TEXTS:

Carter, R.  (2000).  Mapping the Mind.  Los Angeles: University of California Press.

Wade, N. (Ed.).  (1998).  The Science Times Book of the Brain: The Best Science Reporting From the Acclaimed Weekly Section of The New York Times.  New York: The Lyons Press.

Wilson, E. O. (1978).  On Human Nature.  Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 1:00-1:50
Wednesday 10:00-10:50
Thursday 1:00-1:50

I'm usually in the lab on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings. If you can catch me, day or night, I'll be more than happy to chat (I actually get paid to do what I'd do for free--talk). Typically, on Fridays I am unavailable until 2:00 p.m.

OBJECTIVES:

This course will examine the human mind, brain, and why we are the way we are.  Topics will include: the mind body problem, the nature of consciousness, the evolution of behavior, addictions (e.g. love), eating disorders, depression, and aggression.  This course is not open to psychology majors or minors.

CLASS ATTENDANCE:

You are responsible for all announcements made in class, you may be tested on any lecture material, and you (or someone dear to your heart) paid a bunch of money so you could take this class. I feel no need to impose additional contingencies for missed lectures.

EXAMINATIONS:

The results of each test will be "curved" (see below) on a 4.67 point scale. Typically, the top grade on each defines "4.67." Chance performance (that which could be earned merely by stabbing a pencil at the answer sheet) defines "0.0". For each test, additional raw scores will be announced that determine "1.0", "2.0", "2.67", "3.67", and "4.67". You can calculate your precise curved score by interpolation. For example, if 40= 2.67, 45 = 3.67, and you earned a score of 44 on Exam I, then your curved test score would be 3.47 (that is 2.67 + 4/5 = 3.47).  If you are unsure about what your grade is, or question if you calculated it correctly, consult a TA, or myself.

Note: My curve is not based on number of people, rather, on percentage of earned points. Therefore, there is no limit to the proportion of students who can earn A's (or any other grade).

At the end of the course, your final grade will be converted from averaged number to letter grade based upon the numeric values of letters in calculating the GPA. For example, a B+ = 3.33 and an A- = 3.67; therefore, the A- range would be from 3.67 to 3.99. A grade of A would be earned for a course average of 4.0 and above. The 3.47 you received in the earlier example would be a B+, leaving you .2 below the A- range and .14 above the B range.

This grading procedure may at first glance seem a bit complex, but it is to your benefit. You know precisely what grade you have at any given point in the course--you don't have "about a B+," rather, you have a 3.47. Once you've gotten an exam back, you've got a grade that you can put in the bank, not an approximate value that may shift based on a final "mystery" grade distribution that won't come into existence until the end of the semester. Knowledge is power.

GRADING:

For each exam you will receive a grade that ranges from "0.0" to "4.67", such as the 3.47 mentioned above. You can convert these numeric grades to letter grades using the following table.  On the table below, a 3.47 equates to a grade within the B+ range:
 

The final examination will be subdivided into 4 major sections. Three of the sections will correspond to materials covered in each of the 3 semester exams, the fourth section will deal with material covered since the third exam. Your curved grade for the final will be defined by the total number of correct answers on the test overall. In addition, curved scores will be calculated for each of the three subsections of the final that dealt with semester exam material. You may opt to challenge (i.e., replace) one and only one semester exam grade with the appropriate curved score from the final. The midterm and final sub-part grades will be compared and the HIGHER used in calculating your course grade. The challenge option cannot lower your score. If you have missed a semester exam, you must use your challenge to replace this grade.

Testing Procedure: There will be 3 semester exams and a comprehensive final. All students must take the final in its entirety. Examinations will be given during the designated class periods, no exceptions. Your overall examination grade will be defined by these tests--67% for the semester exams and 33% for the final.  There will be no extra credit assignments, nor will there be any make ups for midterms. Should you miss a midterm, the procedure outlined above will allow you to replace this grade. Do not miss the final.

Exams will consist of: figures (identification and reproduction), multiple choice, fill-in, and short answer essay questions drawn from both lecture and ALL assigned readings. Students should not overlook the latter source of information.  NOTE WELL, there will be a comprehensive component to exams 2 and 3.  As the semester progresses, I will identify material that is so fundamental to the course that it may appear on every subsequent exam.  By the end of the course, this fundamental information should be second nature to you.  This net effect of this Rolling Thunder cumulative testing procedure is that it will make the overall course much easier because you will remain fluent in the basic concepts necessary to understand all course content. It should also make the final examination much easier to prepare for.  Trust me, you'll like it!

BLACKBOARD-BASED-THIS  SHOULD BE ON THE EXAM AND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE EXAM QUESTIONS: No exam is perfect and I hate to think that you've labored to master some difficult concept only to find that the concept doesn't/didn't show up on an exam. To help rectify this, each week you will post a multiple choice question based on that week's readings, with correct answer and relevant text page(s) on the Discussion Board in Blackboard.  There will be a discussion thread for each week.  Just put your question in the appropriate thread.

After each exam you will put  in the appropriate discussion board thread a fully formed question (multiple choice questions should include options) that you wish had been asked. You should include the correct answer and relevant text page(s), if appropriate.

I'll browse through the above questions and use as many as possible on all exams. Of course, your peers can also browse through them, knowing that some of these questions will be on the exams. Your "should have been" questions should be on Blackboard within two class days following each exam.  Your weekly questions should be posted by noon Friday.  Failure to meet these deadlines will result in a reduction in relevant exam grade by 1.0 for each class day.