Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Psychology as a Science and Profession (Face-to-Face)

PSY 2010-01

Course: PSY 2010-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSY
CRN: 30744

Course Description

This course applies psychology to life. It also lays the foundation for further studies in psychology. Self-discovery; paradigm exploration; life, career, and education planning; professional organizations; research opportunities; graduate school; APA writing format; goal setting; decision-making; life and stress management; learning and memory skills; diversity; and psychology department resources are among the topics addressed. This class is required for Psychology majors. Psychology minors or anyone interested in a career in Psychology are also welcome. Students wishing to major in Psychology should take this course their freshman or sophomore year as it is a prerequisite for later courses.

Required Texts

To help reduce the economic burden my students face, I have chosen a textbook that is available to you for free online. Click on the following link to access your textbook.

https://www.oercommons.org/authoring/60063-exploring-experimental-psychology/view

Unfortunately, they do not offer a print version for purchase of this book. If you prefer printed texts, you are welcome to print the chapters we will be covering yourself. Please see the schedule for a list of the chapters we will be covering.

Learning Outcomes

Via successful completion of this course, you will expand a variety of cognitive skills and should be able to:

  • Compare various career options related to psychology and the various degree requirements
  • Apply career development skills to enhance one’s ability to advance their professional endeavors
  • Utilize library resources to track down original sources and cite them in APA format
  • Identify research methodology in psychology and/or the social sciences and issues related to conducting psychological research
  • Apply critical thinking skills to interpret and evaluate claims regarding psychological research.

ESSENTIAL LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Digital Literacy: Students strategically and responsibly employ appropriate technologies to explore, create, collaborate, and organize in a digital context.
  • Information Literacy: Students identify, locate, evaluate, attribute and share information effectively and ethically.
  • Critical Thinking: Students demonstrate disciplined processes of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.

Course Requirements

Your grade in the course will be based on your performance on 2 exams, 12 homework assignments, 4 discussion boards, research participation, a final research paper, and 2 final projects (both of which have 2 parts).

  • Exams: Throughout the course, you will be required to complete 2 exams to evaluate your knowledge of the course lectures and readings. Each exam will consist of multiple-choice questions based on the course readings, lectures, and class activities. You need to take the exams in the testing center. These will be closed book/closed notes exams. Every exam for this class will be online at the testing center. These will be closed book/closed notes exams. Makeup exams will only be granted to students who have requested them 2 weeks in advance or contact me within 24 hours of the exam with a documented emergency that clearly prevented them from making it to the exam each day it was available. Makeup exams are not a right and are not guaranteed. It is up to my discretion to approve all makeup exams and I reserve the right to deny a makeup exam request for any reason. Therefore, it is strongly recommended you do not miss any exams. However, if you do miss an exam there will be an optional final at the end of the semester you can take to replace your lowest exam score. See below for more information.
  • Homework Assignments: Throughout the course, you will be required to complete 12 homework assignments. All assignments will be posted to canvas one week before the due date. All homework assignments must be completed on your own. Late assignments will result in a 10% deduction each day for a maximum 50% point deduction. For example, if you turn something in one day late you will receive 10% off your grade for that assignment. If you turn something in 5 days late or 50 days late you would receive a 50% deduction from your grade on that assignment. All late homework is due by December 5th midnight. Any assignments turned in after this will not be graded.
  • Discussion Boards: You will be required to reply to 4 discussion board questions throughout the semester and reply to at least one of your classmates. More information will be posted on canvas when we get to the careers section of class. No late discussion boards will be accepted.
  • Research Participation: Given that the topics we will be covering in psychology often stem directly from research studies, it is important to see how this information is collected firsthand. To meet this objective, this course requires that you participate in research occurring here in our department by signing up for studies through the online research system called SONA. A total of six credits will be required for this class. More information on how to register for SONA will be posted to canvas in the next few weeks. All SONA participation must be completed before April 18th. Please note: You do not need to turn anything in for this assignment. All you need to do is participate in the research studies and I will receive a report from SONA that will tell me your total credits. If you completed the research participation and your credits say ‘pending’ I will count this as completed. Please note that if you register for a study and do not complete it (i.e. you don’t show up or don’t do the survey) you may still see ‘pending’ on your end. And you will not receive credit for this It will be your responsibility to keep track of the studies you complete. All SONA participation is due by December 5th. No late research credit will be accepted. Waiting until the last week to contact SONA with any issues or to try and earn your credit may result in you not being able to receive full (or any) credit for this assignment.
  • Final Projects: You will be asked to complete 2 final projects at the end of each section of this class. There will be 2 parts to both of these finals. Late final projects will result in a 50% deduction.
  • Optional Final Exam: The final exam for this class will be optional. If you choose to take the final, it will replace your lowest exam score. If you do not do better on the final than your previous three exams, you will not be penalized. This will be a cumulative exam. You will have two days to take this at the testing center. There will be no makeup final exams offered under any circumstances.

Note: ALL assignments must be turned in by December 5th. No assignments will be accepted after this deadline.

