PSY 201 Introduction to Psychology

PSY 201 IS Sec 5, University of Mississippi
[See UM Catalog for Description]

3 credit hours

Instructor Information:

Donald Skinner

Instructor name:
Dr. Donald Skinner

Instructor Email: djskinne@olemiss.edu

Instructor Information:
I am a Cognitive Psychologist who is primarily interested in studying how memory changes with age. I earned my B.A. from North Carolina State University in 2015, an M.A. from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2017, and a Ph.D. at The University of Mississippi in 2022. I have taught several courses at the University of Mississippi over the years, including Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, and Psychology & Aging. Areas of professional interest to me are in the fields of memory (both retrospective and prospective), cognitive aging, and metamemory. On a more personal note, I enjoy traveling, numismatics, reading, and trying new things.

Contact Information:

If you have questions concerning the content of the course, you may contact the instructor directly using the Email Your Instructor link in the Lessons or Content page. NOTE: Whenever sending email, please be sure to indicate your course title and number in the subject line. You can expect a response within 72 hours, although it may be longer on weekends. Many instructors reply within 24 hours.

For lesson or test administration issues, please contact the iStudy department:

The University of Mississippi
Division of Outreach and Continuing Education
iStudy
P. O. Box 1848
University, MS 38677

Phone: (662) 915-7313, toll-free (877) 915-7313
Fax: (662) 915-8826
E-mail: istudy@olemiss.edu

Course Description

Welcome to Introduction to Psychology! This course offers an overview of the history, status, and promise of scientific and applied psychology. Students will learn about the biological basis of psychological processes and ways those processes are influenced by social and cultural contexts. Students are expected to master a considerable body of information about the principles of psychology, the field's contributors, and terminology. For students who may major or minor in psychology, this course serves as a foundation for upper level courses. However, it also is designed to serve all students, for whom this knowledge is a general contribution to understanding the self and others.

Textbook Information:

Textbook information will be provided upon enrollment in your iStudy course.

Objectives include (but are not limited to):

Objectives include (but are not limited to):

  1. How to recognize and describe a wide range of psychological concepts and themes and associated scientists.
  2. How to recognize the psychological dimension of everyday experience, as well as important social problems (e.g., education, healthcare).
  3. How to apply an open-minded yet critical stance to psychological claims, including those that appear in popular portrayals of psychological science.
  4. How to recognize a variety of scientific methods and how to understand the basic components of an empirical research article and know how to find articles on topics of interest.

Course Outline:

You MUST complete the syllabus quiz as soon as you have access to your Blackboard course. This is mandatory to verify your attendance. *  NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page

Lesson Reading Assignments Due for Grades Suggested Pacing Guide 
(if you want to complete the course in a traditional semester)
Start Here *You MUST complete the syllabus quiz as soon as you have access to your Blackboard course. This is mandatory to verify your attendance.*NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page. Syllabus Quiz Week 1
0 Course Introduction/Resources Discussion board, InQuizative Week 1
1 Chapter 1: Psychology in Your Life  InQuizitive Week 2
2 Chapter 2: The Role of Biology in Psychology  InQuizitive, Journal  Week 3
3 Chapter 3: Consciousness  InQuizitive  Week 4
4 Chapter 4: Development Across the Life Span  InQuizitive  Week 5
Exam 1 All assignments from Lessons 1 to 4 must be submitted. Exam 1 to be completed before proceeding  Week 5
5 Chapter 5: Sensation and Perception  InQuizitive  Week 6
6 Chapter 6: Learning InQuizitive, Journal  Week 7
7 Chapter 7: Memory InQuizitive  Week 8
Exam 2 All assignments from Lessons 5 to 7 must be submitted. Exam 2 to be completed before proceeding  Week 8
MIDPOINT OF COURSE You are encouraged to reach the midpoint of your course by the date specified in your information. All lesson assignments or exams needed to reach the midpoint of the course The exact date the semester students are encouraged to reach the midpoint is specified in their registration information.
8 Chapter 8: Thinking and Intelligence  InQuizitive  Week 9
9 Chapter 11: Health and Well-Being  InQuizitive  Week 10
10 Chapter 12: Social Psychology  InQuizitive, Journal  Week 11
Exam 3 All assignments from Lessons 8 to 10 must be submitted. Exam 3 to be completed before proceeding  Week 11
11 Chapter 13: Self and Personality   InQuizitive, Journal  Week 12
12 Chapter 14: Psychological Disorders  InQuizitive  Week 13 
13 Chapter 15: Psychological Treatments  InQuizitive  Week 14
Exam 4 Be sure all work has been submitted prior to taking this exam. Exam 4
To be submitted
to finalize credit
Week 15

Grading:

This course uses the University of Mississippi's Plus/Minus grading scale.

90 - 100% = A
80 - 89% = B
70 - 79% = C
60 - 69% = D
Below 59% = F

The grading format is as follows:
InQuizitive Assignments (Lesson 0 - Lesson 15) Average : 10% of course grade 
Journal Assignments: (Lessons 2, 6, 10, and 12) Average: 10% of course grade
Exam 1 (Lessons 1-4): 20% of course grade
Exam 2 (Lessons 5-7): 20% of course grade
Exam 3 (Lessons 8-10): 20% of course grade 
Exam 4 (Lessons 11-13): 20% of course grade 

FAILURE TO TAKE EXAM 4 WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE COURSE.

You must submit the lessons required to take the course exam(s). Lessons required but not submitted will receive a grade of zero. For the final exam, all coursework must be submitted!