Instructor: Andrew Peck, Ph.D.
Office: 350 Moore Bldg.
Phone: 865-1838
Office Hours: M & F 10:15-12:00 and by appointment
E-mail: acp103@psu.edu
 

TA: Analea Brauburger
Office: Phone:
Office Hours: E-mail: alb290@psu.edu
Text: Spector, P.E. (2000). Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Research and Practice.
2nd edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Course Purpose and Objectives

To introduce you to the major theories, research idea, and procedures used in the practice of I/O Psychology

To prepare students for more advanced courses in I/O Psychology

To promote thinking about the ways to use this knowledge to enhance your own everyday lives (when applicable) and organizational experiences.

Class Format

This course is a survey course. It will familiarize you with the breadth of the field although it will not go into great depth about any particular topic. Although I will make every attempt to promote active learning and participation, please realize that this course is a lecture course.

Web Support

To devote more attention to listening and less to actual note taking some students like to bring copies of lecture notes to class and add to them during the lecture. This semester lecture notes will be available on the Web at http://www.yournotes.com. Please feel free to use these notes as a study aid, but realize that they cannot replace class attendance and active learning.

General Policies

Questions during class are strongly encouraged. If you don't understand something please ask, chances are that other people have the same question.

No appointment is needed to see me during office hours, although you may have to wait while I talk with other students. If you can not make my office hours please see me to make an appointment. I welcome student concerns and questions, so if you have one about any aspect of the course please ask.

The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation in this course or have questions about physical access, please tell the instructor immediately.

Please do not call me at home. If you do not want to come to my office hours, the best way to contact me outside of class is through e-mail (acp103@psu.edu).
 

Earning your Grade

The purpose of grading is to evaluate students' understanding of material presented in course lectures, movies, demonstrations, and readings. In a large class such as this, the only practical way to assess this understanding is with objective, multiple-choice tests. To the extent possible, these tests will be designed to assess understanding and application (rather than just rote memory).

Students report that they find the exams thorough, and challenging, but fair.There will be 3 tests: 2 in-class tests and a final exam. Each exam is worth 100 points. Exams will cover lecture material not covered by the book, book material not covered in class, and lecture material covered by the book. Student grades will be based on exam performances and points earned on extra-credit projects. The availability and format of make-up exams is at the discretion of the instructor. In the event of University-approved absences or medical problems, please see the

instructor to discuss making up missed exams. In general, advance notice or appropriate documentation (e.g., doctor's note) will be required to schedule a make-up exam.

Psychological studies have shown that people remember information better when they apply it in some way. To promote learning through application and experience, students can earn up to 10 points of extra credit by doing any (or all) of the 6 extra-credit projects listed below.

1) Hand in answers to the 'I/O Psychology in Practice' discussion questions located at the end of
most book chapters. Students can earn up to 1/2 pt. for each well-thought out answer. Answers
for particular chapters are due NO LATER THAN THE DAY THAT MATERIAL IS TESTED.
Answers handed in after the due date will not earn any credit. Although a 1/2 of a point is not
much, the points add up!!

2) Hand in a recent newspaper article related to class material. Attach the article to a 1 page
discussion about how the article relates to class material. These articles may be discussed in
class so please make sure that they are in a presentable condition. Each write-up is worth up to 1
point.

3) Some T.V. shows deal with fictional work scenarios (e.g., 'Just Shoot Me', 'er', etc.). Occasionally
news programs (e.g., '60 minutes', 'Dateline', '20/20') run a work-oriented story. Describe a show
that you see and how it relates to class material. Describe the episode in enough detail to make
your points clear to someone who has not seen that episode. Your discussion should be no more
than 2 pages with episode description. Each write-up is worth up to 1 point.

4) Often students are needed to participate in research experiments conducted by Penn State faculty
and graduate students. You can sign up for available experiments on the World Wide Web. To do
this access the Department of Psychology home page (http://psych.la.psu.edu.) and select
'Participate in Research'. You will receive 1 pt. for each experiment that you do unless the
experiment takes more than 1 hr. If the experiment takes more than 1 hr. you will receive 1 pt. for
each hour you participate.
 

5) Write multiple-choice exam questions. This is an easy way to get extra credit while studying.
Good questions that are handed in 4 classes before the exam may appear on an exam. Each
question is worth up to .25 pt. Questions are due the day that material is tested. Although a 1/4 of
a point is not much, the points add up!!

6) Help make the class more interesting. Find a popular movie or a clip of a movie that we can show
in class to demonstrate class material. Let me know about your idea. If we use it, you get an extra-
credit point and class benefits too. If you know of an in-class demonstration or activity that is
worthwhile and relevant let me know. If we use it, you get an extra-credit point

Attendance Credit

The instructor reserves the right to provide in-class extra-credit opportunities (especially on low attendance days). In-class extra credit does NOT count towards the 10 pt. extra-credit cap. You can take advantage of these opportunities even if you have already earned (or plan to earn) 10 points by doing the extra-credit projects discussed above.

Academic Integrity

Students are responsible for maintaining academic integrity. Violations include cheating on exams, removing exams from the classroom without consent from the instructor, plagiarizing extra credit projects, and dishonesty in any aspect of course participation. Violations of academic integrity may result in a grade of F for the course as well as other penalties. All such violations will be handled in the strongest manner permitted under University policy (Faculty Senate Policy 49-20).
 

Grade Breakdown
 

Percentage	Points	Grade
93-100	277.5-300	A
90-92	268.5-277.4	A-
87-89	259.5-268.4	B+
83-86	247.5-259.4	B
80-82	238.5-247.4	B-
77-79	229.5-238.4	C+
70-76	208.5-229.4	C
60-69	178.5-208.4	D
00-59	0-178.4	F

Calculating Your Grade

1) Add your three exam scores (e.g., 93% + 90% + 91% = 274 exam points) and your extra-
credit points together (e.g., 274 exam points + 10 extra-credit points = 284 total points).

2) Use chart above to determine your grade (e.g., 284 total points is an "A")
 

Important Dates

September 6 - No class - Labor Day Holiday
September 29 - Exam 1
October 11 - No class - Fall Break
November 5 - Exam 2
November 26 - No class - Thanksgiving Break
December 10 - Last day of class
December 13 - 17 - Final Exam - Date and time determined by the University