Full Course Outline PSYC 351A Summer 2023 Kobelsky
Full Course Outline PSYC 351A Summer 2023 Kobelsky
As your course instructor, I endeavour to provide an inclusive learning environment. However, if you
experience barriers to learning in this course, do not hesitate to discuss them with me. I am committed to
identifying and removing institutional and social barriers that prevent access and impede success.
PREREQUISITE(S):
• Complete all of:
o PSYC 201 – Research Methods in Psychology (1.5)
o PSYC 251 – Introduction to Mind and Brain (1.5)
PSYC 351A A01 |3
You can purchase a copy of this textbook bundled with MindTap through the
UVic bookstore at: https://www.uvicbookstore.ca/text/.
Additionally, optional course materials may be uploaded to Brightspace for some topics. Each
exam module will include a multiple-choice questions and short answer prompts to aid in exam
preparation.
Course Website
All course materials, including summary notes, supplementary materials, quizzes, and assignments will
be available through Brightspace (https://bright.uvic.ca). This site will be your guide on
what needs to get done each week. The course outline, online quizzes, and other material will be
posted on the course website. You can sign into Brightspace using your NetLink ID.
PSYC 351A A01 |4
The following schedule and course components are subject to change with reasonable advance notice, as
deemed appropriate by the instructor. Be sure to check Brightspace & MindTap for all due dates.
*Note: MindTap and CogLab assignments are due at 11:59pm on the due date. There are no extensions for
these assignments.
The University of Victoria is committed to creating a learning experience that is as accessible as possible. If you are
registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning and anticipate or experience any barriers to learning in this course,
please feel welcome to discuss your concerns with me. If you are a student with a disability or chronic health
condition, you can meet with a CAL advisor to discuss access and accommodations.
PSYC 351A A01 |5
EVALUATION OF LEARNING
DESCRIPTION WEIGHTING
In-Class Activities 5%
Exams (Exam 1 = 20%; Exam 2 = 20%; Exam 3 = 20%) = 60% of final grade
*NOTE: You must complete all three exams; failure to do so means you have not completed a major
course requirement and will receive a N mark (failure due to not completing a course requirement) for
the course regardless of the cumulative percentage of all other elements in the course. N is a failing
grade and factors into GPA as a value of 0.
You will write three exams during this course. Exams are non-cumulative, which means they will only
cover material since the previous exam. All course material is testable (lectures, textbook chapters,
MindTap, CogLabs, additional course readings). The format of all three exams will be multiple choice and
short answer.
• Clearly summarize the psychological concepts in the article, the reported results, and the implications
of the results. Critically evaluate the application or treatment of the concepts in the article. If you
discover something that is incorrect, identify the error and its implications for the validity of the article.
You may find, for example, misleading headings, faulty research procedures, alternative explanations that
are ignored, failures to distinguish factual findings from opinions, faulty statements of cause-effect
relations, errors in reasoning, etc.
I am available to help: I am available to help via e-mail and during office hours. For e-mail, please include
“PSYC 351A: [brief description of your email]” in your subject heading and before you compose your e-
mail, check the course syllabus, notes, with your classmates, and on Brightspace for the answer to your
question.
Please attend office hours for your more detailed or complicated questions. I will be available during
office hours to discuss your grades, understanding of the material, or discuss more generally your
interest in Psychology. Remember: It is better to contact me earlier in the term rather than later if you
are struggling so we can work on an education plan together.
*NOTE: Please DO NOT email me through Brightspace, as emails do not always make it to my inbox.
I will upload summary notes/slides and supplementary material on Brightspace. Summary notes and
course slides that cover core concepts from the textbook will be uploaded. Supplementary material,
which is designed to provide more in-depth examples and information related to core concepts, will also
be uploaded. Materials will be released on a per-chapter basis.
We will give and receive feedback. The TA and I will provide feedback (typically through grading rubrics)
and we are happy to meet with you during office hours to discuss the feedback. We’re also open to
receiving constructive feedback about your experiences within the course.
Psychology is a scientific discipline, and as such it requires considerable thought and time to
develop an understanding of psychological research and principles. I expect students to
complete the assigned readings, to attend and engage in office hours when needed, and to
spend time each week working to understand the course material.
Conduct yourself appropriately. You should listen to and interact with others in a respectful
manner. We are all very diverse and have different values, beliefs, and opinions. Please
maintain an open mind to these differences. You may argue with others who hold opinions
different from your own, but you must always remain respectful.
PSYC 351A A01 |8
Provide constructive feedback. We are always looking for ways to improve the course to facilitate
learning. You are highly encouraged to provide constructive feedback about your experiences in the
course. Please see us in office hours to discuss your concerns or suggestions.
Attend office hours regularly. Attending office hours regularly will help to increase your understanding of
the material will provide you with opportunities to engage with and discuss the material with the
instructor and your classmates. Bring your questions and ask for clarification. Or, bring examples that
illustrate some of the concepts that were helpful to you (this could be a video, article, or your own
knowledge).
Let us know if there are any special circumstances. We learn in different ways and with varying degrees
of success. If you know of any factors in your life that hinder your ability to learn up to your potential in
this course, please contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (formerly RCSD),
https://www.uvic.ca/services/cal/onlineservices/register/index.php
The CAL staff are available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange
appropriate accommodations.
Changes to this syllabus: Every effort has been made to ensure that information in this syllabus
is accurate at the time of publication. There may be dates or topics that change based on the
needs of the course. If this occurs, the instructor will communicate these changes in a timely
manner to students through the appropriate channels (e.g., class announcements, posted to
Brightspace).
