SYLLABUS

PSYCHOLOGY 200.101
MWF: 11:00 11:50
Hodson Room 110
Dr. Stephen Drigotas
Room 139 Ames Hall
Office hours: 10:00-10:50 M&W (or by appt)
Phone: 516-6703
E-mail: Drigotas@jhu.edu
Class: Blackboard

TAs: Meghan McGlaughlin, Ames 140

Office Hours: M 12-2:30, T&TH 12-1

Textbook (Optional): King. (2014). The Science of Psychology. McGraw Hill

Introduction: The course is designed as an introductory study of basic issues in psychology,
ranging from Scientific Methods to Abnormal Behavior; from Sensation and Perception to Social
Psychology. As an introductory course, the primary goal is to impart knowledge of the
fundamentals within the science that is psychology - while at the same time sparking interest in the
field. It is my responsibility to lecture, lead discussions, and make sure that you walk away from
the course with a basic knowledge of psychology. It is your responsibility to make my (and thus
your) life easier by completing readings on time, attending classes, and participating in
discussions.
Requirements: There will be four exams - three during the course of the semester, and a
cumulative final (no senior option). Class attendance is not required but is strongly
recommended - while the book is good in some areas it is bad in others. Therefore exams are
based not only on the book but on what is discussed in class as well. If you do not attend it
should affect how you do. Below you can see the points needed for each grade. You must reach
that point threshold to receive each grade (not an average that rounds up or down).
Grading:

400 Points Total

A 376+
A- 360-375

B+ 348-359
B 332-347
B- 320-331

C+ 308-319
C 292-307
C- 280-291

D+ 268-279
D 252-267
D- 240-251

< 240

Extra Credit: It will be possible to earn extra credit for participating in psychology experiments
during the term. You can earn one research credit for each unit of research participation you
complete, up to four credits maximum. (A credit of research participation usually requires about
30-60 minutes of your time.) The sliding scale for total points in the class is 1 credit = 1 point, 2
credits = 3 points, 3 credits = 6 points, and 4 credits = the movement up 1/3 rd of a grade (e.g.: B
to B+). Go to the website listed below and click on read me for details about how to sign up
for experiments. Students not wanting to participate in research may complete an alternative
writing assignment (details to follow). The URL for the website is: https://jhu.sonasystems.com/student_new_user.aspx

Assorted Policies:
- Attendance is mandatory for all exams. No makeup exams will be given unless an
emergency arises. If one does, please try to contact me before the exam and explain the situation.
Makeup exams will be all essay question in nature, and scheduled at my convenience.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Date

Topic

Aug 28 (F)

Introduction to Psychology

Assignment
------------

Aug
Sep
Sep
Sep
Sep
Sep

31
2
4
7
9
11

(M) Scientific Methods of Psychology

(W)
(F)
(M) No Class: Labor Day
(W)
(F)

Chapters 1 & 2

Sep
Sep
Sep
Sep
Sep

14
16
18
21
23

(M) Biological Foundations

(W)
(F)
(M) No Class: Travel
(W)

Chapter 3

Sep
Sep
Sep
Oct

25
27
30
2

(F) The Brain

(M)
(W)
(F)

Chapter 3

Oct 5

(M) EXAM I

Oct 7 (W) Sensation and Perception

Oct 9 (F)
Oct 12 (M)

Chapter 4

Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct

Chapter 6

14
15
16
19

(W) Learning
(Th) Shifted schedule: class today
(F) No Class: Fall Break
(M)

Oct 21 (W) Motivation & Emotion

Oct 23 (F)
Oct 26 (M) EXAM II

Chapter 10

Oct 28 (W) Memory

Oct 30 (F)

Chapter 7

Nov 2
Nov 4

(M) Cognition
(W)

Chapter 8

Nov 6
Nov 9

(F) Human Development

(M)

Chapter 9

Nov 11 (W) Social Psychology

Nov 13 (F)

Chapter 13

Nov 16 (M) Personality

Nov 18 (W)

Chapter 12

Nov 20 (F)

EXAM III

Nov 23 (M) No Class: Thanksgiving Break

Nov 25 (W) No Class: Thanksgiving Break
Nov 30 (M) Psychological Disorders
Dec 2 (W)
Dec 4 (F) Treatment of Troubled People
Final: Dec 14 (M) 9:00 12:00 Hodson 110

Chapter 15
Chapter 16