Instructor:  Dr. Steve Kass
Time:  Wednesdays, 5:30pm - 8:25pm
Office: Bldg 41/ room 230
Office Hours:  See Psychology Department website or make appointment
Phone #:   474-2107

Credits:  3 Hours
Prerequisite: PSY 2013, courses in statistics and research design are highly recommended

Textbook Required:  An Introduction to Learning and Memory, by John Lutz.
Recommended:  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 4th Edition.

Class Description:  This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the principles and theories of learning and memory.  Students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in the use of these principles through exams and a paper.  The course will consist primarily of lecture material, but will also include several demonstrations, experiments, computer simulations, and videos.

Exams:  There will be 3 exams during the semester, with the third one being a cumulative final given during finals week.  Each exam will emphasize the application of text and lecture material (including movies), rather than merely memorization of facts.  The format of each to be determined.  There will be absolutely no makeup exams without prior arrangements!

Papers:  Students will be expected to complete one paper.   Students may choose to do either a review paper or a research paper.  Topics must be approved by the professor.
    Review option - Students will review an approved topic.  These papers should be 8 pages minimum (not including title page) and include at least 7 references from professional psychological journals (on-line references are NOT permitted).   Reports will conform to the Publication Manual of the APA.

    Research option - Students will conduct an experiment in class using the other students as participants.  Students may work individually or in groups of no more than 3, however, all group members will receive the same grade.   The experiment should be conducted during class time, but should take up no more than 10 minutes and must be approved by the professor and scheduled at least 2 weeks beforehand.  Students will receive extra credit for participating in other students’ in-class experiments.  Experiments must include formal consent and be consistent with APA ethical guidelines.  These papers must be a minimum of 6 pages and include at least 5 references (no on-line references permitted).  Reports will conform to the Publication Manual of the APA.

Grading:  Each test will be worth 25% of your grade (75% total).  The remaining 25% will come from the paper.  Opportunities for extra credit may become available throughout the semester.

A =    93 & above   C+ = 77 - 79
A- =  90 - 92          C  =  73 - 76
B+ =  87 - 89          C- = 70 - 72
B  =   83 - 86          D+ = 67 - 69
B - = 80 - 82          D  =  60 - 66
                               F  =  59 & below

Note:  Schedule subject to change at instructor's discretion.