DYNAMICS

OF PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT
CEP 260 SECTION 003 SPRING 2010
Tuesdays, 9:10-12:00 p.m. Bessey Hall Room 314 Instructor: Office: Office Hours: Office Phone: Email: Course Website:

Andy Saltarelli 401-C Erickson Hall By appointment (517) 432-0843 (leave message with Ethel) saltarel@msu.edu http://angel.msu.edu

Course Description The purpose of this course is to critically examine how individuals adjust to and interact with their personal and social environments. The course will introduce relevant theory, research, and practice related to adjustment, while providing a better understanding of the dynamics operating within yourself and in your interactions with others. Within this framework, topics such as personality, mental health, communication, cultural diversity, love, relationships, and sexuality will be examined. Course Goals Students will: 1. Become familiar with research and theory related to the psychology of adjustment. 2. Acquire and expand interpersonal and intrapersonal knowledge as related to adjustment topics. 3. Learn concepts in a way that is personally meaningful and applicable. 4. Enhance critical thinking skills and improve written and verbal communication skills. Course Website The course syllabus and major projects are posted on the Angel website (http://angel.msu.edu). The website will also have guidelines and instructions for projects and online activities. It is your responsibility to check the site on a regular basis as I will post announcements and will occasionally ask that you print documents prior to class. Required Text Weiten, W., Lloyd, M.A., Dunn, D.S., Hammer, E.Y. (2008). Psychology applied to modern life: Adjustment in the 21st Century (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Pulver, J., & Weiten, W. (2008). Personal Explorations Workbook for Weiten/Lloyd's Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st century. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth. Supplementary readings will be available and posted on the Angel website (http://angel.msu.edu).

COURSE REQUIREMENTS Class Discussion and Participation (75 pts.) It is expected that you come to class having read the required readings and prepared to participate during all class discussions and activities. Listening to peers and engaging in discussion is an integral part of the learning experience, and it your responsibility to ask questions, provide appropriate comments, and encourage peers to be engaged in this experience. Every week, I will evaluate your participation out of a possible 5 points per day. Students will be allowed one excused absence. There will be no other opportunities to make-up participation points. In-Class Daily Assignments (60 pts.) In the majority of class sessions, short quizzes or response questions will be given related to assigned readings and in-class material. I will evaluate your quizzes and/or response questions out of a possible 5 points per day. It is essential that you be on time for class so you do not miss the quiz/assignment. There will be no make-up assignments permitted. Homework Assignments (80 pts.) There are also four small homework assignments to complete. These assignments are worth 20 points each. The details of the assignment will be discussed in class and detailed instructions will be on Angel. Assignments are submitted in the dropboxes on the ANGEL page in MS Word format Current Event Presentation- Due between January 19 and March 2 (sign up in first class) Big 5 Personality Quiz- Due January 19 Breaking a Social Norm - Due February 9 Gender & Toys - Due March 2 Writing Assignment (75 pts.) There is one writing assignment to complete. This assignment is worth 75 points and students may choose between two writing prompts. The details of the assignment will be discussed in class and detailed instructions will be on Angel. Film Character Analysis OR Cultural Event Reflection Due March 30 Group Presentations (110 pts.) April 20 and 27 The topic of this 45-minute presentation can be one that elaborates upon an adjustment issue discussed in this class, or one that has not been covered. Groups are to present accurate information that is congruent with present, up-to-date literature, as shown by citing the appropriate source while talking or in writing. Groups are encouraged to use a variety of visual aids (posters, videos, PowerPoint, etc) while detailing how the information is applicable to our lives. The presentations are scheduled for the last two class sessions. Groups will be assigned in class and a summary of the topic should be written up and put in the Angel drop box. Midterm Exam (75 pts) February 23 An examination that integrates concepts from the first half of the semester (chapters 1-7). The exam will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. Final Exam (125 pts.) FRIDAY, May 7 from 7:45 9:45 a.m. The final examination will take place during finals week. This assessment will cover chapters 8-16 and will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions.

