Psychology 370: Sensation and Perception (Fall 2009)

 

Instructor: Christopher M. Lowry, Ph.D.

Office:  110L RKS

Office Hours:  MWF 2-3 (others times by appointment)

Phone:  208.496.1352

Email:  lowryc@byui.edu (please note that there is no “e” in my last name; emails fail to reach me due to this spelling error)

 

Required Text: Wolfe, et al. (2006). Sensation and Perception. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates, Inc. 

INTRODUCTION

This course examines sensory processes in terms of both physiology and psychology. We will cover the history of the study of sensation and perception, vision, audition, tactile senses, chemical senses, perceptual development, and clinical aspects of vision and hearing.

 COURSE OBJECTIVES

 When the course is completed you will be able to:

1). give an overview of the sensory systems and describe their roles in the perceptual experience,

2.) understand the basic approaches to researching sensation and perception,

3.) understand basic perceptual phenomena and be able to show examples and/or provide explanations,

4.) think critically, and

5.) improve your own study skills and habits.

 

 HOW WE'LL MEET THOSE OBJECTIVES (COURSE REQUIREMENTS)

 1) Exams: there will be 4 midterm exams and a final exam. The midterm exams will contain both objective and essay elements. Each of the midterm exams will be worth 100 points. The final exam will be worth 200 points and will be comprehensive; it will also cover chapters 13-14. There are NO make-up exams. If you miss an exam, you will get a zero for it. Note: The final exam is mandatory. It must be taken on the days and at the times in the schedule. If you do not take it, you will automatically fail the course!  Exams will be weighted to be worth 80% of your grade.

The exams will be curved so that the minimum class average is 74%.  Because I make adjustments to each exam to make up for the questions that don’t function properly, I will not discuss adjusting scores. However, I am very interested in suggestions for improving future versions of the exam and in helping you to understand concepts better. If you have suggestions for future versions of the exam, please send me a written explanation that details which test item, your concerns with the question, and possible wording I could use to improve the question. I highly encourage you to learn from your exams by reviewing the items you missed and discovering why you missed the item. I expect you to return to your book and notes to try to understand your mistakes. After doing that, please discuss any remaining concerns you have with me during office hours.

2) In-class Quizzes: sometimes these are called pop quizzes.  I will assess your understanding of the material from time to time.  I don't know how often this will happen but it will be weighted to be worth 10% of your grade.

3) Class Participation: Class centers around discussion of the materials; therefore, preparation is of paramount importance. I will be calling on you to explain concepts and answer questions. You will need to be prepared enough to provide explanations for your classmates when called upon. Reading from the text is not considered an adequate response nor is reading from notes. I will grade you on your response using a simple scale of 0 for not prepared, 1 for adequate, and 2 for superior. I'm not sure how many times you'll be called upon in the course of the semester but your participation will be worth 10% of your grade. I will make sure that everyone has equal opportunities to participate. If you are not present when your name is called for participation, you will receive a zero for that day. One absence will be excused.

I also reserve the right to penalize your grade frequent tardiness, class disruption or absences. 

 Caveats

This syllabus is my best estimate of how the class should proceed. My objective is to facilitate your learning. Therefore, I may modify the syllabus to help the learning process. All the times and dates of assignments as well as the assignments themselves may need to be modified. I reserve the right to make changes, deletions, corrections, or additions during the course. You will be given notice in advance of any changes.

 All tests are due at the beginning of the class on the date indicated. Late assignments will be docked 10%. Tests will not be accepted after the hour in which they are due is over. Parking problems, faulty alarms, etc. are not acceptable excuses for late exams. Be on time!

 Cell Phones/Beepers/PDAs/Laptops

Cell phones and beepers are disruptive to your classmates and to me. Please turn them off when you enter the room. Similarly, if you are using a PDA or laptop, make sure that the sounds are disabled when in class. Disruption of class through these devices may lead to a 5% reduction in your grade each time it occurs.

 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all qualified students enrolled in this course are entitled to “reasonable accommodations.” It is the student’s responsibility to disclose to the teacher any special needs she/he may have before the end of the first week of class.

 Preventing Sexual Harassment

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds, including federal loans and grants. Title IX also covers student to student sexual harassment. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender based discrimination, please contact Personnel at ext. 1130 (24 Hours).

 DRESS AND HONOR CODE

I completely expect you to abide by the honor code and the dress and grooming standards. If I notice violations, I give you a zero for class participation that day. Just to make myself clear, I will not tolerate unshaven faces.  Multiple violations will result in being referred to the Honor Code Office. 

I also expect you to maintain academic honesty. Please see http://www.byui.edu/studenthonor/academic%20honest.htm for more information. Academic honesty includes not discussing tests that you have taken that others have not yet taken. If asked about the test, simply indicate that you cannot talk about it. Better yet would be for those who have not yet taken an exam to not put classmates in the uncomfortable position of being asked about a test they have taken. 

Any violations of academic honesty policies will result in a failing grade for the assessment and a referral to the Student Honor Office. Multiple violations will result in failing the course.

 GRADES

You are expected to keep a record of your scores and to keep track of your standing in the class. It is not my responsibility to keep you informed of your current standing in the class; you are the steward in terms of your class standing. I will make your grades available to you.  (Due to the number of technical problems with I-Learn’s grade center, I will not use it.) You should check the accuracy of scores. If there is a discrepancy, bring your record of the score to me and I will make the change. You are not graded on the curve. The break down for grades follows.

A	= 93% and above
A-	= 90%
B+	= 86%
B	= 83%
B-	= 80%
C+	= 76%
C	= 73%
C-	= 70%
D+	= 66%
D	= 63%
D-	= 60%
F	= Below 60%

Tentative Schedule

Date	Reading/Topic	Assignments/Exams
9.11	chp 1
9.14	Introduction to Neurophysiology (posted on I-Learn)
9.16	Introduction to Neurophysiology (posted on I-Learn)
9.18	Introduction to Neurophysiology (posted on I-Learn)
9.21	chp 2
9.23	chp 2
9.25	chp 2
9.28	chp 3
9.30	chp 3
10.2	chp 3	Exam 1:  10.2-10.5
10.5	chp 4
10.7	chp 4
10.9	chp 5
10.12	chp 5
10.14	chp 5
10.16	chp 6
10.17	chp 6
10.19	chp 6	Exam 2:  10.19-10.20
10.21	chp 7
10.23	chp 7
10.26	chp 8
10.28	chp 8
10.30	chp 8
11.2	chp 9
11.4	chp 9
11.6	chp 9	Exam 3:  11.6-11.9
11.9	chp 10
11.11	chp 10
11.13	chp 10
11.16	chp 11
11.18	chp 11
11.20	chp 11
11.30	chp 12
12.2.	chp 12
12.4	chp 12	Exam 4:  12.4-12.7
12.7	chp 13
12.9	chp 13
12.11	chp 14
12.14	chp 14
12.16 Review for Final Exam
Final Exam in Testing Center 12.17-12.18