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PSY 4490:      Outcomes (All from Dr. Sechrist)
4490 Attendance Exercises Grades Outcomes Policies Schedule


Goals and Objectives: 

As a capstone experience, this course is designed to prepare you to succeed once you leave Mansfield. It offers an opportunity to reflect on what you have learned during your college career and to build career or graduate school plans for yourself. By actively investing in this class, perhaps more than in any other course, you are investing in yourself and your future. 

 

 

There are two broad goals for the psychology senior seminar: 

1.      To put a “capstone” on your education in psychology at Mansfield.  This means concluding your senior academic work with content that allows you to demonstrate your growth as a student of psychology and to document and reflect on your history as a student at MU.  You will do this by:

         a.      Completing your Psychology Portfolio as a representation of your knowledge and your best work in the Psychology Major.

         b.      Completing an in-depth study of a major topic relating to your specialty interest within psychology, designing a related research study, and presenting the results of your analysis and research proposal in both a formal paper and in a public presentation to your peers and the Psychology faculty.

2.   2.  To help you prepare for some of the professional and personal challenges you will face upon graduation from college. You will do this by:

a.           a.     Examining and discussing key societal issues and clarifying your own critical thinking on these topics.

b.           b.     Exploring the implications of acting on a well defined set of ethical principles in both your personal and professional lives.

c.           c.     Refining your career plan and honing practical skills related to your next steps in your career.

 Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs): 

The Psychology Department curriculum aims to produce certain outcomes with our students.  The following program outcomes are specifically addressed during this class.

Psychology Program Desired Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs)1

1.

Knowledge Base in Psychology

Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology; Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s content domains; Describe applications of psychology

2.

Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking

Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena; Demonstrate psychology information literacy; Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving; Interpret, design, and conduct psychological research; Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry

3.

Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World

Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice;

Build and enhance interpersonal relationships; Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels

4.

Communication

Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes; Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes; Interact effectively with others

5.

Professional Development

Apply psychological content and skills to career goals; Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation; Refine project-management skills; Enhance teamwork capacity; Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation

[1]Based on the American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major Version 2.0, August 2013. Retrieved from www.apa.org/ed/precollege/about/psymajor-guidelines.pdf.

 

Specific Course Student Learning Outcomes (linked to the above PSLOs in parentheses):

At the completion of this course, you should be able to:

1.      Explain and identify scientific methods in psychology, as well as the important psychological terms, concepts, and issues covered in your undergraduate course work by: (a) participating in class discussions and presentations (e.g., discussion leading) and (b) including in your psychology portfolio best examples of your academic work as a psychology student (PSLO1, 2, 3, and 4).

2.      Write your Portfolio “Foreword” summarizing your development as a student and your major career goals and outlook. Write a cover letter that introduces you and your skills to a potential employer or graduate admission committee (PSLO4 and 5).

3.      Complete other aspects of your Psychology Major Portfolio as a representation of your knowledge and your best work as a student in the Psychology Major, including:

a.      Update and complete assignments that encourage you to examine your values, strengths, weaknesses, and career vision (PSLO4 and 5).

b.      Update your résumé (PSLO4 and 5).

c.       Supplemental materials that highlight your formal applied professional experience (e.g., Internship), your campus/community service and other relevant community experiences, your awards and honors, a sample cover letter to a prospective employer, and so on (PSLO3, 4, and 5).

4.      Research and write a major “seminar paper” that will challenge you to apply what you have learned as a psychology major in an in-depth examination of a significant issue or problem area where a psychological analysis has been applied.  You will publicly present your findings at the end of the semester (PSLO1, 2, 3, 4, and 5).  Failure to publicly present your paper during your assigned time on November 9, 11, 16, and 18 will result in an “F” in the course.