Preparation:  Some background in biology is recommended.  This course is
an introduction to psychology as a natural science.
Format:  Most of the material for this class will be presented by computer
on the World Wide Web.  You can take a look at the material for this
semester by typing the following address in a network browser like
Netscape: http://veritas.ucs.indiana.edu/p1013447/p101.html This opens the
home page for this class.  The first item on the menu (Information for
Visitors) gives instructions to see sample exercises, which take the place
of a conventional textbook.  I hope they are clear. Students do about
90-95 "exercises" (2 to 10 per week) on any computer that can be
connected to the web.  These exercises are like sections of chapters in a
textbook; they have text and graphics to present the material.  In
addition, they contain 5 to 10 quiz questions about the preceding
material.  These questions are intended to help you pay attention to the
material and think about it. They encourage you to use "deep processing",
to use the jargon of cognitive psychology.  The questions will also help
you test your mastery of that material.  An optional paper version of
these exercises can be purchased at local text book stores.
Important areas: P101 will cover biological bases of
behavior, including brain function and behavior genetics; sensory
function and perception; aspect of animal and human learning, motivation,
emotion, and cognitive (mental) function.  The questions "how do you
know?" and "what is the evidence?" are emphasized throughout. Texts:  None
required, but paper versions of the exercises and a booklet of sample
questions for the exams will be available in the bookstores. Some people
may find Carlson, Psychology, any edition useful.
Tests and Grades: Grades will be based on four tests (about 60%), weekly
computer-based repeatable "exercises" described above (about 15% of the
semester grade), and a comprehensive final exam (about 22%).  The grades
are NOT curved and no test will be dropped.  The tests will be primarily
multiple choice, but will also have some matching, fill-in-the-blank and
short answer questions.  Many of the multiple-choice questions will ask
you to recognize examples of an idea or the relation between an idea, its
definition, and an example.  Up to twelve points extra credit may be
earned by written reports on experiment participation or approved
articles. Weekly in-class assignments will provide the remaining
points toward the total used to calculate 100%
Availability of instructor: My office hours will be after class,
in the early afternoon, and Tuesday evenings.  I am usually in my
office much of the day.  I strongly encourage use of electronic mail for
communication.