Psych of Women SyllabusSpring 2009
Professor: Mary Fraser,Ph.D.
email: mfraser@alumni.usc.edu
Required Texts:
Anderson, L. Halse (1999) Speak. Penguin
Blum, D (1997) Sex on the Brain. Penguin ISBN 9780140263480
Fraser, M.L. (2004) Social superstitions (2nd ed) Thomson Publishers
Hegelsen, V.S. (2009). Psychology of Gender (3rd Edition) Prentice Hall Publishers
Johnson, A. ( 2001) Privilege Power and Difference. Mayfeild Publishing
Recommended Text:
American Psychological Association (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th Ed.) Washington D.C. American Psychological Association. ISBN: 15578987912
1. Introductory Remarks
You may hear things that you have never heard before in this class. I want you to express your ideas about anything that we are discussing in class, even if, and especially if, you disagree with what *I* have said. Please be respectful of each other�s opinions. Remember, you can learn from each other. There is usually a reason why people think the way that they do. See if you can find out what that reasoning is. Also, it is okay to disagree with a theory. You will never hear my opinionin th is class, instead you will hear theoretic constructs and who said what. It is all fair game. You will, however, be required to know the formal academic theory for the examinations.
Lectures will be primarily Socratic in nature, with visual aids and paper referents where and when appropriate.
2. Expected Outcomes
The student will be able to:
A. Critically analyze the influence of religion, myths, and language on the development of sex differences.
B. Systematically explore current theories on the psychology of women, particularly psychoanalytic theory, social learning theory, and cognitive-development theory.
C. Identify and explain the relationship of biology and sex role characteristics.
D. Compare and contrast the variety of interpersonal relationships available to women today.
E. Analyze employment patterns and work legislation.
F. Recognize the role of minority and third world cultural and social attitudes and beliefs and institutionalized behavior regarding gender.
G. Examine the gender differences and similarities as they relate to achievement and abilities.
H. Evaluate criteria of mental health and understand the DSM III R classifications experienced most frequently by women.
I. Examine the elements of female sexuality.
J. Compare the type of violence women experience, compared to males.
3. Policies
a. Make-ups:
There are no make-up examinations, and I do not accept late papers. The only exceptions to this policy would be a death in the family or a valid medical excuse. You must provide me with proper documentation (on letterhead with phone numbers), with appropriate dates which must match the dates of missed assignment or test. This will be kept on file in the event of an academic integrity question. This sounds harsh but in reality is SOP for many professors and departments.
b. Plagiarism and Cheating:
Very simple: Don�t do it
"Plagiarism is the unacknowledged borrowing of information, wording, organization, or ideas" - from Department of English, Trenton State College
The danger in plagiarizing is not that you might get caught, but that you experience a sense of accomplishment that has not been earned. Be clear. If you violate this policy, I will follow all the policies as set forth by the Foothill/DeAnza Community College District. Should you have any questions regarding exactly what plagiarism is, please consult with myself or another academic representative of the Foothill/DeAnza Community College District. before you do it.
Many people have made the mistake of thinking that if they "lift" a phrase or paragraph word for word AND reference it, it is not cheating. It is. There are two issues, one is the stealing of an idea, and the other is stealing someone's words. Both are wrong and will not be tolerated. The *only* time this is acceptable is if you are quoting someone specifically. And quotes are not appropriate or accepted within any of the papers I assign, so . . . . .
Be clear: I hate cheaters. You *will get called to task if you engage in this unethical behavior to the harshest dehree that is at my disposal.
5. Grading
a. Examinations:
There will be two examinations, including the non-comprehensive final, worth 50 points each, given over the course of the term. Examinations consist of 50 multiple choice questions, worth two points each. They will contain information from the lectures, the discussions, and the readings. Everything is important. Total points possible from the examinations are 200
Note: Students with learning disabilities who are requesting accommodations for an examination must see me before the exam for which they are requesting them.
I will try to post all exams, including the final, online. You will have one week to turn in a scantron with the correct answers on them. This must be turned in at the beginning of class (within 15 minutes) and must be handed to me personally.
b. Papers:
(3) 5-7 page papers worth 33 points each will be due over the course of the term. Please see the page entitled Psych of Women Outline on the web for specific dates. I will be grading both on content and organization of the papers. Please proofread and spell check your papers before you turn them in. Total points possible to be earned from the papers are 100.
c. Points:
Note that there is no curve. The grades will be distributed according to the scale below:
100 - 90% of all possible points will earn a grade of A 270-300 pts.
89 - 78 % of all possible points will earn a grade of B 234 -269 pts.
77- 63 % of all possible points will earn a grade of C 189 - 233 pts.
All points consisting of a point tally, which fall below 63 % of all possible points will earn a grade of D. This equates to a score of 188 points or below. If you turn in all assignments and complete all examinations, you will not receive lower than a D.
Please note: The Final Examination will be due on June 18th at 3:30 pm. You have until 4 pm to turn it in. I will then be leaving for Charleston, and will turn in grades from there.
YOU MUST BRING A SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE TO THE FINAL. I can not and will not take your final without one.
I ask you to do this for this reason: You should always keep a file of your papers from each class in the event that there are questions or discrepancies from any portion your academic career. This includes your teacher (me), Admissions and Records, or any school to which you are trying to transfer to (or from.)
d. Attendance and Absences:
If a student misses more than 20% of the classes, I reserve the right to drop the student at any point during the term without notice. (It is however, ultimately the students responsibility to drop the course, not the instructor's. Thus, please do not rely on me for this). This policy is in the students best interest. I do not grade on attendance; however, it is in your best interest to be in class for several reasons. They are:
1. The examinations are based in part upon the lectures.
2. Assignment Sheets for the papers are handed out in class
3. Questions that you have may get answered during the course of the class
e. Extra Credit
The best way to get extra credit is to stump me. If I do not know the answer to your question, and you want to write a one to two page summary of the answer, after you have discovered it, then you may earn up to five points of extra credit for the class per stump.
The other way to get extra credit is to write up a news article that directly relates to one or more of the concepts being discussed in class. The article must be included with the summary and must be a current one (defined here as within three weeks of publication - see me for exceptions on this policy). Make sure that you explain how the written piece relates to the coursework.
It is not possible to substitute extra credit for the assignments. Extra credit is designed to augment grades, not as a surrogate for classwork. Should you fail to complete at least 80% of the assignments, we will need to have a discussion as to whether or not you can successfully pass the course, or if it is in your best interest to drop it.
Also from time to time I will hear of research studies that need human subjects. I will offer extra credit for as many of these as is ethically possible, and post them all on the web site as well as send announcement bulletins as soon as I hear of them.
All extra credit can be turned in on any day up to the last day before the last class day (NOT the final day).
6. Web Page and email
All information will be posted in a timely manner on the web. This page will have outlines of lectures and sections, the assignments, (which will also be sent to you via email) and any other information or announcements that you may need. Since the web is accessible 24 hours a day I will expect you to be responsible for checking it on a regular basis.
The best and quickest way to get a hold of me is through email. I generally try to get back to people within 24 hours and sometimes even make it sooner. The email address is mfraser@alumni.usc.edu. You will also receive assignments and important announcement via email. Please make sure you are getting them on a regular basis. If you are not then the easiest thing to do is to send me email that you need to be added to the email list. If you tell me verbally in class I will not remember.
Enjoy the class
Discuss
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