Psy 301

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?  (scroll all the way down)

            For students in the Fall 2001 Psy 301 class, you may begin working on the assignments starting the first week of class.   To access that work go directly to BeachBoard.  BeachBoard becomes accessible to those with campus e-mail accounts starting the first week of the fall session (by Aug 29th).
Do not use this information.  It is out of date;  assignments are not revised.
 
 

How much time should I expect to spend?
 

Will there be any meetings on campus?

    There are a number of assignments which need to be completed by viewing books and videos available in the peer advising office or on reserve in the main campus library.  If you have difficulty getting to the campus you can plan ahead and do several of the assignments at the same time.  The only specific time you will need to be on campus is the time designated for the final examination.  The schedule for the days and times the final is being offered will be posted about mid-semester.

Are there certain required time specific events, i.e. what if I am going to be working or busy with other activities?

    Many of the assignments can be done in advance and submitted in advance, but the quizzes on Blackboard will be available for only a brief, limited time.  You should check the schedule before enrolling (or making plans to be away) to make sure that you will be available to take those quizzes.
    Once again, let us remind you that no make-up work is allowed.  Once an assignment has been graded or a quiz given, it is no longer possible to receive credit if you missed it.
    Also, the final exam will be administered at set times in the psychology computer labs.  You will have to arrange to take it on campus when it is offered.  The times for the final exam will be posted as soon as the hours of availabili ty for the computer lab can be determined.

How do I submit assignments?

When submitting assignments via e-mail, the heading should look as follows:

       To:  psy301@csulb.edu (some of the assignments will also be sent directly to a grader--when that is the case,
                also send a copy to psy301@csulb.edu and one to yourself)
       From:  your e-mail address (you do not need to type this in; it is automatic)
       Subject:  your last name and the specific title of the assignment.  For instance:
                                Johnson-APA, APS assignment
         NOT   johns@csulb.edu - Exercise 2  or, even worse,  snookums@csulb.edu-Brief exercise

    If you do not identify yourself in the subject heading, it is very hard to locate your assignment should there be any questions about its submission.  If you do not give a specific title to the assignment, points may be credited erroneously. Send a copy of assignments to yourself so that you will have a record of the date and time of their submission in case any questions arise about whether work has been submitted.  If you cannot store these documents in your e-mail system, then you should print out the copy which you sent to yourself.  Only assignments whose submission date can be documented will be graded late.  Furthermore, consideration of missing points will occur only during the one week period following the group announcement that all work in a category has been graded.  Thus you should keep your own record of the points you receive, check your campus e-mail regularly, and check the announcements on Blackboard regularly (at least three times a week).

    The names of the assignments are listed below. Click onto the highlighted (underlined) assignment name for further details about the assignment.  Many assignments are to be submitted via e-mail.   Because of the problems with viruses and attachments which will not open, all assignments submitted by e-mail should be submitted in the body of the e-mail.   No attachments will be accepted.  Assignments which are more complex and consist of several pages will be designated for submission to a big yellow box in the peer advising office.  Place the work in the box yourself.  Remember to check the hours for peer advising (phone 562-985-5680) so that the office does not close before you can submit your assignment.
    Assignments are due by 5 pm on the date indicated if submitted by e-mail.  If you work from 8 to 5, plan to submit the assignment early.  There is no rule that an assignment must be submitted right before the deadline.
    If dropped off in the big yellow box in the peer advising  office, the assignment is due at whatever time the office closes for the day.  Remember to  (call 562-985-5001) so that you don't plan to turn it in after the office closes for the day.   And, remember unexpected events occur, such as the unexpected closures due to power outages, so try to allow yourself enough time in planning submission of assignments that you will not run into unexpected obstacles.
    Assignments will be accepted only via E-mail or the yellow drop box in the main office (when instructions indicate).  No assignments handed to peer advisors, slipped under doors, or left in the department office will receive any credit.  It is too easy for items to go astray, for students to "claim" work was turned in, etc.  E-mail is dated and the drop box is locked so materials cannot be lost.

What happens in emergencies?

    On occasions the CSULB server is down and you will be unable to access the assignments or the linked material.  When that happens, assignments are accepted late.  You will be allowed as many late days as the server was down.  Note, however, that we are aware when the server is down.  So "the server was down" should not be used as a general excuse such as "my dog ate my homework," "I had a flat tire,"  or "my grandma just died."  When the server is  down for routine maintenance, it is generally late evenings and weekends.  During business hours the server is down only when emergencies occur.

    What happens if you are sick or have a family emergency?
        a) There are many assignments of varying point values.  To earn a passing grade of C, you need to obtain about 70% of the total points.  Thus, you can omit several short assignments and still pass the course.
        b) For assignments with high point values, it would be a good idea to plan to submit them early so that unforeseen emergencies do not interfere with completion of the course.

