Elizabeth L. Haines, Ph.D.

Title

Psychology 311-01
Science Hall East 3054F
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.

Instructor: Elizabeth L. Haines, Ph.D.
Classroom: 2038 Science Hall East
Lab: 2013 Science
Email: hainese@wpunj.edu
Phone: 973.720.2500

Office Hours: T 10:00-11:00 and TR 10:00-11:00 and by appointment or Skype

Required Texts

Brannon, L. (2017). Gender: Psychological Perspectives, 7th Edition. Routledge.

Other handouts, readings, and webpages to be distributed in class or on the web.

Prerequisites

General Psychology 110. Social Psychology, Experimental Psychology I & II are strongly recommended

Email

Email and frequent access to Blackboard are requirements for this course. You will need to check your email and Blackboard 24 hours prior to each class meeting time. It is a university policy that students use their university email for all course-related maters.

Course Description

This course surveys the major theories, principles, research findings, and methodologies used to understand how gender operates in our daily lives.

In this course, we will use an evidence-based approach for understanding how gender operates in interpersonal interaction and self concept.  To that end, I will present data from rigorous, peer reviewed social science research to explain the extent to which gender affects our cognition, emotions, and behaviors.

The course will follow a lecture/discussion format. Classroom activities, films, and brief presentations may also be used. Questions are encouraged. As a courtesy to other students, please turn off cell phones during class.

Course Objectives

1. To scientifically investigate the concept of gender. We will critique and investigate the different levels of analysis (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and societal) that psychologists use to explain gender differences and similarities. These perspectives are not mutually exclusive and we will make connections between these explanations.

2. To clarify the difference between sex (as a biological given) and gender (as a societal construct) and to show how men’s and women’s different behaviors are not solely the result of genetic imprinting and/or  hormones but the result of cultural, social, and economic factors as well. In this differentiation we will critique the  "either-or" thinking in the nature (e.g., biology and genetic)   nurture (e.g., experience and learning) debate  that has historically dominated the thinking about women and men.

3. To make connections between the research and course content to your own experiences as a source of social and personal change. I hope that you will learn to see  "with your gender glasses on". 

Attendance

Attendance is required. More than one unexcused absence will lower your grade. No exceptions. Sleeping in class is counted as an absence.

University Closing Due to Weather/Emergency

When classes are canceled by the university, you will receive a short at home assignment for the day that will be due at the next class meeting. Please check blackboard for these assignments and when weather conditions are poor.

Evaluation

Evaluation is based on the course objectives. These objectives will be met by completing assignments, quizzes, in-class activities, exams as well as active participation and class attendance.

Quizzes (40%)

There will be seven quizzes throughout the semester (about one quiz every other week) given during the first fifteen minutes of class. If you are late, you will not be able to take the quiz. These quizzes will focus on class lecture, discussion, in-class presentations, guest speakers, movies, and the assigned reading. Quizzes will have both multiple choice and short answer components. Material for the quiz will cover all material since the last quiz or exam. Items from previous quizzes may reappear throughout the semester. Answers to the quizzes will be posted on Blackboard. ABSOLUTELY NO MAKE UP QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN.

Exams (50%)

There will be four exams throughout the semester. These exams will draw on lecture, reading, textbook chapters, and assignment material and will contain both multiple choice and essay items. There will be three in-class exams and a cumulative final exam. YOU WILL NEED A NUMBER 2 PENCIL FOR THESE TESTS. ABSOLUTELY NO MAKE UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN

Assignments (5%)

Several assignments will deepen and strengthen your understanding of course material. Assignments will be graded on accuracy, depth of understanding, college level writing (e.g., grammatically correct sentence structure and phrasing) and clarity of presentation. Written portions of assignments must be typed, stapled together, spell-checked, and proofread. Papers that are not written at the college level will be returned with a grade of zero. There is no extra credit in this course.

Handing in Assignments.

All assignments will be due at the beginning of class to be handed in both 1) on paper and 2) on blackboard before 10:45 A.M. All files must be in Microsoft word. All assignments must have your name, the course, the assignment, and the date. Late assignments will not be accepted. Assignments handed in after class printout failures, documents not in .doc not uploading an assignment attachment (bb), uploading the wrong version of an assignment (bb), inability to get on blackboard (barring a system disruption that lasts for more than 24 hours), or other computer mishaps will result in a zero for that assignment.

Class Participation (5%)

Contributions to discussion that go beyond the material presented, rapt attention, good attendance (no more than one absence -- "excused" or otherwise), engagement in the course material, thoughtful comment, turn-taking, and playing off of other students' comments are all encouraged. Class "dis-participation" (disrespect for other students, using electronics during class, SLEEPING, wandering out for a snack or to make phone calls, eating gross/crunchy things in class, chronic lateness, private conversations with a neighbor while others are speaking etc.) can not be tolerated.

Grading will be on a traditional grading scale where 88-89.9 is a B+, 90-92 is an A-, 93 or above is an A and so on.

No Use of Electronics
No computers, tablets, cell phones, or recording devices in class. In other words, electronics of any kind are not permitted.

Communication

Communication is essential to the learning process. If the question is brief, email is the most efficient method of contact. Communication between students is strongly encouraged. It is a requirement to get two students' phone numbers and email addresses on the first day of class so that you may collaborate on notes and have a study partner. I strongly recommend reading and adhering to the advice on "How to Email a Professor" http://www.wikihow.com/Email-a-Professor.

Important Withdrawal Dates

• Tuesday 9/10 last day for 100% refund for withdrawal from a course

• Wednesday 9/9 last day for 50% refund for withdrawal from a course

• Wednesday 11/6 last day to academically withdraw from the course (no refund).

Academic Honesty

It is expected that all work handed in for this class is based upon your learning and personal effort. Violations of academic integrity, including cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and lying, can not be tolerated. Please familiarize yourself with the University's Academic Honesty Policy. 

Course Schedule

This schedule is a general Outline and it is likely that we will not follow the day-to-day topic assigned