I. PSYC 215?01 Psychology of Learning

Instructor: Dr. William G. Collier, M.A., M.S., Ph.D.
E-mail: william.collier@uncp.edu
Telephone: 521-6458
Office: Educ 318
Website: www.uncp.edu/home/collierw/
Office hours: 11:15-12:15 MF; 12:15-1:15 TR; 12:30-1:30 W

Text: (1) Hergenhahn & Olson's An Introduction to Theories of Learning, 2005, 7th Ed.
(2) other assigned readings by way of photocopy, web-site, or library may also be used.

II. Course Description:
An introductory survey of the major areas in the psychology of learning. Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, verbal learning, and memory will be included.

III. Course objectives:
(1) To introduce students to important historical figures and theories within the
psychology of learning.
(2) To enable students to identify and correctly answer questions about the learning
theorists and theories covered in class.
(3) To enable students to compare and contrast predominantaly behavioral, cognitive, and
evolutionary theories of learning.

IV. Evaluation of students:

(1) Tests (60% of final grade) - There will be four tests. The exams may be multiple choice, completion (fill-in-the-blank), true/false, short?answer, or any other format. The tests will cover the text, other assigned readings, and lecture material. In the event that a test is scheduled on a day that class is canceled (due to inclement weather or other factors beyond the instructor's control), then that test will be administered during the next class meeting. There are NO MAKE-UP TESTS! You must be present in class at the scheduled test time. One test grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. On the day that a test is administered no one will be permitted to arrive late and take the test after the first test has been completed and turned in to the instructor.

(2) Misc. Assignments (30% of final grade) - In-class or take-home assignments will be given periodically. There is no set number for these assignments. These assignments may be matching, short-answer, essay, or any other format. You must be present in class to receive credit for an in-class assignment/activity. There are no make-ups on in-class assignments/activities. When a take-home assignment is given a due date will be announced for that assignment. The assignment will be due within the first 10 minutes of class on the due date. No late assignments will be accepted. Students may turn assignments in early or e-mail assignments (any attachments to e-mails must be in a Microsoft Word format) to Dr. Collier by the due time on the due date. The assignments must be received by the due time on the due date. Dr. Collier is not responsible for non-delivered e-mails. If Dr. Collier does not receive your e-mail by the due time on the due date, then the assignment will not be accepted. The university e-mail system records the time that an e-mail is delivered to the receiver. Dr. Collier will use this time to determine if an e-mailed assignment is on time. If the assignment is late, then it will not be accepted. One of the assignment grades will be dropped at the end of the semester for each student.

(3) Attendance (10% of final grade) - Attendace will be taken every class day. There are no excused absences. If you are in class you will receive credit for attending, whereas if you are not in class you will not receive credit for attending. Students are expected to attend class and participate in class discussions.

Grade Scale:

Undergraduate letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale: A = 93-100, A- = 90-92, B+ = 87-89, B = 83-86, B- = 80-82, C+ = 77-79, C = 73-76, C- = 70-72, D+ = 67-69, D = 63-66, D- = 60-62, F = 0-59

V. Disability Statement:
Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first week) as possible. All discussions will remain confidential. Please contact Mary Helen Walker, Disability Support Services, DF Lowry Building, 910-521-6695.

VI. Appropriate Behavior for College Students:
All students are expected to act in accordance with the UNCP Academic Honor Code. Students have the responsibility to know and observe the UNCP Academic Honor Code. This code forbids cheating, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials, fabrication of information, and complicity in academic dishonesty. Any special requirements or permission regarding academic honesty in this course will be provided to students in writing at the beginning of the course, and are binding on the students. Academic evaluations in this course include a judgement that the student's work is free from academic dishonesty of any type; and grades in this course therefore should be and will be adversely affected by academic dishonesty. Students who violate the code can be dismissed for the University. The normal penalty for a first offense is an F in the course. Standards of academic honor will be enforced in this course. Students are expected to report cases of academic dishonesty to the instructor.

VII. Disclaimer:
This is a description of what you may expect in the course. It is not an exhaustive list of your obligations, nor an exhaustive list of the instructor's responsibilities as a teacher. The instructor may make changes as the semester progresses.

VIII. Tentative Course Outline:
This calendar is only tentative. The dates given and the material to be covered may change as the semester progresses. The instructor will announce any changes to this calendar in class.

January 9 Chapter 1
11 Chapter 2
16 Holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
18 Chapters 2 & 3
23 Chapter 3
25 Chapters 3 & 4
30 Chapter 4
February 1 Chapter 4
6 Test #1
8 Chapter 7
13 Chapter 7
15 Chapter 7
20 Chapter 5
22 Chapter 5
27 Chapter 5
March 1 Test #2
6 Holiday - Spring Break
8 Holiday - Spring Break
13 Chapter 10
15 Chapter 10
20 Chapter 12
22 Chapter 12
27 Chapter 12
29 Chapter 13
April 3 Chapter 13
5 Test #3
10 Chapter 14
12 Chapter 14
17 Chapter 14
19 Chapter 15
24 Chapter 15
26 Chapter 15 - Last Day of Class

May 1 - 5 FINAL EXAMS
Test #4 is scheduled for Friday May 5th at 11:00 a.m.