Term: Syllabus-Fall 2004

Class: Psy 310, Psychology of Women

Place: Cramer Hall, Room 258

 

Instructor:  L. McCabe

Office:  Cramer Hall 365

Email: auto110346@yahoo.com [Email is preferred]

Web:  http://psych34.tripod.com

Office Hours:  After Class or By Appointment

Course Overview

This course addresses issues related to the Psychology of Women. This is an overview of the major theories and issues involved in understanding the impact of gender on thinking and behaving. We examine gender roles associated with being female, and view their impact on areas such as human development, health, relationships, work, and education.  In addition, while much of what is presented in class focuses on the USA/European cultural aspect of Psychology of Women, a multi-cultural approach will be taken. 

 

Personal Teaching Philosophy

My personal teaching philosophy may be different than what you as a student might expect, or have experienced. I think that what occurs in the classroom should be a learning experience that is based upon the foundation of what you learn within the text. For that reason I may choose to only cover part of a chapter as presented within the text, and augment your learning experience with in class activities or other lecture items.

In addition, I feel that learning doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom. Modern technology allows us to explore this aspect of learning with greater depth. This is why I heavily emphasize the World Wide Web as a mean for exploring topics, and as a means of communication with the instructor (myself) as well as your fellow students.

Thus my philosophy can be summarized in the following sentences.

1. The classroom is more than a venue for lectures.

2. Learning does not end when one is out of the classroom.

University Policies

 

By enrolling in this class you agree to abide by Portland State University’s academic policies as well as their student codes of conduct.  If you would like a copy of these policies to review, either visit the course web page or I can provide one for you.

 

Given these University policies, and the level of the course, I work under the following assumptions:

 

1.  Every student in this course understands what constitutes plagiarism and/or cheating ( for more information on what constitutes plagiarism, please see course webpage).

 

A.  Use quotation marks or other formatting to show the reader that your writing is quoted.

B.  Cite the quotation and/or idea, including both date and author.

C.  Only use quotations to explain a point or provide an example.

 

2.  Every student understands classroom etiquette.

 

A.  Be attentive to those who are speaking, both the instructor and fellow classmates.

B.  Limit private conversation.  While a couple of people whispering may not be that disruptive, whispering tends to spread to other groups.

C.  Be on time, or quietly enter the room if one is late.

 

3.  That the classroom environment is one of respect towards the diversity of beliefs that exist.

            A.  Realize that you won’t agree with everything I present in this course.

            B.  Realize that you won’t agree with what others say in this course.

C.  Realize that while I may not agree with you, I respect your individual experience and value it in the classroom dynamic.

As college students, these assumptions can be seen at the very least as redundant with other classroom experiences.  However, some of the issues we discuss in this course are quite sensitive and/or controversial in nature.  Individuals may get upset with either the course material, or with fellow student’s beliefs.  In rare instances I, as the instructor, must enforce University policies.

These policies can be found at http://www.ess.pdx.edu/osa/policies-codes.htm  .  If a student is found to be in violation of these policies, I am authorized by the university to take certain courses of action based upon any given behavior.

The most common violation is that of plagiarism on the final group project. Plagiarism is completely unacceptable.  If an individual is caught plagiarizing their final project they will receive a score of a ‘zero’.  If you receive a zero for the final project, then that means that the highest score you can receive in the class is a D [barring any extra credit].

Course Policies

Read your syllabus carefully as it constitutes an agreement between you (the student) and myself (the instructor).  Occasionally, I have students that make comments about certain aspects of this course that were well described within the syllabus.

1.  If you are here, but arrive too late to engage in a group activity or if you leave early, this counts the same as not attending class.

2.  All papers must be typed and double-spaced.

3.  Your name should be placed on the very back of the last page of any assignment /paper you turn in.  This helps eliminate bias in grading.

4.  It is common, especially with a long format course, for students to come talk to me with a variety of concerns during the break.  Sometimes, I will personally ask you to hold your questions until I myself take a short break.  I have had students take this personally, when I have asked them to wait.  Just like you, I too sometimes need to “collect” myself before engaging in another hour or so of teaching.

5.  If you have to miss class, it is unnecessary for you to call me.  Call a member of your group to see what you missed. If you are going to miss an exam, please call be prior to the class meeting of the following week. 

Required Materials

Text: The Psychology of Women, by Hillary Lips

Access to the school computer lab


Optional Materials

Email account


Points Possible

Exam  1                     50

Exam  2                     50

Final Exam                 50

Final Project              100

Total                            250 points

Extra Credit

In addition to the total points offered in this class I will count an addition 10 points worth of extra credit. Usually I offer many ways for you to earn this "extra credit", but all extra credit opportunities will ONLY be posted on the course web page or mentioned in class.

