Psychology 131: Human Emotion

Three In-Class Exams (25% Each x 3 Exams = 75% Total)

There will be three non-cumulative exams in this course (i.e., February 9th, March 23rd, and April 22nd). Each exam will cover approximately 1/3 of the course material covered in lectures and readings. The last exam will take place on the final day of class. Exams may consist of multiple choice, short-answer, and essay questions that involve critical thinking about concepts drawn from the readings and lectures. The purpose of the exams is two-fold. First, you should be able to demonstrate that you have read the material and understood the factual points and arguments. Second, you should be able to synthesize and integrate the material such that this knowledge can be applied in a broader context. All exams will be taken in-class and will be closed book. Make-up exams will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and even then, only when a Dean's note is provided. Make-up exams may involve new questions that may be more difficult than the originally scheduled exam (Advice: you want to avoid having to take a make-up exam).

Research Project (15%)

You will be required to complete a research project for this course, on a topic to be discussed in class. Projects are to be completed outside of class. The project will require critical thinking about the concepts drawn from the readings and lectures. Specific topics to select from will be provided at the time of assignment. Please see research project handout under "MATERIALS" link for more details. The project will be assigned on Tuesday, February 16th and due in class on Thursday, April 1st (Extended Deadline).

Five Questions On Readings (2% Each x 5 Questions = 10% Total)

To get the most out of this course, it is important that you understand the readings. To encourage this (and ensure you do well on the exams), you will be asked to respond to a brief question presented at the beginning of lecture approximately once per week, beginning the 3rd week of class (i.e., Tuesday, February 2nd). The question will correspond to the required readings associated with that particular lecture topic. You may also use these questions to provide feedback and raise concerns or issues about the material. Your answers should be between 1-2 paragraphs and take no longer than 20-30 minutes to compose. Email you answers to the TFs at: psych131.emotion@gmail.com no later than one hour before the start of class the following class. Late submissions for these questions will not be accepted for any reason. Answers will be assigned one of the following three grades: 1 (full credit), 1/2 (half-credit), 0 (no credit). You can assume you received full credit on your response unless the TFs inform you. If you receive a half-credit response on an assignment and want to make it up, you will need to complete a response to a different week's question and receive full-credit on it. You will be responsible for responding to 5 during the semester.

Readings

The lectures will be coordinated to complement your readings. Please read the assigned chapters and/or articles before the class meeting on the assigned date. This will allow for a better understanding of the lecture and also give you the opportunity to ask any questions that may have come up in your reading.

» Textbook:

Understanding Emotions, 2nd Edition. Keith Oatley, Dacher Keltner, & Jennifer M. Jenkins. Available for purchase at The Yale Book Store, 77 Broadway Ave, New Haven; Phone: 777-8440.

» Articles:

Original journal articles and chapters outside of the textbook will be available to download off the course website.

Professor:

Teaching Fellows:

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