PSY402: SENSATION AND PERCEPTION

COURSE DESCRIPTION. This course broadly looks at the processes of sensation and perception, including the philosophic issues of knowing, the psychophysical methods of data gathering, stimulus-energy characteristics, physiologic receptor variables, brain-area organization of incoming sensations, states-of-consciousness, and cognitive perceiver variables.

PREREQUISITES. Psy 202 for psychology major undergraduates; for psychology graduates and non-psychology undergraduates, a background course in physiology or by permission of instructor. For all students, an appreciation of the philosophical issue of knowing, and a basic understanding of the role of physics is very helpful.

TEXTBOOK. Levine, M. W. (2000). Levine and Shefner’s fundamentals of sensation and perception (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. CD-ROM with text.

COURSE OBJECTIVES. The main purpose of this course is to integrate an understanding of sensory functions and limits with perceptual (e.g., cognitive) processes. The study approach taken is from you the perceiver's perspective (some call this a Gibsonian ethological perspective), as the one who interacts with, and operates upon, the environment within which you react and respond appropriately in order to survive.

STUDY ASSIGNMENT POLICY. Textbook reading assignments are given on the assignment sheet. There also will be recommended outside readings to supplement your understanding of lecture material not found in the text. You will be given them on an ad hoc basis. Together they will form the basis for the day's lecture and discussion.

EXAMINATIONS POLICY. Examinations will be given on the dates listed. Any changes will be announced at least one class period in advance. I will attempt to have any schedule changes posted sent by email to your PSU ACCESS account only. However, every student is responsible for all information when missing class, for whatever reason. No exams will be postponed or made-up for purely personal reasons. Two general exceptions will be for documented official University business or illness that has a medical excuse.

COURSE EVALUATION. Total course points is 400; 30 additional points can be acquired through bonus-credit activities.

1. Written Exams. (400 points) There will be three exams including the final exam, each counting 100 points. Since a main purpose of this course to integrate knowledge, the questions will be identifications, short-answers, and essays. Each exam's minimum grades are follows:
A 95+ A- 90.0 B+ 88.7 B 83.4 B- 80.0 C+ 75 C 70 D 60 F<60

The final grades out of 400 will be distributed with the same percentages as the exams, as follows:

A 380 A- 360 B+ 351 B 337 B- 320 C+ 300 C 280 D 240 F<240

2. Bonus Credit. Up to 30 can be earned as additional bonus credit:

a. Attendance: (20 points) Although not required, for two or less unexcused absences, you will have added 20 points to your basic course score of 400. Excused absences are for documented official University business or illness that has a medical excuse. Chronic lateness or early leaving from class will count as an absence; you will be responsible to T.A. for your attendance record.

b. Up to 10 points can be earned either by a) leading a 20-30 minute perceptual demonstration or b) by leading a class discussion on a relevant topic, or c) by giving a lecture presentation on a topic, complete with class outline handout. Any of these first will be worked out with the instructor and then scheduled into the course.

POLICY ON PLAGIARISM. According to written University policy, plagiarism, the stealing of another's ideas or works, including from exams and others’ written assignments, is seen by this University as a serious offense. Receiving and giving information by any means whatsoever during a test is included, as well as just "looking around" at another's test. The consequences are an F grade for all involved. To protect the exam standards and promote grade fairness for all of you in this course, this policy must be enforced. I hope that you agree.

HONORS COURSE SUPPLEMENT. If you are eligible for honors credit and are interested please see me.