Course Syllabus for Psych 459 (WI & O) 
Fall 2009,  G30, Gartley 217 (Thursdays 1:00 to 3:30 pm)

 

Instructor: Dr. Leon James, Professor of Psychology, Gartley Hall 213A
e-mail: 
leon@hawaii.edu  You can meet with the instructor before and after classes (M, T, R), and by appointment

Course Description  Avatar Psychology and Mental Anatomy

This research seminar examines the relationship between the virtual world and the mental world. This involves acquiring substantive ideas about mental anatomy, body-mind correspondences, dualism, immortality, and theism. Students will make oral presentations on the assigned readings and engage in interaction activities in class. Students will attend a lab component of the class in Crawford 212 where they will acquire an avatar and spend time and do activities in the virtual world of Second Life.  Students publish their reports on the Web to become part of the cumulative Online Generational Curriculum that Dr. James has maintained since 1994.

Readings(1) Steve Wheeler "Connected Minds, Emerging Cultures: Cybercultures in Online Learning" (2) Candace Pert "Molecules of Emotion" (3) Leon James "Avatar Psychology and Mental Anatomy" http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy29/avatar-psychology-g29.htm#_Toc228430675

GRADES:  POINT VALUE OF ACTIVITIES

40 points

Oral Grade. Individual and team oral presentations

60 points

WI grade. Appearance, content, and quality of your Web site containing your Home Page and the two required reports. For the two reports combined, the total length of typed text must exceed 32 pages of standard format, or about 9000 words.

A+ =95 points; A =94-90; A- =89-85; B+ =84-80; B =79-75; B- =74-70
C+ =69-65; C=64-60; C- =59-55;  D=54-50; F=49-0

Attendance is required for class and lab and is taken at the start of each class. Being late for class or leaving early: -1 point each occurrence. Penalty points are on account of non-participation in oral and interactive exercises when not present in class. Absence Penalty: - 3 points per absence.  Late Work Penalty: - 3  points per week late per item, up to -9 points per item.   Due Dates are announced in class and by email.

Grading Policy:  You will receive email from the instructor with your grade for each report you publish on the Web, along with instructions on how you need to correct it. Corrections according to instructions can add points to your grade. For your oral presentations, you will receive email feedback at midterm on your oral presentations and class activities.

Temporary Class Home Page: 
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy29/classhome-g29.htm
The Instructor's Home page is at:  www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy/leon.html
Avatar Psychology Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/avatar-psychology
Avatar Psychology Student Reports:  http://e-swedenborg.com/tp/avatar/
Avatar Psychology Lecture Notes: http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy29/avatar-psychology-g29.htm#_Toc228430675