Catalogue Description:

  This course is intended to provide an overview of the fundamental areas of personality psychology.  As such, this course will examine personality from a psychological perspective, and this course will apply the principles of psychology to help students increase their understanding of human behavior, thought, and feelings. 

         In order to learn to explore and think critically about human behavior, thoughts, and feelings, students will be expected to participate in a variety of activities.  These may include interviews with teachers, parents, peers, analyses drawn from popular and professional sources, and discussions on particular themes or issues related to the field of psychology.  Students will be required to engage in several writing activities, ranging from responding to questions on a web-based bulletin board to exploring their own perceptions of human nature.  Also, PY432 students will be asked to develop their ability to understand and to apply the findings of relevant research to the study of humans. 

         Students will be able to access their grades on a password protected web page and will be required to take quizzes over the textbook material via the web.  Bulletin Board activities will also be required.  Another significant activity will involve students working in a small group with others to develop a PowerPoint presentation on a particular psychology topic.  Other activities will require students to apply material that they have read to problems or situations presented via web pages.  Students will be able to communicate privately with the instructor via e-mai

Computer Requirements:

• Pentium-based PC (or equivalent Mac) with Internet Access

• Capability to run Explorer 5.0 (or higher) Browsers (or Netscape Equivalent) to allow Java applications.

• Use of RealPlayer software to view videos for this course.

• E-mail capability.

Student Expectations:

          The course expectations for students in an on-line course will be somewhat different from those of students in a traditional classroom.  First, students will be expected to complete all activities on time (web assignments, web quizzes, and bulletin board discussions).  Second, students are expected to engage in significant discussion using the on-line Bulletin Board (i.e., the PY432 Forum).  Third, students must be willing to allocate the time necessary to accomplish that essential component of the course.  Finally, students will be expected to keep up with readings and other class activities. 

 Prerequisites

Hyperlinks on Home Page

          Some of the hyperlinks for this course are available only to enrolled students once the semester begins. Enrolled students will need to obtain a password from the instructor prior to the start of the semester in order to access these hyperlinks (contact Dr. Snell to obtain the password). Passwords will be distributed shortly before the first week of the semester. If you are enrolled for Dr. Snell's online section of this course, then email him for your password at wesnell@semo.edu.

On-campus location

          If for some reason you need to visit my office, then come on campus to Scully Building, Room 427F.

Prior to Enrolling:

1. Read the course syllabus (and watch for updates in the near future).

2. Make sure you have the necessary system requirements.

3. Ask yourself if you are a self-starter. You must motivate yourself to read the assigned readings, complete the assignments on time, post required messages on the Forum Bulletin Board, participate in team Forum projects, and be prepared to take weekly quizzes on the assigned readings.

        Please feel free to contact me prior to enrollment. I look forward to this new venture teaching PY432 (Introduction to Personality) in a web-based environment. I expect to learn with you as we take this journey together.

Course E-mail Requirements:

          All PY432 students MUST use their UNIVERSITY "SE Key" e-mail account for this course!  Whenever you e-mail Dr. Snell, type "PY432 - Summer 2007 - YourName" in the "header/title" of the e-mail message (message will not be read otherwise).  Read the class syllabus as soon as possible!  Once you have a university email account, click here at least once per day to read your university email messages.

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