Philosophical Issues for Psychologists 4429

AU PSYC 4150 Syllabus Three Semester Hours

Semester 1, 2004-5 G. Lee Griffith, Instructor email: glg@anderson.edu

Office: Hartung 113S, Web site: http://facultyweb.anderson.edu/~glg/

Phones: Office 4474; (No calls at home before 8 AM or after 8:30 PM or on Sundays.)

Office Hours: Monday 10,3; Tuesday 8, 3, Wednesday 10; Thursday 3; Friday 8-12.

Texts

Jones, S.L & Yarhouse, M. A. (2000) Homosexuality: The use of scientific research in the church’s moral debate. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity.

Kreeft, P. (1982) Between heaven & hell. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity.

Lewis, C.S. (1947) The abolition of man. New York: Macmillan

Lewis, C.S. (1974) Miracles. New York: Macmillan.

Markos, L(2003) Lewis Agonistes: How C. S. Lewis can train us to wrestle with the modern and postmodern world.. Nashville, TN: Broadman.

Schaeffer, FA (1972) He is there and he is not silent. Wheaton, IL.: Tyndale

Slife, B (Ed.). (2002) Taking sSides: Clashing views on controversial psychological issues. Guilford, CT. McGraw-Hill.

Expectations

It is assumed the student is interested enough in the material to learn out of interest and not out of fear of a poor grade. Preparation for each class is essential and adequate time must be allotted before each class to be thoroughly prepared. Controversial ideas will be frequently presented, grading will not be contingent on acceptance of these ideas, but only on an understanding of them as measured by the tests. The primary goal of the class is for students to develop a clearer understanding of the philosophical foundations of science and psychology. So that they can use this information to analyze and develop a position on some critical ideas in the field.

Format

There will be lectures only on material for which there are no available readings. Class time will be used to answer thought questions based on the readings. Student will respond in class to various objectives on which they have prepared. The instructor will take responsibility to try to stimulate each student to respond to each objective, to answer questions that arise during the discussion, to direct the class toward salient aspects of the issues, to ask additional questions to further learning and discussion, and to recommend alternative sources.

Evaluation

The student will be evaluated on success in meeting the objectives of the course. The scheduled way to meet the objectives is outlined on the schedule. Other methods of showing success in meeting the objectives can be negotiated on an individual basis with the instructor, at least 1 week before the due date of a particular type of assignment. Grades will be earned according to the percentage of objectives met: A = 93%, A- = 90%, B+ = 88%, B = 83%; B- = 80%, C+ = 78%; C = 73%; C- = 70 %; D+ = 68%, D = 60% Failure to meet 60% of the objectives = F. It is expected that the student do their own work in completing all of the assigned work in this class.

Miscellaneous

Students should before the second class send an email from your preferred email account to glg@anderson.edu with 4150 in the Subject line.

It is expected that students will check their email account each day.

The wearing of hats in the classroom is not allowed during exams..

Assignments, which are not machine printed cannot be accepted.

Students should retain all papers until acknowledgment of the appropriateness of the final grade.

"Students having special problems that might affect their performance in class should notify the instructor during the first week of school. Possible arrangements can be made to work closely with the Learning Center, a tutor, or special time provided by the instructor."

Position Papers

On the dates assigned on the schedule, each student will turn in a 1 page double-spaced machine printed paper on the assigned topic. The student is required to take a position and to defend it. Evidence from logic, personal experience and research information not found in the text should be used. The viewpoint should be to attempt to convince a hostile audience.

Questions

Each student is responsible to submit one question at the beginning of each class (excluding test days). The question must be on an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper. These questions are to be thought out before class. They should pertain either the prior class or to the readings done to prepare for that day's class. Questions are to be prepared before entering the classroom on each class day.

Course Evaluation

Each student will be required to prepare a evaluation of the course. This will be administered in the form of a WebCT quiz.

Note: Please keep a copy of your work until acknowledgment of final grade.

Attendance and Personal Days

Students are expected to attend each class. Faculty policy allows students to miss this class two times (I call these ‘Personal Days”). Students may take personal days for the following reasons: other academic activities, sickness of up to four days, funerals of friends and extended family. Absences in excess of four will be penalized by being assigned a 2% penalty in addition to any work missed.

Sicknesses involving extended hospital stays may, after consulting with the professor, result in being excused from the work. Funerals of father, mother, siblings, and maternal and paternal grandparents will be handled by the same rules as hospitalization. Please do not use your personal days frivolously. You may well need them late in the semester for a funeral or sickness.

Work Not Completed On-Time and Personal Days

Developing responsible attitudes toward planning and preparation of work are part of the objectives of this course. Consequently it is the student's responsibility to turn in all work at the scheduled time. Since students are allowed by institutional policy to miss 2 class days, (I call these misses Personal Days.) Students who do not miss these assignments will receive extra credit for them. No work can under any circumstances be accepted after the last regular class before the exam week. Students may only review their immediately preceding quiz. Each quiz is only available during office hour in the psychology office until the day of the next quiz.

Late Work Written Work (excluding exams and quizzes) Policy

Students turn in work late for many reasons, some excusable and some not. Developing responsible attitudes toward planning and preparation of work are part of the objectives of this course. Consequently it is the student's responsibility to turn in all work on or before the hour at which it is due. The following exceptions will be considered:

"I left it in the dorm"--The work will be accepted until 4 PM of the day due with no grade penalty if the reason is clearly marked on the assignment. Each instance uses 1 late work point.

"I have been under tremendous emotional stress"--The assignment will be accepted until the last regular class day for 80%. Each instance uses 1 late work point.

"I have been sick (but not to the hospital)." No penalty but uses 1 late work point.

"I have been to the doctor, hospital or funeral." The student should bring a note from physician, hospital bracelet or obituary as the excuse. Under these circumstances the work can be made up with no penalty. The schedule should be arranged with the instructor.

After the student accumulates 2 late work points no further late work will be accepted for credit. Save your late work points you may get sick and need them. No work can under any circumstances be accepted after the last regular class before the exam week.

Missed exam or quiz policy

Students may not make up missed exams or quizzes. When circumstances demand that a test be missed for reasons beyond the control of the student (ex. Non-voluntary hospitalization) the total number of required tests will be reduced for that student by one for each day excused. The final exam cannot be made up except due to reasons, which justify taking an incomplete in the course.

Philosophical Issues for Psychologists 2310