Syllabus – Psychology 4600
History and Systems of Psychology
Summer I 2004 – University of North Texas

Professor:	Martin Bink

Office:	TH 358
Phone:	565-2967
e-mail:	binkm@unt.edu
Office Hours: Daily  1000 – 1100
		  Any day by appointment.

Lecture:	MTWR 1400 - 1550

Text:	A History of Modern Psychology.  7th edition, 2000.  Schultz & Schultz

Course description and goals: The goal of this class is to better understand the evolution of the science of psychology. More specifically, the goals of this course are:
•	Develop content knowledge about historical individuals in psychology.
•	Develop content knowledge about the historical systems of psychology.
•	Understand the present state of the discipline of psychological.
•	Understand the evolution of historical systems into the modern discipline of psychology.
•	Understand the relations of the subfields of psychology. 

Grading:
	Final course grades will be assigned based on a 15% academic scale.  That is, the criterion for an ‘A’ grade is 85% of the total points possible in the course.  Students will be given points for a) performance on four (4) papers, b) performance on two (2) written assignments, and c) participation credit.  Point values for each of these components will be given at the time of assignment.    

The total points will be calculated by summing the points earned on individual components and multiplying them by the following weights.  

						Papers --		50%
						Assignments –		20%
						Participation --		30%

Class policies:

Attendance:		Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged.  In most cases, students will not perform well in my classes unless they attend class sessions.  I cover a good deal of material that is not in the text.  Also, this class is structured to be interactive.  So, the class participation is vital to the learning process.

Assignments:	Unless otherwise stated, all assignments must be submitted by 12:00p.m. the day they are due.  All late work will be docked 10% (one letter grade) each day it is late.  Any remedial assignment or test/quiz must be arranged in advance. Please be aware of the University policies for emergency absences.

Academic honesty:  By attending the lectures and submitting assignments, you, the student, give implied consent to adhere to the academic honesty policies of the University. Misrepresentation of the origin of assignment submissions will be dealt with according to the policies of the University.  If you have questions about where the line between collaboration and plagiarism should be drawn, consult the instructor.

Grade of “Incomplete”:  If you take an “I” (Incomplete) in any course, you must complete the work and have the “I” removed within one year or you must re-enroll in the course again.

University policies:

Disability accommodation:  The Department of Psychology cooperates with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities (cf. Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504, Rehabilitation Act).  If you have not registered with ODA, we encourage you to do so.  Please present your written Accommodation Request to your instructor on or before the 12th class day.  If you experience any problems in getting reasonable accommodations, please contact the Psychology Department Liaison or the ODA.  Also, the Department complies with the University’s policies concerning discrimination and sexual harassment.  If you have any complaints, please contact the department chairperson or UNT’s Equal Opportunity Office.

Reporting Grade Information: It is against University policy for me to divulge grade information via email or telephone.  If you have concerns about your grade you may see me in my office to discuss the grade. You may view your grade at the end of the term at www.unt.edu/grades.

Teaching philosophy:  My view of education, in general, is that the process of academic learning changes the way one understands the world.  The goal for the educator (me) is to provide a framework in which the student (you) discovers new information that provides a lasting change in one's understanding of the world.  This is accomplished in two very efficient ways. One is through collaboration.  The students interaction among each other helps broaden the scope of issues as well as define one's own thinking.  The students should also collaborate/interact with the instructor.  This allows the instructor to provide structure as well as content to the student.  The second way in which the student discovers information is through direct experience.  This is commonly known as "hands‑on" experience or practice.  I feel that in order to understand a concept, the student must apply information in a useful context. 

In class I use a casual, conversational lecture style to facilitate interaction with the students.  I encourage class participation and direct questions to particular students.  I assume that when students are in the classroom they are ready to participate. In addition, I seldom have a rigid schedule of material to cover during a given lecture.  This allows the flexibility required to engage in class discussions.

Tentative Schedule:  The following represents a general outline of the schedule of the course.  This is intended to present the structure of the topics covered.  There are four sections to this class, but each section will not require the same amount of time.  

Section

1

2

3

4

TOPIC

Philosophy of Science.
Precursors to the Science of Psychology.

Historical Individuals in Psychology.

Historical Systems of Psychology.

Present Science of Psycholgy.

Readings

Ch. 1, 2 3, & 15

Parts of Ch. 4 – 7 & 9 – 14 
(See Reading List)

Parts of Ch. 4 – 7 & 9 – 14
(See Reading List)

Ch. 8
Assigned articles

Class Website information:

All class materials are available at the class website. The URL for the website is http://www.psyc.unt.edu/~binkm/4600.html. No grade information is available at this site.