Methods of Evaluation (continued): % of Grading Components final course grade Reaction Papers 15 – 20% Reaction papers are 2 – 3 page written exercises in which students read outside sources (e.g., newspapers, magazines, or “self-help” books in psychology), discuss their “emotional” reaction to the issue or author’s point of view, yet use critical thinking guidelines to assess claims made augmented by scholarly literature. Theme Papers 20 – 25% Theme papers are 3 – 5 page written exercises in which students discuss how taking the course has been personally meaningful, beneficial, and relevant to their future professional aspirations. References can be cited using scholarly journals, psychologically-based magazines, or internet sites. Literature Reviews/Research Papers 10 – 20% Literature reviews/research papers are written exercise in which students must investigate a particular topic either in the textbook or assigned by the instructor that is related to the course objectives and conduct a review of the psychological literature. Based on the literature review, students are required to develop a thesis/theme and draw conclusions on the topic researched. Introspective Theme Paper/Case Study Analysis 30 – 40% The introspective theme paper/case study analysis is a 7 – 10 page written exercise in which students integrate and synthesize concepts to perform an in-depth analysis and demonstrate relevance of various theories to oneself as an emerging theoretical orientation or professional identity. If a child or teenager, adult person(s) or professional is interviewed, students must analyze, synthesize, integrate, and demonstrate relevance of concepts to course objectives. Written/Oral Presentation of Child, Teenager, Adult, 15 – 25% Agency, or Professional in the Field The written/oral presentation of the interview of a child, teenager, adult, agency, or professional requires the student to gather information and to determine its relevance to concepts and theories presented in class and related to course objectives. Oral Presentations 15 – 20% Oral presentations are based on a topic either discussed/not discussed during the semester, that is relevant to the study of psychology and related to course objectives. The instructor may require a written outline to augment the oral presentation.
Methods of Evaluation (continued): % of Grading Components final course grade Reaction Papers 15 – 20% Reaction papers are 2 – 3 page written exercises in which students read outside sources (e.g., newspapers, magazines, or “self-help” books in psychology), discuss their “emotional” reaction to the issue or author’s point of view, yet use critical thinking guidelines to assess claims made augmented by scholarly literature. Theme Papers 20 – 25% Theme papers are 3 – 5 page written exercises in which students discuss how taking the course has been personally meaningful, beneficial, and relevant to their future professional aspirations. References can be cited using scholarly journals, psychologically-based magazines, or internet sites. Literature Reviews/Research Papers 10 – 20% Literature reviews/research papers are written exercise in which students must investigate a particular topic either in the textbook or assigned by the instructor that is related to the course objectives and conduct a review of the psychological literature. Based on the literature review, students are required to develop a thesis/theme and draw conclusions on the topic researched. Introspective Theme Paper/Case Study Analysis 30 – 40% The introspective theme paper/case study analysis is a 7 – 10 page written exercise in which students integrate and synthesize concepts to perform an in-depth analysis and demonstrate relevance of various theories to oneself as an emerging theoretical orientation or professional identity. If a child or teenager, adult person(s) or professional is interviewed, students must analyze, synthesize, integrate, and demonstrate relevance of concepts to course objectives. Written/Oral Presentation of Child, Teenager, Adult, 15 – 25% Agency, or Professional in the Field The written/oral presentation of the interview of a child, teenager, adult, agency, or professional requires the student to gather information and to determine its relevance to concepts and theories presented in class and related to course objectives. Oral Presentations 15 – 20% Oral presentations are based on a topic either discussed/not discussed during the semester, that is relevant to the study of psychology and related to course objectives. The instructor may require a written outline to augment the oral presentation.
psy.250.outline.f2010.docx