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA
Department of Psychology
Important Course Policy Information
Summer Session 2024
Accessible Learning
The University of Victoria is committed to creating a learning experience that is as accessible as possible. If you are
registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning and anticipate or experience any barriers to learning in this
course, please feel welcome to discuss your concerns with me. If you are a student with a disability or chronic
health condition, you can meet with a CAL advisor to discuss access and accommodations.
Attendance and Absences
Attendance is important. Students are expected to attend all classes in which they are enrolled. Students may be
assigned a final grade of N or debarred from writing final examinations if they fail to satisfy a minimum attendance
requirement set by the instructor for lectures, laboratories, online course discussions or learning activities,
tutorials, or other learning activities set out in the course outline.
Medical documentation for short-term absences is not required (approved by Senate). Students who cannot
attend due to illness are asked to notify their instructors immediately. If illness, accident, or family affliction causes
a student to miss the final exam or to fail to complete any required assignment/assessment by the end of the term
students are required to submit a request for academic concession (see below).
Children and Pets
If you need to bring your children or pet to class, please do not hesitate to do so. It is understood that sometimes
this is necessary due to care circumstances. However, please aim to have minimal class disturbance so that student
learning is not impacted.
Class Recording and Auto-Captioning Statement
The instructor may record class sessions and those recordings may be made available to all students in the class via
Brightspace. If you have questions or concerns regarding class recording and privacy, please contact
[email protected]
Auto-generated captioning may be enabled in this course. Auto-captioning is highly error-prone, especially for
specialized terminology and proper names. Students are asked to refer to the audio feed for clarification of any
errors. If you find captioning errors that are offensive, please contact your instructor and/or teaching assistant so
that they are aware. If you require captions as part of an academic accommodation, please contact CAL.
Commitment to Inclusivity, Diversity, and Respectful Environments in the Classroom and Online
The University of Victoria is committed to providing a positive and supportive and safe learning and working
environment for all its members. All members of the university community have the right to this experience and
the responsibility to help create such an environment. The University will not tolerate racism, sexualized violence,
or any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
Please be advised that, by logging into UVic’s learning systems or interacting with online resources and course-
related communication platforms, you are engaging in a University activity.
All interactions within this environment are subject to the university expectations and policies. Any concerns about
student conduct may be reviewed and responded to in accordance with the appropriate university policy.
To report concerns about online student conduct: [email protected]
If you are having an academic concern or problem that cannot be resolved with your instructor or the Department
Associate Chair, you may wish to consult with the Office of the Ombudsperson (https://uvicombudsperson.ca).
Current contact information for the office can be found here https://uvicombudsperson.ca/contact/.
1
Syllabi belong to the department through which the course is administered.
• What to do if you miss the final exam scheduled during the formal exam period
Apply at Records Services for a “Request for Academic Concession”, normally within 10 working days of
the date of the exam. Records Services will forward the form to the instructor. If the concession is
granted, the instructor will determine how to deal with the situation (for example, a deferred exam).
Where a concession is not applied for or where such application is denied, an N grade will be entered on
the student’s academic record.
• What to do if you require additional time to complete course requirements beyond the normal term.
Apply at Records Services for a “Request for Academic Concession”, normally within 10 working days of
the end of the course. Records Services will forward the form to the instructor. If the concession is
granted, the instructor will determine how to deal with the situation. Where a concession is not applied
for or where such application is denied, an N grade will be entered on the student’s academic record if
the missing work has been deemed required. Note, only required course components may be deferred.
Research Participation Opportunities with the Department of Psychology
The Department of Psychology offers multiple opportunities to participate in research studies over the year.
Students are encouraged to learn more about the field of psychology by volunteering in these studies. Information
about studies can often be found posted on notice boards around the Department as well as through our
Participant Pool webpage at https://www.uvic.ca/socialsciences/psychology/research/participants/.
Student Support Services
Learn Anywhere is the student support portal for a full range of student academic and support services. Services
include: Centre for Academic Communication, Math & Stats Assistance Centre, Counselling Services, Health
Services, Library, Ombudsperson, and Computer Help Desk
UVic takes sexualized violence seriously, and has raised the bar for what is considered acceptable
behaviour. We encourage students to learn more about how the university defines sexualized violence
and its overall approach by visiting www.uvic.ca/svp. If you or someone you know has been impacted by
sexualized violence and needs information, advice, and/or support please contact the sexualized
violence resource office in Equity and Human Rights (EQHR). Whether or not you have been directly
impacted, if you want to take part in the important prevention work taking place on campus, you can
also reach out:
Where: Office of Equity and Human Rights, Sedgewick Building, Room C115
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.uvic.ca/sexualizedviolence/
BE WELL
A note to remind you to take care of yourself. Do your best to
maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by eating well,
exercising, getting enough sleep and taking some time to relax.
This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress. All of
us benefit from support during times of struggle. You are not
alone.
Counselling Services:
The Student Wellness Centre can help you make the most of your university experience.
They offer free professional, confidential, inclusive support to currently registered UVic
students. https://www.uvic.ca/student-wellness/contacts/student-wellness-
team/index.php#ipn-counsellors
Health Services:
The Student Wellness Centre also provides a full service primary health clinic for
students. https://www.uvic.ca/student-wellness/contacts/student-wellness-
team/index.php#ipn-physicians
Elders' Voices:
The Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement (IACE) has the privilege
of assembling a group of Elders from local communities to guide students, staff, faculty
and administration in Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
www.uvic.ca/services/indigenous/students/programming/elders/