This is where updates to the course will be announced - please check it regularly (at least twice each week).

 4/23/08

    The Gradebook is now complete and posted.  If you have questions about your grade, make an appointment to talk with me during spring term.  Thanks again for making this course what it was.  Have a wonder break and an enjoyable spring! 

 4/17/08

    The Final Exam scores are now posted in the Gradebook, as is the corresponding update to your course average.  Please remember, this average may still go up or down when Participation grades are figured in after this weekend.  The mean for this test was 75.5% and the raneg was 58-88%.  If you wish to see what you got wrong you may view question packets with your scantrons from April 30th onwards.  If you do not come by during May term, your scantron sheet will be discarded. 

     Look for final grades to be posted on the afternoon of April 22nd.  Have a great break!

  4/16/08

    Your papers were very good, generally speaking.  Final Paper and Final Project grades are now in the gradebook and your average is updated accordingly.  Remember, your course average can go up or down significantly depending on the final exam and Participation grades.  You will also see all extra credit entered.  Please contact me if you see discrepancies.  The exam scores will be posted by tomorrow and then final grades will be available on both MyHanover and the gradebook on 4/22.  Great Job, Everyone!

  4/4/08

    Presentation grades have now been posted.  I have also posted the extra credit for forms I received today.  Please remember the online studies are only worth 0.25%, so if you submitted for 1/2, I decreased it.  For those who are still working on extra credit, please TYPE your responses and put in paragraph form in your own words.

4/2/08

        Please note that your Extra Credit form should be turned in by Monday 4/7, the latest.  I would prefer to receive them this Friday, but failed to announce that as a deadline.  Please do try to sign up for the few remaining research studies as it will help the Seniors out a lot!

      Sorry the Google.Docs spreadsheet failed for some of you.  If you did not receive a thank you email back, that's a pretty good indicator that your "award nominations" did not arrive. I have no idea why that would happen for some and not for others, but if you want to email me your nominations, do so.  Just list everyone in the class besides yourself and nominate them for something - preferably to do with our Group's Dynamics!  You can remind yourself of classmates via MyHanover or our Attendance page, if needed.

4/1/08

        Please respond to my e-mail with your "awards" for each other by tomorrow so I have time to combine them and report back to you on Monday.

3/19/08

        The brainstorming list is here, for anyone who wants to continue thinking about how we can improve our course.   It may also be helpful for when you study for the final exam - think about what we said regarding the process of brainstorming (this is a good example of what the book briefly describes on this subject). 

3/7/08

        Please note that the final exam schedule has been posted.  We are scheduled to have our final on Weds, 4/16 2-5pm in our usual room (107).  Ther should not be any conflicts, but please check your other courses to be sure, so we can work out any problems early. 

     Remember, we are behind a day, so the syllabus says ch. 11 is due, but really you have until Weds.  We will discuss the film and concepts from ch. 10 on Monday.  Also, just a reminder: presentations begin on Weds., 3/26 which means your papers and your presentations should be well under way. 

3/3/08

        Please remember that Hanover Psych research participation opportunities are advertised on the bulletin board by room 147.  Participating can earn you extra credit for this class.  New studies are being posted this week and will continue to be posted for the next few weeks.  Note that some are directed at women only, some are open to all; some are even going to be sent to your e-mail boxes (based on random selection).  Remember to get the form you need which is linked to my main coursepage, have the researcher sign it, and answer the questions on it (typed, not hand-written) as soon as you do the study so you don't forget.  For online studies, since you can't get a signature, please print out the debriefing form provided at the end of each survey and staple that to your extra credit form.  Extra credit forms will be collected at the end of term, during dead week (probably that Monday).  One such study is being run by Steven Minett, a senior psychology major, who is looking for volunteers for his research study, “Perceptions of Relationships”.  He says:

The experiment will examine students’ perceptions and understandings of other peoples’ relationships. You will be asked to fill out some surveys and watch a video about human relationships.  The entire experiment usually takes less than one hour. The sign-up sheet is posted in the Science Center Bison lounge area on the bulletin board by room 147. Please sign-up for one time and write down the time you signed up for on the little tabs provided with the sign-up sheet. The times are as follows and will repeat for the next 2 weeks (same times): 

Monday (6:00 – 8:00 pm) 

Tuesday (2:00 – 4:00 pm) 

Thursday (9:00 – 11:00 am) 

Thursday (3:30 – 5:30 pm)

2/23/08

        Mid-term grades have now been reported to the Registrar - only those "must reports" were submitted (i.e., if your average is C- or below).  However, if you have concerns based on Exam I and the JA average, or if you develop concerns after Exam II, please come talk to me so we can see how you might improve in the latter part of the semester. 

        Due to the weather cancellation on Friday, we will have our Exam II on Monday, 3/3.  You have time over break to continue studying, if needed: ch. 5, 7, 8, 9 and Merskin.  You will not be tested on the omitted pages listed in the book, but as usual everything from class discussions and activities will covered so be sure to think about how various activities related to the theories and research covered in the textbook.  We will now be one day behind the syllabus - ch. 10 is due for 3/5, though of course JA #3 is still due.  We will probably use 3/24 to wrap up ch. 6, so all Presentations are still going to be on the days you signed up for. 

         You should well into drafting your papers by now - please come see me if you have questions.   Have a safe and restful break - see you Monday.

2/6/08

       Please note: Class on Monday AND Office hours are CANCELLED, 2/11.  We will go through chapter 8 in only a day, so please be sure you are all caught up on readings by Weds 2/13.  Note that the syllabus indicates we are skipping pp. 245-258. 

        If you need to see me, write or call for another time, or come by Weds at noon.

2/4/08

     Scores for your first Journal Assignment have now been posted - again, sorry for the delay.   You'll receive them in class today if you have not already.  For future - a 1 indicates that you submitted work on time, whereas a 0.5 would indicate late submission.   But the actual scores are out of 10.  Remember, these will be averaged w/your two other JAs for that portion of your final project.

     Apparently you do not need a password to get the Merskin article, after all.  You'll need that password for the Yalom article later in the term.

1/30/08

     Please check out the Presentations Schedule and let me know if you anticipate any problems (i.e., double-check all your other commitments and make sure your appointed time works for you).  Note that I request you all do your best NOT to be absent during the presentations, so if you feel you must take your unexcused absences, do so before we start these.  Your test scores will be posted on Friday - please remember not to discuss the test with anyone.

1/28/08

     Please be aware that your JA 1's are being graded and I aim to return those to you as soon as i can, along with the exam.  In the meantime, your JA 2 is due next Wednesday: you can begin work on those even before you get JA 1 returned; but I will be sure you have at least a couple of days to review them and ask me questions before Weds' deadline.  

     Also, a reminder: we are saving ch. 6 for later in the term, so read ch. 5 for Weds, and then we'll skip to ch. 7 for next week.

1/15/08

    Your assignment for Friday is to watch the following video about Participant Observation in small groups.  In it, an economist is described who observed a gang for research purposes - at the site of TED - Technology, Entertainment and Design:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/29

1/9/08

   The Final Project will soon be posted on the Coursepage.