The total number of points you obtain in the class will determine
your grade. The grades are assigned on a scale where you need
90% or more of the total points to receive an “A”,
80% or more to receive a “B”, 70% or more to receive
a “C”, and 60% or more to receive a “D”;
less than 60% of the total points and you will fail the course.
More detailed information on point breakdowns by assignments is
shown below.
Grades WILL NOT be assigned on a curve. It is possible for everyone
or no one to receive an “A”. It depends on how much
you learn.
Exams:
There will be 4 unit exams and an optional final exam.
Unit exams : Each unit exam will consist of approximately 50 multiple-choice items (worth 2 pts each) and be worth a total of 100 points. The exams will test material from both the textbook and lecture (including any videos shown in class). Although there is overlap in the material presented in textbook and lecture, there is also unique information from each. No make-up exams will be given for missed exams. If you are absent for an exam, regardless of the reason, you will simply need to take the final exam as a replacement. Early exams will be given only under rare circumstances (e.g., an academic and documented reason for your absence). The exam dates are shown below. Plan for them now and include them on your calendar so there are no conflicts.
Optional Final exam :Those who miss a unit exam must take the final exam. For all others, it is optional, but recommended, especially if you are not happy with a particular test score. If your score on the final exam is higher than your lowest unit test score, it will replace the score. If your score on the final exam is lower, it will not count (in other words, it cannot hurt you to take the final). The final exam will also consist of approximately 50 multiple-choice items and be worth a total of 100 points. It will be comprehensive and cumulative in nature (over the entire semester).
In order to do well in this class, you will need to attend class regularly and take careful notes. I will present additional material and show video clips that are not discussed in your book but may appear on exams. In addition, some of your writing assignments will be based on these videos shown in class, so it is important that you attend to be able to write these papers.
Writing Assignments:
You will be assigned 6 writing assignments throughout the semester and you need to complete 4 of them (you are allowed to drop/not complete 4). There will be no make-up writing assignments – the assignments are due IN CLASS on the due date. I will not be able to accept late assignments. If you know in advance that you cannot make it to class when an assignment is due, either give it to a classmate (whom you trust!) to turn it in for you during class, or leave it with the secretary on the 4 th floor of DeGarmo Hall before classtime. Ask that the time be recorded on your paper so that I know it is not late and I can accept it. Papers turned in after class has finished will not be accepted. Do not send me papers by email – they will not be accepted.
The papers will be graded as acceptable/not acceptable. Papers that are late, less than 100 words, not typed and double-spaced, commit unnatural acts against the English language, or show a lack of understanding of the subject, will be judged ‘not acceptable’. Acceptable papers will not be returned (unacceptable papers are available for you to see our feedback), so make a copy for yourself if you wish to keep one.
The following grading scale will be used to translate paper grades into points. There will be 6 papers assigned during the semester. You only need to complete 4 acceptable papers. If you complete 4 acceptable papers, you will receive 50 points. If you turn in fewer than 4 acceptable papers for any reason, there will be a penalty:
4 ‘acceptable’ papers = 50 points (max possible)
3 ‘acceptable’ papers = 40 points
2 ‘acceptable’ papers = 25 points
1 ‘acceptable’ papers = 10 points
Note that more than 4 acceptable papers will not gain you additional points.
Bonus Points:
You may earn up to 10 bonus/extra credit points to improve your final grade by participating in experiments/surveys offered in the Psychology Department. You can sign up for research participation by using the bulletin boards near the sliding door in the basement of DeGarmo Hall. There is also an online sign-up system which can be accessed from a link on the course website. You will receive 2 bonus points for each hour of experimental credit you accumulate (or 1 pt for each 30-min experiment). So, if you participate in 5 hours of experimentation, you will receive 10 bonus points. When you sign up for an experiment please show up. An experimenter is counting on you! When you participate in an experiment, you will receive a blue credit form. Hold on to these till the last week of classes so you can keep track of how many credits you have earned.
For those of you who object to participating in research, you may earn up to 10 bonus points by writing a typed double-spaced 5-6 page paper (see me for the topic & more details).
Turn in extra credit forms (or blue cards) from experiments or the optional extra credit paper during the Monday (12/6) or Wednesday (12/8) of the last week of regularly scheduled classes. Extra credit will not be accepted if turned in after that time (Wednesday, Dec 8 th in class). The maximum total of extra credit points that you may earn is 10. So if you earn more than that total, it will not help your grade.
Grading Summary:
Your final grade will be based on total points you accumulate from 4 of your best scores on the 5 exams and the writing assignments. Specifically: