
Instructor: Dr.
David Strayer -- Office: 1002 BEH S; Phone: 581-5037
E-mail: David.Strayer@utah.edu
Teaching Assistant: Ann Lambert
-- Office 1105 BEH S; Phone: 585-9707
E-mail: Ann.Lambert@psych.utah.edu
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The class message board: Only people who have officially subscribed to the message board can post messages. Subscribing entails (1) filling out the information at http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo.cgi/psych3120 . Then a confirmation e-mail will be sent to you to make sure that you are indeed the person you say you are. You must (2) reply to the confirmation message to complete the subscription process. Then you can (3) post messages by sending e-mail to psych3120@lists.csbs.utah.edu. To (4) read existing messages, check the archive at http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/pipermail/psych3120 .
Listing of Campus Computer Resources: http://www.it.utah.edu/services/helpDesk/index.html
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Willingham, D. T. (2007). Cognition: The Thinking Animal 3rd Edition. Prentice Hall Inc.
Reserve Readings:
Casey, S. (1993). Set Phasers on Stun and Other True Tales of Design, Technology, and Human Error. Agean Publishing Co.
Sacks, O. (1995). The Case of the
Colorblind
Painter. In An Anthropologist on Mars. Vintage
Books.
NY.
Strayer, D. L., & Drews, F. A.
(2007). Attention. In F. Durso, R. Nickerson, S. Dumais, S.
Lewandowsky, and T. Perdect (Eds.) Handbook of Applied Cognition,
Second Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., West Sussex, UK.
Readings from the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal
Week 2 (Sep 2, 4) Readings: Willingham, Chapter 3
Week 9 (Oct 21, 23) Readings: Willingham, Chapter 5

Week 15 (Dec 2, 4) Readings: Willingham, Chapter 10 & 11

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Modes of Learning: Technological Literacy : When registered for an additional one-credit class (PSYCH 3901-003), Cognitive Psychology satisfies one of the modes of learning requirements. This class provides enriched learning through the use of on-line discussion. In particular, students who register for this course will contribute on a regular basis to the class electronic bulletin board . Students are encouraged to post comments and questions on any topic related to the class. In the past, students have found this forum to be very helpful, interesting, and at times provocative. Grading for PSYCH 3901-003 will be based on the number of substantive contributions you make to the class message board. For each of the 16 weeks of the semester, students enrolled in Psych 3901 will receive a score of 1 if they make one or more substantive contributions during the week and a 0 otherwise. To recieve an A, you must have a cumulative score of 14 or higher, 13 for an A-, 12 for a B+, 11 for a B, 10 for a B-, 9 for a C+, 8 for a C, 7 for a C-, and so on. Note that this grading scheme allows you to miss two weeks and still recieve an A.
Grading: Grades will be based on four exams. Each exam will contribute 25% to your final grade. The exams will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. The final exam may include material covered throuhout the course.
Make-up Exams: A make-up exam will be given only in case of a documented illness or an emergency. It is important to notify me prior to the exam if you will not be there. Make-up exams may consist of essay questions rather than multiple choice and short answer questions.
Drops, Withdrawals, and Incompletes: Drop date is Wednesday, September 2, 2008. The last day to withdraw from class is Friday, Septmember 19, 2008. According to University policy, incompletes will be given only to a student who has taken and passed the first two exams and has an excused absence from the final exam.
Exams: Exams will consist of approximately 25 multiple choice and 2-3 short essay questions. A set of potential short answer questions will be distributed one week prior to each exam. The exam will draw upon all material covered in lecture and in the assigned readings. Each exam grade will be computed using the following equation:
Exam score = Raw score / Highest Class Raw Score * 100.
For example, if the exam had 100 points possible, the Highest Class Raw Score was 80, and your Raw Score was 60, your Exam score would be 75. Note that this grading procedure evaluates your performance relative to actual students in the class rather than to an arbitrary absolute standard. Also note that it is theoretically possible for everyone in the class to receive an A. Finally, note that you must receive a C or better for this course to count towards a major in Psychology. Conversion of exam score to letter grade is given below.
A 100-93 | A- 92-90 | B+ 89-87 | B 86-83 | B- 82-80 | C+ 79-77 | C 76-73 | C- 72-70 | D+ 69-67 | D 66-63 | D- 62-60 | E below 60.
See a recent grading distribution for Psych 3120
Extra Credit: You may earn extra credit by participation in psychology experiments. Each hour of extra credit will raise your final grade by 0.5 points. Participation in the maximum 6 hours is guaranteed to raise your grade one notch (e.g., from a B- to a B). Other classes may offer a similar extra credit option. You may not apply the extra credit hours to more than one class.
OPTION: If your schedule does not permit you to participate in the psychology experiments, you may earn extra credit by writing a 10-15 page research paper. You must notify me in advance if you choose this option.
Policy on Cell Phones & Pagers: Turn them off before you enter class.
Research Opportunities: If you would like to get research experience, my lab has openings for several motivated students each year. Students assist in the collection of data and attend regular lab meetings. Research experience is a good way to see what Cognitive Psychology is all about and it is essential for graduate school.
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