Individualized Instruction (INI)

PSY 1003 - General Psychology - Section 200

Instructor: Randall A. Gordon

Instructor E-mail: rgordon1@d.umn.edu

Term: Fall 2007

Date Range: Students must register by September 4, 2007 and complete all course requirements by December 14, 2007. No exceptions.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Credits: 4

Course Delivery: Online

Registration Deadline: September 4, 2007

Cost per undergraduate credit: To Be Announced

Additional fees may apply

Prerequisites: None

Additional Info: A-F only; meets LE requirement of LE CAT6

Description: Scientific study of behavior; current knowledge of biological, social, and cognitive areas of psychology. Assessment, research methods, human development, personality, mental disorders, and therapy.

Required Textbooks: Textbooks can be purchased from the UMD Bookstore

Myers, D. G. (2006). Psychology (8th Ed.). New York: Worth.

OPTIONAL
Straub, R. O. (2006). Study guide to accompany "Psychology" (8th Ed.). New York: Worth.

Course Welcome from Instructor:

INSTRUCTOR:
Randall Gordon
Department of Psychology
320 BohH
1207 Ordean Court
Duluth, MN 55812
Phone: (218) 726-7961
E-mail: rgordon1@d.umn.edu

TEXTBOOK REVIEW
The textbook for this course has been one of the most widely used introductory psychology texts since the first edition was published many years ago. The author of your text, David Myers, has obtained numerous awards for his teaching, research, and textbook writing over the course of his illustrious career. I believe you will find the text extremely readable and interesting. The text provides an up-to-date examination of the current field of psychology. As you will see, psychology is a scientific field of inquiry. Its breadth as a discipline continues to increase (there are currently over 50 divisions in the American Psychological Association). As a survey text for the entire discipline, the textbook can only touch the surface of many of the topics that are introduced. However, I believe that Myer's talent and sophistication as both teacher and researcher, serve to engage the reader and will facilitate your desire to learn more about the science of psychology.

WHAT MATERIALS WILL I NEED FOR THIS COURSE?
You will need the textbook and computer with access to the Internet. Make sure that you have the correct textbook for Section 200 of Psy 1003 General Psychology.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
You have chapters and web-based assignments to complete. If you have problems with time management in general or believe you need the traditional structure of a class that meets on a weekly basis, an INI course may not be your best choice.

OUTSIDE REQUIREMENTS
There will be required outside requirements with various options. The options consist of research readings, videotapes, or experiments with potential for extra credit.

WEB ASSIGNMENTS
You are also required to complete at least one web-based activity from each of the assigned chapters.

Each chapter has a web activity that you are required to complete. These take a variety of forms, but usually involve your responding to questions regarding the material being covered. The majority of the activities function, in part, as means of relating the material to your own life and should facilitate your learning the course content. You should always keep a copy of each web assignment. You will need to use the drop box to turn in assignments. These will be kept in your file and counted toward your final grade.

IMPORTANT NOTES ON CHAPTER SUMMARIES
The chapter summaries that begin each of the sections of the course do more than simply describe the material in the chapter. They provide guidelines for learning and studying the material in each chapter. The content of psychology is diverse. Given that the science of psychology might best be seen as a field of enquiry that developed out of physiology and philosophy, this should not be surprising. It does however mean that the content of the study of human behavior and cognition will rely on basic and advanced content from a wide array of physical and social sciences. The guidelines provided in most of the chapter summaries will suggest a number of ways of learning and studying the content of a specific chapter. Following these suggestions should help you to organize the chapter content in ways that will facilitate your understanding the content and thus, your long-term retention of the information and content found in the textbook.

WebCT Information:

Please read through this document carefully as it will explain how to use WebCT and different ways to access your online course:

  • If you have not used the WebCT environment before please visit the “Student Orientation Course Site” http://webct.umn.edu/students/ prior to the beginning of this course.
  • It is very important that you test your login prior to the course start date. If you are having problems or if you need assistance, please email the WebCT Vista help desk at webct@umn.edu. Please note, you will not be able to access your course materials until September 4, 2007, but can test your login.
  • Please have your book or course materials before the course begins, contact the UMD bookstore to request the required materials 218-726-7286 or toll free 866-726-UMD1 or visit the book store web site at http://umdstores.com.

How do I access my online course(s)?

Log in:

  • Go to the University of Minnesota Duluth homepage http://www.d.umn.edu
  • On the left side of the page click on “My UMD” (see Quick Links)
  • Click on “Log into Portal”
  • Enter your x.500 login information
  • Click on the “My Toolkit” tab
  • Scroll down to find your course(s) or click on the WebCT Vista link.
  • Remember to Log Out when you are finished using WebCT.

You can also access your online course by following this route:

  • Go to the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Psychology homepage: http://www.d.umn.edu/psy
  • On the left of the page click on “Online Courses”
  • In the middle of the page click on “MyU Portal”
  • In the upper left of page click on “Click here to sign-in”
  • Enter your x.500 login information (same username and password you use for UMD email)
  • Click on the “My Toolkit” tab
  • Scroll down to find your course(s) or click on the WebCT Vista link.
  • Remember to Log Out when you are finished using WebCT.

Note: There is a wealth of information located within the psychology online course web page, so please bookmark this site: http://www.d.umn.edu/psy/online_courses/index.html

I do not know my University Internet ID and password

  • Please note: you must initiate your internet id account before logging into your online course. https://www.umn.edu/initiate
  • If you have initiated your account and forgotten your password, you will need to have your password reset. During business hours contact the Help Desk (218-726-8847) or if you are on campus, please visit the Campus Center Info Desk).

Important browser set up information

  • Please check to make sure that your browser is set to work with correctly with your online learning environment. http://webct.umn.edu/browser/config-vista.shtml
  • You will need to have your pop-up windows enabled and java configured. Review the above link.

Helpful WebCT Vista Student Resources:

DISABILITY ACCESS STATEMENT

To request disability accommodations, please contact:

Catherine Rackliffe
UMD Office of Equal Opportunity
269 DAdB
1049 University Drive
Duluth, MN 55812-2496
Tel. 218-726-6827
FAX No. 218-726-7505
E -mail: cracklif@d.umn.edu

For more information on disability services and resources at UMD, please check out http://www.d.umn.edu/access/.