Syllabus for Psych 459 (WI & O)  (Thursdays)  Spring  2007  G26 BUSAD D301

Instructor: Dr. Leon James, Professor of Psychology
Telephone contact and messages: 261-2382   
e-mail:  leon@hawaii.edu  Walk in office hours: Before and after classes (M, T, R) at Gartley 213A.

Course Description:  Theistic Psychology: The Negative and Positive Bias on Dualism
Focuses on the difference between the positive and negative bias regarding dualism in science, with special attention to the work of Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) on rational spirituality and contemporary interpretations of his ideas. Students publish their reports on the Web, give oral presentations in class, and exchange email on course topics. Includes computer lab where students can do their Web work and can receive help in Web publishing. This is a WI course and requires more writing than the average class. Students will publish a minimum of two reports and will make the requested changes when the instructor reads the drafts. Students also read each other's reports online and make appropriate suggestions.

Note: Student Reports on Theistic Psychology are accessible here:
http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/theistic/#part2

Readings:

1. Introduction To Theistic Psychology (2006). Available at:  www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/theistic/ch1.htm
2. The Swedenborg Epic. The Life and Works of Emanuel Swedenborg.  By Cyriel Sigstedt, (1952).  (New York: Bookman Associates, 1952) Available online: www.swedenborgdigitallibrary.org/ES/epicfor.htm

Attendance 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 when not present in class for the initial discussions. Absence Penalty: - 3 points per absence regardless of reason.  Late Work Penalty: - 3  points per week late.   Due Dates are given in the instructions for Reports 1 and 2 (see G26 Class Home Page). Penalty points for absences that are excused by the instructor, must be made up by additional work (consult instructor for details).

Grading Policy:  All students are expected to upload the required Reports to the Web as provided by the instructions. If technical reasons prevent you from uploading any required work on time, you must submit on time a printed version of it to the instructor to avoid a late penalty. Always keep a back up copy of your files on a separate disk or CD not just on your hard drive.

You will receive email from the instructor with your grade for each report you publish on the Web, along with recommendations on how to improve them. You are allowed to apply for re-grading of Report 1 after you made the recommended revisions. Use the instructions specified in your email grade report. You will also get a written feedback Form following each of your oral presentations.

For publishing your work on the Web, you are allowed to use a Pseudonym that is registered with the Instructor by email. You are allowed to delete your own published files at any time during the semester, or you can request the instructor to remove them from the Web after the semester, and at any other time in the future (just email the instructor: leon@hawaii.edu). The purpose of publishing your reports on the Web is threefold: (i) to enhance your Internet literacy skills; (ii) to leave your reports for future generations of this course who will be instructed to read and review them for their own reports; (iii) to share your scientific reports and topical reviews with the entire world.

Class Structure: Every class is made up of three portions. First Portion: instructor answers your questions about preparing for the oral presentations and doing the written reports. He also discusses the assigned readings for the week. Second Portion: several students give the scheduled oral presentation (for details see Instructions for Oral Presentations on the G26 Class Home Page). Regular participation as an audience is a part of the requirement for getting an A grade, and is also worth 6 points. Third Portion: (a) Students meet to prepare for team oral presentations. (b) Optional Lab work in Saunders 635, reserved for this class from 2:30 to 3:20 M, T, R. You will need a personal password to access lab computers, for which you can register online as a Lab User during the first three weeks of the semester:  webdata.soc.hawaii.edu/lab_user

The G26 Class Home Page to access all course information is at:  
             www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy26/classhome-g26.htm 
The Instructor's Home page is at:  www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy/leon.html
The Instructor's email is:  leon@hawaii.edu