Teaching Assistant And Office Hours: A Case Study

Professor William Falls
John Dewey Hall 206
Office Hours: TR 12:00 to 1:30 or by appointment [e-mail] 

Teaching Assistant and Office Hours:
Kim Rhodes ([e-mail])
Office hours ‐ MW 10:45 – 12:15

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Overview and course goals:
Psychology 121 explores the biological bases of behavior. We will examine both classical and contemporary issues in behavioral neuroscience, including introduction to nervous system, physiological and behavioral effects of drugs, biological theories of behavioral disorders and the biological basis of learning, memory, emotion and stress. The goals of the course are to provide students with foundational knowledge in behavioral neuroscience which
includes contemporary theoretical issues and research methods, to encourage students to think now, and into the future, about the role of the nervous system in all psychological processes, to begin to develop the ability to read and interpret original research articles in behavioral neuroscience and to practice writing skills. Lectures:
Regular attendance at lectures is required. Textbook reading assignments are meant to provide additional breadth and background for the material discussed in lecture. It is assumed that the assigned readings will be completed before class.

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Exams:
Your comprehension of the lecture and reading materials will be assessed by 3 exams and a final exam. Exams will be in multiple choice format. Together they will comprise 75% of the final grade. The final exam will be given on FRIDAY 12/11/2009 from 8:00 ‐ 11:00 AM. This is the only time the final exam will be given. Exemptions from taking the exam at the scheduled time will only be granted under college and university exceptions (e.g., no more than three exams in one day), or to students who have serious illness or family emergencies. Therefore, please plan accordingly.

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Article Summaries:
One goal of the course is to build foundational knowledge in behavioral neuroscience, including contemporary theoretical issues and research methods. While we will discuss the results of many research studies, we will also read and discuss original research articles in order to give you a fuller appreciation for the theoretical issues and research methods. You will be required to read each article and to write a brief (no more than one page) narrative summarizing the article. The articles will be available via Blackboard and will be announced in class and on Blackboard.
Grades on summary papers comprise 10% of your final grade.

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Neuroscience in the Media Paper:
Another goal of the course is to encourage students to think now, and into the future, about the role of nervous system in all psychological processes. To encourage such broader thinking, each student will be required to discuss an example of “biopsychology in the media” (movies, television, music, magazines, newsprint, etc). This term paper will discuss and critique an example of biopsychology in the media with reference to original scholarly research articles on the topic. The Media Watch paper will comprise 15% of the final grade and is due on December 4th 2009. To facilitate the Neuroscience in the Media paper project, a brief description of the media example that will be the basis for your paper is due on October 7th and a bibliography of original research articles for the topic is due on November 6th. A grading rubric for the Media Watch paper will be provided at least one month in advance of this due date.

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Text Book
Pinel, J. (2007). Basics of Biopsychology. Allyn & Bacon.

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Grading:
Your final letter grade will be comprised of the following
percentages:
45%
Mid Terms (3 each @ 15%)
Final Exam (12/11/2009 @8:00)
30%
Article Summaries
10%
Media Watch Paper (due 12/4/2009) 15%

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Letter Grades are awarded as follows:
A
90 to 100%
B
80 to 89%
C
70 to 79%
D
60 to 69%
F