Lawrence W. Sherman
,Ph. D., Professor
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND ALLIED PROFESSIONS
CENTER FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, LEARNING AND TEACHING
100-K MCGUFFEY HALL
MIAMI UNIVERSITY, OXFORD, OHIO 45056
PHONES: OFFICE = 513-529-6632; HOME = 513-523-2458
E-MAIL:SHERMALW@MUOHIO.EDU ,
FAX: 513-529-3646
URL for Dr. Sherman's personal home page is:
http://www.users.muohio.edu/shermalw
Course Title: Critical
Issues in the Psychology of the Learner
<>Catalog Description: Critical
investigation of issues, theories, and principles related to the nature
of the
learner and the learning process, including such topics as
psychological
methodology, perception, cognitive processing, personality, and social
dynamics, within the context of historical, social diversity, and
cross-cultural perspectives. Credit
not granted to students who have earned
credit in PSY 111. IIC. CAS-C
Course Objectives:
Students will gain.
A basic knowledge of the principles of
psychology, especially as they are related to human perceptual,
cognitive, social and emotional learning and development.
A basic knowledge of critical thinking
processes, especially as they are used in scientific and logical
inquiry.
Experience in applying critical
thinking to psychological issues relevant to education, health and
mental health, within the context of historical, social, political, and
cultural milieus.
An ability to engage cooperatively
with other learners in reflecting upon psychological issues and
planning action related to these issues.
Ability to apply psychological
knowledge and critical thinking processes to their own learning and
development and to their interpersonal and professional goals.
Course Content:
Ways of knowing about human
behavior.
History of psychology and its impact; issues elated to psychology as a
discipline; practices and ethics of psychological research.
Biological determinants of
human
behavior. Genetic influences; sensory and perceptual processes; brain
structures and functions as they relate to human behavior.
Developmental determinants
of human
behavior. Ages, stages, and processes of human development; cognitive
emotional, and social developmental theory and research.
Knowledge bases of human
behavior.
Theories of intelligence and learning; intellectual measurement;
cognitive and information processing research and practice.
Personality attributes of
human
behavior. Personality theory; stresss/coping skills; theories of
attribution and motivation; abnormal personality processes; therapeutic
theories and techniques.
This class attempts to accomplish the Mission and Vision of the
School of Education and Allied Professions:
"The EAP community, while committed to fulfilling traditional
academic roles, endeavors to develop expanded roles consistent with our
vision. We are committed to integrating our teaching, scholarship and
service."
2. TEACHING STRATEGIES.
We will employ the use networked Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)
using an established ON-LINE DISCUSSION CHAT ROOM RESOURCE where 10
periodic written "postings" will be made which will require reactions
from class members to each other's postings. This element will have
participants "critically engaging" each other's thinking. Also,
this aspect of the class will be completely open and available for
inspection
throughout the entire class, by everyone in the class, as well as
anyone
able to access THE WWW. This class will be a "sun-shine" class where
much
of the work generated by class members will be available to the entire
campus.
The Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) will be a mainstay for
reflection and discussion of class activities and readings, both in
class and out of class. A central address file will be created in
which all messages will be open to all class members specifically for
their critical reactions to each other's weekly writings/reflections.
Students will be required to constructively engage a partner in a
discussion
of their comments. TWO points will be assigned to each of these Ten
required reflections/reactions. A "portfolio" (notebook), primarily
based on
these postings, will be organized, reflected upon and turned in at the
end of the class.
4. ESSENTIAL READINGS, TEXTS AND COURSE MATERIALS.
The primary texts
for this class are:
Davis, Stephen F. and Palladino, Joseph J. (2007). Psychology
(5th
edition). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
ISBN: 0-13-220840-7
Papers and related writings are expected to be in the Microsoft
Office form. Microsoft Office software available from the
university book store
and should include MS-Word, PowerPoint, Excel. This is a
"cross-platform" package and can be accessed on either a PC or a MAC
platform.
Related recent books:
Levitin, Daniel J. (2008). The world in
six songs: How the musical brain created human nature. New York:
Dutton.
ISBN 978-0-525-95073-8.
Lehrer, Jonah (2007). Proust was a
neuroscientist. New York: Houghto Mifflin Company.
ISBN 13: 978-0-618-62010-4.
Ross, Alex (2007). The Rest is
Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century. New York: Jarrar,
Straus & Giroux.
ISBN 978-0-374-24939-7.
<>Sacks, Oliver (2007). Musicophilia:
Tales of music and the brain. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
ISBN 978-1-4000-4081-0.
E. 16%] ORGANIZED ELECTRONIC
PORTFOLIO OF EVERYTHING ABOVE INCLUDING:
COVER SHEET (slide)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MOST RECENT SYLLABUS AND WEEKLY
CALENDAR
THE "EVIDENCE" including an
<> ORGANIZED COLLECTION OF
YOUR NETPOSTINGS WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE ALL YOUR REFLECTIONS AND REACTIONS, AND THE
GI PROJECT, AND A FINAL SUMMARY/CONCLUDING REFLECTION
100% = total weighted
points AND Grades WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
The following Mastery, or criterion-referenced, grading
scale will be applied to "percentage" score:
Any incompletes not made up by the end of the semester will
automatically result in an incomplete for the course. Also!!! when the
incomplete is made up after the semester is over, regardless of what
grade you might have achieved in the class, it will be
lowered "one
whole
letter grade"!!! Classroom attendance will be
monitored and a maximum of three absences of any kind
(your choice) will be
allowed. You will be
"docked"
THREE (3)
whole percentage points from your total percentage score at
the end of the class for
each absence after the third
absence!
