SYLLABUS PSY 3093
Psychology of Learning
(SBU.CCTC.JAN 2006)
© 2005-2006 Southwest Baptist University


Psychology of Learning - PSY 3093

Instructor: Kevin Schriver, Psy.D.

e-mail: kschriver@sbuniv.edu

Postal Mailing Address:

Dr. Kevin Schriver
Southwest Baptist University
1600 University Avenue
Bolivar, MO 65613


Course Text:

Hergenhahn, B. R., & Olson, M. H. (2005). An Introduction to Theories of Learning (7th ed.). Upper Saddle  River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0-13-114722-6

  I.   COURSE OBJECTIVE:  

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the historical perspectives of the major theories of learning.  Further, the student will be able to identify the leading theorists and the essential concepts of learning theory in terms of acquisition, retention, forgetting, transfer, motivation, and behavioral change.


 II.  PREREQUISITES:    

    General Psychology (PSY 1013) and Systems of Psychology (PSY 2063)

III.  COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
    
A.    Reading:

A schedule of reading assignments is attached. Reading the text will aid in preparation for the exams. You will find that outlining while you read and completing the questions at the end of each chapter will be beneficial for taking the exams in this course.  The questions will NOT BE HANDED IN FOR A GRADE, but using them as a guide for studying and will be apparent when being graded on the exams.

B.    Exams:

Three major exams will be given, including the final.  They will be objective in
their design and worth 100 points each. They will be given as indicated on the
reading schedule.

Exam #1 will cover chapters 1-5.
Exam #2 will cover chapters 6-10.  
Exam #3 will cover chapters 11-17.

Again, you will find that outlining and using the questions at the end of the chapters will aid in the study for these exams.
    
Also, I will communicate your scores to the College Credit Through Correspondence office, and once you have received that mark you may contact me to review that exam, if you so choose.  That may be of some help, especially after the first exam, as it may help you prepare for the other two to come.

C.    Paper:

A research paper covering any topic in the text will be required.  It will be worth 100 points toward the final grade.  It is to be typed, double-spaced
with a minimum of seven (7) pages of text.  Use of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) format is required. 

A title page and abstract will also be expected, as well as an appropriate references section.
    
You may elect to email me your paper.  I will accept it only if it is in, either Word  or WordPerfect format and I can see if you have followed APA format. Send the paper directly to me before taking the third exam.


 IV.  GRADING
:    
    
    3  Exams     
    x   100 pts.     =  300 pts.        
    1 Paper
    x  100 pts.      =  100 pts
    TOTAL          =   400 pts.

    A  =    360-400
    B  =    320-359
    C  =    280-319
    D  =    240-279
    F  =    239 and below

            
V.    DISABILITY AND SPECIAL NEEDS:
    
 It is the desire of Southwest Baptists University to provide all students with optimum learning experiences.  If there are circumstances, due to disability, that may impact your learning in this course, it is necessary for you to inform your instructor within three weeks after having enrolled in the course.  If you do not notify your instructor, it will be assumed that you do not require special assistance.

VI.  COURSE COMMUNICATION:

You may call me at the phone number listed at the top of this syllabus, should you have any questions.  If you cannot reach me there, then please contact me by either postal mail or email.  


Closing Word:  I trust that you will be able to “Learn” a lot about “Learning.”  In a correspondence format, you will be required to do the bulk of the work, but with an organized way of reading and utilizing the questions at the end of the chapters to let you study the most salient points, that should prove most helpful.  I wish you well.

    PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING
 
    Reading Schedule

Chapter 1    What is Learning?            
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 2    Approaches to the Study of Learning
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 3    Early Notions about Learning
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 4    Edward Thorndike and Connectionism
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 5    B. F. Skinner and Operant Conditioning
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Take the First Exam - follow guidelines set by CCTC office

Chapter 6    Clark Hull and His 16 Postulates
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 7    Ivan Pavlov and Classical Conditioning
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 8    Ed Guthrie and One-trial Learning
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 9    William Estes and Stimulus Sampling Theory    
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 10    Gestalt Theory and the Laws of Perceptual Organization
        Complete questions at the end of chapter
        
Take the Second Exam - follow guidelines set by CCTC office


Chapter 11    Jean Piaget and the Stages of Cognitive Development    
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 12    Ed Tolman and Purposive Behaviorism
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 13    Albert Bandura and Observational Learning Model
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 14    D.O. Hebb and the Neurophysiological Approach
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 15    Robert Bolles and Evolutionary Psychology
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 16    Implications for Education
        Complete questions at the end of chapter

Chapter 17    The Final Word                    

PAPER IS DUE BEFORE TAKING THE FINAL EXAM
Send paper directly to instructor


Take the Final Exam - follow guidelines set by CCTC office