit the class web page. Check weekly/daily for revisions, updates, announcements, assignments, etc. http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/cwolfe/PSY203/PSY203.htm Why Study Personality Psychology? Are you shy? Outgoing? How much did your family contribute to who you are today? Will you always be this person you are, or will you change? In this class, we will be addressing all of those issues and more in our attempt to understand “personality.” We’ll be studying what personality is, how it functions, where it comes from and if it can change. In the first part of the course we will learn about theorists such as Freud & Rogers, as well as more contemporary theories of personality. In the last part of the course, we will apply that basic foundation to the topics that personality researchers are currently studying. Throughout the course we will be taking a largely empirical look at the discipline of personality psychology. Thus, our readings, discussions and assignments will all be geared toward understanding what researchers have to say about personality, but also toward evaluating that knowledge and understanding how we can learn more. The objectives of the course include increasing your critical thinking skills, giving you practice writing well reasoned, empirical psychology papers, providing you with a historical background in personality research as well as a look at contemporary research, and (as in all my classes) encouraging your interest in psychology as a discipline that can (to be expansive) make the world a better place! For our class to be an interesting and worthwhile experience, its important that you: Attend class and do all of the assignments and readings for the days they are due. Think critically about the readings and concepts: What are their implications? What questions do they raise? Do the readings agree with your observations or personal experience (if not, why)? Be aware that class lectures and activities are meant to supplement the text and additional readings. As such, class topics may often overlap with reading material, but may also cover entirely unique material. EVERYTHING, even assigned readings not covered in class, is fair game for the course exams. You are also responsible for material covered in classes you miss. Actively participate during class. I would like for there to be a substantial component of the course that involves active discussions. Feel free to interrupt me, challenge me, bring interesting examples in, and otherwise make your voice heard. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as possible and to have (intellectual) fun! A note on class discussions: Sometimes discussion participants (including myself) will share personal information as examples of ideas or concepts. This is acceptable in this course, but do note that once you've put an idea about yourself out there, you need to be willing to let your classmates refer back to it as an example- perhaps even changing your life slightly to make their own point! If you contribute information about yourself and then feel uncomfortable having the class toss it around, just speak up and ask "Could we find a different example please?" If you continue to be enrolled in this class, you are pledging that you will: (1) Not hold back your thoughts and questions during discussion - we need everyone's participation; (2) You will be respectful about the quality and quantity of your contributions; and (3) You will maintain the confidentiality of any contributor who shares personal information. Required Readings •Pieces of the Personality Puzzle, 4th Edition. Funder & Ozer •Three Psychologies: Perspectives from Freud, Skinner & Rogers, 6th Edition, Nye Additional Readings •There will be additional required readings which will be available on Blackboard or otherwise made available Your Grade OVERVIEW You should be aware that this is a challenging course with challenging readings and numerous assignments. Keep up with readings and assignments. Your grade will be determined by your performance on each of the following: Two Exams (40%) Research Paper (20%) Topic Discussion Activity (20%) Topics Take-Home Exam (15%) Class participation (5%) Extra Credit - See below *Note: You will not receive an "A" or equivalent on any homework assignment or paper that has more than three grammatical, formatting, punctuation or other syntax errors. Common errors are failing to follow assignment directions, noun-verb agreement, a confusion of "then" and "than," and failure to use apostrophes appropriately. Proof-read and spell check everything you hand in and work on these basic writing skills. Remember there are writing tutors at the Writing Center who can help (as can I). If you are working regularly with a writing tutor (or me) and I have documentation of this, I will be more lenient. ASSIGNMENT DETAILS EXAMS (2 @ 20% each = 40%): During the first portion of the course, we will have two exams.  