Psychology 2007-08

Honors Expectations - Fricke

In addition to the standard course expectations, honors students will be required to fulfill the following requirements:

- Demonstrate initiative and energy in class discussions and activities. Prepare complete assignments for every lesson and volunteer your thoughts and analyses with some enthusiasm. In this respect you will be held to a higher standard in your class participation grade.

- Homework assignments will require 40 to 60 minutes a night to complete. Reading assignments are difficult and will challenge your vocabulary and analytical skills. In addition to the regular homework, you will have the ongoing responsibility of the independent research project. It is vital that you not fall behind in this project.

- Writing assignments and exams will require independent preparation and mastery of detail. You are not expected to simply produce more than other students; you are expected to answer more complex questions in greater depth.

- Complete an independent research project on a controversy in psychology; this project will culminate in a formal research paper. Your project will contain the following elements:

1. An bibliography of at least 10 sources in the appropriate MLA citation format.

2. An interview with an expert in a field related to your topic

3. A formal 8-10 page research paper complete with an analytical thesis, supporting

data and appropriate citation.

A tentative schedule for the independent research project:

Topic due: March 28

Background outline, research question and preliminary bibliography: April 2

Hypothesis, working bibliography and interview proposal: April 14

Thesis, outline, bibliography and interview notes due: April 28

First draft due: May 9

Final draft due: May 16