Psy 306 HISTORY OF MODERN PSYCHOLOHY

Spring 2001

Monday-Wednesday 2-3:50 in Stevenson 3046

 

GRADING & EVALUATION POLICIES

Letter Grades will be based on the following assignments, with the percentage weightings indicated:

 

Individual Assignments from Study Guide #1 - 15%

Assignment #2 will require library research.

 

Individual Assignments from Study Guides #2 &3 - 15% each

These assignments can be satisfactorily completed using readings in the Psy 306 Readers and on reserve in the library.

 

Individual Assignment from Study Guide #4 - 15%

This assignment will require additional library research.

 

Group Presentation - 20%

Study/Support Groups will be formed by the fourth week of class. Each group will present a collaboratively constructed timeline and collage on the history of modern psychology to the class during the last 2-3 weeks of the semester.

 

Group Participation (Self- and Peer-Evaluations) - 5%

Portfolio - 5%

Final Exam - 10%

The earned letter grade may be reduced by poor attendance or failure to complete CR/NC assignments:

 

>>Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken by a sign-in roll sheet beginning on September 20 (the first class after the add/drop/grade mode period ends). Each unexcused absence after the first two will lower your grade for the course 1/3 grade point. If a student is caught signing in for another student, both students involved will fail the course.

 

>>CR/NC assignments will be required to meet the standard for "B" work, on the assumption that the vast majority of students are going for a "B" grade or better. One missing or more than one NC assignment will reduce your letter grade for the course by 1/3 grade point (g.p.).

 

C. Grading Criteria for Written Assignments

 

STYLE CRITERIA

 

All written work should include citations and references, and should follow APA format. 

As a general rule, each of the following categories is given roughly equal weight:

• Correct grammar & spelling
• Clarity & precision of language
• Overall presentation: Format, typography, etc.
• Correct APA reference format

Grammar, organization, clarity and precision of language, and use of APA reference format will be evaluated according to the principles in Diana Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual and the guidelines on the APA reference format in Psych 306 Reader #1.

Correct APA format: Each identifiable error = -1/3 grade point. Cite articles from class readers as follows:

Name, I. (2001). Name of article. In A. Warmoth, Ed., Psychology 306 reader #2. Rohnert Park, CA: Sonoma State University.

Correct grammar & spelling: Specific identifiable errors of spelling, punctuation, or sentence structure (e.g. incomplete sentences or gramatically incorrect phrases) reduce grade.

Clarity & precision of language: Wordy, awkward, or imprecise language reduces grade.

Overall organization: Inconsistent, illogical, vague, or erratic flow of ideas reduces grade.

CONTENT CRITERIA

Essays will generally be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Useful information & ideas
• Well organized
• Thoroughly researched & documented
• Critical Analysis/Interpretation
• Content categories (e.g. "Foundational Knowledge," "Neo-Freudians"): Grade will be based on the clarity, thoroughness, and insightfulness of the ideas presented. Close attention should be paid to the assigned readings and to the additional readings consulted. Judicious (and ample) use of relevant quotations and citations are important to demonstrating an understanding of the sources used. 

Specific topics and issues that will be evaluated will be indicated in Criteria Sheets distributed prior to the completion of each assignment. Within the topics outlined on the criteria sheets, grading will be according to the following guidelines:

A: The topic is discussed in a thorough and thoughtful way. Relevant key terms from the Study Guide are included, defined and discussed. There is critical or analytical discussion of the relationship between concepts, and between concepts included in the essay and ideas derived from general knowledge. Ideas are consistently referenced to sources.

B: The topic is discussed accurately. Relevant key terms from the study guide are covered and used. Ideas are adequately referenced to sources.

C: The topic is discussed in a generally accurate way, but there is confusion about key terms or basic concepts. The presentation is not systematically organized, and references are inconsistent.

D: Addresses the subject matter, but very incomplete and confused.

F: Unsatisfactory

Any written assignment except those due with the final portfolio may be recycled to improve your grade. In order to take advantage of recycling, you must declare your intent to recycle that assignment to the instructor or one of the TAs within one week after the assignment has been returned. You must declare a due date for the recycled assignment. On request, we will give you additional specific suggestions for improvement of both style and content, which you may then use in re-writing the assignment.