Psychology 110-81, DiMatteo

Welcome Letter for 110-81, DiMatteo

Hello and welcome to 110-81, DiMatteo!

Welcome to General Psychology (PSY 110-81)! Please check your student emails for a copy of the syllabus and details on getting set-up for the start of class. If this is your first online course, and/or you are unsure about any of the course details and accessing information, please do not hesitate to contact me (dimatteoj@wpunj.edu). Below you will find a brief summary of the course description, expectations, and the grading policy. Greater information will be provided on these topics in the syllabus and at the start of the semester,

This course surveys the chief theories, principles, and methodologies of psychology with special emphasis on their relations to human behavior. The biological foundations of behavior, sensory processes, learning, perception, memory, emotion, motivation, personality, and the social bases of behavior and behavior pathology are examined to establish the foundations for advanced study in psychology. Current research findings are included wherever applicable.

Expectations

Communication is key for an online course. You are expected each week to complete the discussion board postings and weekly chapter quizzes. There will be 2 additional assignments during the course of the semester, as well as a midterm and final. You are expected to hand in all material ON TIME and to maintain active participation in the course throughout the semester. Please refer to your syllabus for more information on the specific course expectations.

Texts

Weiten, W. (2010). Psychology: Themes and Variations (8th ed.). Belmont: Wasdworth, Cengage Learning.

Grading

Grading will be based on a point system. There will be 16 discussion board postings each worth 5 points and 2 short assignments each worth 10 points for a total of 100 points. There will be 15 weekly chapter quizzes, each worth 10 points for a total of 150 points. The midterm and final exam will each be worth 100 points. The total amount of possible points earned is 450. Your grade will be calculated by dividing the total amount of points earned by 450. Deductions will be taken for all late assignments. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please refer to your student handbook for a detailed explanation of the University?s plagiarism policy.

How to Access Blackboard:
To log on to Bb point your web browser to http://bb.wpunj.edu and click the Login button in the upper left. Then enter your username and password in the spaces provided and click login again -- you'll find your course Bb sites listed on the right.

Some things to be aware of as you work with Blackboard:

1. You probably won't find all your courses listed; the only ones that will appear are those that have been activated by the professor teaching the course. Professors who don't use Blackboard will not activate their courses.
2. Your username is comprised of your lastname and firstinitial, usually appended with a numeral. If you don't know your WPUNJ system username password you can use the Username lookup link at http://bb.wpunj.edu , or go to it directly at: http://www.wpunj.edu/username
3. If you are already logged in to the WPUNJ system through WPConnect you won't have to re-enter your username and password -- just click the first login button.
4. Blackboard documentation can be found in two places: at Bb Home, http://bb.wpunj.edu, before one logs in, and in the Blackboard Support tab after one has logged on.
5. You can always obtain Bb help by using the Problem Report form at http://bb.wpunj.edu , or by going to it directly at: https://liberty.wpunj.edu/bb/support-center/ .

WPUNJ Student Email:
To access WPUNJ Student Email point your web browser to http://wpconnect.wpunj.edu, enter your username and password, then select the Mail tab. If you are logging on for the first time you'll be asked to set your time zone and language.

Blackboard courses will use student email; third-party email addresses will not work on Bb

Good luck and have fun in the course! Julie DiMatteo