The following shows percentages and their corresponding letter grades:

A: 94% and above | A-: 90-93.9% | B+: 87-99.9% | B: 84-86.9 | B-:80-83.9% | C+: 77%-79.9%
| C: 74-76.9%| C-: -70-73.9% | D+: 67-69.9%| D: 64-66.9% | D- 60-63.9%| F: Below 60

Evaluation MethodPoints
Exams200 (2 exams x 100 points)
Homework300 (12 assignments x 25 points)
Discussion Boards160 (4 discussion boards x 40 points)
Cumulative Final Exam0 (Replaces lowest exam score)
Final Projects200 (2 final projects x 100 points)
Research Participation60 (6 credits x 10 points each)
Total/920

Course Outline

See canvas after exam 1 for discussion board due dates

You will also have 4 discussion boards due after exam 1 that will all be completed by 12/5 Dates will be released in the second half of the semester

DATETOPICASSIGNMENTS
8/28/25Welcome/Syllabus
Introduction/Ethics		Commenced attendance quiz
9/2/25Psychology as a Science:
Research Ethics
9/4/25Psychology as a Science:
Research Ethics		HW #1
9/9/25Psychology as Science: APA Format
9/11/25Psychology as a Science
Introduction to Finding The Original Source		HW #2
9/16/25Psychology as a Science:
Research Methods/Design
9/18/25Psychology as a Science:
Research Methods/Design		HW #3
9/23/25NO CLASS: Take Exam 1Final Project #1: Part 1 due
9/25/25NO CLASS: Take Exam 1HW #4
9/30/25ExperimentationHW #5
10/2/25ExperimentationHW #6
10/7/25Careers in Psychology:
Choosing a career		Final Project #1: Part 2 due
10/9/25Careers in Psychology:
AA and B.S. Jobs
10/14/25NO CLASS: Fall Break
10/16/25Careers in Psychology:
Resumes		HW #7
10/21/25Careers in Psychology:
Cover Letters
10/23/25Careers in Psychology:
Interviews		HW #8
10/28/25Careers in Psychology:
Graduate School: Introduction and Applying
10/30/25Careers in Psychology:
Graduate School: Introduction and Applying
11/4/25Careers in Psychology
CV and Personal Statements
11/6/25Careers in Psychology
CV and Personal Statements		HW #9; Final Project #2: Part 1 due
11/11/25Careers in Psychology:
Graduate School Interviews
11/13/25Careers in Psychology:
Clinical and Counseling Psychology and
Industrial, Organizational Psychology		HW #10
11/18/25Careers in Psychology:
Social Psychology, Health Psychology, and Quantitative Psychology
11/20/25Careers in psychology
Developmental Psychology, Environmental Psychology, and Human Factors Psychology		HW #11
11/25/25NO CLASS: Thanksgiving break
11/27/25No Class: Thanksgiving break
12/1/25NO CLASS: Take Exam 2
12/2/25NO CLASS: Take Exam 2HW #12 due; Final Project #2: Part 2 due; Sona Hours due; Research Paper due. All work due by 12/5.
12/3/25-12/4/25TAKE OPTIONAL FINAL

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

How to Communicate with me

You are welcome and encouraged to message me on canvas with any questions or comments you may have about the course materials or assignments. I prefer canvas messages because I teach several classes and it’s easier for me to figure out which class you are in over canvas. If you would like to email me, you are certainly welcome to just please include ‘Psy 2010’ in the subject line. I will respond to all messages and emails within 72 hours. I don’t check my email on the weekend or holidays so please keep that in mind. I also ask that you consult the syllabus, class announcements, and assignment details for questions that have already been answered for you, such as the due dates for assignments, late submission policies, missed exams, etc.

Late Work, Deadlines, and Makeups

  • Homework: Late assignments will result in a 10% deduction each day for a maximum 50% point deduction. All late homework is due by December 5th midnight. Any assignments turned in after this will not be graded.
  • Discussion Boards: No late discussion boards will be accepted.
  • Research Participation: All SONA participation is due by December 5th. No late research credit will be accepted.
  • Final Projects: Late final projects will result in a 50% deduction.
  • Course-wide deadline: Note: ALL assignments must be turned in by December 5th. No assignments will be accepted after this deadline.
  • Optional Final Exam: There will be no makeup final exams offered under any circumstances.

Makeup Exams

Makeup exams will only be granted to students who have requested them 2 weeks in advance or contact me within 24 hours of the exam with a documented emergency that clearly prevented them from making it to the exam each day it was available. Makeup exams are not a right and are not guaranteed. It is up to my discretion to approve all makeup exams. Therefore, it is strongly recommended you do not miss any exams. However, if you do miss an exam there will be an optional final at the end of the semester you can take to replace your lowest exam score. See below for more information.

Grade Disputes

If you disagree with your grade on an exam or assignment, you may submit a written dispute by email to the instructor within one week of receiving your grade. Grade disputes will not be considered after this one-week window. If applicable, include in your written dispute a reference to a page in the textbook that pertains to your rationale.

Use of AI

I recognize that there are a variety of AI programs available to assist with writing, idea generation, content generation, etc. AI programs are not a replacement for human creativity, originality, and critical thinking. Critical thinking is a craft that you must develop over time to develop your own individual ideas and ability to articulate ideas. However, within limited circumstances, if you consult with me FIRST, AI programs may be used as an idea generation tool in this class.

Attendance Policy

This is an in-person course. Classes will not be recorded and there will not be a zoom link for you to access. Although you will not be given class credit for attendance, attendance is required. There will be material covered in class that isn’t in your textbook. Additionally, there will be material covered in your textbook that we do not go over in class. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you attend class and keep up with the readings in order to do well on the exams. If you do miss class, it is your responsibility to catch up on your own (i.e. asking your classmates for notes, going to office hours, etc.)

Course Fees

There are no additional course fees associated with this class. 

Prerequisites

Welcome and Classroom Expectations

For those of you that this is your first semester here welcome to SUU! For those of you who are returning students, welcome back! First and foremost, I am thrilled to welcome you all to study Psychology as a Science and Profession with me this semester! Throughout this course we will discuss the scientific nature of the field as well as the different career options you will have as psychology majors. It is imperative for this course that you are respectful in how you communicate your own ideas and respond to others’ comments. Just because someone’s ideas are different, does not mean they deserve any less respect. You are ALL welcome here. You are ALL worthy of respect. You are ALL worthy of kindness.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.