However, if you do not like one of your test grades, you may choose to drop it in favor of an additional 10-page term paper/project.

 

The Exams

The Exam is in multiple-choice format, is comprehensive, and consists of 50 questions.  You are allotted a full hour to take the exam and will need to bring a scantron.  In case of documented emergency, I will allow you to make-up this exam up my leisure.  However, if you are going to be gone during one of the scheduled exam times, you may make this up by turning in an additional term paper.

Alternate Term Paper (50 points)

The alternate term paper is a 10-paged paper [Typed and double spaced], designed to allow those who missed an exam due to PRE-ARRANGED circumstances (meaning you need to inform me prior to the exam, and we discussed it) or to take the place of an exam in which individuals felt they did less than they desired (This also must be discussed with the instructor if you choose to go this route). As there are 4 different options, I will discuss this at a later time.

All of these papers are due August 9th, by 5:30 in my box.

The Final Group Project


The Final is a take home group project and involves incorporating everything you learned in the course. It is worth 100 points.  The final project is comprised of two distinct parts, the poster presentation (25 points) and the final 8-10 page paper (75 points).

 

Individuals will be grade solely on their unique contribution to the group project, thus each individual will do turn in their own project (paper and poster).  Thus, if a member of your group fails to show up for the final poster presentation, you will not be graded down for it.   You will receive more information on this as the term progresses.

Weeks in Detail

Week 1: The Week of June 21 [Monday’s Date]

 

Unit 1: Introduction to Psychology of Women (Chapter 1 and 2)

History, Research Methods etc.

Unit 2: Social Cognition and Women [Chapters 5 & 6]

 

Week 2: The week of June 28th

 

Unit 2: Social Cognition and Women [Chapters 5 & 6]

Week 3:  July 5, 2004 [Monday, July 5th, The University is closed in observance of Independence Day] 

Exam  1: July 7, 2004 [First hour of class]

 Unit 3: Developmental Psychology & The Psychology of Women (Chapters 3, 4, & 11) Week 4: The Weeks of July 12, 2004  

 

 

Unit 3: Developmental Psychology & The Psychology of Women (Chapters 3, 4, & 11)

 

Week 5: The Week of July 19, 2004

Exam 2: July 21, 2004 [First hour of class]

 

 Unit 4: Women, Work & Education (Chapter 8)

 

 

Week 6: The Week of July 26, 2004

 

 Unit 5: Women and Intimate Relationships (Chapters 7, 12)

 

Week 7: The week of August 2, 2004

Unit 6: Women and Physical and Mental Health (Chapters 9 &10 )

Week 8:  The Week of August 9, 2004 [11-13 is finals]

 

August 9th: Final Presentation, and Term Papers Due

August 11th: Final Exam

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

1. When will you return our tests/assignments back to us?

 

Given the size of the class it takes a week minimum to correct all of them.

 

2. Can I do anything to make up lost attendance points?

 

This is what extra credit is for.

 

3. Can I do anything to make up low scores on the tests?

 

This is what extra credit is for.

4. Can I do anything to make up for missed activities?

This is what extra credit is for.

5. I don't know how to use the World Wide Web, or I don't have a computer...

There are several computers labs on campus with friendly staff. One rather large one is located on the ground floor of the PSU Library. If you need assistance in understanding how to access a web page, please ask the individual overseeing the computer lab. If you are still having difficulty come see me during my office hours.

6. What if I run into a problem accessing the web page?

CALL ME via my cell phone number.

7. Can I email you my assignments?

NO. I do not accept assignments via email.

8. Can I fax you my assignments?


NO. I do not accept assignments via fax.


9. Can I turn my assignments into your box in Cramer Hall 317?

 

YES, but they may not get to me on time. If you do get them in on time, I may not grade them with the others. In addition, if I start seeing that my box is inundated with papers of people not showing up to class, I reserve the right to axe this privilege.

 

10. Why won't you accept them via these methods?

 

So many alternatives for turning in assignments creates general havoc with even the most well organized individual. In addition, this also increases the probability that some how some way something will keep the assignment from getting into my hands. For example, the email file may be corrupted or the fax may print out in jibberish. The only way to make sure that the assignment is in my hands on time is to place it concretely in my hands during the time I collect them.

 

11. Oh yes, will I accept assignments via the Web Board other than the web participation assignment?

 

NO, for aforementioned reasons.

12. What if I go over the allotted pages for each assignment or Test?

 

I won't grade your assignment. While an additional paragraph or page may not seem that much to you, when all of you engage in the behavior it creates a significant amount of extra grading. Editing is a VERY important part of writing. If you are having problems editing down your papers, please visit the on campus writing center.

 

13. Is there any other available extra credit?


Sometimes I add assignments if I see something important in the media or for some other reason. However, I place a cap on how many points you can earn (see available points).