I'll be aiming for questions assessing your conceptual understanding and reflection on topics addressed in-class, from the textbook, and from supplementary readings and activities. You should note that I like to ask questions that require you to apply theories and terms. While I sometimes do ask simpler "definitional" questions, I think learning the definitions of concepts is only the first step in really understanding the material. RESEARCH PAPER (20%): You will be writing a research paper addressing some specific aspect of interest. Many students use the topic they choose for the Topic Discussion assignment for inspiration for their research area. For the paper, you will first choose and research a phenomenon (that is, a research question or findings) of interest, and then you will use two theories of personality to try to explain the phenomenon. More details will be provided soon. TOPIC DISCUSSION (20%): During the last month of class, we will be having student-led discussions of each of 4-5 topics of contemporary personality research (chosen from among the topics posted on Blackboard). In teams of ~4 students, you will be developing a lesson plan for one of those topics. Your team will be responsible for leading the class discussion for one class meeting. You will need devise an activity for the class to do and lead an effective class discussion of the major issues. Your grade for the Topic Discussion will be determined largely by my assessment of the quality (clarity, interest, accuracy) of your presentation. Each member of the group is also required to turn in an independently-written response to "The Big Question" and both exam questions chosen by your group. Your classmates will also contribute their evaluations of the class session and I will take those assessments into account. Each member of the group will be required to contribute to the presentation, and each individual's presentation grade will be weighted by my assessment of the individual's preparation for the discussion.  One group meeting with me is also required. TOPIC EXAM (TAKE-HOME; 10%):  A take-home exam consisting of short-answer essay questions from each of the topic discussion presentations will be given out on the last day of class and is due on the date indicated on the course schedule.  The questions will be chosen from those generated by the Topic Discussion teams. You will NOT be allowed to discuss the answers you are preparing for the take-home exam with anyone other than me (even people not in the class). Doing so (or even vaguely sounding like you might be doing so) will result in a zero for the exam for everyone involved. CLASS PARTICIPATION (5%): Large portions of this course (particularly the Topics portion) are seminar/discussion based. You must participate. I will be looking for overt evidence that you are engaged in the material, and that you are adding constructively to the learning of your classmates (and me!). The easiest way for me to gauge “participation” is by your presence in the class, your preparation of any readings, worksheets, or other assignments I have asked you to complete, the extent to which you ask and answer questions in class, and your respectful participation in class discussions and activities.  EXTRA CREDIT: From any source, you may obtain a maximum of 3 percentage points of extra credit. I will inform you of extra credit opportunities available to you as they arise (e.g., relevant talks on campus, etc.). Throughout the semester, however, you may also obtain extra credit by participating in the same studies the Introductory Psychology students participate in for L.O.C. credit. You will receive one-quarter of a percentage point added to your final grade in this course for each 20 minutes worth of research credit you participate in. To obtain this extra credit, you must turn in the same L.O.C. documentation required for the Introductory Psychology students (including the answers to the questions for each study). For information about the L.O.C. requirement and to download the proper forms, visit http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/loc.htm Final Course Grades will be assigned as follows: Excellent A+ (98-100%); A (93-97%); A- (90-92%) Good B+ (88-89%); B (83-87%); B- (80-82%) Acceptable C+ (78-79%); C (73-77%); C- (70-72%) Poor D (60-69%) OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION Email, Blackboard, and Class Website You are responsible for maintaining a functioning email account - preferably the account the college provided to you. Check your email often.  If you wish to send me email, please note that I have spam-protection software which may automatically delete your message if you are using a domain other than muhlenberg.edu (e.g., optline.net or comcast.net).  Blackboard is an on-line computer program that I will be using to distribute some of your course readings to you. You can access Blackboard at the following website: http://blackboard2.muhlenberg.edu/webapps/login/. Your username in Blackboard is your email user name (minus the @muhlenberg.edu). Your password the first time you log on to Blackboard is "changeme" and you should do just that under "personal information" once you are logged on.  