Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Personality Theory (Online)

PSY 3700-SW1

Course: PSY 3700-SW1
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSY
CRN: 32963

Course Description

Building on established personality theories, the course offers students the opportunity for expanded self-understanding and understanding of others. Primary focus is on presentation and discussion of diverse theoretical views of personality and personality development. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): PSY 1010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Engler, B. (2013). Personality theories. Wadsworth. 9th edition.  

Learning Outcomes

1.     Contrast the different approaches to studying personality. 

2.     Describe the foundational importance of the psychoanalytic and neopsychoanalytic approaches to personality. 

3.     Summarize the recent trends in psychoanalytic theory. 

4.     Analyze trait theory’s techniques for determining personality. 

5.     Differentiate behaviorism and learning theories’ methods of studying personality. 

6.     Explain the humanistic and existential views on personality. 

7.     Relate the cognitive perspective to personality. 

8.     Summarize the primary methods used in personality research.

9.     Discuss non-western approaches to personality.

Course Requirements

 | Activity | Activity Description | Points
| Introduction Discussion Post | Introduce yourself by linking your interests and experiences to your classmates!  | 10 points
| Getting Started Quiz  | A quiz on the “ins and outs” of our class. Use the syllabus for answers.  | 5 points
| Discussions & Responses | Respond to a prompt on a particular week’s topic and respond to two classmates’ posts.  | 10 points x 2 total = 20 points 
| Powerpoint Presentations | Create a powerpoint presentation on a particular week’s topic; it does not need to be orally presented.  | 20 points x 3 total = 60 points
| Short Essays | Response to a particular week’s topic in essay format; citations and references are required.  | 25 points x 3 total = 75 points
| Exams | Assesses book content on materials in a particular week; timed at 75 minutes each. Can be completed with notes and textbook.  | 35 points x 2 exams = 70 points
| Part 1: Final Project - Case Study Summary | Describe case study of a hypothetical person, including their personality. | 10 points
| Part 2: Final Project - Pick Aligned Theory | Explain a theory of personality which you believe explains the person’s personality from the case study.  | 15 points
| Part 3: Final Project - Putting the Paper Together | Involves putting together all components from Parts 1 through 2 and adding conclusions and recommendations.  | 50 points

Course Outline

 | Week  | Dates | Topic & Readings | Learning Activity  | Due Date
 | 1 | 8/27 – 8/31 | Getting Started Module Read: Syllabus  | Introduction Discussion Post Getting Started Quiz | 8/31/2025 8/31/2025
 | 2 | 9/1 – 9/7 | Introduction to Personality Theories Read: Chapter 1 | Discussion Post #1 Response to Classmates’ Posts | 9/4/2025 9/7/2025
 | 3 | 9/8 – 9/14 | Psychoanalysis Approaches Modules Read: Chapters 2 through 7 | Powerpoint Presentation #1 Part 1: Final Project - Case Study Summary | 9/14/2025 9/14/2025
 | 4 | 9/15 – 9/21 | Behavior and Learning Theories & Dispositional and Biological Basis of Personality Modules Read: Chapters 8 through 12 | Exam #1: Chapters 1 through 7   | 9/21/2025   
 | 5 | 9/22 – 9/28 | Humanistic and Existential Theories & Cognitive Theories Modules Read: Chapters 13 through 16 | Discussion Post #2 Response to Classmates’ Posts Part 2: Final Project - Pick Aligned Theory | 9/25/2025 9/28/2025 9/28/2025
 | 6 | 9/29 – 10/5  | A Non-Western Approach & Personality Theory in Perspective Modules Read: Chapter 17  | Short Essay #1 | 10/5/2025
 | 7 | 10/6 – 10/12 | Wrapping It Up Read: Conclusions | Exam #2: Chapters 8 through 17 & Conclusions Part 3: Final Project - Putting the Paper Together | 10/12/2025 10/12/2025

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

Might be accepted with an explanation. You cannot submit assignments more than two weeks late. If you submit, 1 day late, you will lose 1% of the total points of the assignment. For 2-3 days late, you will lose 2% of the total points of the assignment. For 4-6 days, you will lose 3% of the total points of the assignment. For 7 days, you will lose 4% of the total points of the assignment. For 8-14 days, you will lose 5% of the total points of the assignment. 

Attendance Policy

None

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

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.