 GRADING Assignment Participation In-class Assignments Homework Assignments Writing Assignment Group Presentation Midterm Exam Final Examination Total Points 564-600 510-563 480-509 450-479 420-449 390-419 360-389 < 360 Points 75 60 80 75 110 75 125 600 My Grade: __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________

% 94-100 85-93 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 < 60

Final Grade 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.0

COURSE POLICIES General: Students are expected to read all assigned materials before class each week. Students are expected to attend ALL class sessions. Missing class and late arrivals can affect depth of understanding and are frequently reflected in the quality of written analysis and in the overall learning experience. Students who are late to class will not be able to make-up the daily assignment (e.g. quizzes or quick writes), will receive a 0 for the assignment and will be deducted 2 points for participation. Students who cannot attend class will not be able to make up points for that week. In the case of an emergency, such as hospitalization or death in the family, students are to contact me as soon as possible and situations will be handled on a case-by case basis. If a student misses class, it is not the responsibility of the instructor to accommodate the student. Religious observance. Please notify me in advance if you will be absent from class to observe a religious holiday. Electronic devices (such as cell phones, iPods, mp3s, laptops, etc.) must be turned off and put away before class. Not only are these devices distracting for you, your classmates, and your instructor, but use of text messaging or instant messaging is contrary to your learning experience. Any use of electronic devices will result in deduction of participation points.

 Academic Honesty: Article 2.3.3 of the Academic Freedom Report states that "the student shares with the faculty the responsibility for maintaining the integrity of scholarship, grades, and professional standards." In addition, this class adheres to the policies on academic honesty as specified in General Student Regulations 1.0, Protection of Scholarship and Grades, and in the all-University Policy on Integrity of Scholarship and Grades, which are included in Spartan Life; Student Handbook and Resource Guide. Students who commit acts of academic dishonesty, such as cheating on exams, copying other students work, allowing others to copy your work, or plagiarism (including internet plagiarism), may receive a 0.0 on the assignment or fail the course. Accommodations for Disabilities: It is my strong desire to fully include all students in this course. Please discuss any desired accommodations with me as soon as possible. I require documentation of any disabling condition prior to providing substantive accommodations (those that involve changes to deadlines, activities, or products) in this course. Students with disabilities should contact the Resource Center for People with Disabilities to discuss obtaining such documentation or to develop reasonable accommodations. For an appointment with a counselor, call 353-9642 (voice) or 355-1293 (TTY). Respectful Participation Please be respectful of others in this class. If you would like to make a point, you may challenge another's idea, but please do not challenge the person. Insulting and derogatory statements will not be tolerated. Confidentiality. Due to the nature of the course, you will be participating in a variety of discussions that may be personal in nature. Please respect the confidentiality of other students by keeping discussions confidential. Also, please note that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed since you must rely on other students to keep confidentiality. Anything shared with me will maintain confidential with the exception of information I am legally bound to divulge. Exceptions could include: possibility of harm to self or others, suspicion of child abuse, and I may also divulge information during my supervision. Dropping this Course: The last day to drop this course with a 100 percent refund and no grade reported and the last day to drop this course with no refund and no grade reported are listed in the academic calendar; the policy is available on-line at http://www.reg.msu.edu/schedulepages/Lateadds. You should immediately make a copy of your amended schedule to verify you have dropped this course.

Course Schedule Subject to change with prior notice Class meets TUESDAYS unless otherwise specified. Date January 12 (Week 1) Topic Due Introduction to Course Adjusting to Modern Life Theories of Personality Stress and Coping The Self Social Influence, Prejudice, Social Pressure February 16 (Week 6) February 23 (Week 7) Interpersonal Communication and Persuasion Midterm Exam (Ch 1-7) Love, Marriage, & Intimate Relationships March 2 (Week 8) March 9 March 16 (Week 9) March 23 (Week 10) March 30 (Week 11) April 6 (Week 12) April 13 (Week 13) April 20 (Week 14) April 27 (Week 15) FRIDAY, May 7 Gender & Behavior NO CLASS Spring Break Adolescence, Adulthood, Careers Development and Expression of Sexuality Psychology & Physical Health Video: Super Size Me Psychological Disorders Psychotherapy Read Chapter 14 Writing Assignment Read Chapter 15 Read Chapter 16 Groups 1, 2 & 3 Presentations Groups 4 & 5 Presentations Read Chapters 11 & 12 Read Chapter 13 Read Chapter 10 Gender & Toys Assignment Read Chapters 8 & 9 Read Syllabus and Chapter 1 Sign-up For Current Event Presentation Read Chapter 2 Big 5 Personality Quiz Assignment Read Chapters 3 & 4 Read Chapter 5 Read Chapter 6 Breaking a Social Norm Assignment Read Chapter 7

January 19 (Week 2)

January 26 (Week 3) February 2 (Week 4) February 9 (Week 5)

Final Exam Review Final Exam (Ch 8-16) 7:45 9:45 a.m.