Note: You must also check the class website regularly for schedule revisions, assignments, etc. (http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/cwolfe/PSY203/PSY203.htm) Sustainability Practices I encourage you to print all assignments double-sided or print on the back of scrap paper. As long as your work is legible and I have space to write comments (i.e., double-space most work), I encourage you to use whatever practices you can to reduce the amount of paper used on campus. Please also remember to recycle discarded paper AND to consider placing usable, one-sided discards in a scrap pile next to public printers so that others may also re-use paper. The printers in Moyer Hall may be loaded with scrap paper already; this practice is encouraged. Teaching Philosophy I want you to learn about psychology, and grow to love learning. I'll do my best to facilitate that. Please remember, however, that how much you get out of this class (or any class), is largely up to you. With respect to grading and assignments, I try to treat students fairly and provide as much information as I can regarding grading criteria, expectations and deadlines. However, I am also very strict regarding these issues. I will do my best to assist you but you must alert me to potential problems early on and stick to any alternate plans we make. I’m happy to discuss ideas, or review outlines or drafts for any assignment. I’m also happy to help you prepare for tests or double check your understanding of the material. However, please remember I can be much more flexible if you discuss problems with me before an assignment is due - not after. Please keep me informed of ways I can help you get as much as you would like to out of this class. I’d like this class to be a positive experience for each of you! I do have a few pet peeves involving some basic student responsibilities: Be respectful and at least pretend to be interested during our class meetings Follow all the directions for each assignment to the letter Start assignments early (or at least read the directions sooner rather than later). Take initiative for your own learning (e.g., if you are absent the day I return graded work, ask for it) Late Assignment Policy Assignments are due at the beginning of our class meeting on the due date. After that point, the clock starts at 1 day late. You must turn your work in to me in person (I no longer accept assignments via e-mail unless you receive special approval). Except in the case of documented emergency situations: Your grade will be lowered each day an assignment is late. You will not receive credit for any assignment that is more than a week late. Missing the Topics Discussion will result in a zero for that assignment Missing an exam will result in a zero for the exam If you have a documented emergency and you contact me as soon as humanly possible about a missed assignment and we will work something out. "A Virus Ate My Homework” ~ "My Internet is Broken" Computer problems do not relieve your responsibility for turning in work on time. I suggest that you aim to have each assignment completed one full day before it is due to allow for all the various last minute problems that may arise. Note: Floppy disks “go bad” after a few months. Buy new floppies each term. Pen drives also fail (really, they do). Make back-ups of all your work. Academic Honesty Please talk to me about any difficulties you are having with the assignments. Avoid the temptation to cheat by keeping up with your coursework, by anticipating problems and by communicating with me about any problems you are having. I will be happy to help you learn how to properly cite sources, etc., and I remind you that extensions may be available if you ask (in a timely fashion). You are expected to know and follow the Academic Behavior Code of Muhlenberg College ( http://www.muhlenberg.edu/mgt/deanst/handbook/Iabc2.pdf). You are responsible for keeping drafts, references, disk and backup copies of all of your written assignments until final grades are completed. Any cheating will be reported to the Dean, and strictly dealt with via a failing grade on the exam, assignment, or a failing grade for the course depending on the severity of the infraction. All work in this class should be your own work. You should note that paraphrasing is not an appropriate way to use sources in a paper. Even some types of paraphrasing you may have been told were acceptable in other courses are not acceptable here. You are required to follow the guidelines about paraphrasing described at the following website: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/paraphrasing.htm Feel free to ask me if you are uncertain how to use your sources. If you engage in inappropriate paraphrasing, you will have to re-write the assignment and your grade on the assignment will be lowered by 2 letter grades. Personal Reactions to Topics Sometimes certain material covered in a psychology class can bring up personal feelings and reactions you may want to talk over with an objective and sympathetic listener. If this is the case, you may want to contact one of the counselors on campus by calling 484-664-3178. Classroom Needs If you have any specific needs (e.g. related to vision, hearing, learning, or medical conditions, etc.) or any religious or cultural practices that I can help accommodate, please let me know by the second week of class so I can make the appropriate arrangements. In particular, if you feel you may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me the first week of class to privately discuss your specific needs. You should also contact The Office of Academic Support Services (x3433). Remember, you need to tell me what you need and give me reminders in enough time to arrange it. I’d like to make this class one in which everyone can learn and develop a passion for psychology!