Overview

Psychology 312 introduces students to the five major human sensory systems (i.e., vision, hearing, smell, touch, and taste), and to the perceptual experiences associated with these senses as they occur in the human brain. For each sensory system, we will review not only the relevant anatomical structures (e.g., the eye), but also the physiological mechanisms and neural pathways that form a substrate for the sensory experience. The course includes a wide variety of demonstrations that will allow students to experience many of the sensory phenomena first-hand, such as optical illusions, depth perception, perceptual aftereffects, and perceptual constancies.

The primary goals of Psychology 312 are to familiarize students with: (1) the physical properties of the world that are encoded by the human sensory apparatus (e.g., color perception in the visual system), (2) the physical, neural, and chemical mechanisms which enable this encoding (e.g., how sound as mechanical energy is converted by the auditory system into electrical energy), and (3) the specific anatomical and physiological systems that are specialized for sensing and perceiving particular kinds of physical properties.

Course Outline

Grades. Final grades are based on the total out of 240 possible points. Four exams count for 160 points, one research report for 40 points, and various classroom assignments for 40 points (2 each). The cutoffs for each grade—subject to the constraints that the top 10% of the class gets an A and the next 20% gets a B—are as follows:

216 – 240 A

180 – 215 B

144 – 179 C

120 – 143 D

119 or less F

Exams. There are five exams. Each exam is worth 40 points, in a multiple-choice format. Approximately 50% of the exam will come from material presented during class, while the remaining 50% will come from material in the textbook. The lowest of your five exam scores will be dropped. There are no makeup exams; if an exam is missed for any reason, a score of 0 will be given to that exam.

Research Report. You will select a topic, and prepare a brief report based on a literature search at the library. A handout will be distributed detailing the instructions. The assignment is worth 40 points. The report must be turned in by April 2. Note that the report is due in class, and that no late reports will be accepted.

Class Assignments. Throughout the semester, you will participate in a variety of class activities and take-home assignments. These assignments are worth 2 points each, for a total of 40 points. If you miss an assignment due to an excused absence, you may request a makeup on the first date back. See Makeup Policy, below, in regards to missed assignments.

Lectures. Attendance at all lectures is required (see Makeup Policy, below, in regards to excused absences). You are also responsible for reading the book. Lectures will follow the organization of the book, covering one to two chapters per week.

Administrative Details

Makeup Policy. All scheduled exams and assignments are due in class on the assigned date. The course makeup policy applies as follows:

- Class assignments: an absence report form must be submitted before the absence, where possible (e.g., scheduled military training), or on the first date back after the absence

- Research reports: no late reports will be accepted

- Exams: since the lowest of your five exams scores will be dropped, there are no makeup exams. If an exam is missed for any reason, a score of 0 will be given to that exam. Note that under no conditions will an exam be given early.

Excused absences. In general, students may occasionally miss class due to other important events. For an absence to be excused, two conditions must be satisfied: First, the absence must be for urgent personal or official business that cannot be rescheduled (e.g., military or professional training, SIUC-sponsored athletic events, medical emergency, school-closing due to snow, etc.). Personal matters that do not qualify as excused include: weddings, illnesses of roommates or other non-relatives, family vacations/trips, non-emergency medical exams, prescription-drug side-effects, blackouts and power outages, oversleeping, travel delays that occur during class dates, etc. Second, copies of official, dated documentation must be submitted. In order to request an excused absence, an absence report form must be completed. Copies of the absence report form are available on the course website, and include instructions for documenting an excused absence.

Classroom Etiquette. Students are expected to behave politely and professionally at all times in class. Unacceptable behaviors include: use of a cell phone, pager, or personal music player, web-surfing, sleeping, reading a newspaper, or disrupting the lecture by making noise. When necessary, disruptive students may be asked to leave the class.

Course Resources. Copies of the textbook are on reserve at Morris Library, and are available for 2-hour checkout.

Academic Honesty. All students are expected to read and follow the University guidelines regarding academic conduct. Any student in violation of these guidelines will, where circumstances merit (e.g., cheating during an exam), immediately receive a grade of F and be referred to the Dean for further review.

Grading Questions. Questions concerning grading (e.g., correction of a grading error) must be submitted in writing. All questions must be submitted within one week of the exam or assignment return date (i.e., the date we return the exam back to you).

Late Drop/Withdrawal. A late drop will only be approved when the student has documented the basis for the withdrawal before the end of the 8th week of class. Under no circumstances will a withdrawal be approved if documentation is submitted after the 8th week.

Unsatisfactory performance. In order to maintain satisfactory performance in the course, all students should earn a grade of C or better on each exam. As a consequence, please note that any student who scores a D or lower on an exam may have a progress report sent to his or her respective Dean of Student Affairs. Students who fail to maintain satisfactory performance are also encouraged to schedule regular appointments with the professor and graduate instructor in order to evaluate their progress in the course.