Re: [tips] Intro Psychology course(s): Request for Info

[Maxwell Gwynn]

Gerald:   Thanks for the response! I'll pass along your course information to our committee.   -Max   Maxwell Gwynn, PhD Psychology Department Wilfrid Laurier University 519-884-0710 ext 3854 [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> "Gerald Peterson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 9/22/2008 2:00:15 PM >>> 1) Is your intro psych course one or two terms in length? IT IS ONE SEMESTER==FIFTEEN WEEKS 2a) Do you feel students are adequately prepared to handle courses at the next level (i.e., 2nd year or 200-level courses)? YES--BUT NOT THINKING LIKE PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENTISTS. IS THERE EVIDENCE THAT THE INTRO DOES ANYTHING MORE THAN PROVIDE SURVEY AND SOME GENERAL FAMILIARITY?  I FIND ABOUT 40-50% STILL FEEL WE USE ONLY TEN PERCENT OF OUR BRAINS, THAT THERE ARE LEFT AND RIGHT-BRAINED PERSONALITIES, THAT PARAPSYCH IS A BRANCH OF PSYCH, AND FREUD THE FOUNDING FATHER,ETC. 2b) How many hours of instruction do students get in this course? (e.g., 13 weeks of three hours per week)     FOUR HOURS PER WEEK--15 WKS 3) If two terms, is it a single course or divided into two? NA 4a) If divided into two courses, is one course a prerequisite for the second course? NA 4b) Are both courses required for any upper-year  psych courses, or does one (half) intro course serve as a prereq for some upper-year courses and the other (half) intro course for other upper year courses (e.g., PSYC101 is a prereq for upper year cognitive/bio/physio courses, while PSYCH102 is a prereq for upper year developmental/social/applied courses)? NA 5) If divided into two courses, what topics are covered in each course? (feel free to provide links to your courses' descriptions) 6) Are you satisfied with the current structure of your intro psych course(s)? YES, WE TRY TO COVER BASIC AREAS AND DO NOT INTEND TO COVER EVERY CHAPTER.   MAJORS TAKE A 200 LEVEL SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS CLASS BEFORE THEY ENTER THE RESEARCH METHODS SEQUENCE. Thank you in advance for passing along this valuable information! I'd be happy to share a summary of replies with any interested parties. GOOD LUCK Gerald L. (Gary) Peterson, Ph.D. Professor, Psychology Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI 48710 989-964-4491 [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])