Familiarize yourself with the blog. You'll quickly notice that your assignments are listed here (under the Blog tab) in chronological order. There are also some posts that go beyond these listed here for your assignments, and feel free to browse those using the links in the right side menu.
You have two main types of assignments: summaries and impressions of chapter readings, and reflections on psychology in the 'real world' as presented to you via various media (mostly audio from This American Life, and a couple of other activities). Your responses should be range between 350-750 words. We expect full and complete responses. Answer all questions, provide a rationale for your answers, and link your thoughts and opinion to textbook content. Make sure to include your terms at the bottom of your post.
If you have a smartphone or tablet, the easiest way to access the TAL audio shows is by downloading the This American Life app. The interface is very easy to use (it is free); you can easily search for the show you want by episode number or title; and listening at that point is very easy :) You can also go to the This American Life website if you choose. Once you find the show (searching by episode number) you click on launch player to listen. Some assignments require you to listen to only a portion of the show (maybe 10 or 20 minutes long; others require you listening to the whole show (about and hour). So plan accordingly.
You also have a another book (besides your textbook) to read for this class and write a paper on it; as well as 4 quizzes and a final. There is also a 4 hour experiment requirement (you need to participate in 4 hours worth of experiments sometime throughout the semester). More about that in the Syllabus.
The Course Resources tab (near the top of your screen) has important information about this class including the Syllabus which includes ALL information about assignments and course policies; the Course Calendar which shows your assignments, due dates, and in-class meetings; information about your Book Analysis, how to contact your Teaching Assistants, how to access your grades via eLearning, and information about Turnitin where you will post an electronic copy of your book analysis to screen for plagiarism issues.
By Thursday you are to register for this website (so you can log in and comment to posts). Go to the Course Resources tab and click on the link that says How To Register. The directions are detailed and IMPORTANT. With so many students in the class, I beg you to read them carefully and follow all the instructions. Make sure you have scrolled all the way to the bottom of the document so you follow all the directions. One thing that always comes up (though it says it in the directions!) is that your registration is NOT automatic. I have to go in and activate your account. So please be patient after registering :)
Please for Thursday also read Chapter 1. You will not have a writing assignment on this chapter, but its content with be on the quiz.
Explore!
http://www.learner.org/series/discoveringpsychology/history/index.html
http://academictree.org/psych/
http://www.bloomberg.com/dataview/2014-04-17/how-americans-die.html
Book Selection: Asylums
Book Selection: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess