Fall 1999
Wednesdays 6:00pm-8:30pm, Buena High School Room 1302
Instructor: Kevin G. F. Thomas
Office: Room 121
Phone: 520-626-4825 (Tucson campus); 458-8278x134 (Sierra Vista campus)
E-mail: thomaske@u.arizona.edu
Office hours: T 2-3pm and 5:30-6:30pm, W 5-6pm, and by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Christina Hillstrom (pchill@theriver.com)
Course Description
This is an undergraduate psychology survey course. The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the field of cognitive psychology: We will be examining theoretical approaches to, and experimental analyses of, topics that fall under the broad headings of perception, attention, memory, imagery, knowledge representation, problem solving, and reasoning. Both the text and the course are designed for those gaining their first exposure to the material and concepts presented; those without an extensive background in the study of sensation, perception, cognition, and biology will therefore not be at a great disadvantage.
Required Text
Matlin, M. W. (1998). Cognition (4th ed.). Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace.
Lectures and Class Attendance
Class attendance is expected (and highly desirable) but not required. Prepare for class by reading the assigned textbook chapters in advance. Lecture material will include but will not be restricted to the assigned readings. At the conclusion of each lecture, a summary of the major points will be made available. Use that summary to guide revision and to study for exams.
Assignments, Exams and Extra Credit Options
Each week at the beginning of class you will be asked to answer, without the aid of notes or your textbook, three of the review questions found at the end of each textbook chapter. Your answers to those questions need only be 2-4 sentences in length.
Three exams will be administered during the semester. Each exam will cover the material from 3-6 lectures and the corresponding chapters in the text. Each exam will consist of multiple choice and short-answer questions.
If you cannot take an exam at the appointed time, you must submit a written request for an alternative testing date. The alternative testing date will be before the date of the next scheduled exam. There is no guarantee that requests for alternative testing dates will be accepted.
You will have the option of undertaking an extra credit assignment. That assignment may take the form of either (a) participation in a psychological research experiment, or (b) a 7-10 page paper dealing with some aspect of the course. If you would like to complete an extra credit assignment, please notify me, either in person or via e-mail, before November 3.
Grading
Weekly quizzes
15%
Three exams
25%; 25%; 35%
Please note there is no curve in this class. I encourage you to study together and to help each other in understanding the course materials.
Please also note that I reserve the right to make
changes to the course outline that follows. Changes will be announced in
class at least one lecture before they are due to take effect. Each student
is responsible for being aware of any such changes.
Course Outline
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History of cognitive psychology Current issues in cognitive psychology |
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Short-term memory Working memory |
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