Certainty is comforting; absolute certainty is absolutely comforting.

-- Anne M. Carpenter, former PSY 100 student

Course Goals

1. primarily, that you further develop your ability to critically think about the nature of evidence and claims from a scientific perspective;
2. that you demonstrate understanding of a variety of concepts and issues within psychology;
3. that your further develop your written communication skills.

Evaluation

Four exams worth 100 points each will be given on the dates listed on the course schedule. The exams are intended to test your understanding of the assigned readings and the material presented in lecture-discussion.

Four, short (approximately 1.5-3 pages typed, double-spaced) papers worth 30 points each will be assigned during the term. You are required to submit at least three of them. You will be graded on your three best scores. You may also rewrite one of your first three papers up to three times. You will receive the highest grade from all the drafts as your grade for that paper. No cover page is necessary.

Except for emergencies, I will reduce late paper grades by 10% per calendar day. Please notify me in advance if you anticipate missing an exam because of an emergency or other legitimate excuse (e.g., course field trip or varsity athletic competition).

Additionally, I will require you to complete 15-20 very brief assignments in or outside of class. For these assignments, I will simply be looking to see if you put a "good faith effort" into answering the questions. If you did I will put a (+) on your paper; if not, I will give it a (-). If you receive at least 90% plusses on the brief assignments you will receive the full 60 points. If you receive 80-90% plusses, you will earn 48 points. If you receive 70-80% plusses you will earn 36 points. If you receive 60-70% plusses you will earn 24 points. If you receive fewer than 60% plusses on the brief assignments you will earn 0 points. The brief assignments will be due by the beginning of that class period. Assignments must be typed.

Finally, some participation in psychology studies is required. Completion of the research requirement will earn you 20 points. (See Research Participation.)

To summarize, you can accumulate 570 points, and you will be graded on the following scale:

 

A = 93%	530 pts. and above	excellent performance
A- = 90%	513 pts. and above
B+ = 87%	496 pts. and above	very good performance
B = 83%	473 pts. and above
B- = 80%	456 pts. and above
C+ = 77%	439 pts. and above	good performance
C = 73%	416 pts. and above
C- = 70%	399 pts. and above
D = 60%	342 pts. and above	adequate performance
F = <60%	under 342 pts.	less than adequate

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