Back to menu

Course text:

    Weiten, Wayne (2000) Psychology: Themes and Variations (Briefer Version) (4e); Belmont, CA: Wadsworth

    Weiten, Wayne (2000) Psyk.trek: A multimedia introduction to psychology (general version); Belmont, CA: Wadsworth

    Infotrac: College Edition: The online library

    Shared folder on Houghton College Network

Psychology can be defined as a science of human behavior and mental activity. The course text and supplements will introduce one to basic concepts and principles within many areas of psychology. Independent use of the text and supplements outside of class is a significant component of the learning experience. Time in class will serve to clarify important concepts, principles, and issues as well as enhance one's sense of the value of psychology.

Excellent multimedia learning resources are developing very rapidly in psychology. Some of these (e.g. video excerpts, PowerPoint emonstrations, Internet links) will be used to facilitate learning within our classroom. However, a significant portion of the learning experience takes place outside the walls of the traditional classroom as well. Six class sessions are designated as "resource days" and we will not meet together as a class on those days. Rather, the time should be used to work on the out of class learning exercises listed below.
1) A multimedia CD called Psyk.trek accompanies the text you purchased and will be utilized by students outside of class. Although no formal assignments will be required in connection with Psyk.trek, examination questions will be based on the content of these interactive modules.
2) Infotrac also accompanies your text and offers online access to hundreds of scholarly journal articles via search engines. This software will be used in connection with a group research project and class presentation. In addition it can be useful to the student who wants to follow any topic in more depth.
3) Each student will participate weekly in a shared folder that has the primary purpose of connecting concepts and principles studied to current events.
4) Of course, there is always the need to read the Weiten text and study for the four noncumulative, multiple-choice exams that will be offered periodically throughout the semester.

Objectives: It is expected that each student will:

1) gain an understanding of the major concepts and principles of psychology through independent study of the required reading and through use of the Psyk.trek and Infotrac software;

2) apply this knowledge to one's own life experience (in part through contributions to the shared folder);

3) acquire a basic understanding of scientific methodology as it relates to psychology;

4) attempt to relate Christian perspectives to psychological knowledge (in part through the shared folder);

5) actively contribute to the learning experience of other class members  not only through regular class sessions  but through informed participation in class projects, exercises, and the shared folder.

Back to menu, top of page