General Education at McKendree College

1. General Education at McKendree College Tami Eggleston

2. General Objective Vague Grading Criteria Vague timelines no due dates Brief with no policies One communication method Clear, Specific Objectives Specific Grading Criteria (points on BB grade-book) Clear dates, readings, due dates Details on policies for communication, plagiarism, etc. Many comm. methods Syllabus….From information to education

3. Communication Methods • Dr. Tami J. Eggleston • Office: Carnegie 202 • Office Hours: Tues and Thurs 4-5 & Wed 1-3 (and by appointment & e-mail) • ONLINE OFFICE HOURS (Most Thursday Nights 7-10) • Office Phone: 537-6859 Secretary: 537-6808 • e-mail tegglest@mckendree.edu • Emergency backup email tamijegg@yahoo.com • web page http://faculty.mckendree.edu/tami_eggleston • class web page at http://blackboard.mckendree.edu • I also have a mail box in Carnegie 212

4. Catalogue Course Description & Objectives • PSY 153 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY 4 CREDITS • Principles and facts necessary for an introduction to the scientific understanding of human behavior on a biological and social-personal level. Provides an introduction to basic concepts necessary for specialization in the field. This course will cover the major themes of general psychology. • OBJECTIVES • 1.) After completing this course, students should become aware of the history of psychology including the major researchers in the field. • 2.) An emphasis will be placed on understanding research methods including experimental research, correlational and observational studies. • 3.) Students should also leave an introduction to psychology class with general knowledge about normal human development and abnormal psychology classifications. • 4.) A primary objective of this class is for you to take information learned in class and apply it to your everyday life (e.g., understanding dreams, classical conditioning, improving memory, dealing with stress, etc.). • 5.) A variety of labs will be assigned to acquaint you with some of the skills necessary for a psychologist to posses. Students will also be encouraged to help other people by participating in community service. • 6.) This psychology class will also attempt to provide a greater understanding of the different factors that influence people (biology, genetics, social influences, and personality). Along with this understanding, it is also hoped that students will gain greater tolerance and respect toward people. • 7.) In addition, attempts will be made for students to become more self-aware.

5. Clear Grading Policies • Grade Calculations • (The instructor reserves the right to adjust grading if necessary) • PLEASE NOTE, SIMPLY DOING THE MINIMUM WILL NOT GET YOU FULL POINTS. FOR EXAMPLE, I GIVE VERY FEW PEOPLE 10 ATTITUDE POINTS OR 50 POINTS ON THE PORTFOLIO. • Grades will be determined on a straight percentage. (If you get a 89.5% that is a B+.) I do not round up. • Total possible: • 200 (from the 4 test scores) +100 (from the lab and Bb assignments) • +10 (attendance points & attitude points) • +10 (cumulative final) • + 5 points blackboard portfolio outline and updates • +50 (end of the semester portfolio) • Total = 375 points • Grade Percentage (Please note these % may not be the same as other instructors) • A 94-100% A- 90-93% • B+ 87-89% B 83-86% B- 80-82% • C+ 75-79% C 70-74% C- 65-69% • D 50-64% F below 50% • If at anytime during this course, you have any questions, suggestions, comments, or concerns--please feel free to talk to me, call me, or e-mail me! • GRADES WILL BE POSTED ON BLACKBOARD SO YOU CAN KEEP TRACK OF YOUR GRADE DURING THE CLASS!

6. Grading Scales… Points? Percentages? Clear Grading Rubrics?

7. Policies • Any student detected cheating or engaging in plagiarism on any exam or paper, or participating in any other form of academic dishonesty, will receive the appropriate sanctions which can include a failing grade (“F”) for the course. Please visit with me regarding any questions. In cases of serious violations, additional sanctions (such as academic probation or suspension) are possible.

8. Misc. procedures • Attending college is a chance to learn, but I feel the most important thing that a college student should learn is RESPONSIBILITY. As a student in this course you are responsible for the following: • 1.) You are responsible to turn in all of your assignments. I will not remind you to turn in missed assignments. If you miss a class period, it is your responsibility to see what you missed. • 2.) It is your responsibility to keep track of your grades. • I will not update you on your grade, you can keep track yourself and use Blackboard. Simply keep track of your grades and divide by the total number possible. • 3.) If you will miss class because of an excused absence (sporting event, field trip, etc.), you must turn in a piece of paper with the date you missed and explanation. • ALL requests should be done in writing: include Name, date, and request! • I will not give out my notes. If you miss class, you can get notes from a class member. • 4.) It is also your responsibility to keep track of your syllabi and any assignments that I distribute. I suggest that you have a separate folder for each one of your classes.

9. OTHER IMPORTANT PROCEDURES??

10. Clear Due Dates

11. ASSESSMENT • MACRO—College Level • MESO—General Education, Departmental • MICRO—Course level • Think of multiple types of assessment • What are your true objectives? • Beyond tests, large papers, and the typical assignments • Blackboard, group projects, presentations, short writing assignments, etc.

12. AAC & U Core Commitments…. • Striving for excellence: developing a strong work ethic and consciously doing one’s very best in all aspects of college; • Cultivating personal and academic integrity: recognizing and acting on a sense of honor ranging from honesty in relationships to principled engagement with a formal academic honors code; • Contributing to a larger community: recognizing and acting on one’s responsibility to the educational community (classroom, campus life), the local community, and the wider society, both national and global; • Taking seriously the perspectives of others: recognizing and acting on the obligation to inform one’s own judgment; engaging diverse and competing perspectives as a resource for learning, for citizenship, and for work; • Developing competence in ethical and moral reasoning: developing ethical and moral reasoning in ways that incorporate the other four responsibilities; using such reasoning in learning and in life. 

13. Honor Code Contract…..(Syllabi Quizzes, etc.) • Honor Code Contract Spring 2007 • I, _____________________________________________, wish to do my very best • in the class __________________________________ this semester. • I agree to the following: • I will attend all classes unless I am not able due to other commitments or illness. If I do miss class, I will take responsibility to find out what I missed and complete any missed assignments. • I will come to class and have a good attitude towards learning. • I will respect myself, my classmates, and my instructor. • I respect myself, my instructor, my classmates, and McKendree College enough that I will not be involved in any cheating or plagiarizing. • If I find that I need assistance in this class, I will seek out resources from the student success center, the writing center, student affairs, career services, etc. • Finally, I will strive for the following five core commitments of education from the AAC&U: • Striving for excellence: developing a strong work ethic and consciously doing one’s very best in all aspects of college; • Cultivating personal and academic integrity: recognizing and acting on a sense of honor ranging from honesty in relationships to principled engagement with a formal academic honors code; • Contributing to a larger community: recognizing and acting on one’s responsibility to the educational community (classroom, campus life), the local community, and the wider society, both national and global; • Taking seriously the perspectives of others: recognizing and acting on the obligation to inform one’s own judgment; engaging diverse and competing perspectives as a resource for learning, for citizenship, and for work; • Developing competence in ethical and moral reasoning: developing ethical and moral reasoning in ways that incorporate the other four responsibilities; using such reasoning in learning and in life.  • Additional goals, behaviors, or commitments: __________________________ • _____________________ __________________________ ___________ • Printed Name Signature Date

14. Let’s start a community of collaboration and sharing… • If you have useful syllabus language, grading rubrics, interesting assessments, etc. Please send to John Graham and Tami Eggleston, we will start compiling resources. • Share resources with full time, part time, and new faculty!