Instructor: Matthew Dohn
Email:mcdohn@rci.rutgers.edu
Office: Tillett Hall 523 (Livingston)
Office Hours: By email appointment
Course Website

Textbook: Wade, C., & Tavris, C. Psychology (8th edition).  

Clicker: Interwrite PRS-RF. Only this specific model will work for the class. All students are required to bring their own clicker (and only their clicker) to every class, and all quizzes/exams. Failure to bring the clicker to class will result in the student being unable to be counted for attendance purposes and unable to earn any in-class participation points, without exception. As the Clicker will be used to record student responses on quizzes/exams, failure to bring the Clicker will result in an automatic score of ZERO on the test.

While the Clicker is designed to have a battery life in excess of the time required for the entire semester, it is the students' responsibility to monitor battery status, and to keep a backup set of three (3) AAA batteries available in the event “Low Battery” indicator displays on the screen.  

Attendance: Attendance will be taken electronically via the Clicker at the start of every class; however, there is no formal attendance requirement. Students who attend at least 90% of scheduled classes will receive an extra credit bonus. Exams will rely heavily on material covered in class and the course textbook. Students who do not attend class regularly will have a difficult time doing well in the course. Students who miss a lecture will be responsible for getting the material from another student in the class.

Academic Integrity: All exams and assignments are considered to be closed book, closed notes. All students are expected to read and adhere to the University Policy on Academic Integrity.

The policy for Academic Integrity also covers all issues related to use of the Clicker device in-class. The (mis) use or operation of any Clicker other than your own at any time during a regular class session, quiz or exam is considered a major violation of the Academic Integrity policy, and will result in automatic failure of the course and referral to the appropriate University Dean. This policy applies to all students involved in the situation.

Grades: There will be four exams, each worth 100 points. Your grade in the course will be determined by the total number of points earned on all four exams, as well as any additional/extra credit points earned. The total number of points earned will be compared to the following table to determine the students' final course grade:

360-400            A

344-359            B+

320-343            B

304-319            C+

280-303            C

240-279            D

    0-239            F

Grades will be posted periodically to the FAS Gradebook (https://secure.fas.rutgers.edu/apps/gradebook/). There will be no “curving” of grades; the grade that is earned is the grade that is assigned. Students are encouraged to keep track of the total number of points earned at various points throughout class through the FAS Gradebook.

Research: All General Psychology students are required to participate in research either by 1) participating in 5 Research Participation Units (RPU's) worth of experiments or 2) completing a written research assignment. Failure to fulfill this requirement on or before April 23rd will result in a significant deduction from your final course grade. Since the amount of available research sessions varies, it is strongly recommended that students do not wait until the end of the semester to complete the research requirement. To sign up for experiments and/or to read specific details about the written assignment, go to: http://psych-s.rutgers.edu/research/test/

Course Website: The course website will be updated frequently with additional information related to the course. Any changes to the syllabus or the course calendar will be made at the website. In the event that class is cancelled, advance notification will be posted to this website. It is strongly suggested that students bookmark the course website and visit it frequently.

Readings: A complete course schedule is provided below and on the course website. In order to get the most out of the classroom lecture material, students are advised to read the appropriate textbook chapter and complete any extra/outside assignments before the material is covered in class.

Make-Up Work: There are no scheduled make-up exams/assignments. Absence on any of the exam dates will be considered an unexcused absence and result in a grade of zero (0) on that exam/quiz. If you know in advance that you must miss class on the date of an exam/quiz, you must inform me at least two weeks in advance. Otherwise, if you have a valid excuse, but were not able to inform me beforehand, you will need to obtain a signed letter from the Dean. In such cases, make-up arrangements will be made on an individual basis.

Extra Credit: Please DO NOT request extra credit assignments. Opportunities for extra credit will be offered at the discretion of the instructor and will be offered to the entire class. No requests for individual extra credit assignments will be honored.

Point Adjustments: I reserve the right to make adjustments to students' earned point totals at any time. Inappropriate / disruptive class behavior may lead to point deductions, whereas violations of the University Academic Integrity policy will lead to more severe consequences.

Office Hours: Office hours will be held by appointment only at my office. Students who need extra help are encouraged to set up a time to meet with me. I am usually available right before or right after class, but other times may be scheduled as well.

Exam Dates: The four scheduled exams will be held in the regular class location during scheduled class time on the following dates (unless otherwise noted):

Exam 1 – Monday, February 12th, 2007

Covers Chapters 2-5

Exam 2 – Wednesday, March 7thst, 2007

Covers Chapters 6-9

Exam 3 – Monday, April 9th, 2007

Covers Chapters 10-13

Exam 4 – Date to be announced

Covers Chapter 14-17

Class Schedule

(Subject to change)