The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Division of Social Science
SOSC1980 Psychology of Personal Growth
Summer 2012
Lecture:
Monday to Thursday 0930 – 1220 (Jun 18 – Jul 11)
Venue:
LTB
Website:
http://lmes.ust.hk
Lecturer:
Professor Michelle YIK
Office:
Room 3376 (Lifts 13-15)
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
2358-7782
When contacting us,
ALWAYS prefix the
subject line of your
message with the course
code. For instance,
“SOSC1980 –
Questions about the
response paper”.
Consultation: By appointment through email (with my confirmation)
TA’s email:
[email protected]
GOALS
1.
2.
3.
To study and understand theories and topics of personal growth and psychological adjustment. This goal
can be achieved by reading the texts.
To highlight select concepts/principles which I consider to be important and are of interest to me. This goal
can be achieved by attending lectures. The lecture materials and readings supplement each other in
advancing your understanding of the topics. I attempt to MINIMIZE the overlap between them. (Hint: To
get the best learning experience, read the pertinent texts AFTER I complete each lecture topic.)
To apply principles/theories to understand everyday challenges of adjustment. This goal can be achieved
by actively taking part in class activities.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, students are expected to:
 Be familiar with the key classical and contemporary studies pertinent to personal growth and development.
 Be able to understand, relate, and apply the key psychology concepts in everyday life.
 Be able to identify a potential problem, research and analyze the pertinent information, and devise an action
plan to deal with the problem.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Nevid, J. S., & Rathus, S. A. (2010). Psychology and the challenges of life: Adjustment and growth (11th ed.).
NJ: John Wiley & Sons. [available at the bookstore]
SUPPLEMENTARY TEXTBOOK
Goud, N., & Arkoff, A. (2006). Psychology and personal growth (7th ed.). NY: Allyn & Bacon.
COURSE ASSESSMENT
Class Participation
Response Paper
Tests
15%
15%
70%
Class Participation (15%)
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The prerequisite for class participation is attendance, although I do not take attendance. Please come to
class ON TIME.
One to two query sheets will be distributed with each lecture handout. On each sheet, you can put down
any questions or thoughts, ideally organized around a single theme. Leave the sheets in the collection box
on the way out. I will try my best to integrate your questions into a concluding session at the end of each
lecture topic.
Your class participation score will be determined by the quality and quantity of issues raised by you.
Response Paper (15%)
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You are to submit one individual response paper. In the paper, you are to discuss your reactions or thoughts
to a short article by applying no more than two principles or concepts learnt in this course.
I will provide three short articles (on the course website) each with several guiding questions. The
questions are intended to provide some hints on preparing your paper. Use the working template to
organize your paper.
Word limit: 600-700 words (double-spaced)
Please label your document using your Student ID number (e.g., 01234567.doc). We may use a web-based
software turnitin http://www.turnitin.com/ to check the originality of your submitted work.
Feedback: If you wish to receive feedback on your draft, please submit it in MS WORD format via
http://lmes.ust.hk before 3pm, July 6, 2012.
Deadline: Submit your paper in MS WORD format via http://lmes.ust.hk before 3pm, July 16, 2012. Late
submissions will NOT be accepted.
Two Tests (70%)
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Multiple choice questions only.
Tests are noncumulative. Each one-hour test covers four topics and is worth 35%. In both tests, you are
responsible for all materials covered in lectures and required readings.
Be sure to arrive on time for each test since no additional time will be given to students who arrive
late.
Important Note: Introductory classes of this size add certain constraints on the way in which I must teach
the course. One such constraint is that there will be NO make-up tests in this course. This means that if
you miss a test, you will simply lose the number of points associated with it. Your grade will therefore be
computed as if that particular entry was a zero. The only exception to this rule is a validated medical
excuse. Such excuses must be in the form of a written note from your doctor, attesting to the fact that on the
day of the test you are too ill to attend the test. All medical excuses must be personally presented to me as
soon as you are able to return to class for a make-up test to be scheduled. This means that if you are
planning a love affair, divorce, or a dream vacation, you had better schedule these events so that they do not
conflict with your test schedule. All make-up tests consist of long questions and an oral session.
SOSC1980 Psychology of Personal Growth
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Lecture Schedule
Week
Date
Topic
Required Readings
Optional Readings
Chapter 1
Chapter 14
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 9
Chapter 5
I. The Dynamics of Adjustment
1
2
Jun 18
Jun 19
Jun 20
Jun 21
Jun 25
Jun 26
Introduction
Introduction
Emotion
Emotion
Everyday Coping
Everyday Coping
Personality
Personality
Chapter 2
II. The Interpersonal Realm
Jun 27
Romantic Love & Intimate Relationships
Test 1 – “Introduction” to “Personality”
10am – 11am
Jun 28
3
Jul 2
Jul 3
Jul 4
Jul 5
Chapters 11, 12
Public Holiday
Romantic Love & Intimate Relationships
Romantic Love & Intimate Relationships
The Self
The Self
Chapter 6
III. Developmental Transitions
4
Jul 9
Jul 10
Jul 11
Gender & Behavior
Psychology of Work
Chapter 10
Chapter 15
Test 2 – “Romantic Love & Intimate Relationships” to “Psychology of Work”
10am – 11am
Note. Both required and optional readings come from Nevid & Rathus (2010). On the course website, I provide
several fun-to-read articles for each topic.
SOSC1980 Psychology of Personal Growth
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