Instructor: Bonnie Drumwright, Ph.D.
A detailed examination of classical
and contemporary personality theories such as those of Freud, Jung, Adler, Horney,
Fromm, Skinner, Dollard, and Miller, Rotter, Bandura, Kelly, Rogers, Maslow,
May and others. Theories will be considered with respect to content, conceptual
image of the individual, and current status. You will need a Saclink account
to participate in this class.
1. To acquaint students with a variety of personality theories and theorists.
2. To encourage students to examine their own personality structure and how
best to utilize traits, interests and abilities to facilitate self-actualization.
3. To provide an environment where students may explore the practical ramifications
of personality dynamics and how they affect our everyday lives.
4. To consider the history of psychological theories and how the personality
and experience of the individual theorists affected theory development.
5. To encourage students to develop their own individual perspective on the
development of personality and how this relates to their personal life experience.
Personality: Classic Theories and Modern Research. Friedman & Schustack
1. Attend class and participate in discussion (see Attendance Policy).
2. Complete reading assignments by the date of the scheduled class
3. Complete 3 multiple-choice tests
4. Participate in discussion board by posting responses to questions concerning
personality theories (see Discussion Boards)
5. Complete “Who is Sigmund Freud” activity
6. Complete a group project (see Group Project)
Each of you will be randomly assigned to a group of 5 students who will participate
in online discussions during the weeks indicated on the schedule. During that
week, each student will post a well-written and thoughtful answer to the question
posed in the section below entitled “Discussion Board Topics”. You
will post your response in your group’s discussion area so only
the members of your group will read and respond to your posting.
In responding to the question, you should demonstrate your understanding
of the theory involved and how the behavior of the characters exemplifies
the theory. Your answer to the topics presented below should be posted by
Saturday at midnight for the week of the assignment. After reading
the postings of the other members of your group, you will then post a reaction
to what another student in your group has written. This second posting is due
no later than one week from the time we watch the movie in class. You will
not receive credit for this activity unless you complete the postings within
the timeframes specified; there are no exceptions to this rule.
The group project is an opportunity for you to create something fun and interesting
for the rest of us to share. The project should increase our knowledge of some
theory or theorist; it may also cover a theory or theorist we did not discuss
in class or a chapter we did not read.
The format you choose for your presentation could be a PowerPoint presentation
and lecture discussion, a videotape that you create, a skit, a website that
you construct, a game you involve us in or any other experience you think would
increase our understanding of personality theory. Your group should begin planning
this activity as soon as possible and it is recommended that you use the chat
rooms available online to formulate your ideas.
Preparation to complete this project will be facilitated by the Who is Sigmund
Freud activity we will complete in a computer lab during week 4, 9/23-25.
This activity is worth 20 points of credit and you will also learn how to create
web pages and sites. NOTE: Credit will be awarded for the project per the
Criteria and in the following manner:
1. Each of you will award a total of 10 points to the individual members of
your group including yourself. In other words, you will decide how much credit
of 10 possible points each person in your group should receive for their participation
in this activity. This means that each of you is accountable for your participation.
It is recommended that youalso consider the Criteria
in your evaluation of yourself and each member of your group. Other factors
to be considered would include attending meetings to discuss the project and
contributing to the creation of the project.
2. The remaining 10 points for this 20-point activity will be awarded by your
instructor based on the rubric mentioned above.
It is recommended that you determine roles for each member of your group. Some
logical roles would include meeting facilitator, note talker, taskmaster, resource
gatherer and graphics coordinator. Or you may prefer the roles indicated in
the Who is Sigmund Freud activity.
Our brand new 2003 textbook will not be available until the second week of class.
I have placed the first 3 chapters assigned on reserve so that you do not need
to worry if you can’t purchase the book right away. You will also find
that chapters have been placed on reserve for some of the theorists we
discuss this semester. This information is intended to increase your understanding
of the theory and theorist. The readings may also assist you with your project.
This instructor believes that attendance and participation is an important element
of this class. Your engagement in the learning process cannot occur unless you
are present, physically and intellectually. A role sheet will be handed out
every class and you will receive two points of credit for every attendance.
It is your responsibility to make sure you sign in.
Credit will be given for assignments based upon the following:
| Quiz 1 | 30 points |
| Quiz 2 | 50 points |
| Quiz 3 | 45 points |
| Discussion Board Participation | 15 points each (45 total) |
| Who is Sigmund Freud Activity | 20 points |
| Group Project | 30 points |
| Attendance and participation | 30 points |
| TOTAL | 250 points |
Your final grade will be based on the following:
| A | 90 – 100 % of points |
| B | 79 - 89 % of points |
| C | 69 - 78 % of points |
| D | 59 - 68 % of points |
| F | 58 or below |