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Theories of Personality PY 227 Credit: 3 semester hours Text: Schultz, D. P. & Schultz, S. E. (2005). Theories of personality (8th ed), Thomson Wadsworth.
The term "personality" is used every day by people seeking to explain their own or others' behavior, but few people understand what personality is really about. This course blends theory, research, and personal application to explore both who we are, and why we are who we are, as individuals and members of society. In short, it is a course about human nature, presented from a uniquely psychological perspective. It also provides the necessary foundation for understanding the various approaches to treating psychological problems and facilitating healthy development that are important to psychology as a whole.
Knowledge: Articulate the definition and scope of the psychology of personality. Understand the fundamentals of assessment and research methods relevant to the study of personality psychology. Outline the major theoretical perspectives in personality psychology, including psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, phenomenological, humanistic, trait, behavioral, biological, and social-cognitive approaches. Skills: Intellectual Apply the major personality theories to hypothetical "case" material and to one's own experience Think psychologically and critically about complex issues, as you track the thinking processes of major personality theorists and idea-makers in developmental sequence Critically evaluate personality tests, studies, and assertions presented in the mass media Relational Reflect and develop self-understanding regarding one's own personality, its origin, and its impact on others, with attention to the significance of cultural factors and individual differences Faith and Values: Stewardship of creation Exploration and appreciation of the complexity of human nature, and commitment to the psychological health of one's self and others.
Students are required to: -Participate actively in class discussions and activities based on the text, lectures, and other supplemental materials. -Read assigned chapters prior to lecture. -Complete homework assignments and Psychobiography as designated by instructor. Homework assignments are entitled "PersonaQuests" and are based on exploration of the internet via the course website. Detailed instructions for the Psychobiography will be provided at the appropriate point in the semester. -Complete examinations, homework, and Psychobiography as scheduled. If you are to miss an exam or assignment due date, please notify the instructor in advance (whenever possible) or no later than 24 hours later. Those who can document an absence due to mandatory college activities, serious illness, etc. will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to make up the missed work. Unexcused late assignments will be assessed a penalty of one letter grade per day. -Please note that we take extremely seriously the college's policy on the need for academic honesty in all your work. We refer you to Page 16 of the 2005-07 college catalog, and the current Student Handbook, where guidelines on plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are spelled out. Any form of dishonesty in an assignment will lead to a zero on the assignment, and we reserve the right to give a grade of F for the course as well.
Students will be evaluated on the basis of: -Exams administered -Homework (PersonaQuest) assignments -Psychobiography Grading Scale: A
94% 470-500 points
You will have: -three examinations, counting 100 points each. You are responsible for material in the text, lectures, and other supplemental materials (e.g., videos, handouts). -five computer-based homework assignments ("PersonaQuests") worth 20 points each, as assigned by the instructor for Units 1, 2, 3, 5, & 6. The Unit 4 PersonaQuest is optional, and worth up to 10 extra credit points. -a psychobiography term project, worth 100 points. This project will consist of an initial project proposal, a written paper, and an individual presentation.
Whitworth University is committed to providing its students access to education. If you have a documented special need that affects your learning or performance on exams or papers, you will need to contact the Educational Support Office (Andrew Pyrc - ext. 4534) at the start of the semester to identify accommodations that are appropriate.
The course schedule is tentative and is subject to change with advance notice.
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