Controversial Topics in Psychology
Psy 3690
Spring 2009

Teaching Philosophy

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled" --Plutarch

Course Materials

Slife, B. (2007). Taking sides: Clashing views on psychological issues, (14th ed.): Duskin/McGraw-Hill, Guilford, CT.
Stanovich, K. (2007). How to Think Straight About Psychology, 8th edition.

Catalog Description

Exploration of special interest or controversial topics in psychology as: Hypnosis, drugs, behavior, transcendental meditation, gay liberation, biofeedback, ESP, and IQ controversy

Course Objectives

• Become a wise consumer of psychological research and information that you are exposed to through the media.
• Develop your critical thinking skills by examining important historical and current research in psychology.
• Improve your writing and oral presentation skills by writing and speaking about controversial topics.
• Increase your ability to understand and appreciate alternative viewpoints that differ from your own.
• Enjoy learning about a variety of topics in psychology.

Course Requirements

Issue Summary Papers:

Because this is primarily a discussion-based course, attendance is not only important, but required to do well. As evidence of your preparation for class, you will be required to submit a 1 page summary of each issue we discuss at the beginning of class. This should be typed and double-spaced. Summarize all of the reading assignments for the topic in one page. You should include a couple of sentences regarding your own feelings about the topic.

On the days that you are presenting, you do not need to turn in a 1 page summary. Instead, your evidence of preparation will be a bibliography of at least 3 reliable sources (besides the textbook) that YOU (not other members of the debate team) used to support your side of the issue. If you wish, you may turn in hard copies of the articles, but it is not required.

You are allowed to miss up to 3 summary papers without penalty. For each summary paper beyond the minimum requirement, you can earn an additional 5 points of extra credit (up to 15 total points).

TurningPoint

TurningPoint is the EIU campus standard for student response systems. As part of this class, you are required to purchase a TurningPoint clicker from the Bookstore, at the cost of approximately $35. The instructor may use TurningPoint software to do class polling of student opinions and knowledge, generate discussion, and promote active learning. You must register your clicker in WebCT so the instructor can record your individual responses.

A portion of your grade will depend on "clicker" participation in class. As long as you participate on half of the days or more that I record participation, you will receive the full participation points. If you participate in less than half of the days, your participation points will be reduced accordingly.

Formal Debates:

For certain topics in your book (and others I select), the class will have the opportunity to discuss and deliberate controversial issues in psychology. These are issues on which experts disagree, with reasonable arguments for both sides. Thus, there is no "correct" answer for any of these issues, although they are all important and hopefully interesting.

The formal debates will adopt a panel format. For each topic, two or three class members will take the pro side of an issue and an equal number will take the con side. The panel members are expected to clearly present the arguments for their side of the issue. After the panel members on each side of the issue have presented their arguments, the discussion will be opened up for questions, comments, and criticisms from the other members of the class. For more details about this panel discussion format, see the handout, "Responsibilites of students".

Each student will be on three different panels. Your participation on the three panels will count towards approximately 25% of your course grade. If you miss class on a day you are scheduled to be a panelist, you will be asked to help lead a discussion on a topic of my choosing at the end of the semester.

For each formal debate that we have, all students in the audience will complete the "Issue Evaluation Form" (I will bring copies to class) which will be the basis for a portion of the grade (10 points) given to the members of the panel. The rest of the debate grade will come from the instructor (10 points) and your fellow debate team members (10 points).

As an audience member, it will be helpful to know what Questions to Ask When Examining a Position and Propaganda Techniques that are used to persuade people.

Research Paper

• 6-8 double-spaced typed pages (not including title page or references)
• Use APA style formatting for: Title page, Headings (up to 3-levels if you wish), Citations (Author, Year), and References
  • Use 1" margins, and continuous double spacing (no extra spaces between paragraphs).
  • Use Times Roman or Arial 12 point font.
• Have a clear stance on a controversial topic in psychology that is not formally debated in class.
  • Examples:
    • Hypnosis is an effective way to faciliate repressed memories.
    • Intersexed infants should be allowed to choose their own sexual identity.
    • Deception should never be used in psychological research.
  • Support your ideas using original research articles published in professional journals.
    • Search online databases such as Psychinfo, Medline, ERIC, Infotrac, WilsonSelectPlus or Google Scholar
    • Of the reliable sources you use, MOST should come from scientific journal articles.
    • Library tutorial on searching for articles .
• Present scientific evidence to support your view. Comment on the reliability and validity of the research methods used to support your view, and point out any alternative intepretations of the research results.
  • Is there an obvious bias in the research? (Is it only the hypnotists who believe that hypnosis improves memory?)
  • How many people were used in the study, how many studies were done, were they correlational, experimental, etc.
• To prevent some of the most common grammar problems in your research paper, I recommend the following Grammar Girl lessons (also available as podcasts):
  • Affect/Effect
  • Active vs. Passive voice
  • Ending a sentence with a preposition
  • There are tons of other great tips, so feel free to explore your grammar weaknesses!

You will submit an electronic copy of the research paper along with a printed version. The electronic copy will be submitted to a plagiarism detection web site (TurnItIn.com). This is primarily to help you learn how to properly cite your sources and to ensure that you do not quote extensively from your sources.

• “Eastern Illinois University is committed to the learning process and academic integrity that is defined in the Student Conduct Code (1.1). To encourage original and authentic written work, any written assignment created in this course may be submitted for review to Turnitin.com and will become a searchable document with the Turnitin-protected and restricted use database."
• If you have not used turnitin.com before, please view the tutorial first.
  • Login to TurnItIn.com
  • Use the Class ID and password given to you in WebCT.

Grading

Exams

Multiple choice and essay items will be based on material covered in lecture and in the textbook.  Make-up exams will be given for University-approved absences.

Academic misconduct

Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic misconduct will not be tolerated.  Academic misconduct will result in zero points for the assignment, and appropriate disciplinary action according to university guidelines.

Reading Schedule, Important Dates

Please note this schedule is subject to change. 

If you have a documented disability and wish to receive academic accommodations, please contact the coordinator of the Office of Disability Services (581-6583) as soon as possible.