Kristina
Coop Gordon, Ph.D. Office
Phone #: 974-3347
310B
Office
Hours: Tues. and Th
Objectives:
Why
are we the way we are? Why are we different and how are we similar? Can you
really define "personality"? How can you assess personality? Why are
there different sexual orientations? Why would your "significant
other" rather play basketball than talk about "the
relationship"? What is low self-esteem? Is our behavior pre-determined
biologically or is it a result of our environment?......
This
course is designed to explore, but not necessarily definitively answer, these
and many other questions about personality.
We will be discussing different theories about personality and looking
at current areas of research in this field.
At the end, you should not only have a good understanding of what is
going on in personality research today, but you should also be able to apply
these findings to yourself, your roommate, your family, your friends, your
significant other, your professor, the man talking to himself in the street,
etc., etc.
All
relevant course information can be found at online on our class
Blackboard. You can access this by going
to http://online.utk.edu and logging in
using your net Id and password. You then
click on the link for this class. If you
miss a class, this will be a good place to check to see if a reaction paper or
other activity was assigned for that day.
Also, as the semester progresses, I will be setting up discussion boards
for you to continue fruitful discussions that we had in class. This is a great way for us to continue and
elaborate on lines of thought that are brought up but not completed in class.
It also is a good way for people who don’t like speaking up in class to get
their opinions out and to show me what they are thinking. I expect everyone in
the class to participate in an online discussion at least twice.
In
the case of inclement weather or other emergencies, I will post information
about class meetings online.
Assigned
Texts
1)
Personality: Contemporary Theory and
Research; 2nd edition - Derlega, Winstead,
and Jones (DWJ)
2) Reserve Readings (RR) – You can find them on reserve at the Undergraduate
Library. You may access them online by
going to www.lib.utk.edu/~reserve and
following the directions. Make sure that
you are downloading the correct reading number as they are not necessarily in
the correct order on the website.
Expectations:
1)
EXAMS and PAPER- There will be two exams
and a final given during the semester.
If you must miss a test, I must be notified in advance and I must
agree with the reason. I will also ask for proof (e.g., note from doctor,
funeral program, letter from athletic department). You are responsible for
scheduling a make-up exam ASAP. There
also will be a 7-10 page paper due
April 20. More about this later.
2)
REACTION PAPERS - At random times in the
semester, I will assign a short, 1-2 page paper in which you will describe your
reaction to class discussion or your readings. These papers will not be graded
but are required. I will keep track of who turns theirs
in. If your grade falls on the border
between two grades, I will use this to decide whether or not to bump you up to
the higher grade.
3)
CLASS and DISCUSSION BOARD PARTICIPATION - Class is usually
more enjoyable and interesting when we have good discussions. Be prepared to be
called upon for your opinions and reactions to the readings and material
presented in class. I have no formal attendance policy but you are fully responsible for any material you missed. Not knowing about an assignment or change in
the syllabus, etc., will not be accepted as an excuse.
4)
ACADEMIC HONESTY - This should go without
saying, but unfortunately doesn’t. ALL
work is expected to be your own. Plagiarism
will not be tolerated, nor will any other form of cheating. If you are caught, expect to be turned in and
prosecuted.
Course
Breakdown:
Test 1 25%
Test 2 25%
Paper 20%
Final 30%
You will be able to track your grades online
during the semester using the Blackboard site.
If you are making a D or below by mid semester, I strongly
recommend that you come see me to discuss this.
I will not change your grade (except in the case of a clerical error)
after the class has ended. The time to
work to improve your grade is during the actual class time.
Students who have a disability that require
accommodation(s) should make an appointment with the Office of Disability
Services (974-6087) to discuss their specific needs as well as schedule an
appointment with me during my office hours.
SYLLABUS
|
Month |
Date |
Day |
Topic |
|
|
JAN |
13 |
T |
Introduction |
DWJ, Chapt. 1 |
|
|
15 |
Th |
Psychoanalytic Theories |
RR, 1 |
|
|
20 |
T |
Humanistic Theories |
RR, 3 |
|
|
22 |
Th |
Learning Theories |
RR, 2 |
|
|
27 |
T |
Heredity/Traits |
DWJ, 3 |
|
|
29 |
Th |
Biology & Personality |
DWJ, 4; RR, 4 |
|
FEB |
3 |
T |
Personality Assessment |
RR, 5 |
|
|
5 |
Th |
TOPIC CHOICE |
TBA |
|
|
10 |
T |
REVIEW/Catch up |
|
|
|
12 |
Th |
TEST
1 |
|
|
|
17 |
T |
Personality Disorders |
DWJ 19 |
|
|
19 |
Th |
Motivation |
DWJ, 6 |
|
|
24 |
T |
Emotion |
DWJ, 14, RR, 6 |
|
|
26 |
Th |
Control |
DWJ, 10 |
|
MAR |
2 |
T |
Aggression |
DWJ, 16; RR, 7; |
|
|
4 |
Th |
Self-Efficacy |
DWJ, 8 |
|
|
16 |
T |
TOPIC CHOICE |
TBA |
|
|
18 |
Th |
Review/Catch up |
|
|
|
23 |
T |
TEST
2 |
|
|
|
25 |
Th |
Introduction to Paper |
Handout |
|
|
30 |
T |
Self-Awareness |
DWJ, 11 |
|
APRIL |
1 |
Th |
Self-Concept |
DWJ, 12; |
|
|
6 |
T |
Self-Esteem |
TBA |
|
|
8 |
Th |
Gender Roles |
DWJ 9, RR 8 |
|
|
13 |
T |
Human Sexuality |
DWJ 15; |
|
|
15 |
Th |
Relationships/ Communication |
DWJ 18…
Papers due |
|
|
20 |
T |
Stress/Illness |
DWJ, 17 |
|
|
22 |
Th |
TOPIC CHOICE |
TBA |
|
|
27 |
T |
Class wrap-up/Review |
|
|
MAY |
6 |
Th |
FINAL
EXAM |
|
PSYC
470 - OVERVIEW OF PERSONALITY THEORIES AND RESEARCH
Local Address:_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Permanent Address:_________________________________________
Year in school (or graduation date) :___________________________
Major:____________________________________________________
1.
What other psychology courses have you
taken?
2.
Why are you taking this course (other
than requirement)?
3.
What are your plans for after graduation
(i.e., what do you want to be when you grow up?)
4.
What are two unique things about you that
would make you memorable to me?