• 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!

• Two Exams (50%)
• Topic Project
  • Class Lesson (15%)
  • Topic Discussion Paper (15%)
• 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 @ 25% each = 50%): During the first portion of the course, we will have two exams composed of short answer and essay questions.  I'll be aiming for questions assessing your conceptual understanding and reflection on topics addressed in-class, from the reader, 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. You will be provided with a list of all possible questions prior to each exam.

TOPIC PROJECT: During the last month of class, we will be having student-led discussions of topics from 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. There are several parts to this project. More detailed instructions for each of these assignments are (or will be) posted on the class web page.

• Class Lesson (15%):  Your team will be responsible for creating a lesson plan for one class session. You will need decide on a "Big Question" which will guide your lesson plan, devise an activity for the class to do, develop relevant lecture material, and lead an effective class discussion of the major issues. Your grade for the Class Lesson will be determined largely by my assessment of the quality (clarity, interest, accuracy) of your presentation. 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, and your level of preparation at that meeting will be considered in your grade.
• Topic Discussion Paper (15%):  Each member of the group is also required to turn in an independently-written response to "The Big Question" that, in essence, summarizes what you have learned about your topic.
  

TOPIC EXAM (TAKE-HOME; 15%):  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 are NOT 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. Students who regularly attend class, but do not participate, will receive a "C" for participation.  (Showing up is half the battle... but only half.)

EXTRA CREDIT: From any source, you may obtain a maximum of 3 percentage points of extra credit. These points will be added directly to your final average for the class. 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%)

• 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)

• Assignments are due at the beginning of our class meeting on the due date. After that point, the clock starts at 1 day late.
• 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 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: Hard drives and USB drives fail (really, they do). Make back-ups of all your work. Also - please note that the computers in Moyer Hall are not regularly monitored by the OIT staff (as are other computer labs on campus). As such, there is no guarantee that any computer or printer will be working when you need it to! Leave plenty of time to make a run to Ettinger or the library to print Power Point slides or assignments. Now you know.

• 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 web page: 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.