Why are the rules so strict?

    As noted earlier, there are a large number of students taking the class so it is not possible to design individual assignments for everyone who misses a deadline and wants to make up work.  Allowing lax rules for some students while others strive to meet deadlines is not really fair.  Think of the task of meeting the deadlines as preparation for a job where you must submit your work on time or applying to graduate school where your application will not be considered if it is received after the deadline.  The structure of Psychology 301 is good preparation for the real world.
    If you assume the rules on deadlines apply to all students but you, check with those who have previously taken Psy 301 over the Internet.  Attempts were made to submit assignments late and still receive credit.  After unsuccessful attempts and repeated pleas were rebuffed, students either withdrew or adjusted to the rules.

Note:  This will be changed for the fall semester 2001. Most of this will be on BeachBoard--the campus internet format.
Schedule for Fall  2000.  For fall 2001, you will need to have your campus e-mail account and wait for BeachBoard to become accessible the first week of the fall semester.  Do not print this out and work from this schedule.  Now that the course is worth 2 units, it is very different from the new one.
 
    Assignment
Possible Points Date due*
(See note above about time assignment is due)
Special Notes
Self-description available on CourseInfo.
    20
     
All students who complete this assignment receive full credit.
Non-graded pretest available on CourseInfo 
    30
     
Review of course procedures available on CourseInfo.
    30
     
Points earned based on accuracy.  Review syllabus.
Major checklist and description of peer advising . Don't wait on this one!  See notes by deadline. 
Psychology Organizations Exercise  on CourseInfo.
    20 
     
If you are new to web searching allow plenty of time.
Career  Info Exercise available on CourseInfo.
20
 
Quiz based on selected pages from Chapters 1, 2, and 3 in Landrum, Davis, and Landrum  text.
Career Exercise #1 about___________________via E-mail.           20
     
--
Career Exercise #2 about ________________________via E-mail.
20
 
-
PsycInfo assignment  on CourseInfo.  Go to assignments tab after 10/4.
    75
     
Allow plenty of time for this assignment, especially if you are not familiar with PsycInfo.  Also get an account at the library so you may do the assignment via Netscape.
Internet Exercise on CourseInfo
40
Quiz on chapters 1 to 3 (and the appendices) in Stull's Psychology on the Internet.  In addition there are links to follow.
History Assignment on CourseInfo
40
Quiz based on document on CourseInfo and text info.
Grad School or Jobs with BA Exercises sent via E-mail.
Planning for Grad School or Job Possibilities Exercise
20
     
--Planning for graduate school involves the viewing of a video.
Major Checklist done with Peer Advisors.  Call 562-985-5680 for hours of the Peer Advising Office.  Checklist submitted to Resources Box in Peer Advising. 
30
 
The earlier you go to the Peer Advising office to do this assignment and the next one, the less crowded it will be. 
Description of Peer Advising done in conjunction with visit to get checklist.  Quiz taken during visit
30
 
There will be many crowds there if you wait.
What is Grad School Like? or Preparing for a Job with a BA Exercise sent via e-mail
20
 
--What is Grad School Like involves the viewing of a video. 
Study Skills OR APA format exercise available on CourseInfo.
25
 
This quiz will be based on information in the Landrum text.
Steps in Applying  or Job Search Process--Networking  Exercise sent via e-mail
20
 
--
GRE and Letters of Recommendation or Resume Writing  Exercise on CourseInfo.
20
 
--
Statement of Purpose/Selection Interview or Employment Interview Exercise on CourseInfo.
20
 
--
Grad School or Jobs with BA Project  dropped in Yellow Resources Box in Peer advising.
    120
     
This is the major project.  Without this project, one cannot receive an A in the course.  Allow several weeks for this project--looking up information in Peer Advising for the grad school project or scheduling an appointment at the Career Development Center for the jobs project
 Ethics Exercises on CourseInfo
50
     
--
Ethics discussion board on CourseInfo.  For group assignment and instructions, check your csulb.edu e-mail account after November 10th.
20
 
--You will be asked to choose a case for discussion and then directed to a discussion group.
Ethics Case Analysis sent in body of e-mail or preferably dropped in Resources Box
    40
     
--
Final Exam available on CourseInfo to be taken in the Psychology computer lab, Psy 300.           150   The final exam will be administered in the Psychology computer lab.  You must be able to come during one of the three sessions. Bring your password.

Psy 301 Start-up Page | CSULB homepage | CSULB Psych Dept | CSULB Psy Undergrad Peer Advising